Creating New Family Traditions for the New Year

It’s a new year! While New Year’s resolutions and goal-setting lists can feel overwhelming, I’m all for building thoughtful, easy-to-maintain activities into our family life. Instead of resolutions, consider adding simple rhythms or routines into the days ahead.

And remember, give your family — and yourself — grace when trying new things! Some activities will be instant hits and others just won’t work for your family. Ages, stages, personalities, and family dynamics all differ, and that’s OK! Incorporating new traditions and habits into your days together isn’t about achieving perfection — it’s about intentionally making time to spend with each other.

Here are 15 easy ways to connect as a family this year.

1. Gather around. Sharing a meal together doesn’t have to be fancy! While coordinating schedules can be tricky, try to incorporate more shared meals this year. Our family goes around the table sharing our “highs” and “lows” of the day, and sometimes we do what we call “three things,” where we share the top three moments of our day. Want to make dinnertime even more special? These easy-to-create "Donkey Hodie" placemats are fun for any meal!

2. Get cozy. Kids thrive on routine. Consider creating a special rhythm for bedtime that includes reading a book or two aloud. If your kids are a bit older, perhaps you could read a chapter from a larger book each night.

3. Craft your own cards. The best gifts are made with love! We don’t purchase greeting cards in our immediate family. We grab markers and crayons and put our personal spin on birthday cards or drawings for each other — no professional art skills required! Consider customizing kids’ favorite characters, hobbies, colors, etc. (Speaking of birthdays, you might want to bookmark this huge selection of PBS KIDS birthday party resources and ideas!)

4. Shake it off. Why not create a family handshake? No supplies or special commitments are needed to create this fun routine for the new year! A cute personalized handshake gives you and your child a secret, special way to communicate and greet each other. Try it out when you drop them off at daycare or school as a way to stay connected during the day.

5. Turn up the volume. Listen to podcasts together and learn as you listen! Whether we’re in the car or at home making dinner, listening to podcasts with my kids has become a treasured way to spend time together. From diving into storytelling podcasts that tickle our imaginations to opting for educational episodes that open new worlds, we’ve found a little something for everyone in our search for family-friendly podcasts. In fact, I wrote more about it!

6. Collect your coins. Save money together toward a special goal. Can you put all your change in a family jar? A friend of mine did this for a few years to put toward a family trip, but you don’t have to go big! If you start collecting in the winter, maybe you can plan for some fun ice cream out in the summer!

7. Save the date. Celebrate a new-to-you holiday. Put a calendar in a shared living space that your kids can see, too, and pick some celebrations to learn more about. Why is it observed? How does it align with your values? Check out books from the library, research online, or see if your community has in-person celebrations that observe the holiday.

8. Write it out. Families are all unique. What makes your family extra special? Kick off the year by making your own memory book to celebrate you and your family. When we examine our past traditions, we can look forward with new eyes to what is to come! What made you laugh? What are your family traditions? This Arthur printable will get you started!

9. Form a party-planning committee. It’s fun to plan something together! This year, make it a priority to celebrate. A party doesn’t have to be big to be special. Honor a pet or stuffed animal’s birthday by letting your little one help create the decor and set the table. Older kids can make invitations for family members. Here’s to creating memories and celebrating together!

10. Pop the popcorn! Get into a rhythm of having family nights together. Once a week (or month) clear your schedules, get cozy, and gather the gang for family night, weekly family viewing events featuring movie specials or themed programming.

11. Get into nature. Get outside and get some fresh air! Even a five-minute walk has benefits for our bodies and minds. Consider adding more outside time into your family’s daily routine. (I love these tips for exploring with young kids!)

12. Shut it down. Technology can be wonderful, but there are times in our home when we all need a screen break. We recently started “No Screen Wednesdays” in our home. Our kids got creative, creating race cars out of old boxes and building new things with Legos.

13. Share a journal. Some kids (and grown-ups) feel more comfortable sharing their feelings through words or art. This year, create a shared notebook for your family to trade notes back and forth in or track three things you're thankful for. This is also a great way for kids to practice their literacy skills. Younger kids can draw instead of write. Bonus? At the end of the year, you’ll have a book full of memories!

14. Volunteer. Connect with your community. Once a month, give back together. Rake leaves in the fall, shovel in the winter, help a neighbor with groceries, or donate to a little free library or little free pantry. (I’m bookmarking this list of volunteering ideas!)

15. Learn something new. Get into a rhythm of curiosity this year! Encourage kids to follow their curiosity, ask questions when they don’t understand, and find answers using science inquiry skills – just like Elinor from “Elinor Wonders Why.” Young children’s ability to ask why makes them great scientists and engineers. By encouraging their inquisitive nature, you’re building your child’s ability to answer their own questions.

What else would you add to the list? Here’s to creating new memories and connecting with your little ones with one of these fresh, fun family traditions in the days to come!