Children may not always be angels, but many seem to instinctively know how to be kind, nice and giving. And in 2015 they seem to have gone above and beyond with their inspiring stories of kindness, so we're returning the favor in our own way. Here are 15 of our favorite good deeds from the past year.
Read on and see if you aren't inspired by these stories of kids being kind!
1. Dad, daughter celebrate birthdays with '39 Random Acts of Kindness'
Lee Beck and his daughter, Amélie, of Oxford, England, decided to mark their 32nd and 7th birthdays, respectively, by adding up their new ages and executing as many good deeds to mark the occasion.
2. A boy, a burger and a blessing: How a 5-year-old's good deed went viral
A 5-year-old boy eating out with his mom one night saw a hungry, disheveled man in need. Thanks to the boy's help, the stranger left with a full stomach while the other diners left with full hearts.
3. 'A final tribute': Teens serve as pallbearers for homeless military veterans
A group of high school students are volunteering to serve as pallbearers for fallen military members who otherwise would have been buried alone.
4. Teen with brain disorder crowned homecoming queen after wish for 100 new friends
After making a moving effort to get to know one Pennsylvania 18-year-old who has a rare brain disorder and cannot speak, her senior class nominated her for homecoming queen, and she won on Oct. 16.
Looking for more inspirational stories? Check out our TODAY Pinterest page
5. #MaddysMightyMinions: 8-year-old girl's tragic death leads to acts of kindness
The generous spirit of an 8-year-old Longmont, Colorado, girl who recently succumbed to bone cancer continues to inspire legions of supporters to perform acts of kindness in her honor.
6. Students 'prank' principal with kindness, giving him dozens of thank-you notes
Although this school principal knew something was up, he did not expect dozens of seniors to deposit individualized thank-you notes into a bucket.
7. Grandma in the window' shares special bond with students that goes beyond a wave
When a "grandma in the window" didn't show up to see a busload of schoolchildren pass by, they decided to find out how she was doing.
8. Kids' sweet note to injured officer goes viral: 'Thanks for being like a dad'
A Connecticut police officer with a passion for helping children posted an adorable note two siblings wrote him while he was recovering from a knee injury.
9. At one elementary school, 5 boys befriend the bullied — and change lives
Five fifth-grade boys from Minnesota made friends with a new kid who was being bullied at their school, and discovered a great friend in the process.
10. 'To the teenage boy at the skate park': Mom's letter goes viral
One mom was ready to defend her young daughter at a local skate park when she encountered a groupof teen boys, but one young man stepped up with an unexpected act of kindness.
11. Students donate senior class trip funds to help principal fight cancer
Seniors at a New Hampshire high school, voted unanimously to skip their senior trip and donate their entire treasury of about $8,000 to help a principal fight a rare and aggressive soft-tissue cancer.
12. As donations flood in, students pass them on to cancer-stricken principal
When seniors at a high school surprised their cancer-stricken principal with the $8,000 they were going to spend on their class trip, their story touched people around the nation.
13. Boy, 7, with autism attends first birthday party thanks to gracious invitation
A touching invitation from a classmate to a boy with autism who'd never attended a birthday party changed everything for the kids.
14. Boy buys officer breakfast for 'the thankless job he does,' brings him to tears
A police officer was taken aback when a small child wanted to make his life just a little bit easier one morning.
15. 'You have a friend — us': Boy writes touching letter to the bully who spit at him
One boy wrote a note to a bully, saying, "You don't have to bully. If you don't have any friends, just make a friend — it's very simple. But you already have a friend — us."
Love these stories? Sign up for TODAY Newsletters to get more inspiration in your inbox.