The Great Kindness Challenge (GKC) is back for another year of inspiring kindness around the world! Organized by Kids for Peace, this week-long event, happening January 27–31, 2025, brings students, schools, and families together to create a global wave of compassion, acceptance, and respect.
What started in 2011 with just three schools in Carlsbad, California, has grown into an incredible movement involving over 20 million students across 115 countries. Together, they’ve accomplished over 1 billion acts of kindness—and it’s all thanks to people like you who believe that even the smallest kind gesture can spark big change.
This year’s theme, “Kindness Moves!” reminds us that every kind action, no matter how small, has the power to make a difference. Participating schools are given a simple checklist packed with ideas like smiling at 25 people, writing a thank-you note, or creating a kindness poster for school staff. Each act is a step toward a brighter, more unified world.
Educators who have taken part in the GKC often share incredible stories about its impact. Chad Lund, an elementary school principal in Carlsbad, shared how bullying decreased and unity soared during the week. And Rita Powell, a principal from San Diego, once experienced an entire week without a single behavioral issue—a first in her career—all thanks to the kindness challenge.
But the challenge isn’t just for students. The Family Edition invites parents, guardians, and siblings to join in. Families are encouraged to spend the week working on their own acts of kindness, proving that kindness isn’t confined to the classroom—it starts at home and ripples out into the community.
The best part? The Great Kindness Challenge is completely free and open to all schools and families. Signing up is as simple as visiting the official website and downloading the checklist. From there, the possibilities to spread kindness are endless.
As the 2025 Great Kindness Challenge approaches, schools and families worldwide are encouraged to join this movement of positivity. Together, we can build a world where kindness is not just an act but a way of life.
So, let’s get ready to move kindness forward! Because when we choose kindness, we choose a better future—for everyone.
For more information or to sign up, visit thegreatkindnesschallenge.com