January is the perfect time to slow things down and focus on kindness. After the excitement of the holidays, a January kindness calendar is a gentle way to reset, reconnect, and start the year with intention. Small, thoughtful actions can make a big difference, and this kindness challenge turns those everyday moments into something kids can feel proud of.
Whether you are using it at home, in school, or as part of a family routine, this kindness calendar makes spreading kindness feel easy, achievable, and meaningful.
Kindness is not just about big gestures. It is found in everyday acts, random moments of thoughtfulness, and simple choices we make throughout the day. Encouraging children to practice kindness regularly helps build empathy, confidence, and emotional awareness.
A kindness challenge like this one supports social and emotional learning while also creating positive habits that can last all year. January often feels like a fresh start, which makes it a great month to focus on being kind to others and ourselves.
Using the January Kindness Calendar
This January kindness calendar is designed to be simple and flexible. You can use it as a daily kindness challenge where children complete one act per day, or you can pick and choose ideas throughout the month.
Some families like to hang the calendar on the fridge or wall and check off each act as it is completed, while others use it as a conversation starter during breakfast or bedtime. Teachers may find it helpful as a classroom resource, using it as part of a morning meeting or kindness month discussion.
The activities are intentionally easy and age-appropriate, making them suitable for both home and school settings. They focus on kindness toward family members, friends, neighbors, and the wider community. Many of the acts encourage children to notice how others feel, help without being asked, and spread kindness in natural, everyday ways.
A Full Year of Kindness Calendars
This printable is part of a full set of kindness calendars for the year. We have kindness calendars available for every month, including February, March, July, August, and December, so you can continue the kindness challenge beyond January.
Each month includes fresh ideas and seasonal acts to keep things engaging and relevant. Using kindness calendars throughout the year helps reinforce positive habits and keeps kindness at the center of family life.
Acts of Kindness Included in the January Calendar
Here are all of the acts of kindness included in this January kindness calendar:
- Write down a goal to be kind this year
- Tell a joke to make someone laugh
- Give a compliment to a friend
- Let someone go ahead of you
- Smile at five different people
- Give a high-five to someone new
- Share a toy or game
- Say “thank you” to someone
- Draw a picture of a winter scene for a neighbor
- Pick up trash you see outside
- Help a grown-up with a chore
- Offer a warm drink, like cocoa, to a family member
- Ask a sibling how their day was
- Write a kind note for someone
- Hold the door open for someone
- Forgive someone who upset you
- Offer to help someone carry something heavy
- Say “please” and “excuse me”
- Wave hello to a bus driver or crossing guard
- Read a story to a younger child
- Say something nice about a winter activity you enjoy
- Lend a book to a friend
- Help set the table for dinner
- Encourage someone who looks sad
- Help clean up a shared space, like the living room
- Feed a pet or help care for it
- Listen closely when someone is talking about their break
- Call a relative to say hello
- Tidy your room without being asked
- Help make a snack for others
Download a Year of Kindness Activities PDF
If you love this January kindness calendar, you’ll be happy to know we have kindness calendars for the whole year. This printable set includes monthly kindness challenges for January through December, making it easy to keep spreading kindness at home or at school all year long. It’s a simple, feel-good resource packed with easy ideas the whole family can enjoy.
Making Kindness a Habit
Kindness does not have to be complicated. These simple, random acts show children that being kind is something they can do every day, in small but powerful ways. A kindness calendar like this one helps turn good intentions into action and encourages kids to notice opportunities to help, care, and connect.
If you are looking for an easy, positive way to start the year, this January kindness calendar is a wonderful resource for families and schools alike. It is a gentle reminder that kindness matters, every month of the year.
More for January
- January Preschool Themes List
- Printable List of January Activities for Toddlers
- 29 Fun and Easy Winter Crafts for Preschool this January
More Kindness Activities for Kids
Looking for even more ways to encourage kindness and empathy? We have lots of kindness activities, challenges, and resources to help kids practice being kind in everyday life, both at home and in the classroom.
- World Kindness Day Acts of Kindness Printable
- Printable Acts of Kindness Advent Calendar
- Chocolate Surprise Gifts for the 100 Acts of Kindness Challenge
More Annual Challenges for Kids
If your kids enjoy having something to work toward each day, annual challenges are a great way to keep them motivated and engaged throughout the year. From kindness and gratitude to creativity and healthy habits, these simple challenges give families an easy structure while encouraging positive routines kids can stick with month after month.
- Boost Math Skills with Our Free Printable Daily Math Question Calendar
- Science Calendar Printable – A Full Year of Daily Science Questions for Kids
- 2026 Cut and Paste Craft Calendar (Free Printable)
If you found this kindness calendar helpful, please consider sharing this blog post with other families or teachers. It really helps us reach more people and spread a little extra kindness along the way.
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