World Kindness Day falls on Friday 13 November 2026. It is a simple idea with a big reach: one day each year when people, schools and workplaces around the world make a point of being kind, and notice how good it feels. Below you will find easy World Kindness Day activities for the workplace, the classroom and home, plus a short loving-kindness meditation, because kindness is much easier to give when you have a little left for yourself.
What is World Kindness Day?
World Kindness Day was introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement, a coalition of kindness organisations from around the world. It is held every year on 13 November to encourage kindness between people, communities and nations. In Australia, schools, councils and workplaces mark the day with small acts of kindness, fundraising and events that bring people together.
Kindness is not only good for the person receiving it. Research on prosocial behaviour has found that doing kind things for others is linked with a lift in the giver's own mood and sense of connection. In other words, it is one of the few feel-good habits that helps everyone involved.
Kindness activities for the workplace
Most of us spend more of our waking hours with colleagues than with anyone else, so the workplace is a natural place to start. These ideas take little time and almost no budget.
- A gratitude wall. Put up a board or a shared online space where people can leave notes thanking a colleague for something specific.
- Anonymous kind notes. Draw names from a hat and leave that person a kind, specific note by the end of the day.
- Coffee for another team. Shout a coffee round for a team you do not usually work with, and use it as a chance to say hello.
- A skill swap. Offer 20 minutes to teach a colleague something you are good at, from spreadsheet shortcuts to sourdough.
- A no-rush afternoon. Leaders can clear non-urgent meetings for the afternoon and give people time to catch up or step away from the screen.
- A shared pause. Book a short guided meditation for the team. Ten quiet minutes together can shift the tone of a whole day.
- Give together. Choose a local charity and collect donations, or book a team volunteering session.
Kindness activities for school and kids
Children learn kindness best by doing it. These ideas work in the classroom and at home.
- Kindness bingo. Make a bingo card of small kind acts (hold the door, invite someone to play, say thank you to a teacher) and see who can complete a line by the end of the day.
- Thank-you letters. Write to people who help the community, such as the school cleaner, the crossing supervisor, local firefighters or a nearby aged care home.
- Compliment circle. Sit in a circle and have each child say one kind thing about the person next to them.
- A kindness chain. Add a paper link to a chain for every kind act the class notices. Watch it grow across the room.
- Kindness rocks. Paint small rocks with kind words and leave them somewhere for others to find.
Kindness activities at home and in your community
- Check in on a neighbour who lives alone, or drop over a meal.
- Call or message someone you have been meaning to catch up with.
- Donate clothes, books or toys you no longer use.
- Leave a positive review for a small local business you love.
- Pick up rubbish on your walk, or join a local clean-up.
- Give blood, or book in to register as a donor.
- Let someone go ahead of you in the queue. Small still counts.
Start with yourself: a five-minute loving-kindness meditation
It is hard to be kind to others when you are running on empty. Loving-kindness meditation, known as metta in the Buddhist tradition, is a simple practice of offering warm wishes, first to yourself and then outward to others. Try this five-minute version.
- Settle. Sit comfortably, close your eyes or soften your gaze, and take three slow breaths.
- Yourself. Place a hand on your heart and silently repeat: May I be safe. May I be well. May I be at ease. Say it slowly, three times.
- Someone you love. Picture someone who makes you smile and repeat: May you be safe. May you be well. May you be at ease.
- Someone neutral. Picture someone you see but do not really know, such as a barista or a neighbour, and offer them the same words.
- Someone difficult. If you feel ready, picture someone you find challenging and offer the words again. If it feels too hard, go back to yourself. That is part of the practice.
- Everyone. Finish with: May all beings be safe. May all beings be well. May all beings be at ease. Take one more slow breath and open your eyes.
If you would like to be guided, our guided meditations are a gentle place to start, or come and join a class at our South Melbourne studio.
Frequently asked questions
When is World Kindness Day 2026?
World Kindness Day is on Friday 13 November 2026. It falls on 13 November every year.
What is the purpose of World Kindness Day?
The day encourages people to notice and practise kindness in their everyday lives, at home, at school, at work and in their communities.
What can I do for World Kindness Day at work?
Start a gratitude wall, share anonymous kind notes, shout a coffee round for another team or book a short guided meditation. The best ideas are small, specific and easy for everyone to join in.
How can kids celebrate World Kindness Day?
Kindness bingo, thank-you letters to community helpers, a compliment circle and painted kindness rocks are all easy for children to enjoy at school or at home.
Make kindness a habit
One day of kindness is a lovely start. The real change comes when the small acts keep going on 14 November and beyond. If your team would like to build a little more calm and connection into the working week, explore our corporate wellness sessions. Thank you for spreading a little kindness.