Kids Kindness: Part 2

Time to share a few more ways to spread kindness & joy, or just put out a positive vibe. Last year’s summer reading kickoff featured a “Kindness Rocks” activity. This quote is from last year’s project: “What is a kindness rock? Kindness rocks are rocks painted with a positive message or image and are then put in a public space either locally or taken on vacation with you. They are placed in plain sight so that they can be spotted easily. The goal is to put a smile on someone else’s face and watch kindness spread. Once you find an “nlplrocks” rock, we encourage you to reshare and put it in another space. Keep the kindness going!” In case you need a few instructions, try the Guide to Painting Rocks at meandmyinklings.com:

Some neighborhoods are sharing books with little libraries or safely trading books with classmates and neighbors. Others have turned the little libraries into a little free pantry, or put out snacks for delivery people, postal workers, and neighbors. These ideas are featured at parentmap.com along with various resources for helpful articles and activities. Even though it is written for the Seattle area, there are good ideas here.

Neighborhood dancing or sing-alongs are also good ways to spread cheer.

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 21: Toby and Mackenzie Glennon dance on the sidewalk in front of their house during neighborhood dance party on North 16th Street in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, March 21, 2020. Their mother Shelly Glennon started the ritual as a daily relief from the stress of dealing with the coronavirus stay-at-home order. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

Another cool idea I found was to coordinate a teddy bear hunt in the neighborhood. First, read We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen. Then spread the word and have your friends and neighbors place a teddy bear somewhere in a window, on a porch, or in their yard and get ready to start hunting! This could easily be adapted to be a rainbow or heart or color search…the sky is the limit with setting up this creative adventure! Read all about it at time.com.

Enjoy the Youtube video of the author, Michael Rosen, reading to you:

Or, you’ll be able to check it out from the library soon:

Please visit the New Lenox Library Homepage to read all the details about curbside check-out starting in the near future…hooray!!!

Stay safe, and as always…..