Smile Deck

Smile Deck is a deck of cards, each with a unique kindness idea. Every suit is a different theme, and the ideas get harder as you get towards the Ace. Below are all the ideas from our original deck. You can request a pre-printed Deck, or try various creative ideas of recreating this at your home.


People have used Smile Decks in lots of creative ways -- group of teens huddled, each picked a card, went out to perform the kind act individually, and came back to share stories with each other; a therapist framed it on her wall and often asked her clients to select an act of kindness as a payment; at the end of corporate meeting, managers will pick a card and then check-in at next week's meeting with a story of their kind act. Lots of possibilities.


You can access all the ideas below.

Or ... load another random card on the right, by clicking on the button below it. In case you're looking for even more ideas, we've got plenty more. :)



Clubs: For People You Know
2 Leave a snack for an unsuspecting co-worker or friend.
3 Give a friend your favorite inspirational book with a personal note attached.
4 Connect two friends who had not previously met each other.
5 Share an inspirational story from today's news.
6 Make a lunch for someone and slip a joke in it.
7 Write positive notes about your family or friends and share them.
8 Help someone with a chore, unexpectedly.
9 Do a 'dance of joy' for someone close to you.
10 Using crayons, make your own card for someone you love.
J Write a song, poem or a note for a loved one.
Q Get in touch with an old friend who you'd like to reconnect with.
K Write a thank you note to a teacher who inspired you.
A Call a mentor to say thank you.


Hearts: For Those Unknown
2 Hide spare change where a stranger will find it within the hour.
3 Tell a public service employee how valuable they are. 
4 Play the role of doorman for 15 minutes.
5 Strike up a conversation with someone who looks like they need a friend.
6 Buy bottles of water and hand them to passers-bys with a smile. 
7 Pay for the person behind you in line. 
8 Acknowledge an act of kindness by someone else and thank them.
9 Donate your favorite book to the nearest library with a note inside on why you love it!
10 Strike up a conversation with an elderly person.
J Knock on 10 doors and give them a snack-- reverse trick-or-treat!
Q Create 5 cards with positive messages and leave them in a coffee shop for someone to discover.
K Pick someone unknown around you, make them smile at any cost.
A Hug the first 5 people you see!


Spades: For Our World
2 Research the most eco-friendly materials for clothing and personal care and share them with your friends.
3 Clean up litter on your block.
4 Send a thank you note to a person or business helping the world.
5 Go to the nearest park and clean up as much as you can!
6 Find 3 stories of earth-friendly people and share them.
7 Call an animal shelter and donate at least one item they need.
8 Stand outside a supermarket and give people reusable shopping bags.
9 Hand out long-life light bulbs to those around you.
10 Give an eco-friendly gift to at least 1 neighbor.
J Plant a fruit tree where it will thrive.
Q Green your food!  Cook a locally grown, organic, or vegetarian meal for your friends.
K Hug a tree in public, inspire another to do the same.
A Make and post signs with tips to reduce water use.


Diamonds: For Yourself
2 Play sports with people you don't know in the park.
3 Write a list of what you are grateful for RIGHT NOW and share with friends.
4 Smile! And say hello to 5 strangers.
5 Offer inspiring reading to someone in the room.
6 Post a list of random kind acts in a public place.
7 Learn a statement of gratitude in another language and share it.
8 Leave flowers on the doorstep of someone you don't know and run!
9 Use physical comedy or your wit to be funny and laugh with the group :)
10 Pay for an unknown person's meal anonymously.
J Give away something important to you.
Q
Hand out balloons to kids while skipping around in public!
K Close your eyes and practice absolute silence for 15 minutes.
A Give away one of your possessions RIGHT NOW.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to drop us a note. Thanks for being partners in kindness!