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My Happiness Manifesto

Why‍

To help children identify what truly brings them happiness and give them a simple daily reminder of it.

How‍

Before writing, children are introduced to the Flow of Happiness, exploring gratitude, kindness, and the science of happiness. This gives them a guide for where to begin seeking and how to reflect on what brings them happiness. Then each child writes a short personal manifesto, capturing their happiness in poetic words. They may read it aloud, record it, or share it with their peers, family, and community.

What‍

The manifestos can then be displayed at exhibitions in their school and community. Children can also record themselves reading their words, which are then shared on HappyHearts.space and social media. They can also frame it and hang it on a wall at home. 

Global Happiness Manifesto

The ultimate impact of this practice is the Global Happiness Manifesto — giving children a voice globally in shaping our vision of a more playful and kind world. Copies of the children’s manifestos are collected along the way. Once we have produced one art festival and human letter in every country around the world, these voices will be woven together into a single Global Happiness Manifesto authored by the children of the 21st century, from every corner of our planet. It will be a historic document shared across generations — a message from children to humanity. Shared authorship strengthens collective responsibility and empowerment.

Submit my happiness manifesto

Send us your happiness manifesto to be included in the Global Happiness Manifesto. Go to the contact page, paste it into the message box, and use the subject line “My Happiness Manifesto” along with your contact details. It will shared through Happy Hearts channels and become part of the final Global Happiness Manifesto, to be completed in about 10 years.

Research/Science

Poetic expression and affirmation writing are shown to boost optimism, resilience, and emotional well-being. Crafting concise personal statements helps children clarify values, nurture meaning, and reinforce positive identity.

Our Life

Why

‍To expand empathy by exploring how children and families live around the world, and to recognise that a child’s laughter sounds the same in a hut as in a mansion. This practice strengthens connection, nurtures respect for different ways of life, and deepens empathy.

How‍

Children borrow a small, easy-to-handle camera (such as a GoPro) to bring home and film whatever they feel inspired to capture. They also follow a fun shot list with questions to ask family members and their community, while sharing stories and photographs of daily life.

What‍

An exhibition of “Our Life” stories from around the world. These personal portraits are  edited and woven together into a larger portrait of each country and its people. These are then shared alongside other creations from the country, produced for Happy Hearts TV.

Impact‍

Encourages respect for diversity, strengthens cultural understanding, and builds a sense of shared humanity.

Research/Science (Handbook)‍

Narrative sharing increases empathy and perspective-taking. Cross-cultural storytelling reduces prejudice and fosters cultural diplomacy by building bridges of understanding across nations.

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Happy Hands

Why‍

To reflect over the positive things we bring to the world. Our handprint reflects intention — what we choose to create. Our footprint reveals consequence — what we leave behind.

How‍

We invite a nationally known artist in each country, who receives about 1,000 handprints from 500 children to co-create a monumental artwork. The artist chooses the colors and develops a concept, while the children dip their hands in paint and press them onto a vast canvas, together shaping a powerful collective creation.

What

‍The children create one unique original piece of art from each country directed by the artist. The original artwork will be sold and the funds will help finance the continuation of the initiative. Posters will also be sold online. Each child receives a  poster of the artwork to take home, serving as a daily reminder in their home about what they bring to the world.

Impact‍

Carries the voices and intentions of children, reminding communities of the positive legacy we can create together. When children place their hands on the canvas, they set an intention of gratitude and kindness toward themselves, the Earth, and others.

Research/Science (Handbook)‍

Handprint art enhances agency and the power of intention-setting, reminding children that what they choose to create matters. Combined with the therapeutic value of collective art-making, the practice offers emotional release, strengthens resilience, and builds self-awareness. Collaborative murals further deepen community bonds and collective connection.

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The World’s Greatest Laugh

Why‍

Because laughter lifts our mood, and even intentional laughter can trick the brain into feeling happier in the moment. It is silly, fun, and playful — a simple way to let go and reconnect with joy. 

How‍

Children laugh together, beginning with playful silliness until it turns into genuine laughter. As the group gathers, the energy builds and those willing to let go soon find themselves laughing for real. Children, with their natural openness, often burst into true laughter right away.

What‍

Together we are creating the world’s greatest laugh — a mural of faces that, in years to come, will show children from every corner of the world laughing side by side on our webpage. This collective chorus of joy will become a massive global laugh, a shared celebration of playfulness and kindness. Recordings are shared online to inspire others. Children learn a simple exercise to bring joy into their body, and short clips of them laughing for 20–30 seconds are shared through out social media, encouraging a wave of laughter worldwide. Others are invited to join by recording themselves, tagging Happy Hearts, and adding their laughter to our Happiness Manifestation — spreading the word and becoming part of our vision for a more playful and kind world. 

Impact‍

This initiative adds the power of a collective laugh that spreads smiles like confetti as a part of our global happiness manifestation

Research/Science (Handbook)‍

Laughter increases oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins. Shared laughter enhances bonding and reduces stress. When our face is relaxed, only a few muscles are engaged, but smiling activates many more, sending signals to the brain that lift our mood and in turn make us feel happier. Intentional laughter, combined with deep breathing, reduces stress, boosts mood, strengthens the immune system, improves cardiovascular health, increases oxygen supply to the body, and enhances social connection. This simple practice promotes both physical and mental well-being, creating a positive attitude and a sense of lightness and connection among participants. The benefits of laughter are supported by some scientific evidence, but more high-quality, large-scale research is still needed. It is our intention to contribute to this field by researching these effects with children around the world. 

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Sky Gazing

Why‍

To practice calming the mind with a simple routine that connects children to nature. The sky becomes their screen — inviting them to look up and discover the most magical canvas ever created.

How‍

We invite children to lie on their backs, slow their breath, and watch the sky. Observing the clouds drift by like thoughts in the mind — practicing not to hold on, but to let go and gently return to the present moment and find gratitude for the now and the earth we share.

What‍

This practice offers an inner experience of stillness and peace, nurturing joyfulness and presence. Children may also choose to take photos of the sky, which can later be transformed into playful art through the 'Doodle Me' practice.

Impact‍

Teaches that emotions come and go, like clouds — contemplating the wonders of life and the vastness of our universe.

Research/Science

Sky-gazing and being present with and in nature can reduce anxiety and improve concentration by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering stress hormones like cortisol, and promoting feelings of awe and well-being.

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Ripples of Kindness

Why‍

A guided reflection on gratitude can foster a mindset that sets kind intentions by shifting focus from scarcity to abundance, leading to a more positive outlook and inspiring actions of compassion and appreciation. By intentionally noticing blessings and acknowledging interconnectedness, we can cultivate gratitude as a practice that fosters mental well-being and creates a ripple effect of kindness toward ourself, earth and others.

How‍

We gather in a circle and place our backs to the earth. As we gaze at the sky, we breathe deeply to calm down and connect with the moment. Through a guided reflection, we are invited to explore what we are grateful for, shifting focus to what brings us happiness. From there we ask ourselves how we can ripple kindness today. Slowly we rise, start moving, and are invited to laugh together, stepping outside our comfort zones. The practice ends with sharing our reflections in pairs or with the circle, and giving thanks to nature for life itself.

What‍

Each circle represents a ripple of kindness, showing how one act can expand outward and touch many lives. An aerial photo captures the formation as everyone lies on their backs gazing at the sky. The images and stories are then shared digitally, rippling kindness to communities, friends, and families around the world through social media.

Impact‍

Strengthens gratitude, connection, and empathy, demonstrating that kindness grows when shared and inviting participants to become part of a collective flow of happiness and a Global Happiness Manifestation. The circle creates a space of equality and inclusivity without hierarchy, focusing on how we can bring more happiness into our lives and the lives of others.

Research/Science‍

Acts of kindness increase serotonin and strengthen social networks. Gratitude practices calm the nervous system and enhance well-being. Visualising ripple effects boosts prosocial behavior and fosters inclusivity.

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The Human Alphabet

Why

To experience the joy of co-creation — bringing children together from all over the world through art, connecting across borders, backgrounds, and beliefs, as humans, and rippling kindness outward.

How

We invite about 500 children — gathering at our art festivals — to co-create the Human Alphabet. In a significant natural location they come together to form the giant letter chosen for their country. Photographed from above, each letter becomes a living symbol of unity and gratitude, set in a place that fills the nation with pride when seen and shared with the world.

What

An inspiring art piece representing one letter, later combined with others to form the first ever Human Alphabet. Each artwork becomes wall art — carrying a message of hope and happiness from children’s bedrooms to corporate boardrooms. The collection also serves as the financial engine for our Happiness Manifestation and Art Festivals, with limited edition pieces sold to raise funds for future festivals. Children feel empowered knowing they contribute to other children's happiness and proud to be part of a historic art project that connects the world.

Impact

Inspires national pride and unity by creating a symbol children and communities can celebrate together. The Human Alphabet not only raises funds for future art festivals but also leaves behind an enduring cultural landmark — reminding everyone that happiness grows stronger when co-created and shared.

Research/Science ‍

Large-scale creative collaboration fosters belonging, cooperation, and shared identity. Collective art projects are linked with increased empathy and social cohesion.

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View all images under Art Festivals or purchase them in the Shop.

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Doodle Me

Why‍

To encourage children to look up at the sky, spark their imagination, and express themselves by seeing animals and other shapes in the clouds.

How‍

At our art festivals, children are given cameras to capture their own sky photos, which we print so they can doodle directly on their images, or they can choose from our curated sky library. 

What‍

Doodle art is displayed at the festival, and the pictures are gifted for children to bring home and exhibited at their school or within the community.

Impact

‍Sparks curiosity and awakens imagination, moving attention upward and away from screens, and turns creativity into a shared expression.

Research/Science‍

Doodling enhances focus and supports creative problem-solving. Looking at the sky, especially watching clouds, has been shown to lower stress, broaden perspective, and promote feelings of awe and well-being.

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Geometric Connection

Why‍

To invite children to reflect on the incredible artist that nature is and realise that they are a living expression of that same creativity. Geometry is the art of nature, and when we look at it with awe and fascination, a sense of joy begins to flow within us.

How

Children first explore breathtaking images, then begin seeking geometry in the nature around them — in plants, flowers, and even the food they eat. Once their interest is sparked, they naturally continue searching on their own.

What‍

They are encouraged to photograph their discoveries, and at the art festivals children are given cameras to use. Images are printed and displayed both at school and each child takes one copy home while another remains at school for exhibition.

Impact‍

Encourages daily gratitude for beauty in nature and fosters environmental awareness.

Research/Science

‍Exposure to geometry and natural patterns reduces stress and improves focus. Photography enhances observation and mindfulness. Seeing nature deepens our connection to nature and the stronger the connection we have with something the more we care. 

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Happiness Practices

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Each practice is designed to deepen emotional well-being through artistic expression and mindful connection. Most of these workshops are new, but they all build on the spirit of our original and ongoing initiative — the Human Alphabet — which sparked the creation of Happy Hearts.

We begin rolling out our art festivals and sharing these happiness practices during 2026. Each activity is inspired by research and grounded in science — designed to nurture joy, creativity, and sustainable well-being.

Welcome to Our Happiness Practices

Our happiness practices are art-based workshops where children co-create and connect — with each other, with nature, and with themselves. Some exercises are designed for groups, others can be done alone. All are rooted in one shared intention: to cultivate gratitude and set kind intentions toward ourselves, the Earth, and one another.
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My Happiness Manifesto

A simple daily reminder of what truly brings you happiness.
Writing
Film

Our Life

Our lives may be different, but a child’s laughter sounds the same in a hut as in a mansion.
Film

Happy Hands

Our handprint reflects our intention and what we choose to bring to the world.
Painting

The World's Greatest Laugh

Let's laugh together, since shared laughter enhances bonding and reduces stress.
Film
Breathing

Sky Gazing

Being present with and in nature can reduce stress and improve wellbeing.
Breathing
Painting

Ripples of Kindness

Through a guided reflection on gratitude, we set kind intentions.
Photography

Human Alphabet

A Human Alphabet co-created by thousands of children from around the world.
Photography

A Small Step

Singing together connects us through vibration. It creates unity—heart to heart, across borders.
Music
Breathing

Heart

Painting

Doodle Me

The fantasy is the limit, the sky is the opportunity.
Painting

Singing Plants

Music

Geometric Connections

Inviting children to reflect on the incredible artist that nature is.
Photography
Quote

“today was the first day my child has come home and said "i want to help other children". Not that I want an iphone.”

Mother to a child who co-created the letter "C" in Sweden

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