Celebrate the power of kind words and positive peer connection with the uplifting Kindness Concertina craft. This collaborative activity supports student wellbeing by encouraging affirmation, creativity, and reflection. Each student creates a personalised concertina that is gradually filled with affirmations from their peers, creating a heartwarming keepsake full of encouragement and support.

Through art, writing, and sharing, students learn the impact of kindness and the joy of uplifting others. The unfolding concertina format adds an exciting element of surprise as students reveal the affirmations left by their classmates. This resource is perfect for building strong relationships within your classroom and reinforcing the value of empathy and kindness.

Use the Kindness Concertina during R U OK? Day, at the start of the school year, or anytime your class needs a positivity boost. It’s a versatile and impactful craft that brings creativity and connection together in a meaningful way.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Develop empathy and compassion through written affirmations
• ✅ Strengthen classroom culture and peer relationships
• ✅ Build self-esteem and confidence through positive feedback
• ✅ Promote creative expression through hands-on craft work
• ✅ Encourage thoughtful reflection on others’ strengths

What’s Included:

• Speech bubble template with space for names
• Face template for self-portrait or photo substitution
• Concertina strip with space for multiple affirmations
• Sentence starters page to support thoughtful writing
• Clear step-by-step instructions

Materials Needed:

• Printed templates (white or grey cardstock recommended)
• Scissors and glue
• Coloured pencils, crayons, or markers
• Optional: paint, ribbons, stickers, googly eyes, student photos

How to Use:

1. Print and distribute the templates to each student.
2. Students write their name on the speech bubble and decorate it with vibrant materials.
3. Draw or attach a portrait/photo to the face template and glue it to the top of the speech bubble.
4. Glue the top of the concertina to the bottom of the speech bubble.
5. Students sit in a circle and begin passing the craft to their right.
6. Each student writes a kind word, sentence, or affirmation on one folded line, keeping previous messages hidden.
7. Continue passing until all students receive their original craft filled with hidden kindness.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Create a “Kindness Gallery” to display completed concertinas in a wellbeing area or hallway.
• 💡 Pair with a mini lesson about the emotional impact of kind words.
• 💡 Use in a friendship or values unit to reinforce respectful and supportive behaviours.
• 💡 Invite students to read some of the affirmations aloud (with permission) as a class reflection activity.

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Substitute student photos for portraits to save time or add a personal touch.
• 💛 Use the sentence starters page to model affirmations that go beyond physical compliments.
• 💛 Set expectations around kindness, respect, and the importance of thoughtful writing before starting.
• 💛 Encourage students to keep their concertina in a special folder or display it on their desk as a reminder of their strengths.

Kindness Concertina is a heartfelt and creative way to help students express support for one another. Check out our other R U OK? Day resources to continue building a connected and compassionate classroom community.