24 Kindness Elf Ideas: A Good Deed for Every Day of Advent

Not every elf has to be mischievous. A "kindness elf" leaves a small good-deed mission each morning. It's easier on parents, and lovely for children to be part of.

How a kindness elf works

Each morning the elf holds a small card with a mission. Children complete it during the day, and the elf "reports" their kindness to Santa that night. It works alongside any hiding spot, so the elf can still be up to mischief as well!

24 kindness missions

1. Make a cardfor a grandparent or someone you love.
2. Set the tablefor dinner tonight without being asked.
3. Donate a toyyou've outgrown to a charity shop.
4. Draw a picturefor a neighbour and post it through their door.
5. Say three nice thingsabout a brother, sister or friend.
6. Hold the dooropen for someone today.
7. Help carry the shoppingin from the car.
8. Make your bedall by yourself.
9. Leave a thank-you notefor the postie or bin collectors.
10. Share a snackwith someone.
11. Feed the birdswith seeds or a little water.
12. Tell a joketo make someone laugh.
13. Tidy a roomeven if you didn't make the mess.
14. Give a big hugto someone in your family.
15. Read a storyto a younger child or your teddies.
16. Thank your teacherwith a big smile.
17. Help wash upor dry the dishes.
18. Ask someone to playwho is on their own.
19. Make a decorationand give it to a friend.
20. Choose food to giveto a food bank.
21. Phone a relativejust to say hello.
22. Write five thingsyou're thankful for.
23. Let someone else choosethe game or film today.
24. Tell your familywhy you love them.

Tips

Match missions to the day: save "set the table" for a busy weeknight and "food bank" for a weekend trip. Celebrate: a star chart makes the good deeds visible, and children love colouring in each star before bed.