10 Ways to Spread Kindness and Have Fun While Sheltering in Place
For the past few years, Print the Love has hosted a Kindness Relay in the spring to send ripples of compassion out into our community. Because we won’t be gathering in person this spring, we’ve put together 10 ways to spread kindness and have fun while sheltering in place.
Start a neighborhood chat group
Use an instant messaging service like Google Hangouts or Facebook Messenger to stay in contact with your neighbors. Through this chat group you and your neighbors can:
Share information on where to find resources locally
Offer help to elderly or immunocompromised neighbors
Ask for help
Check in on each other's health and wellbeing
To invite your neighbors to your group you could send them an email or text with the details (if you have their contact info), or leave a note at their door.
2. Donate to organizations and businesses that help people in need
If you have the means to give, make a contribution to an organization or business that is providing food, medical equipment, or other needed services and resources to vulnerable populations and/or healthcare workers during COVID-19.
You could also donate physical items to shelters and/or nonprofits that are asking for help. Check websites of local organizations to see what they need and how you can get the supplies to them.
3. Support local businesses
Many businesses have had to close temporarily or adjust to a new way of serving customers due to COVID-19. Here are a few ways to support them during this time:
Purchase merchandise online from your favorite local shops (maybe this could be some very early holiday shopping)
Purchase gift cards (to be used later) for restaurants, bars, etc.
Order take out, delivery, or curbside pick up from restaurants in your neighborhood that are offering those services
4. Treat yourself to some fun and relaxation
A lot of us are feeling anxious right now, but it’s important for our own health to take intentional time to relax and destress. Here are a few ideas:
Put on your favorite show or watch a movie that’s been sitting in your queue
Do some yoga, dance in your living room, or go for a walk or run
Meditate
Take a nap
Unplug from social media and the news
Do whatever makes YOU happy
5. Check in with your friends and family
Reach out via phone, email, social media, or text to check in. Let people know you’re thinking about them and ask how they’re doing. You could also schedule a video call. It can be helpful to see people’s faces during this time of isolation.
Have kids at home? Here are some activities to do with kids and teens:
6. Send kindness cards and letters to loved ones
Put out some paper, writing tools and craft supplies and create letters or cards to mail to family and friends who live near and far. Your messages can be about anything that your family wants to write about. Here are just a few ideas:
Kind words or encouraging phrases like, “You are amazing,” or “You matter”
A poem, story or song lyrics
A letter that describes your day, your last vacation or favorite time of year
A favorite quote or mantra
A list of what you love most about the person who will receive the message
7. Do chores together
Chores can be kinda fun when everyone pitches in. Put on some music or create a competition to motivate your family. Here are a few chores that most kids or teens can do:
Make everyone's bed
Organize closets, drawers or shelves
Bathe the dog or brush the cat
Pick up toys around the house
Do the dishes
Fold laundry
8. Cook or bake
Make a meal or baked goods together. You could try a new recipe or make a favorite.
Click here and here for some recipes that use pantry and/or freezer items you may have purchased in preparation for sheltering in place.
9. Put on a performance
Collaborate with your family to create live entertainment. Here are a few suggestions and resources for inspiration:
Put on a play, like one of these
Tell jokes, like these
Sing a song. You could write an original or pick a favorite to perform
Do magic tricks, like one of these
10. Make a bouquet
If there are flowers blooming in your yard, ask your kid(s) to choose a few and make a bouquet for the kitchen table or dining area.
We’d love to know what you’re doing to keep busy and spread kindness safely. If you’d like to share your experience, please post about it on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #kindnessrelay2020.