Did you know there are no limits to kindness? There are no rules that state that acts of kindness must be performed at a specific place or a certain time or be done for a specific person.
In fact, acts of kindness can be performed anywhere, at any time, and be done for absolutely anyone.
So, if there are no limits to kindness, why not do acts of kindness all the time?
Why not do random acts of kindness that change the world for the better — wherever we are and whenever we can — so that the world can be a better place?
Below is a list of random acts of kindness ideas that you can do for people you may not know — it’s a list of acts of kindness ideas for strangers.
Why? Because when we’re kind to the people around us — whether we know them or not — we make the world a better place.
Simple acts of kindness don’t just accumulate — they rejuvenate.
Kindness lifts our spirits and warms our hearts — not only in the moment, but also long afterwards. It has a way of staying with us — it lingers.
Kindness inspires. Kindness empowers. Kindness brightens our days, betters our world, and makes us want to do more — to be more.
After all, what is kindness? Kindness is love in action.
Kindness is all the different ways we show love to ourselves and to the people around us.
So, if kindness is love in action, let’s use kindness to create a better world.
Let’s be kind to ourselves and be kind to others. Let’s do random acts of kindness for people we don’t know, as well as for people we do.
As you move about this world, be more than just another passing face —
be a source of grace.
Be a beacon of light for those who are drowning in the dark.
Be a spark of hope for those who’ve long lost their fire.
Touch people’s lives in a positive way by doing simple things that make people smile. When you spread kindness, you do more than just make people feel good, you become an agent of change — you change the world for the better with every act of kindness you do.
So do as many acts of kindness as you possibly can — even if it doesn’t particularly feel like much at the time.
Don’t worry about everything you can’t do — focus on what you can because you never know what one simple act of kindness can mean to someone.
Remember, also, that random acts of kindness that occur in places where they are least expected are often the most memorable — so take the liberty to be creative with your kindness.
There’s no wrong way to be kind.
The List of Acts of Kindness Ideas for Strangers shown below is a helpful starting point.
Feel free to do the acts of kindness examples on the list or to use those random acts of kindness examples simply as inspiration for your own beautiful acts of kindness.
A List of Random Acts of Kindness Ideas for Strangers
1. Send kind words of encouragement to a stranger on the Internet who seems sad so they feel a little less alone.
The Internet can be a cruel place, but it doesn’t have to be. It can be full of good people with kind hearts who use the Internet to do random acts of kindness for people they don’t know and may never meet. Kindness doesn’t have to be quiet.
2. Donate books, toys, and games to sick children in the hospital to help keep their spirits up and give them opportunities to laugh and play.
Children’s hospitals sometimes have wish lists that they publish online showing what they’d most like to receive. Check out what items your local hospital needs, and see how you can help. Kindness loves company, so recruit friends to join you in collecting items to donate, if you’d like. When it comes to bringing joy to sick kids in the hospital — the more we can do, the better.
3. Give homeless people living outside on a scorching hot day ice-cold bottles of water to help them stay cool and hydrated during the intense heat.
Sometimes, it’s the little things that matter most. Just because we can’t do everything, doesn’t mean we can’t do anything. Not everyone has the luxury of cold things on a hot day, so do your best to help wherever you can. Every act of kindness matters.
4. Provide an umbrella to someone caught in the rain.
Want to give a complete stranger a kind surprise? Offer someone unexpectedly drenched in a sudden downpour of rain the safety of an umbrella. Sometimes, opportunities for great random acts of kindness literally fall from the sky. Catch them when they arise and turn something unexpected into something beautiful.
5. Leave a kind note of thanks, along with a very nice tip, to the cleaning person at the end of a great hotel stay just to brighten a hard-working person’s day.
Acknowledge the excellent job some men and women do out of sight. Though they may not often be seen, the high-quality of their work is frequently on full display. Let these hard-workers know that we see them — we see how hard they labor, and we appreciate it.
6. Place a box of free dog treats at a dog park or other popular dog-walking location to give both dog-owners and their dogs an unexpected treat.
Wherever you put the box, dogs will find it. Dogs can find both treats and a wonderful way to your heart with blazing speed. When you perform this small random act of kindness with no expectation of anything in return, you not only let dogs find something good — you also remind dog-owners that people are good.
7. Help a senior citizen become more tech savvy so they can take advantage of more opportunities in an increasingly digital world.
The world changes quickly, and it can be hard to keep up. Take a moment to make sure some people don’t get left behind — give elderly individuals who wish to learn how to navigate new technology a lesson in how to do so safely. Look out for those amongst us who could benefit from a little more of our time and patience.
8. Surprise the employees and staff at a local organization you love with a gift of tasty treats just to brighten their day.
Show your appreciation for all of their hard work and dedication by giving them an unexpected reason to smile. Good people who do great work better the world. Give them all the accolades.
9. Go out of your way to return a lost item to its original owner, especially if you believe the item may be important or possess sentimental value.
Consider making the effort to return something you think was once very important to its previous owner — but, through time and circumstances, somehow managed to end up in your possession. Sometimes, things slip through our fingers despite our best efforts. Other times, the kindness of strangers brings them back.
10. Start a chain of kindness at your local coffee shop or fast food restaurant by paying for the order of the person in line behind you and inspiring him or her to do the same.
When you do acts of kindness for people and invite them to pay it forward, they often take you up on it. There’s something heartwarming and fulfilling about being a part of something wonderful. Start a kindness chain today, and see how many smiles one simple act of kindness can create.
11. Write a Thank You letter to a kind stranger who did an act of kindness for you when you really needed it.
People who take the time to help us when we’re in a jam, especially when they go above and beyond when they didn’t have to, help restore our faith in humanity. They bolster our belief in the kindness of strangers and leave us with beautiful memories. Tell someone who did a kind act for you how much it meant to you, and maybe you can leave that helpful person with a beautiful memory, too.
12. Unexpectedly pay for someone’s medications at a neighborhood pharmacy just to make someone’s day and instill a little joy and optimism into a stranger’s life.
You never know what someone is going through or how you can help. For some people, the high cost of their medications is a burden they begrudgingly bear. If you’re able, brighten someone’s day by helping them bear that burden — even if only for a short while. Sincere kindness, given with no expectations, can touch people’s hearts and create memories that last a lifetime.
13. Give a stranger a kind compliment with no expectation of anything in return.
Put a little extra pep in someone’s step by doing a simple act of kindness. Say something kind and sincere to a perfect stranger just because you can. It’s nice to see a stranger smile. It’s even nicer to know kindness is the cause.
14. Help homeless children start school with a smile by providing them with much-needed school supplies and new clothes for the upcoming school year.
All children deserve a chance to succeed. When kids don’t have to worry about whether they’ll have the resources they need to attend school, they can spend more time focusing on studying hard, getting good grades, and growing up to be good people who help make the world a better place. Let’s invest in them so they can invest in themselves.
15. Stand up for someone who is being made fun of or bullied.
Be brave when it counts. It isn’t always easy or safe to say something when people around you are being hurt, and it’s understandable if you’re afraid. But, if you can find the strength to stop a bully, you help not only the bully’s intended victim — but also the world in which we live.
If we want a kinder world, we have to create it — one act of kindness at a time. Be courageous. Kindness is contagious.
16. Bring boxes of food to local food banks, churches, and other organizations that offer food and nourishment to those in need.
Share what you can whenever you’re able. Be a part of helping to keep bellies full in your community so that no one in your area goes hungry. We’re all in this together. Let’s take care of one another.
17. Tape money and a kind note to a vending machine in your local area to give people in your community a fun surprise and an amusing reason to smile.
Who doesn’t like an unexpected treat? Sometimes, the simplest acts of kindness can bring the most joy. Be a source of smiles in your neighborhood by thinking of creative and fun ways to brighten people’s day.
18. Donate highly requested items to a local women’s shelter so that women fleeing domestic violence or experiencing homelessness have what they need not just to survive — but to thrive.
Check your local women’s shelter to find out what items they need the most and provide what you can. It’s important to support women as they rebuild their lives so they have the opportunities and resources they need to succeed.
19. Give a flower to someone you see often, but don’t actually know — just to do a little random act of kindness that makes someone grin.
Maybe it’s your favorite coffee barista. Maybe it’s the always-nice cashier at your favorite store. Maybe it’s that lady who always waves at you as she walks her dog around your neighborhood. Offer someone a sweet gesture of goodwill in the name of kindness, and you just might make a new friend along the way.
20. Serve food with a smile to people at a local soup kitchen or other charitable organization that provides hot meals to members of the community.
Being of service to the people around you is wonderful thing. Volunteer for a community service event that allows you to warm hearts and stomachs by serving generous helpings of both food and kindness to the people in your community.
21. Let someone with a small number of items at the store go ahead of you in line if you’ve got a full cart or a large order.
Little acts of kindness go a long way. The more we treat each other with courtesy and consideration, the better our world will be. No kind deed goes unnoticed.
22. Provide much-needed classroom supplies to underfunded school classrooms so students have the resources they need to get the best education they can.
Many schools have a shortage of materials, but amazing teachers do the best they can with what they’ve got — and they do it with a smile. Give hard-working teachers a great reason to smile by helping them acquire the school supplies and other tools they need to help students thrive.
23. Hold the door open for someone else to walk through.
Chivalry isn’t dead. Neither is kindness. Open the door for someone you don’t know — not because it’s required, but because it’s a thoughtful gesture that makes people smile. When we connect with the people around us, we form invisible bonds of unity that strengthen our relationships, our communities, and our world.
24. Contribute books and other items to your local library to expand a library’s collection and provide more materials for library patrons to check out.
A great library is a gorgeous oasis of information in a world often captivated more by sizzle than substance. Help your neighborhood library remain an excellent resource for your community by contacting your local librarians to see what items they want to receive the most. A beautiful library is like a beautiful mind — brimming with possibilities.
25. Delight an excellent waiter or waitress with a disproportionately large tip to lift their spirits, reward wonderful service, and create a beautiful moment he or she won’t soon forget.
Nourish your soul, as well as your body, the next time you’re out in restaurant by doing a random act of kindness. Be a source of joy and jubilation for someone who could use a jolt of goodness in their day. Many of us go to restaurants to be served, but, while we’re there, we could serve up a little kindness, too.
26. Visit a national cemetery and place freshly-cut flowers on the final resting places of the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for your country to honor their memory and heroism.
Pay your respects to the people who fought and died to help keep you and your fellow citizens safe. Show that the nation’s immense gratitude and admiration for their courage and service remains strong and alive long after their death. Good deeds for great people never get old.
27. Drop off holiday gifts for people in homeless shelters to provide these men, women, and children with hope and help during the holiday season.
Holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas, are a beautiful time, but they can be stressful — especially for those who are struggling to get on their feet. Help lift spirits by giving the gift of kindness during the holidays — buy gifts that make people smile and help them believe in a brighter future.
28. Mail a letter to someone you admire, but don’t personally know — and thank them for inspiring you.
We all have people who influence us — those we actually know and those we don’t. If a stranger has influenced the trajectory of your life in a positive way, consider letting that person know. Your letter just might be the highlight of their day.
29. Deliver a gift of gratitude and appreciation to your local firefighters to thank them for being steadfast and heroic members of your community.
You can’t think about essential members of a community without thinking about firefighters. Firefighters are heroes who show up to every situation purely to help. They don’t do it for the praise, but they deserve it nonetheless.
30. On your next trip, spend time volunteering at a local non-profit organization to give back to the community and positively impact the lives of the people who reside in the local area.
Kindness has no borders. It can happen wherever and whenever you wish — so as you move about the world, take kindness with you.
Do acts of kindness wherever you go, and take The Traveling KIE Kindness Challenge to see how many different places your kindness can touch. If you spend your life spreading kindness, who knows how far your kindness can reach?
31. Give up your seat to someone who may need it more than you when in an area with limited seating.
Good old-fashioned courtesy never goes out of style. Offering your seat to someone who may benefit from it is a timeless act of kindness that warms people’s hearts and reminds us all about the power and pleasure of simple kindness.
32. Donate money and emergency aid to respectable domestic and international relief organizations that go out of their way to help people who are affected by natural or man made disasters.
You know those disasters we watch on the news? We don’t have to just watch — we can help. There are many great organizations that do the hard work of helping people, at home and abroad, who need it the most. Do your research to make sure you’re giving your resources to legitimate institutions, and contribute what you can. No act of kindness is ever wasted.
33. Perform a random act of kindness for a stranger you just saw be kind to someone else.
Reward kindness with kindness. Thank a nice stranger for being kind to others by doing an act of kindness just for him or her — maybe offer to buy a drink or simply give a great compliment. Kindness is contagious. Get swept up in it.
34. Send care packages to current members of the military to boost morale and let them know their fellow citizens are thinking of them.
Be kind to our military men and women — they work hard every day to keep our country safe. Let them know their efforts are appreciated by sending them care packages filled with fun things that give them an unexpected reason to smile.
35. When you receive outstanding customer service, go out of your way to tell that person’s boss how much you appreciate that individual’s excellent work so that people who work hard and do their jobs well get the recognition they deserve.
People who are great at their jobs deserve praise and appreciation because they make things easier for the rest of us. Make someone’s day by ensuring they get the credit they deserve for exceptional work. The more we recognize everyday excellence, perhaps the more of it we’ll see.
36. Bring a supply of quality dog food and treats to a homeless person who has a dog.
When you bring food to homeless people with dogs, if you can, bring food for their dogs, too. Dogs are loving and loyal companions who are members of the family for many people — they definitely deserve love, too. And treats. Lots of treats.
37. Make the effort to talk to someone at a party or event who looks uncomfortably shy or lonely to help put them at ease and offer them at least one friendly face at the gathering.
We all feel a little awkward or uncomfortable at times. For some of life’s moments, we could definitely use a friend — so be a friend to someone who feels out of place by taking the time to say hi. You never know — it just might be the start of a beautiful friendship.
38. Attach a nice note and an envelope filled with enough money to pay for several loads of laundry onto a public laundry machine just to do a random act of kindness for a stranger.
Acts of kindness don’t have to be extravagant to be special. Sometimes, people just want a reason to smile — to be the recipient of good fortune or a little bit of luck. Be a source of someone’s smile today.
39. Say a sincere thank you to someone whose positive energy motivated you today.
When you needed a pick-me-up today, who gave you a boost? Thank that special someone for their infectious energy and joy. If you give them the gift of knowing they’ve been a light in your life today, you just may inspire them to shine brighter tomorrow.
40. Buy a stranger a hot drink on a cold day to boost someone’s body temperature and morale.
A great random act of kindness for a stranger can be wonderfully simple one — offering someone a hot cup of a great beverage on a freezing cold day. Warmth spreads in many ways — kindness is one of them.
41. Support organizations that deliver food to seniors who may have difficulty leaving the house or cooking for themselves.
Everyone needs a helping hand every now and then. For senior citizens who find it challenging to move about as they used to, programs that provide them with the nutrition they need can be a lifeline. Be kind to the elderly by supporting wonderful programs that improve their lives.
42. Purchase gift cards to grocery stores and hand them out to families who need them.
Food prices can take a big bite out of a family’s budget — especially for low-income families, single-parent households, and those with large families. Ease the cost of putting nutritious food on the table, and create a memorable day of fun by surprising unsuspecting families with gift cards to their favorite local grocery stores.
43. Order an extra restaurant meal to go and give it to the homeless person you saw sitting outside.
Do a kind act for a total stranger just because you can. Brighten someone’s day because it’ll make both of you smile. Sometimes, the most unexpected gestures are the most memorable.
44. Send a thoughtful Thank You email to a great instructor or a featured speaker at a lecture, class, or other event you attend.
Most of us appreciate feedback. We want to know if our actions resonated with anyone or made a difference in someone’s life. If someone’s generosity with their knowledge and time touched you, consider letting them know. Your kind gesture would not only let people know that what they did mattered, but it may also make them more willing to help others in the future.
45. Buy new mothers essential items — such as diapers and baby food — to help struggling families provide basic necessities for their children.
Show women who are raising our next generation of great leaders and thinkers the power of the kindness of strangers. Help them worry less about how they’re going to provide, so they can focus more on being their kids’ best guide.
46. Give a smile and a thumbs up sign to student drivers on the road who are driving well.
Do you remember the very first time you tried to drive? Do you recall the feelings of excitement, nervousness, and a bit of fear? Be kind to new drivers (usually identifiable by the sign on their vehicles) by offering them a little encouragement and support during those, sometimes stressful, first outings on the road. Good drivers are good for us all.
47. Pin words of kindness and encouragement onto a public bulletin board to put a happy smile on face of the next person who sees it.
Kindness that appears in the middle of nowhere is sometimes the most beautiful. Spread kindness randomly, and watch it take flight.
48. Send flowers to the staff at a location that holds a special place in your heart to raise spirits and add beauty to their workplace.
Perhaps it’s the employees at your local doctor’s office who’ve been especially kind to you. Perhaps it’s the folks at the front desk of your neighborhood gym. Find a kind place filled with kind people, and better that space with a bit of your own beautiful kindness.
49. Write a great review for a product, individual, or organization you think is wonderful to help spread positive word-of-mouth and shine a spotlight on excellence.
If someone or something is really great, let people know. Share the wealth so that others may discover it. Helping people sift through the myriad of options available to find something wonderful is an honorable endeavor.
50. Acknowledge all the good work doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers do to try to keep members of their communities safe and healthy by catering a delicious lunch for these health care heroes.
People often think of hospitals and other healthcare facilities as places people have to go when they’re sick — but they’re also places where many people who are sick get a whole lot better. That’s often due to the dedication and relentless hard work of caring healthcare professionals who go to work every day determined to help the people around them. Sincere thanks for their efforts are always welcome, but finding creative ways to show our appreciation is enjoyable, too.
51. Take the time to stop and talk to a quiet neighbor if you get a sense they want a bit of conversation and company.
Life is hard for everyone in different ways. Let’s look out for one another and help people in whatever way we can. Sometimes, a simple conversation and a smile is all it takes to better someone’s day. Never underestimate the power of kindness.
52. Buy an extra bag of groceries, and give it to someone in need.
The next time you’re shopping for yourself, think about a stranger you’ve seen who might need a little something, too. Deliver a bit of unexpected delight when you drop off some groceries for someone who really appreciates it.
53. Shovel someone’s driveway or cut someone’s grass who needs help.
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we fall behind. We get hurt or sick, and we can’t do the things we used to. If you see someone who might be in need of a hand — offer two of yours, if you can. A little kindness goes a long way.
54. Bring entertaining (and appropriate) games, puzzles, or reading material with you the next time you’re in a situation with lots of downtime or a very long wait, and generously share your items with the people around you.
Make hours spent in various waiting rooms or intensely long lines for hugely in-demand venues seem like they pass a little more quickly with just a small act of kindness. If kindness can bring people together and create camaraderie in even the most mundane circumstances — then kindness really is worth the wait.
55. Offer to take a group picture for people struggling to take a good photo of themselves with their entire group of friends or family.
You ever see people trying over and over to take a good group-selfie? Next time, give them a helping hand by offering to take a picture for them. Watching others do camera acrobatics to try to get the perfect angle creates smiles, but so do random acts of kindness.
56. Spend time cleaning a beach, hiking trail, or other popular scenic destination in your local community to keep areas of nature beautiful for everyone.
Mother Nature is magnificent. Help keep her looking her best by taking the time to tidy up some of her most scenic spots so that future generations can continue to enjoy the majesty of her beauty. We’ve got a beautiful world — we’ve got to take care of it.
57. Give a tourist a cool souvenir from your local area just to add a fun memory to his or her travel experience.
Kindness can enhance any experience — even if you’re in an exciting new place meeting wonderful new people, kindness can make everything better. Surprise a tourist with a nice random act of kindness by gifting them with a fun souvenir from your town or city, and you just might give them a lovely memory they won’t soon forget.
58. Treat strangers at an amusement park or arcade to free rounds of a popular game just to do a random act of kindness that brings people joy.
Make people laugh and forget their troubles, even if only for a moment, by encouraging them to have a little fun. Spontaneous acts of kindness that inspire laughter and joy often turn out to be fun for everyone.
59. Calm a nervous flier in the airplane seat next to you by offering a hand to hold or some light-hearted conversation — if they want — to help support them or distract them during turbulent parts of a flight.
Some people get a little nervous when they fly — and that’s okay. If you’re sitting next to someone who gets visibly anxious during airplane takeoffs or landings, ask them how you can help. Sometimes, just chatting with someone can ease their anxiety and distract them from the motions of the aircraft. Other times, having a literal hand to hold can be all the help they need. Look out for others in little ways — some of the best acts of kindness are free.
60. Do 10 random acts of kindness for 10 different strangers.
Don’t overthink it — just do it. See how kindness changes things. Watch how kindness inspires people and makes them smile. Experience, first-hand, how random acts of kindness can inspire more random acts of kindness because kindness is contagious.
If you want to do more, take The 24 Hour KIE Kindness Challenge and challenge yourself to see just how many acts of kindness you can do in 24 hours.
If that’s not enough, check out The 30 Day KIE Kindness Challenge or any of the other KIE Kindness Challenges.
There’s no shortage of ways to be kind.
What’s The Bottom Line?
Be Kind To Others.
The List of Random Acts of Kindness Ideas for Strangers displayed above shows there are many ways to be kind.
There are free acts of kindness, and those that require money. There are simple acts of kindness, and those that require more planning.
It doesn’t matter how you choose to be kind — what matter most is that you choose to be kind.
Be kind to the people around you. Be kind to yourself. Be kind to the world in which we live.
We’re all in this together. Kind actions that lift up one of us — lift us all.
Let the beauty of your kindness lift us all.
Do an act of kindness from the above List of Acts of Kindness Ideas for Strangers today.
Kindness Is Everything.
Be Kind Today.
A Rhyme To Remember
Do acts of kindness, and you may find
life is much better when you are kind.
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