10 Kindness Songs for Kids and Kindness Activity Ideas

Music is a wonderful way to support social-emotional learning with young children — it helps them explore feelings, build connection, and practice important life skills in a playful, approachable way. One of those skills is kindness, and the songs below are wonderful for helping little ones understand what kindness looks like and how they can share it with others.

You’ve Got a Friend in Me (Randi Newman)

This classic hit is a fantastic way to talk about friendship and being there for others. You can use it to introduce themes of helping, supporting, and caring for friends.

---

This Little Light of Mine (Elizabeth Mitchell)

This well-loved classic can be adapted into a simple lesson on how we can let our light shine for others — in other words, how we can let our kindness shine.

For example:

“By waving hello, I can let my kindness shine…

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”

• Extension idea: Kindness Stars

  After singing, invite children to create Kindness Stars. Each child decorates a star and writes or draws one kind thing they can do to brighten someone’s day. Display the stars as a celebration of kindness in action.

---

With a Little Help from My Friends (Caspar Babypants)

Another wonderful classic that celebrates teamwork and relying on others, this one can lead to discussions on how friends can support and help each other.

---

Kindness (Juicebox Jukebox)

A catchy, easy-to-sing-along chorus that’s perfect for sharing the message of how simple and wonderful kindness is to give. Pair this with an activity where kids can share examples of kind actions they’ve experienced.

---

Kindness Grows (Little Ripples)

This gentle song is a wonderful way to nurture friendship, empathy, and the joy of caring for one another. Use it in your sessions to explore how being kind helps friendships blossom and makes everyone feel good.

---

Kindness Mantra (Kira Willey)

This simple but powerful song is perfect for a mindfulness moment, encouraging children to think about how they can bring kindness into the world. It’s a great way to introduce the idea of being kind to both others and ourselves, while incorporating the calming power of deep breathing.

---

I've Got Peace in My Fingers (Susan Salidor)

A lovely, rhythmic song about spreading peace, which can be paired with hand movements and gestures to make it interactive. It helps children connect the concept of kindness to their actions.

---

Try a Little Kindness (Sesame Street with Tori Kelly)

This Sesame Street tune features familiar faces and teaches simple ways to practice kindness, highlighting the positive impact even small acts can make.

---

K-I-N-D (Stephanie Leavell)

This catchy song teaches children how to spell "kind" while reinforcing what it means to be kind.

---

Three Kind Mice (Raffi and Lindsay Monroe)

A playful twist on the traditional nursery rhyme, this song introduces kindness in a simple, fun way. After listening, invite children to talk about the different ways the mice showed kindness — and imagine new ways they might help others.

Extension idea: Kindness Mouse Craft

For a creative follow-up, children can make their own kindness mouse.

If you’d like a ready-to-use template, the kindness mouse craft is included in my Kindness Craft Activity Pack, along with the Kindness Stars activity and kindness coloring cards.

---

Sweet Sounds of Kindness and Friendship: Additional Activity Ideas

• Kindness Chain: After listening to some of the songs above, have children create a kindness chain. Each child can draw or write one way they can be kind to a friend, and the links are connected to form a chain. Hang it in your classroom as a reminder!

• Friendship Bracelets: Pair this activity with a song like You've Got a Friend in Me or K-I-N-D. Have children create friendship bracelets to exchange with one another.

  
  
  
  

Using music to teach kindness and friendship is a simple but powerful way to nurture early social-emotional skills. These songs can open the door to heartwarming conversations and help children connect to ideas of kindness in an engaging and meaningful way.

---

Free Resource: A Curated List of 35 Songs to Support Social-Emotional Development

Want more songs to support social-emotional development and emotional well-being in your classroom? Sign up here to receive a complete list of 35 curated songs that encourage kindness, empathy, and emotional well-being. This free resource will give you even more ways to bring meaningful music into your lessons, with songs that children will love!