A Beginner's Guide to the Kindness Counts Game for Kids

Key Highlights

Kindness Counts is a collaborative board game that helps children practice acts of kindness and empathy through engaging group activities and a vibrant game board. The game uses kindness tokens and situation task cards to encourage simple acts of kindness, suitable for both classroom and home settings. Many teachers have shared that students eagerly participate in group activities and display more acts of kindness throughout the school day after playing Kindness Counts. Parents have noted how the use of kindness tokens and task cards makes it easier for children to understand and carry out simple acts of kindness at home, fostering a more positive family atmosphere. These testimonials highlight how the game board and collaborative play reinforce important values while making learning fun.

• The game uses kindness tokens and situation task cards to encourage simple acts of kindness, suitable for both classroom and home settings.
• Creative uses include classroom morning meetings, family time, and simple acts of kindness bingo—students stay motivated and involved.
• Printable and downloadable activities are available for easy access, with resources adaptable to various age levels.
• Age-appropriate variations and discussion topics allow educators and parents to tailor play, celebrating every act of kindness and fostering positive behavior.
• The game links to further ideas and sample activities, perfect for promoting social-emotional learning and collaborative gameplay.

Introduction

Introducing children to the value of kindness early on can truly shape their character and relationships. The Kindness Counts Game offers a fun, hands-on way for young learners to experience what it means to perform an act of kindness. By turning random acts of kindness into playful challenges, this game gives kids opportunities to practice compassion and teamwork. Not only does it inspire selfless behavior, but it also lays the foundation for lifelong empathy, making it an excellent resource for families and educators alike.

What is the Kindness Counts Game?

Kindness Counts is a screen-free board game designed for kids ages five and up, blending the fun of collaborative gameplay with opportunities for simple acts of kindness. Unlike competitive games, players work as a team to complete task cards and earn kindness tokens, all while moving across a colorful game board built from a nine-piece jigsaw puzzle.

The ultimate goal? To fully bloom the Kindness Tree before nightfall by performing acts of kindness drawn at random from the deck. Group activities and random order of play keep everyone engaged and ensure no two games are alike, making every session both entertaining and meaningful.

Purpose and Benefits for Kids

At its heart, the Kindness Counts Game is about nurturing the value of kindness and selfless behavior in children. The main objective is to help kids internalize the importance of treating others with respect and care, all within a playful environment. Each act of kindness—no matter how small—teaches children that their choices can positively impact those around them.

Through collaborative tasks and shared victories, the game bolsters empathy and the ability to see things from another’s point of view. As they work together to complete acts of kindness, children naturally develop better conflict resolution skills and learn to celebrate both individual and group achievements.

Long-term, the Kindness Counts Game is a powerful tool for character education. It fosters habits of compassion and gratitude, showing kids that kindness is not just an act but a way of life. By reinforcing these positive behaviors, the game helps establish a supportive and friendly atmosphere both at home and in school.

How It Supports Social-Emotional Learning

Social-emotional learning (SEL) thrives when children have structured ways to engage with others and reflect on their actions. The Kindness Counts Game integrates SEL by sparking group discussions about kindness, empathy, and the choices we make every day. Each task card can open up new discussion topics, encouraging kids to talk about different situations and how they might respond with empathy.

Creative activities—such as role-playing acts of kindness or adding leaves to the kindness tree—help children relate SEL concepts to real-life experiences. Teachers and parents can use these moments to guide conversations about conflict resolution or understanding perspectives, making SEL accessible and relevant.

As kids navigate the game, they learn strategies for resolving disagreements and supporting one another. This not only strengthens their relationship skills but also builds a more inclusive, kind community within any group.

What You Need to Get Started with the Kindness Counts Game

Getting set up with Kindness Counts is simple and straightforward. Essential materials include a nine-piece jigsaw game board, kindness tokens, and a set of challenge-packed task cards. Each component is designed to be both durable and visually engaging, drawing kids into the experience from the very start.

For families and classrooms seeking extra options, printable and downloadable activities make it easy to expand or customize the game. These resources help you adapt the experience to different ages or group sizes while keeping the focus on kindness.

Essential Materials and Supplies

To start playing, you’ll need a few essential materials. The Kindness Counts Game typically includes a jigsaw puzzle game board, a set of kindness tokens, character pieces, and task cards, all conveniently stored in one box. Whether you purchase the official version or create your own, having the right supplies is key.

Alternate materials can be used if you’re looking to adapt the game for different age groups or environments:

• Use homemade tokens (buttons, beads, or coins) as kindness tokens for younger children.
• Laminated task cards add durability for classroom use.
• Paper or felt leaves work well for building your own kindness tree.
• Game boards can be drawn on poster board for a budget-friendly version.

Keep all pieces organized in a labeled storage bin or pouch, making setup and cleanup quick and easy. Preparing these supplies in advance ensures every session starts smoothly and stays focused on kindness.

Printable and Downloadable Game Resources

Finding printable and downloadable resources for Kindness Counts is easy and convenient. Many educators and parents use Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) or request materials via email to get high-quality, customizable game templates. These resources range from ready-to-print game boards and task cards to digital versions for remote learning.

Here’s a comparison of available options:

Customizable templates allow you to tailor the acts of kindness and challenges to your group’s needs. Using these downloadable activities ensures you’re always ready to refresh your game or adjust for new skills and discussion topics.

How to Play the Kindness Counts Game: Step-by-Step Guide

Understanding how to play the Kindness Counts Game is easy with a clear step-by-step guide. After assembling the jigsaw game board and placing the acts of kindness tree in the center, players organize the task cards by city and distribute kindness tokens. Each player then spins the wheel and moves their character in random order around the board.

Throughout the game, kids complete acts of kindness described on the cards, collect tokens, and add them to the kindness tree. The flexibility of the rules means you can adapt the setup for different ages or group sizes, making every session fresh and fun.

Step 1: Setting Up the Game for Different Age Groups

When setting up the Kindness Counts Game, consider who’s playing. For preschoolers, simplify the rules and use large, colorful pieces for easy handling. Introduce fewer task cards with simple language and limit the number of steps per turn to maintain focus.

Elementary students enjoy group activities that challenge their teamwork and creativity. Try mixing in age-appropriate variations, such as “simple acts of kindness bingo” or group storytelling about kindness. Older students or mixed-age groups can handle more complex tasks and longer sessions, adding layers of strategy or discussion from the limits series.

Sample age-appropriate task cards include:

• “Share a toy with a friend” (preschool)
• “Help clean up after an activity” (elementary)
• “Write a compliment for a classmate” (older students)

Step 2: Explaining the Rules and Acts of Kindness

Clearly communicating the rules helps everyone feel included and confident. The basic structure is collaborative: players spin the wheel, move across the board, and draw task cards as they land on spaces. Each card prompts a simple act of kindness, which earns a token for the kindness tree.

Here are sample acts of kindness you might find in the game:

• Saying something nice to another player
• Helping clean up after a snack or activity
• Sharing a toy or game piece
• Adding a leaf to the kindness tree for every good deed
• Offering to help someone with a task

Set expectations in positive terms, emphasizing encouragement and teamwork. Remind players that everyone wins when the kindness tree blooms—reinforcing that selfless behavior is always valued.

Step 3: Playing, Tracking Progress, and Celebrating Success

Once the game begins, tracking progress keeps everyone excited and motivated. Each completed act of kindness is rewarded with a kindness token, which is then added to the acts of kindness tree or a progress chart. This visual feedback helps kids see how their actions contribute to the group’s success.

Celebrating achievements can take many forms. Try awarding certificates, giving small rewards, or holding a group discussion to reflect on the day’s best moments. Some families and classrooms enjoy a victory cheer or a special snack to mark their shared success.

Ongoing feedback is crucial for building confidence and maintaining engagement. Encourage players to share their thoughts on each act of kindness, and invite everyone to brainstorm new ways to be helpful in future games.

Creative Ways to Use the Kindness Counts Game at Home or in School

Teachers and parents find endless creative uses for Kindness Counts, whether at home or in the classroom. The game’s collaborative gameplay makes it perfect for group activities, family bonding, or as a tool for teaching conflict resolution. Integrating the game into daily routines helps reinforce lessons in empathy, respect, and positive social behavior.

Using Kindness Counts during morning meetings or transition times provides a fun, purposeful break while consistently reminding kids of the value of kindness in every setting.

Integrating the Game into Daily Routines or Morning Meetings

Weaving the Kindness Counts Game into daily routines or morning meetings makes kindness a natural part of every day. Set aside a few minutes each morning or afternoon to play a round, discuss a kindness challenge, or reflect on acts from the previous day.

Routine activity ideas include:

• Drawing a daily kindness challenge card at the start of class
• Adding a kindness token to the tree each time someone helps a peer
• Using the game during transitions or as a reward for positive behavior
• Sharing stories of kindness as a group during morning meeting
• Reflecting on which simple acts of kindness made the biggest impact that day

Making kindness visible and routine helps children see that kindness counts in every aspect of their lives.

Age-Appropriate Variations and Classroom Activities

Kindness Counts adapts easily for different age groups and classroom needs. For younger children, focus on hands-on group activities and simple, visual tasks like adding leaves to the kindness tree. Older students might enjoy more complex challenges, such as creating thank-you notes or designing their own acts of kindness bingo.

Classroom activity examples include:

• Organizing a “kindness scavenger hunt” to find opportunities for good deeds
• Running simple acts of kindness bingo—students check off kind actions throughout the week
• Building a classroom kindness tree with every completed act represented as a leaf
• Cooperative storytelling about real-life acts of kindness
• Group collaborations to solve social challenges using selfless behavior

By encouraging age-appropriate variations, you foster an environment where every student can participate and grow.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Kindness Counts Game is not just a fun activity; it's a valuable tool for fostering empathy and social-emotional learning in children. By engaging kids in acts of kindness, this game encourages them to develop essential life skills such as cooperation, communication, and self-awareness. With simple setup steps and creative integration ideas, parents and educators can easily incorporate this game into daily routines, making kindness a priority in their environments. Embracing this playful approach helps cultivate a positive mindset and nurtures compassionate relationships among peers. Ready to bring kindness into your home or classroom? Dive into the Kindness Counts Game and watch as it transforms interactions with children!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can adults play the Kindness Counts game with kids?

Absolutely! Adults are encouraged to join in, modeling acts of kindness and demonstrating selfless behavior. Collaborative gameplay makes it a perfect family activity, allowing everyone to participate, share the game board, and work together on group activities that highlight kindness.

What are some examples of acts of kindness included in the game?

Typical acts of kindness in the game include sharing with others, saying thank you, helping a friend with a task, offering compliments, and placing leaves on the kindness tree. Task cards guide children to practice these simple acts of kindness throughout play.

How can progress be tracked and celebrated with children?

To track and celebrate progress with children, utilize charts or stickers to visualize achievements, hold regular check-ins to discuss feelings about their progress, and organize small celebrations for milestones reached. This encourages motivation and reinforces positive behaviors in the Kindness Counts game.

Where can I find printable versions of the Kindness Counts game?

You can find printable versions of the Kindness Counts Game on various educational websites, family activity blogs, and platforms like Teachers Pay Teachers. Additionally, some nonprofit organizations focused on kindness may offer free downloads for parents and educators.