We all know it feels good to do good. But perhaps your kiddos are still in the post-winter break, lounging mode. So with next week being being Random Acts of Kindness Week (Feb. 9-15), we’ve got some inspiring ideas to help your family snap out of the winter doldrums and get the little ones practicing acts of kindness. Check out this list of 20 creative acts of kindness with a local, San Diego twist.

Photo Credit: Jack M. via Yelp

Start at Home

1. Take care of yourself. Invite a friend to take a walk somewhere beautiful or go to coffee or lunch.

2. Put a loving note in your child’s lunchbox.

3. Make a healthy meal that your kids will love. Check out these San Diego food bloggers for inspiration.

Get Into the Community

4. Be a polite driver today.

5. It’s Girl Scout Cookie time. Donate a box to troops through Operation Thin Mint when you order yours.

6. Do you love your neighbor? Have an awesome mailman? Leave a note and a treat to show them you appreciate them. Check out local sweet shops that have awesome goodies to share if baking’s not your thing.

7. Buy a coffee for someone often overlooked who does a great job: the school secretary, story time librarian or the recess monitor who always ties your kid’s shoes on the playground.

8. Tell a parent what a great kid they have. Or compliment three people today.

Photo Credit: Chris C. via Yelp 

Shop Locally

9. Eat locally-grown foods and shop at one of San Diego’s Farmer’s Markets this week.

10. Support local merchants and restaurants. We’ve got recommendations for every kind of kid-friendly restaurant you could want — from local pizza and soup joints, to sushi spots and craft breweries for families.

11. Need a gift? Consider buying one from local women who make beautiful things by hand and sell on Etsy. Or visit these San Diego toy shops.

Photo credit: San Diego Humane Society

Donate Time and Treasure

12. Volunteer as a family at one of these San Diego charities and non-profit organizations.

13. Learn the value in creating peace, protecting the environment and celebrating each other’s different cultures through your local Kids for Peace chapter.

14. Need to clean out cupboards or the garage? While you do it, look for old blankets or towels and donate them at your nearest Humane Society. You can also help out local animals in shelters also by donating pet food, or in a larger way by opening your home and becoming a foster family for an animal waiting for a home.

15. Dump that jar of pennies in a Coinstar machine at a local store and choose to donate it to organizations such as Unicef or Feeding America.

16. Have books that your kiddos have outgrown? Donate to a local library or your child’s teacher.

17. Give the gift of life. Donate blood.

Take Care of the Environment

18. Use your reusable shopping bags. Need some? Try canvas bags. You can just throw them in with regular laundry on cold and air dry.

19. Participate in a beach clean up.

20. Turn off lights and electronics you’re not using.

Feeling inspired? Share the message of Random Acts of Kindness Week through Facebook. How will your kiddos practice kindness this week?

— Cherie Gough