International Random Acts of Kindness Day is on Saturday, February 17, here's how to find the kind in East Anglia

1 Kind your own business.

The Missing Kind is an East Anglian charity totally devoted to being kind. It champions random acts of kindness all year round and helps people find ways to be kind – through its KindaKafes in Norwich and Diss, KindaShop in Norwich, and KindaVillage in Wales. Find lots of ethical goods, the chance to pay kindness forward by volunteering or buying meals or gifts for others; environmental, educational and relaxation workshops; and the Thank You Project where you can nominate a particularly kind person. missingkind.org

2 Feed the birds.

The birds are beginning to build their nests, ready to raise their young, and on Saturday, February 17, the British Trust for Ornithology is running a free, fun session for families to make their own nesting ball for birds. The charity is based at The Nunnery in Thetford and participants will collect nesting materials from the Nunnery grounds before weaving them into a ball – ready to take home and wait for the birds to settle in. Tickets for the 10am-12noon workshop are free but should be reserved at bto.org/thetford

3 Be kind in the countryside.

Learn about being kind to wildlife with the Lackford Lakes Wildlife Watch Group. Children aged from six to 12 are invited to explore the reserve near Bury St Edmunds from 10am to noon on Sunday, February 18. Suggested donation £2 per child. Parents are welcome to stay. Book online at suffolkwildlifetrust.org

4 Share – nursery rhymes.

Under fives go free on the Nursery Rhyme I-Spy trains on the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway until Sunday, February 18. Trains run from Wells at 11am, 12.45pm and 2.30pm, with a nursery rhyme I-spy clue sheet featuring favourite nursery rhyme characters, colouring and quiz questions. Tickets £9 adults, £7 children five and over. wwlr.co.uk

5 Share the love.

Share the Love Week runs until Sunday, February 18 at Colchester Zoo. It's your chance to learn about love in the animal kingdom with a packed timetable of activities. colchester-zoo.com

6 Help the horses.

Redwings looks after dozens of rescued and retired horses, ponies, donkeys and mules. Its centres are open, for free, every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 10am to 4pm.

Redwings Aylsham is home to horses including real-life Black Beauty, Maya, plus donkey duo Wiggins and Wacko and a herd of Shetland ponies known as the The Gangsters.

Redwings Caldecott, between Yarmouth and Beccles, is home to more than 100 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules including mini but mighty Shetland pony Sampson, a herd of donkeys and Muffin the Mule. redwings.org

7 Give something away.

Start your spring clean early and find some toys and games you no longer play with to give away to younger children or charity.

8 Raise money for an East Anglian charity.

Help raise money for charity, and see snowdrops too, at the Snowdrop Day at The Old Coach House, Brockdish. The woodland garden, leading down to the river Waveney, is open on Sundays February 18 and 25 and March 4, in aid of the East Anglian Air Ambulance and other local charities. Adults £2, children free, dogs on leads welcome, refreshments and stalls.

9 Raise more money for an East Anglian charity.

The annual Hunny Bell cross country run, on the Stody estate, near Holt, is expected to attract hundreds of runners on Sunday February 25. There are junior races for under 14s and under 18s as well as adult and team races, and even when all the spaces fill up there is the chance to support runners, in aid of Break, which runs children's homes, fostering and supported lodgings and helps the children of separating parents. break-charity.org

10 Help other families.

Take the children shopping and add extra to your basket to donate to a food bank.

All East of England Coop food stores and supermarkets have food bank collection points, to donate to one of 23 local Trussell Trust and independent food banks. Food to choose includes tinned ready-meals, vegetables, fruit and puddings; pasta, rice and noodles; long life milk and juice; cereal; baby products such as nappies and wipes; toiletries such as shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste. eastofengland.coop