6 Free Summer Printables – Worksheets with Kindness Activities for Kids
Inside: Looking for free summer printables and kindness activities for kids? These worksheets and games are centered around kindness to inject some meaningful learning while keeping them entertained.
Everyone loves the idea of summer until the “I’m bored!” complaints start rolling in. You know the ones… when kids have all the free time in the world but suddenly can't think of anything to do.
Before the frustration sets in (for them and you), you need quick, easy summer vacation ideas to keep the peace and your sanity. Even better if those activities sneak in a little learning or social-emotional growth at the same time, right?
That’s where these free kindness printables come in. Just download, print, and go! They’ll keep your kids entertained and teach them how to be kind, thoughtful, and a good human.
Kindness activities? You might be thinking, “Hmm… not sure if that’ll go down well.” But give them a try and I think you'll be surprised at how much your kids enjoy them. And let’s be honest, we could all use a little extra kindness in the world right now.
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Finding simple summer learning activities for elementary students isn't just about filling time. These kindness-themed printables can actually make a big difference, not just now, but as your kids head back to school feeling happier, more confident, and more settled.
Kindness has a ripple effect. When kids do something good for someone else, they often feel calmer, more connected, and proud of themselves. And let’s be honest, calm, kind kids make for a much more peaceful home. You can read more about that here.
You might not have thought about all the benefits of teaching kindness, but it goes way beyond just being “nice.” It helps build emotional intelligence, empathy, and strong character traits that last a lifetime.
Now, I’m not saying these kindness activities are a magic fix for a perfect summer, but they can help. With these free summer printables, your kids stay engaged in meaningful ways, and you get to enjoy fewer complaints and more positive vibes. Sounds like a win, right?
Free Summer Printables to Teach Kids to Be Kind
In case you're not convinced that kindness activities are the way to go, let me briefly list a few good reasons to use these ideas and free kindness printables.
If you want to know more about the reasons to teach kindness, read this post.
1. Compliment Coupons for Kids
Teaching kids how to give a thoughtful compliment is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to build empathy, kindness, and connection. These printable compliment coupons make it easy and fun for students to spread kindness in the classroom or at home.
Each coupon encourages children to notice something positive about someone else, helping them to focus on gratitude and the good things around them. Whether they’re complimenting a friend’s effort, a classmate’s creativity, or someone’s kind heart, kids learn that kind words can brighten someone’s day.
Teachers can use them during kindness lessons, as part of a classroom reward system, or just to create a more supportive environment where students lift each other up. Parents love them too for encouraging thoughtful interactions between siblings or peers.
You can read more about the importance of teaching kids to give compliments HERE!
2. Free Printable Kindness Coloring Pages
Did you know that coloring is a mindfulness activity that's good for mental health and emotional wellbeing?
Coloring can help kids calm down because it's a form of meditation which helps distract them from their worries. Coloring also promotes creativity and develops fine motor skills.
While you may be looking for summer coloring sheets, think kindness coloring instead! These free kindness coloring pages remind students that they have the power to make someone happy and while they're doing good for someone else, they're also making themselves feel great!
► FREE Kindness Coloring Pages!
If you like these and want some more kindness worksheets or want to explore other topics, check these resources:
3. Kindness Fortune Teller or Cootie Catcher
Okay, this one's not a freebie, but do you remember the good old cootie catcher, fortune teller, or chatterbox from when you were young? Back in the "old days", they were just a game but these days, they're a very popular resource among teachers. They use them as engaging social-emotional learning activities to build positive character traits and teach all manner of topics. They're popular because kids absolutely LOVE them and are happy to learn in such a fun way!
This particular fortune teller is a great way to teach about kindness and friendship. It will keep your kids calm and entertained as they get folding, writing, and coloring. It's a good one if they want some arts and crafts because it's actually a form of origami.
Students in 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade particularly love fortune tellers because they can use the printable or Google Slides templates to customize their game to suit themselves.
My students loved these chatterboxes! They love chatterboxes - full-stop! These ones are special because they relate to our learning on kindness, relationships, and wellbeing in the New Year.
Lyn C. - used with 2nd grade students
The other thing I love about this activity is how it develops hand/eye coordination as kids cut out their paper square and fold it into a game. I do have to warn you though, that they'll need to follow the instruction sheet the first time they fold it and might need some help if they're younger. But having said that, following directions is a great way to improve problem-solving skills.
Love LOVE LOVE! Used in individual counseling lessons with multiple students, boys and girls. They all have loved this resource to promote kindness in the building.
Dakota - 4th grade
If you love cootie catchers, then have a look at these other topics:
4. Free Compliments Bookmarks
We all want and need to feel valued and appreciated. It's a good feeling to receive a genuine and heartfelt compliment and it's something we should teach our kids to do.
Studies reported by Psychology Today show that people often underestimate the impact a compliment can have. The conclusion was that "people who received the compliments felt happier, more pleased and flattered than the compliment-giver predicted."
"The researchers also found that compliment-givers were in a better mood after delivering a compliment and reported they would be more likely to give a compliment to a stranger in the future."
Being in the habit of giving compliments helps us notice and appreciate what’s good and what we like in those around us. So being complimentary helps us create an optimistic, happier outlook.
Marcia Naomi Berger, NBC News Post
So, giving compliments is not just a one-way street. Saying something nice to someone else benefits the giver just as much through the feel-good emotions they experience. And the other thing to consider is the positive effect giving compliments has on relationships. What's not to love!
Get your kids started with these free compliments bookmarks. You can download them for free so they can start practicing being kind.
If you like these bookmarks and want some more designs, take a look the preview of my full resource to see what's included.
5. Free Kindness Checklist
My kindness checklist is mostly used during Random Acts of Kindness Day or World Kindness Week but honestly, it can be used at any time of the year. It's a kindness challenge kids love because they get to check things off a list and let's face it, who doesn't love that!!
Kids are challenged to do good deeds in 4 categories:
I used this as a continuation of our weekly bully meetings about being kind. The checklist was a great way for them to see many different ways they have or can be kind to others.
Jacqueline Y. - 2nd grade
Kids select three or more acts of kindness from four categories (school, home, community, with an adult) to complete. Kids love a bit of friendly competition to see who can check off the most good deeds.
What I love is that while they think they're just having a bit of fun, they're actually learning important character traits that teach them to be a good human. AND being nice improves your home dynamic or classroom community!
Many teachers asked us to customize the checklist for their grade. We loved the idea, but with so many requests we thought it was easier to create a list that they could personalize themselves in Google Slides. If you want to add specific good deeds for kids at home or school, then grab the extended version of this resource.
I loved this checklist! So many great ideas to talk about! Sent it home as a challenge for students to complete as many as they could in November and bring back for a prize!
Mandy E. - K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade
6. Free Digital Kindness Jigsaw
If you're taking a road trip or a vacation from home and don't want to take too much with you, then this free digital jigsaw puzzle could do the trick!
All you have to do is click the button in the download to access your own Google Slides copy of this 24-piece kindness puzzle. This online game has all the cognitive and developmental benefits as a regular jigsaw but without the mess.
Yet another resource to nurture positive character traits, the inspirational quote drives home a positive message that encourages kindness and friendship.
We completed this activity after our weekly bully meeting. We discussed what it means to be a good friend and qualities of being and having a good friend. They loved doing this puzzle as a wrap up.
Jacqueline Y. - used with 2nd grade students
There's a designated online workspace with pieces scattered around the outside of the board. Kids move them in place using a mouse or their finger if they're using a touchscreen. The activity helps develop fine motor skills and improve their ability to concentrate to complete a task.
And the best part, you won't have to search for lost puzzle pieces on the floor or in your luggage.
I used this as a way to incorporate my eLearners into a team building activity. The students had to work together to put the puzzle together alongside my face to face students who were working on their own puzzles in smaller groups in class. I would definitely use this activity again!
Lauren M. - used with Pre-K students
Don't worry if you have older kids who need a more complicated game. I have a selection of 20, 35, and 64-piece puzzles in a range of topics including, kindness, friendship, gratitude, Easter, and Christmas.
7. Free Family Tear-Off Kindness Coupons
These kindness coupons are great for bringing the family together. There are various templates with spaces for 8 or 12 acts of kindness.
For younger students, you can just print the ready-to-use coupons for them to pop on the fridge. Older kids can write nice things they can do for each member of their family themselves. What I love about this activity is that it gets kids thinking about the things their loved ones appreciate.
These free templates encourage kids to show kindness towards their family members. The coupons will delight mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers when they can tear off a coupon where the child will:
They can add whatever they like to the coupons as long as it's something they're doing for someone else. They'll want to try to consider everyone in their family so there's something on there for everyone.
Use the coupons while you're on break or during International Day of Families, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas, or birthdays. It's a versatile template you'll get a lot of use from.
What's your favorite way to keep your kids entertained over summer that also builds positive character traits?
P.S. If you want more fun ways to embed social-emotional learning, check out these other great sites.
