When it comes to making New Year’s resolutions, why should adults have all the fun?
Teaching kids to set and work towards goals is a valuable life skill they’ll use forever.
Children’s New Year resolutions are fun, exciting, and effective ways to gain new experiences, take responsibility, and become better people.
If you’re seeking inspiration for your little one already, check out our list of creative New Year resolutions for kids to help them thrive in the coming year.
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Why are New Year’s resolutions important for children?
Making resolutions for the coming year is a good way to help children develop essential skills for life.
Look at some of the great benefits:
- Encourages healthy habits: pledges such as eating greens, exercising, or cutting down on the hours spent on electronic devices can motivate new healthier habits for the body and mind.
- Builds more confidence: achieving even the smallest goals gives children a sense of accomplishment and motivation.
- Teaches responsibility: kids learn the value of commitment and dedication.
- Makes them more empathetic: resolutions calling for kindness and help teach children to look beyond the self.
- Improves family bonding: when families work together on resolutions, they stay together, support one another, and reach common goals.
New Year Resolutions for Kids
Set a daily water intake goal
Aim for 6–8 glasses a day. Get them a cute water bottle to track their progress.
Try new fruits and veggies
Make a weekly list of new fruits and vegetables to choose from and check off the ones you eat.
Eat two servings of fruits daily
Simply add them to your meals or snacks. We recommend kicking things off with fun, bright fruit combinations.
Limit junk food
Limit snack choices, like only eating chips and candy once a week.
Join a dance or martial arts class
Choose an activity you like and make sure you go to classes regularly.
Brush teeth twice daily
Using two-minute timers or a lovely song will make it more fun.
Wash hands regularly
Especially before meals and after using the bathroom, it’s a good New Year’s resolution to keep your hands clean.
Shower daily
Pick the right time to take a warm bath, whether before you leave for school or you sleep.
Randomly perform a good deed each week
Do something nice for a neighbor, donate toys to charity, or write a thoughtful letter to somebody.
Make a new friend every month
Try chatting up someone next to you in class who might not be your friend.
Make an effort to include others in games or activities
During group activities, be a leader who makes everyone feel welcome.
Write thank-you notes to friends and family
Let your family and buddies know how much you appreciate them.
Read for at least 30 minutes every day
Invest in a few fun and informative books and find a comfy spot to read.
Learn a new language with apps
A brilliant New Year’s resolution for children! Interactive apps like Duolingo and Kids Rosetta Stone Kids can help you set language goals, boost your brain power, and learn cultural things all at once.
Plant a tree
You’ll be more eco-friendly, and it gives you a sense of achievement as they watch their tree grow over the years.
Bring reusable bags when shopping
This simple resolution teaches you about sustainability and makes you feel proud about contributing to the environment.
Always wear a helmet when biking or skating
Make sure you wear a helmet. Pick the color that you like best!
Learn how to handle emergencies
Try fun activities like “stop, drop, and roll” for fire safety, creating a simple emergency plan for home and school, or learning how to call 911.
Create a family gratitude jar to share
Write positive moments on a sticky note and fill them in a jar every week.
Go for family walks or bike rides regularly
Get the whole family or friends out for some fun exercise together.
Create homemade gifts
Craft cute gifts instead of buying them for celebrations.
Designate tech-free times
Imagine a cozy evening where all the screens are off, so everyone can play board games, read books together, or simply enjoy long chats over dinner.
Keep a journal
Every day, write down what you’re thinking and feeling.
Start a lemonade stand
Set up a small lemonade stall to sell lemonade, then donate some of the money to a charity.
Set up a savings goal
Put spare change in a piggy bank for a toy or game you want.
Check-in on a classmate you don’t know well each week
Start with a compliment or ask them about their interests.
Start the day with positive self-affirmations
Wake up in the morning and tell yourself, ‘I am capable and kind.’
Spend 5 minutes a day practicing mindfulness
Take five minutes every day — in a quiet spot — to focus on your breathing, listen to the sounds around you, or even watch a snowflake fall.
Spend time observing local park
Take a trip to a park and make it your little field trip to learn about the local flora and fauna you come across.
Create a calming bedtime ritual
Read a favorite story together, listen to soft music, or enjoy some quiet reflection time. A good bedtime routine with your family will keep you all connected and happy.
Keep a daily mood journal
Throughout the day, use emojis or colors to express how you feel.
Plan monthly gatherings with friends
Play games with your friends or go to outdoor picnics with them.
Cook or bake with family
Try a simple recipe and eat together.
Learn to tie your shoes
Until it comes naturally and quickly, practice tying your shoes every day.
Have a screen-free Sunday
A great way to show your creativity, play outside, read, or even create your own games.
Watch the stars
Bundle up with family or friends on a clear night and lie on a blanket while you look up at the starry sky. Look for patterns in the sky, like the Great Orion or Big Dipper! You can identify constellations with an app or a guide.
Help siblings with their homework
Why not promise to be the best big brother or sister this New Year? Lend a hand to your siblings by explaining tricky math problems, discover new facts while reading together, or even team up for creative projects.
Make an effort to connect regularly with extended family
Send letters to grandparents or call them regularly to keep in touch.
Focus on positive thoughts for a day each week
One day a week, don’t say anything negative or complain.
Try YouTube Kids
YouTube Kids is like a treasure trove of creativity – you’ll find new interests, enjoy animated stories, and even dive into art and science projects.
Go outside and play for 30 minutes daily
Climb trees, ride bikes, or play catch to get your body moving.
Start a collection
Put together a fun collection of stamps, dolls, rocks, or coins.
Click a picture every week to capture memories
Gather your favorite moments—like playing with friends, family outings, or even just your pet being silly—and snap a pic.
Draw something each day
Draw your favorite animal, a superhero, or even a silly doodle inspired by your own imagination. You’ll have a little adventure with each piece.
Set specific homework goals
Don’t wait until the last minute to finish assignments. Complete them early so you can play more!
Start a piggy bank
Pick a fun piggy bank inspired by your favorite character, whether it’s colorful, sparkly, or even shaped like one. Put away a dollar or two each week, and notice how quickly it fills up!
Help without expecting anything back
Surprise someone with a kind gesture, like sharing your toys, helping a friend with homework, or even picking up litter at the park. You’ll feel amazing to give just for the sake of giving!
Take part in a community clean-up event
Wear your gloves and gather with friends and neighbors to make your favorite park or playground squeaky clean. You’ll enjoy the fresh air, meet new people, and make a difference close to home.
Learn a new word every day
Share cool words you find in books, magazines, or newspapers with your family and friends, or use them in your conversations.
Make a bucket list of things to do this year
Make a list of new things you want to do this year and cross them off.
How to Stay on Track with Your Resolutions
- Make clear resolutions. Choose specific and doable resolutions. Instead of saying, “I want to read more,” try, “I will read one book every month.”
- Break your big resolution into smaller steps. If you want to exercise more, start with just 10 minutes a day and work your way up.
- Make a colorful chart or poster to track your progress. Every time you complete a step, mark it off! It’s fun and rewarding this way.
- Share your resolution with your bestie or family member. You can motivate each other and have someone to celebrate with!
- Reward yourself for sticking to your goals. Give yourself a tasty treat or an extra hour of screen time after a month of progress.
- Stay positive. Instead of thinking about what you “can’t” do, believe in what you can do and celebrate your successes, no matter how small.
- It’s okay to change! If you think your resolution is too hard or not fun anymore, it’s totally okay to adjust it! We just want to have a good experience.
- Enjoy the whole process, kiddo! If you’re happy with your solution, you’ll stick with them longer.
Bottom line
Setting New Year resolutions for kids is a wonderful idea to think about all the amazing things you can do in the coming year!
Making a New Year’s resolution is like setting a little goal for yourself—maybe it’s reading more books, trying a new sport, or being kind to others.
Remember: it’s okay if things don’t always go perfectly; what’s most important is that you’re trying your best and believing in yourself. Each small step counts and every day is a fresh start.
Happy New Year! 🥳
