115 Good Deeds Examples To Make A Positive Impact

Life is stressful today – for everyone. There has been a lot of hardship in recent years and continues to be. Because of this I think we could use a lot more kindness in this world and that’s where good deeds come in.

No matter who you are you can do a good deed or act of kindness for someone else. Money is not required – just your willing to make a positive difference to people’s lives.

So, let’s spread a little (or a lot or kindness), shall we.

To break things down I have included the following categories of good deeds examples:

• Thoughtful good deeds examples
• Tiny good deeds – that still make an impact
• Good deeds examples for kids
• Good deeds for the environment

Before we jump in, let’s talk about good deeds in general. What is the meaning of a good deed?

What Is A Good Deed?

A good deed is something you do out of pure kindness. It’s about doing the right thing. These kind gestures or random acts of kindness can be little or big things you do for others such as bringing someone soup when sick or cutting your neighbour’s lawn.

The point of a good deed is to give – without seeking anything in return.

A good deed is not about looking good to others. It is simple and pure – to simply give, be kind and make things easier for others.

This can be tiny good deeds or large acts of kindness that help individuals, communities or our entire world.

So, what is considered a good deed? Below is a comprehensive list of 115 good deeds, kind gestures and acts of kindness you can try in all areas of your life.

Let’s get into it.

Thoughtful Good Deeds Examples

Focusing on good deeds helps you become a better person so let’s make a positive change for people in our lives. Here are some ideas…

1. Buy a meal for a homeless person

2. Buy a coffee for the person behind you in line

3. Cut your neighbour’s lawn or shovel their driveway in the winter

4. Prepare care packages for a homeless shelter – add essentials to a backpack – toiletries, hat, gloves, snacks, water

5. Volunteer for children’s organizations – community groups, sports clubs, etc.

6. Dedicate your time to visit a seniors home or senior center – spend time, help out, play cards

7. Volunteer at a local animal shelter – after the pandemic there is a great need for volunteers since many people have returned dogs to shelters 🙁

8. Welcome a new neighbor with a small gift – food, a plant for their garden

9. Donate food to your local food bank or give any extra money you can spare

10. Buy a bag of good groceries for your elderly neighbor

11. Donate blood

12. Give warm meals to the homeless during the holiday season

13. Donate pet food and blankets to animal foster organizations and shelters

14. Build a ‘little local library’ box on your front lawn

15. Or build a ‘little food bank’

16. Leave a positive online review for a small business 

17. Be a good friend and call a friend who’s struggling with their mental health or going through a tough time

18. Send thinking of you cards or an encouraging note, just because

19. Mail a postcard to a lonely relative or friend when you’re on vacation

20. Offer someone a ride home

21. Mentor someone more junior than you at work

22. Show appreciation to a co-worker for a job well done

23. Help someone pack up and move

24. Financially help a friend or family member – someone who really needs it

25. Write a love note to your spouse – put it in their lunch or car as a surprise

26. Give a gift during the holidays to people who help you out – a mail carrier, the main/pedi lady, the friendly grocery store cashier (a gift card, chocolates – anything to show you appreciate them)

27. Offer your skills to non-profit organizations

28. Adopt a pet, don’t shop from a breeding facility

29. Adopt a teen who’ll soon be aging out of the foster care system

30. Bake a birthday cake for a loved one – even if it turns out awful – the thought is there!

31. Share vegetables from your garden with friends and neighbours

32. Help someone with their résumé

33. Say hi to homeless people and see how you can help them – i.e. food, water, an umbrella, dog food, toiletries, etc

34. Tell your co-worker’s boss how impressed you are with their success

35. Stand up for someone if they’re being gossiped about

36. Walk or run in a fundraiser event (5K, 10K or marathon)

37. Sponsor a family from a war-torn country

38. Give supplies and money to war-torn countries

39. Ask for donations instead of gifts for your birthday

40. Put a bowl of water in your garden for birds and small animals to drink from in the summer months

Tiny Good Deeds Examples (That Still Make A Big Impact)

These are simple, little things you can do to make a difference in someone’s life – so why not choose a few and start today?

41. Return shopping carts after shopping

42. Pick up the newspaper on a neighbor’s lawn and put it on their doorstep

43. Hold the door open for people

44. Send thank you notes to those who help you out or give to you

45. Send fresh flowers to a friend who’s going through a rough time

46. When using public transportation, give your seat to a pregnant woman, a parent with kids, or a disabled or elderly person

47. Tip when you go to the coffee shop

48. Give directions to someone who is lost

49. Share food with a neighbour
50. Ask people how they are and genuinely listen to them

51. Let the person in the grocery line with a few items go ahead of you

52. Leave a positive comment on someone’s social media – especially if no one else has commented

53. Offer to share an umbrella with someone when it’s raining

54. Do someone else’s household chores to give them a break

56. Send Christmas and Holiday cards to people who will appreciate it

57. Give spare change to someone in line, who’s searching for coins

58. Support Black and Indigenous businesses

59. Give water and offer snacks to anyone working in your house (renovations or fixing things)

60. Offer to take a photo for other people

61. Send a thinking of you text to friends and family – it could be a funny joke, a video or just simple words

62. Clean off someone’s car when it snows – especially someone who has mobility issues

63. Sign a petition for something that matters to you

64. Smile at passers-by – it’s a simple thing 🙂

65. Shop at a small local bookstore instead of online

Good Deed Ideas For Kids

66. Clean your room without being asked

67. Write thank you notes for gifts you receive

68. Call your aunties, grandma, godparents and anyone else who loves you

69. If you see someone being bullied, stand up for them

70. Become friends with the new kid in school

71. Raise money for a local charitable organization (lemonade stand, doing yard work, or babysitting)

72. Give away a gently used toy to a local charity whenever you receive a new toy

73. Collect homework for a classmate who’s sick

74. Help kids in your class with their work, especially if it’s a subject you’re really good at

75. Share your lunch/snacks with a friend who doesn’t have lunch – it’s a good idea to do this with school supplies too

76. Listen to and learn from your elders

77. Offer to cat sit for a neighbour

78. Choose a charity to donate to for your birthday

79. Draw a picture for someone you love

80. Donate craft supplies to a children’s hospital

81. Invite all kids in your class to your birthday party so no one is left out

82. Offer help in the classroom

83. If you see a classmate alone on the playground, invite them to play with you

84. Feed and walk your dog

85. Volunteer with your family at a food bank

86. Share with friends – toys, books

87. When playing sports, give high-fives to all of your teammates

Good Deeds For The Environment

88. Go vegan to support the environment and reduce animal cruelty – learn about veganism with these documentaries

89. Pick up litter in your community and dispose of it properly

90. Always recycle – and make note of the items that don’t go in the recycling to do your best not to purchase them in the future

91. Don’t use single-use plastic such as plastic bottles or plastic bags  – instead always have a water bottle and reusable shopping bags on hand

92. Take public transport to reduce pollution

93. Or ride your bike

94. Put up a bird feeder and feed the birds – in your own backyard or in your neighbourhood (make sure to use bird seed, not white bread that isn’t good for birds)

95. Try living a zero-waste lifestyle 

96. Plant a tree or trees – look in your community for events or charities that are supporting tree planting and join a group

97. Shop at bulk stores and bring your own containers

98. Compost any food waste you do have – many cities have a ‘green bin’ program like where I live – but if not purchase a compost bin – here’s an amazing compost for your kitchen

99. Use environmentally friendly, cruelty-free products – personal care, household cleaners

100. Grow your own food

101. Shop second-hand 

102. Carpool 

103. Use a rain barrel to water your garden

104. Eat local produce

105. Support your local farmer’s market

106. Plant a wildflower garden – flowers that bees and butterflies love

107. Turn off lights, and electronics when not in use

108. Shut off the water when brushing your teeth

109. Reuse household items – scrap paper, old magazines, glass food containers, bags, newspaper

110. Take a reusable mug to the coffee shop as most coffee cups can’t be recycled due to the lining of plastic inside

111. When spending time in nature, leave no trace that you were there – especially when camping

112. Share your environmental habits with others to encourage them to do the same

113. Walk instead of driving – especially if you’re just popping to the shops around the corner

114. Don’t use plastic produce bags at the store – option for the reusable version or do without

115. Be mindful of your paper use – i.e. use washable rags instead of paper towels

What Good Deeds Or Acts of Kindness Do You Do Regularly?

Or share anything in the comments below that we might have missed.

Related Resources To Inspire You To Add More Good Deeds To Your Life:

• 15 Caring Ways To Be There For Someone
• 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge
• Encouraging Words For A Friend Going Through Tough Times
• 30 Gift Ideas For People With Depression