Random Acts of Kindness Competition

  The Beehive class presidency decided they wanted to do a Random Acts of Kindness activity in the form of a competition for this month's joint young women activity.  I knew there were many R.A.K blog posts out there, and figured I could easily use someone else's fabulous ideas, and turn them into a meaningful, memorable activity.  What I needed was a list of Random Acts of Kindness that could be done in a short amount of time, in a small geographical area, and also cost very little.

  I ended up searching numerous blog posts I found through Pinterest, and compiling a list of options.  Then I looked at the overall list and narrowed them down mostly by cost.     You can find my kindness Pinterest board here to see where I got most of my ideas.

These are the Random Acts that made the cut:

Church building

--Write a letter/card to a missionary.  Must include a favorite scripture or quote, and encouraging words.  Needs to be a thoughtful message that they will appreciate receiving.  3 points each, up to one per missionary in our ward per team.

--Share an inspirational LDS quote or message on your social media account.  2 points per post, one post per team member.

--Write a Thank-you letter to someone, include specific things you are thankful for that they have done for you.  3 points per letter, one letter per team member.

--Send a text to someone telling them something specific you appreciate about them.  1 point per text, one text per team member.

Shopping Center

--Put the number of quarters required in the coin return of a payphone/soda machine/or kid prize machine.  1 point per quarter, up to 4.  (4 quarters included)

--Put Away a Shopping cart from the parking lot to the cart corral by the building.  BE SAFE!  1 point per cart, no limit.

--Hold a door open for someone!  1 Point each time, no limit.

--Pick up a sandwich size bag of trash.  3 points per bag, up to nine points.  Three bags included.

--Leave an uplifting note on a windshield.  Use Sticky notes provided.  1 point per note, one note per car. 

--Leave a coupon next to the item in the grocery store.  1 point per coupon, three coupons included.

--Tape up or post a “free compliments, take one” poster in a public space.  FIVE Points.

--Hand out a pre-stamped blank thank you note, ask the person to send it to someone they appreciate.  3 points each note, two included.

--Sing a song as a group to someone.  2 points per song.

--Give a helium balloon to a child.  1 point per balloon, up to four balloons

Ward Member’s house

--Write an inspiring message with sidewalk chalk on someone’s driveway.  3 points, no limit.

--Sweep a Porch.  Ask to use their broom.  3 points, no limit.

--Give a helium balloon to a child.  1 point per balloon, up to four balloons

--Deliver cookies to a household.  Plates will be distributed evenly between groups.  5 points each plate.

--Sing a song as a group to someone.  2 points per song.  No limit.

--Leave an uplifting note on a windshield.  Use sticky notes provided.  1 point per note, one note per car. 

--Pick up a sandwich size bag of trash.  3 points per bag, up to nine points.  Three bags included.

Other

--Made one dozen cookies for this activity.  5 Points for each dozen brought by a team member.

--Obey all Traffic Laws.  TWENTY FIVE POINTS

--Work Together KINDLY as a Team.  TWENTY FIVE POINTS

--Get back to the church by 8:20.  TWENTY FIVE POINTS.

--Return all unused items in your kit to a leader. Ten Points 

Here is what the score sheet ended up looking like.  I emailed it out to all of the leaders ahead of time so they could develop a little strategy and have an overall understanding of the activity.

Each Team gets a kit with identical items to complete the tasks on the challenge list.  Below is the pile I started accumulating the day before the activity to make sure I didn't forget anything.  I ended up finding almost all of the items at the dollar store or printing them off on my computer.  The helium tank obviously took up the bulk of the expense, but I think the fun factor was worth it.

The list of items you will need for this activity include:

-Helium, balloons, ribbon: four for each group (we decided to blow the balloons up ahead of time to save the teams time)
-Cards/paper/pens: to write thank you notes and missionary letters
-Two cards in stamped envelopes for each group
-Four quarters for each group
-Cookies on plates (provided by young women)
-Three sandwich size bags per group (gloves?) to collect garbage in
-50 post it notes per group
-Sidewalk Chalk (I found this cheap at the dollar store)
-Three random coupons per team kit
-"Take a compliment" poster and tape (we wrapped some masking tape around a pen in each kit)
-Award for the winning team if you choose

For the Take A Compliment poster, you can find them on pinterest already made.  I ended up combining an image from here, but added some of my own compliments, see list below.

The next morning... people had been enjoying our compliments poster already!

You’re a great friend

You look really good today

You’re unique

You inspire me

You’re brave

You’re confident

I like your laugh

You’re smart

You’re thoughtful

You’re inspirational

You amaze me

You’re a good listener

You’re helpful

You’re awesome

You’re beautiful

Your smile is nice

You’re wonderful

Have you been working out?

You are gorgeous

I like your hair today

The teams all had unique experiences and everyone had a great time spreading happiness and being kind.  Some of the favorite activities were: giving a balloon to a child, singing to random strangers, and decorating driveways with uplifting messages.

With all the cookies the girls brought, we had enough for two plates per team, and kept the extras for our refreshments at the end of the night.  I also brought a gallon of chocolate milk, and a gallon of regular milk.

For the team with the most points, I spray painted some little plastic trophies I found at the dollar store and attached some Starburst.  A little cheesy, but inexpensive and easy.

Spray painted each side, allowed to dry in between sprays.

Used sand paper to take off a little pink.  I thought gold would show up, but black did instead.

Wrote the word Kindness on each one with a sharpie, and then added a couple coats of clear finish spray because the words were smearing.

Printed 8 quick labels off and attached to baggies of Starbursts.

Finished award.  Tiny.  Cheesy.  but a little bit fun and happy, with a dash of kindness.

Other ideas that would have been fun, but didn't make the list because of either cost or overall time:

-Present a ward member with a Certificate (pre printed certificate would be included in kit)

-Heart Attack someone (supplies would need to be included in kits)

-Deliver cookies and thank you note to a fire station

-Read a picture book to a child

-Place pre-printed uplifting quotes around for people to find

-Paint hearts (or other) on small rocks and leave in sidewalk cracks or other places to be found

-"Ding Dong" ditch someone (leave a box of Ding Dongs and a nice note)

-Hide dollar bills at the dollar store or the dollar section in Target

Have fun with this activity and make it your own!  I can't wait to do something like this for Family Home Evening soon!