In today’s chaotic world, a little kindness goes a long way — and thankfully, the Great Kindness Challenge is here to prove just that. This weeklong initiative, running from January 23-27, is designed to inspire kids (and adults) to sprinkle small acts of kindness like confetti.
Founded by a spirited individual named Jamie Hargrove in sunny California, this grassroots movement kicked off in her backyard with her kids and local friends. Together, they formed “Kids for Peace,” an international non-profit that launched the Great Kindness Challenge. This five-day challenge encourages schools and youth groups to motivate kids to perform as many acts of kindness as they can throughout the week.
“Schools were eager to foster a culture that was joyful, respectful, and inclusive,” Hargrove shared with Home Insemination Kit. “The Great Kindness Challenge arose from that desire.” The challenge is straightforward and complements existing character-building programs. Students receive a checklist of 50 simple acts of kindness to complete during the week, along with a toolkit for schools to help facilitate the initiative. Many items on the list are things kids might already do or want to try but just need a little push — like inviting a classmate to sit with them at lunch or surprising a teacher with a flower. One of my absolute favorites? Breaking out into a happy dance to entertain someone!
“Our mission is to make kindness a habit and cultivate school environments where every student can thrive and channel that positive energy into their communities and the world,” Hargrove explained.
Though primarily aimed at schools and youth groups, the Great Kindness Challenge is easily adaptable for adults too. In fact, maybe we grown-ups are the ones who could use it the most these days. Excitingly, Hargrove mentioned that a family edition is in the works.
Even if the official dates have passed, it’s never too late for schools to join the movement. The challenge toolkit is available year-round because, let’s face it, kindness is always in vogue. The initiative has grown massively since its inception in 2012, starting with just three local schools and skyrocketing to over 13,000 schools and more than 10 million students participating nationwide. “Schools are sharing their positive experiences with others after witnessing the uplifting effects on their own cultures,” Hargrove noted.
Unsurprisingly, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Hargrove shared with ABC News, “I see that everyone is just a bit—or a lot—happier. There’s immense power in giving to others and also in receiving.” All materials are free, and the organization boasts over 25,000 volunteers, including Kindness Ambassadors, to help implement the challenge in schools. Kids are encouraged to think of their own acts of kindness too. In addition to the Great Kindness Challenge, the organization also coordinates a global service project to unite American schools in building schools abroad. Last year, they built a school in Kenya, and this year, students can contribute to the Kind Coins Campaign to help establish a school in Pakistan.
“As kids are empowered to go out and spread their kindness,” Hargrove said, “it creates an undeniable joy on campuses.” And who doesn’t want to be part of that joy? Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to entertain my kids with a happy dance to check that one off the list!
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In summary, the Great Kindness Challenge is a powerful reminder that small acts of kindness can create ripples of positivity in our communities. With involvement from schools, families, and kids, it’s an initiative that continues to grow, encouraging everyone to make kindness a daily habit.