Spark Joy and Growth: 7 Inspiring New Year Resolution Activities for Kids

As we usher in the New Year, it presents a unique opportunity for both reflection and forward thinking. It’s a time when we set goals and resolutions, hoping to shape a better, more fulfilling future. This year, let’s bring these aspirations to life through creative New Year resolutions activities that are engaging and deeply meaningful.

In this post, we explore a variety of art projects that are suitable for both classrooms and families, each uniquely designed to encapsulate New Year’s resolutions and goals. These projects are versatile: they can be undertaken as individual endeavors or as collaborative group efforts, making them perfect for various settings, be it in school or at home.

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Keith Haring, The Dance, 1992

One of the beauties of these New Year resolution activities is their flexibility. They can remain as a permanent display in a classroom, serving as a constant reminder and source of inspiration throughout the year, or be taken home to become a part of personal space, where they remind us of our personal journey and growth.

Moreover, these projects are not static; they are meant to evolve as we do. As the year unfolds, our resolutions might shift, our goals may grow, and our aspirations could take new forms. These art projects can be adapted and updated to reflect these changes, making them living, breathing representations of our progress.

At the end of the year, or even the following one, revisiting these projects can spark meaningful conversations. They serve as a visual timeline of our achievements, our unmet goals, and everything in between. They are not just art; they are stories of our year, our struggles, and our victories. They remind us of where we started and how far we’ve come, providing a moment to celebrate successes and learn from the misses.

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Keith Haring, Untitled, 1982
Douglas M. Parker Studio/The Keith Haring Foundation/The Broad Art Foundation

So, let’s dive in and explore how these creative projects can help us set, visualize, and achieve our New Year’s resolutions in a fun and engaging way, strengthening bonds and fostering a sense of accomplishment and togetherness.


7 Inspiring New Year Resolution Activities for Kids

Time Capsule Project: Invite every child to take a journey through time with this heartfelt activity. They can tuck away letters to their future selves, heartfelt drawings, or cherished small items into a sturdy container. Gathering these little treasures, each child adds their unique touch with paper, pens, and mementos. Seal the capsule and plan to reopen it a year later, creating a beautiful moment of reflection and discovery. For a modern twist, why not try a digital time capsule? Kids can record video messages or snap photos, capturing this moment in time digitally.

Resolution Rocks Garden: Encourage children to connect with nature by collecting rocks. With each rock, they can express their New Year resolutions using vibrant acrylic paints or permanent markers. Once painted, these rocks transform into a colorful, meaningful display in a garden or shared space, serving as a daily reminder of their goals and dreams.

Collective Resolutions Scroll: This activity is a beautiful blend of individual expression and collaborative art. Begin by unrolling a long paper scroll, inviting each child to claim a section as their canvas. Here, they can draw or write about their aspirations for the New Year. The unique aspect of this scroll is collaboration – each child works closely with the ones next to them, finding creative ways to connect their drawings. The final result is a visual conversation where they express their dreams and support and enhance those of their peers. Adding positive affirmations or encouraging messages to each other’s sections fosters a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect. 

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New Year’s Wishes Quilt: This project is all about weaving individual dreams into a collective tapestry. Children can pour their hopes and goals onto quilt squares, using fabric, markers, or even paper for a simpler approach. When these squares are stitched together, they create a quilt rich with stories and aspirations, symbolizing the beautiful unity of shared ambitions.

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Keith Haring, Untitled, 1982. Enamel and Dayglo on metal, 182.9 × 228.6 × 3.8 cm. Courtesy Gian Bochsler, Switzerland. © Keith Haring Foundation

Vision Board Collage: Guide the little ones in creating a tapestry of dreams with a vision board collage. This vibrant project uses images, words, or drawings cut from magazines or printed out, all coming together on a large poster board. Whether displayed in the classroom for collective inspiration or brought home as a personal treasure, these collages are visual affirmations of their hopes for the year ahead.

Dream Jars: Transform ordinary jars into vessels of dreams and aspirations. Kids can decorate these jars with their artistic flair, using paper, pens, and a sprinkle of creativity with ribbons or stickers. Inside, they’ll tuck away notes or symbols of their wishes for the year. At the end of the year, opening these jars becomes a magical moment of reflection and celebration of their journey.

Personal Growth Tree: This project is a living, breathing reflection of each child’s growth. Create a large tree on a poster or bulletin board, with each leaf penned by a child representing a personal growth goal. Crafted with colorful paper, markers, and other decorative elements, the tree transforms and flourishes over time, mirroring the personal development journey of every participant.

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What do you think? Do you have a favourite New Year resolutions activity? Let me know in the comments below!