Encouraging Kindness with Bucket Filling Gem Jars | Projects In ... - Free Printable

You're looking at a set of “Fill Your Bucket” activity worksheets — based on the popular children’s book *Have You Filled a Bucket Today?* by Carol McCloud. These are designed to teach kids about kindness, empathy, and positive social behaviors through fun, interactive exercises.

Let’s go through each worksheet and explain how to complete it:

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🎯 Worksheet 1: “Write words that describe bucket fillers in the hearts!”

Goal: Identify kind actions or qualities that “fill buckets.”

✔ How to solve:
- Think of words that describe kind, caring, or helpful behaviors.
- Write one word inside each heart.

📌 Example answers:
- Kind
- Helpful
- Friendly
- Caring
- Smiling
- Sharing
- Listening
- Loving

*(Note: You can use any positive character trait or action that makes someone feel good.)*

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🎯 Worksheet 2: “I can fill someone’s bucket by…”

Goal: Reflect on personal actions that spread kindness.

✔ How to solve:
- Write 3–5 specific things YOU can do to make others feel happy or appreciated.

📌 Example answers:
- Saying “thank you”
- Holding the door open
- Sharing my toys
- Giving a compliment
- Helping a friend who is sad

*(Encourage concrete examples — not just “being nice.”)*

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🎯 Worksheet 3: “Someone can fill my bucket by…”

Goal: Recognize what makes YOU feel valued or cared for.

✔ How to solve:
- Write 3–5 things OTHERS can do that make YOU feel good.

📌 Example answers:
- Hugging me when I’m sad
- Telling me I did a good job
- Including me in their game
- Saying “good morning” with a smile
- Writing me a note

*(This helps kids understand emotional needs and reciprocity in kindness.)*

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🎯 Worksheet 4: “Kindness Comic”

Goal: Illustrate a short story showing bucket-filling behavior.

✔ How to solve:
- Draw a 4-panel comic strip.
- In each panel, show a sequence:
1. Someone feels sad or empty (empty bucket).
2. Another person does something kind.
3. The recipient feels better (bucket fills).
4. Maybe show them returning the kindness or smiling.

📌 Example idea:
> Panel 1: A child drops their lunchbox and looks upset.
> Panel 2: Another child picks it up and hands it back with a smile.
> Panel 3: The first child smiles and says “Thank you!”
> Panel 4: Both kids walk off together happily.

*(Great for visual learners and storytelling!)*

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🎯 Worksheet 5: “How To: Fill a Bucket”

Goal: Brainstorm and illustrate 4 ways to fill someone’s bucket.

✔ How to solve:
- In each box, write one way to fill a bucket AND draw a small picture to go with it.

📌 Example entries:
1. Write a note → [Draw a hand writing a card]
2. Give a high-five → [Draw two hands high-fiving]
3. Share a snack → [Draw a cookie being handed over]
4. Say “You’re awesome!” → [Draw a speech bubble with stars]

*(Combines literacy, art, and critical thinking.)*

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🎯 Worksheet 6: “ABC Order”

Goal: Practice alphabetizing words related to kindness.

✔ How to solve:
- Cut out the 8 words.
- Glue them into the numbered boxes in alphabetical order.

📌 Words to sort:
- dip
- bucket
- fill
- help
- smile
- care
- school
- home

✔ Correct ABC Order:
1. bucket
2. care
3. dip
4. fill
5. help
6. home
7. school
8. smile

*(Tip: Teach kids to look at the FIRST letter — if same, check second letter.)*

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## 💡 Why This Matters:
These activities build social-emotional learning (SEL) skills like:
- Empathy
- Self-awareness
- Relationship-building
- Responsible decision-making

They also reinforce literacy, fine motor skills (cutting, gluing, drawing), and critical thinking.

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## ✔ Final Tips for Teachers/Parents:
- Use these as part of a “Kindness Week” or daily morning meeting.
- Read *Have You Filled a Bucket Today?* aloud before starting.
- Display completed work in the classroom or at home to celebrate kindness!
- Encourage kids to “fill buckets” throughout the day — and notice when theirs gets filled too!

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Let me know if you’d like printable versions, answer keys, or extension activities (like role-play ideas or kindness journals)! 😊