40 Acts of Kindness & Generosity for Families During Lent

Lent isn’t just about giving things up—it’s about making space for love, generosity, and kindness. Here are 40 simple ways your family can practice kindness and service, along with a short prayer and scripture to guide you each day.

Lent Week 1: Serving Those in Need

1. Pack a bag (or several) of food for Backpack Buddies. (Proverbs 22:9 – "The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.")

2. Donate socks and supplies to a shelter. (Matthew 25:40 – "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.")

3. Check in with someone who is lonely (and/or bring them flowers). (James 1:27 – "Look after orphans and widows in their distress.")

4. Write a surprise thank-you note to a teacher or coach. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 – "Encourage one another and build each other up.")

5. Take some books you no longer use and fill up a Little Free Library. (Proverbs 16:24 – "Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul.")

6. Visit a local food pantry and help deliver food. (Luke 3:11 – "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none.")

7. Deliver towels and blankets to the local animal shelter. (Psalm 36:6 – "You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.")

Simple Prayer: God, help us see the needs of others and serve them with love. Amen.

Week 2: Loving Our Neighbors

8. Make cookies for a neighbor you don’t know well yet. (Galatians 5:14 – "Love your neighbor as yourself.")

9. Help a neighbor bring their trash bin up after garbage day. (Philippians 2:4 – "Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.")

10. Weed or help with gardening for a neighbor (or for the church). (Isaiah 58:10 – "Spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed.")

11. Compliment a friend (on something more than their appearance). (Ephesians 4:29 – "Let everything you say be good and helpful.")

12. Create encouraging messages with chalk on the sidewalk near your house. (Matthew 5:16 – "Let your light shine before others.")

13. Send someone a letter in the mail. (Colossians 3:12 – "Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.")

14. Create kindness rocks and take them to the park. (Romans 12:10 – "Be devoted to one another in love.")

Simple Prayer: Jesus, help us love our neighbors the way you love us. Amen.

Week 3: Sharing Joy & Encouragement

15. Tell someone you love them. (1 John 4:19 – "We love because He first loved us.")

16. Leave a note or drawing in a sibling’s or parent's lunchbox. (Hebrews 10:24 – "Spur one another on toward love and good deeds.")

17. Hold the door open for as many people as possible today. (Luke 6:31 – "Do to others as you would have them do to you.")

18. Read a Bible story to a younger sibling or friend. (Psalm 119:105 – "Your word is a lamp for my feet.")

19. Call a grandparent or older relative just to say hello. (Proverbs 17:6 – "Children’s children are a crown to the aged.")

20. Donate toys and clothes you no longer use. (2 Corinthians 9:7 – "God loves a cheerful giver.")

21. Make a homemade card for someone in the hospital or a nursing home. (Psalm 147:3 – "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.")

Simple Prayer: Lord, may our words and actions bring joy to others. Amen.

Week 4: Being a Light in the World

22. Set the table for dinner without being asked. (Philippians 2:14 – "Do everything without grumbling.")

23. Pick up litter around your neighborhood or a park. (Genesis 2:15 – "God took the man and put him in the garden to take care of it.")

24. Say something kind to someone who looks sad today. (Proverbs 12:25 – "Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.")

25. Let someone else go first in line or on the swings. (Mark 9:35 – "Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last.")

26. Help clean up after a meal, even if it’s not your mess. (Galatians 6:2 – "Carry each other’s burdens.")

27. Offer to pray for a friend who is having a tough time. (James 5:16 – "Pray for each other.")

28. Bake muffins or bread and take them to the fire or police station to thank the workers. (Luke 10:27 – "Love your neighbor as yourself.")

Simple Prayer: Jesus, help us be a light for others through kindness and love. Amen.

Week 5: Growing in Gratitude & Faith

29. Say a prayer for someone who is hurting. (Psalm 34:18 – "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.")

30. Tell a family member one thing you appreciate about them. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 – "Give thanks in all circumstances.")

31. Help make dinner and serve it with a smile. (Matthew 20:28 – "The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve.")

32. Listen to someone without interrupting. (James 1:19 – "Be quick to listen, slow to speak.")

33. Offer your seat to someone who needs it more. (Philippians 2:3 – "In humility, value others above yourselves.")

34. Make a list of things you are grateful for and share it at dinner. (Psalm 107:1 – "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.")

35. Donate pet food to an animal rescue. (Genesis 1:26 – "God made us caretakers of all creatures.")

36. Sing a song of worship together as a family. (Psalm 100:2 – "Worship the Lord with gladness.")

37. Leave an uplifting note in a library book for the next reader. (1 Peter 4:10 – "Use your gifts to serve others.")

38. Do something kind for someone in secret today. (Matthew 6:3 – "When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.")

39. Invite someone new to sit with you at lunch or church or play with you at recess. (Romans 15:7 – "Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you.")

40. Pray together as a family and thank God for all the ways you’ve shared kindness this Lent! (Colossians 3:17 – "Whatever you do, do it all in the name of Jesus.")

Final Prayer: Lord, thank You for showing us how to love others. Help us to keep sharing kindness beyond Lent. Amen.