The transition from one year to the next is an exciting time, and most cultures all over the world have some sort of celebration or tradition to mark the new year. If you’re looking for ways to make New Year’s fun for the whole family—yes, even you, parents—then check out these creative New Year’s traditions for kids!
Celebrating and Starting a New Year: Family Traditions to Try with Your Kids
Make a family resolution.
Making individual new year’s resolutions is fairly common, but do you ever make family resolutions? These are some examples of great family resolutions to keep in mind throughout the year, but poll your family and see what they say, too!
- More quality family time. 2020 was all about quantity because so many of us were stuck at home most of the year. As the COVID vaccine rolls out and people go back to work and school, it will be important to maintain those family connections with quality time. You can put this into practice by setting aside family time in which everyone unplugs and does something fun together, whether that’s Taco Tuesday or a weekly Family Fun Day at the skating rink.
- Be more active. Americans are very sedentary overall, so why not pledge as a family to be more active in the coming year? Don’t just expect your kids to line up for a turn on the treadmill; make exercise fun by doing different activities together like roller skating, hiking, or cycling.
- Give back to the community. Community service can take many forms, but whether you’re volunteering together at the local food bank or helping an elderly neighbor with yard work, giving your time to help others can bring you closer as a family and instill values that will help your kids throughout their lives.
Choose a “word of the year.”
If the pressure of an official new year’s resolution sounds intimidating, why not choose a family “word of the year” instead? Choosing a word together to be your inspiration for the year ahead can also help your family grow and strengthen your bonds while working towards individual and family goals. For example:
- Adventure
- Balance
- Relationships
- Calm
- Sustainable
- Strength
- Compassion
Make a time capsule or vision board.
Another fun-yet-meaningful way to mark the end of one year and the beginning of a new one is to create a time capsule! You could create a box of items from all family members, with letters to your future selves. Alternatively, you could work together to make some scrapbook pages highlighting what each member of the family was most excited about at the time. Next year, you can all look back at it and marvel at how much some things have changed while others have stayed the same.
In the same vein, you can also have a “vision board” party with your family. Cut out pictures from magazines or draw your own to illustrate what your hopes and dreams are for the coming year.
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