A guide to new Year resolutions for Kids
As the New Year approaches, it's natural to reflect on the past year and set goals for the one ahead. While this practice is common for adults, it’s equally valuable for children.
Helping kids set New Year resolutions and goals fosters a sense of purpose, self-discipline, and achievement, laying the foundation for lifelong success.
Let’s dive in to
👉why setting goals and resolutions is essential for kids and how it can positively impact their growth and development
👉the benefits of helping your kids set New Year Resolutions
👉tips and tricks for how to set New Year Resolutions with Kids
👉examples of New Year Resolutions for Kids, plus New Year Resolution activities
Setting Resolutions & Goals with Your Kids Matters
Setting New Year resolutions with your kids is more than just a fun activity; it’s an opportunity to teach them valuable life skills. Resolutions encourage kids to think about their goals, reflect on areas for growth, and take steps toward becoming their best selves.
By setting resolutions together, you’re fostering meaningful conversations, building closer connections, and equipping your children with the tools they need to succeed in school, at home, and beyond.
When kids set resolutions, they learn to take responsibility for their actions and decisions. Whether it’s improving their grades, being kinder to their classmates, or keeping their room tidy, resolutions help children see the connection between their efforts and outcomes.
Achieving a goal, no matter how small, gives kids a sense of accomplishment. It boosts their confidence and encourages them to tackle bigger challenges. Knowing they can work towards something and succeed empowers them in all areas of life.
Resolutions teach kids that they can grow and improve through effort and persistence. This mindset encourages them to embrace challenges, view mistakes as opportunities to learn, and believe in their ability to change and grow.
Setting resolutions prompts children to reflect on their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. This self-awareness helps them understand themselves better and fosters emotional intelligence.
From time management to problem-solving, working towards resolutions helps kids develop essential life skills. For example, if a resolution involves completing homework on time, children learn to prioritize tasks and manage their schedules effectively.
share:
🚀 Teaches Responsibility
🚀 Builds Self-Confidence
🚀 Develops a Growth Mindset
🚀 Encourages Self-Reflection
🚀 Promotes Life Skills
All of the above leads to some pretty incredible benefits that set our kids up for life. Some of these benefits include:
👉 Improved Focus and Motivation
Having a clear goal provides kids with a sense of direction. They’re more motivated to stay on track when they know what they’re working toward and why it matters.
👉Better Academic and Personal Habits
Resolutions like "I will read for 15 minutes every night" or "I will practice mindfulness when I feel upset" encourage children to build positive habits that enhance their learning and well-being.
👉Strengthened Relationships
Goals that focus on kindness, patience, or teamwork help kids build stronger connections with family, friends, and classmates. For example, resolving to "help my siblings more often" can improve sibling relationships and create a more harmonious home environment.
👉Increased Resilience
Working towards goals teaches kids to handle setbacks and persevere. When they don’t immediately succeed, they learn the value of resilience and the importance of trying again.
👉 A Sense of Accomplishment
Few things are as rewarding as achieving a goal. Whether it’s mastering a new skill or completing a project, the pride that comes with success encourages kids to keep setting and pursuing goals in the future.
...and so many more!
{definitely too many to list!)
a great book for adding mindful breathing into your child's daily routine!
Tips for Helping Kids Set Resolutions
Action Tip: Kids thrive on simplicity and joy. Frame resolutions as opportunities for growth rather than chores. Focus on 1-3 resolutions that excite them, like learning a new skill or spending more time on a favorite activity. Use colorful goal trackers, reward systems, or creative activities to make the process engaging.
Be careful: Setting too many goals or overly ambitious ones. Break big goals into small, achievable steps. Celebrate progress along the way.
Action Tip: Resolutions don’t have to be about achieving something - they can be about how kids want to feel or act. Help them choose intentions like “Be kinder to others” or “Try my best even when things are hard.”
Be careful: Focusing only on results. Emphasize the importance of trying their best rather than achieving perfection. Celebrate progress and encourage them to keep going, even if they stumble along the way.
Action Tip: Tailor resolutions to your child’s age and developmental stage. For younger kids, focus on simple, achievable goals like "I will clean up my toys every day." Older kids can set more complex goals, such as improving a specific skill or saving money for something special. Also celebrate kids’ individuality - Resolutions should reflect their interests and values, not just yours.
Be careful: When kids set goals that are not age-appropriate or unrealistic in the way that they cannot physically, cognitively, or emotionally do something (keep in mind that kids are still growing and learning!), they are more likely to be ‘let down’ by not accomplishing their goal and less likely to want to practice goal-setting in the future.
Action Tip: Frame goals in a way that motivates rather than criticizes. Instead of “Stop being messy,” try “Keep my room a fun and cozy space!”
Be Careful: Negative phrasing that feels like punishment. Reframe every resolution as an opportunity for growth and fun.
Action Tip: Kids love creativity, so make resolutions tangible. Create a vision board together with pictures, drawings, or words that represent their goals.
Be Careful: Resolutions that are out of sight, out of mind. Keep their goals visible and revisit them regularly with excitement.
Action Tip: Kids learn by example, so share your own resolutions and work towards them alongside your child. This creates a supportive environment and shows them the value of goal-setting. Kids are inspired by what they see you do. Share your own intentions or goals for the year and show how you’re working on them.
Be careful: The old saying ‘Monkey see, Monkey do” is real. If your kids see you not working toward your resolutions, or not setting them at all, they are less likely to focus on their own. Setting goals/intentions/resolutions is a great goal-setting activity that you can do together to not only foster goal-setting behaviours, but for you to strengthen that connection with your kids by doing something incredible together!
Action Tip: Help kids think about what made them happy, proud, or curious in the past year. Ask reflective questions: “What was the most fun thing you did in 2023?” or “What do you want to try next year?”
Be Careful: Telling kids what their resolutions should be. Let them take ownership of their goals while gently guiding them toward realistic ideas.
Action Tip: Check in with your child throughout the year to reflect on their progress. Discuss what’s working, what’s challenging, and how they can adjust their approach if needed.
Be careful: Out of sight, out of mind. Check in with your kids (and allow them to check in with you) about their goals and resolutions. Create something creatively visual and tangible, such as a vision board, to prompt you to not only be reminded of your goals but review and reflect on them.
Action Tip: Recognize effort, even if they don’t fully achieve their resolution. Use a goal tracker or create small rewards for milestones, like a special sticker or family celebration.
Be Careful: Don’t focus only on the end result. Teach kids that growth and trying are just as important as accomplishing the goal.
Be careful: Setting too many goals or overly ambitious ones. Break big goals into small, achievable steps. Celebrate progress along the way.
Action Tip: Resolutions don’t have to be about achieving something - they can be about how kids want to feel or act. Help them choose intentions like “Be kinder to others” or “Try my best even when things are hard.”
Be careful: Focusing only on results. Emphasize the importance of trying their best rather than achieving perfection. Celebrate progress and encourage them to keep going, even if they stumble along the way.
Action Tip: Tailor resolutions to your child’s age and developmental stage. For younger kids, focus on simple, achievable goals like "I will clean up my toys every day." Older kids can set more complex goals, such as improving a specific skill or saving money for something special. Also celebrate kids’ individuality - Resolutions should reflect their interests and values, not just yours.
Be careful: When kids set goals that are not age-appropriate or unrealistic in the way that they cannot physically, cognitively, or emotionally do something (keep in mind that kids are still growing and learning!), they are more likely to be ‘let down’ by not accomplishing their goal and less likely to want to practice goal-setting in the future.
Action Tip: Frame goals in a way that motivates rather than criticizes. Instead of “Stop being messy,” try “Keep my room a fun and cozy space!”
Be Careful: Negative phrasing that feels like punishment. Reframe every resolution as an opportunity for growth and fun.
Action Tip: Kids love creativity, so make resolutions tangible. Create a vision board together with pictures, drawings, or words that represent their goals.
Be Careful: Resolutions that are out of sight, out of mind. Keep their goals visible and revisit them regularly with excitement.
Action Tip: Kids learn by example, so share your own resolutions and work towards them alongside your child. This creates a supportive environment and shows them the value of goal-setting. Kids are inspired by what they see you do. Share your own intentions or goals for the year and show how you’re working on them.
Be careful: The old saying ‘Monkey see, Monkey do” is real. If your kids see you not working toward your resolutions, or not setting them at all, they are less likely to focus on their own. Setting goals/intentions/resolutions is a great goal-setting activity that you can do together to not only foster goal-setting behaviours, but for you to strengthen that connection with your kids by doing something incredible together!
Action Tip: Help kids think about what made them happy, proud, or curious in the past year. Ask reflective questions: “What was the most fun thing you did in 2023?” or “What do you want to try next year?”
Be Careful: Telling kids what their resolutions should be. Let them take ownership of their goals while gently guiding them toward realistic ideas.
Action Tip: Check in with your child throughout the year to reflect on their progress. Discuss what’s working, what’s challenging, and how they can adjust their approach if needed.
Be careful: Out of sight, out of mind. Check in with your kids (and allow them to check in with you) about their goals and resolutions. Create something creatively visual and tangible, such as a vision board, to prompt you to not only be reminded of your goals but review and reflect on them.
Action Tip: Recognize effort, even if they don’t fully achieve their resolution. Use a goal tracker or create small rewards for milestones, like a special sticker or family celebration.
Be Careful: Don’t focus only on the end result. Teach kids that growth and trying are just as important as accomplishing the goal.
🌟keep it simple & fun
🌟teach kids about intentions
🌟 keep it age-appropriate
🌟use positive language
🌟make it visual
🌟model goal-setting behaviour
🌟encourage self-reflection
🌟reflect & review throughout the year
🌟celebrate progress, not Only success
By guiding kids in this process, you’re helping them build life skills like goal-setting, resilience, and self-reflection—all while having fun and feeling supported. 🌟
Setting New Year resolutions and goals helps kids develop essential skills that support their academic, emotional, and social growth. It empowers them to take ownership of their actions, embrace challenges, and celebrate their achievements.
By encouraging your child to set and pursue resolutions, you’re equipping them with the tools they need to succeed not just in the New Year, but throughout their lives. So, this year, make goal-setting a family tradition—and watch your kids thrive!
Activities to Pair with New Year Resolutions for Kids
Have kids write down short-term goals or resolutions on strips of paper, fold them up, and place them in the jar.
Each week, they draw one goal from the jar to focus on.
Encourage them to reflect on their progress and put completed goals in a separate “success jar.”
Why It’s Helpful: This makes goal-setting interactive and rewarding while teaching kids to focus on one step at a time.
Have kids create a collage of images, words, and drawings that represent their goals for the year. For example, pictures of books for reading goals, a soccer ball for sports goals, or a heart for kindness goals.
Encourage them to include both personal goals (e.g., "learn to ride a bike") and classroom-related goals (e.g., "finish homework on time").
Why It’s Helpful: A visual reminder keeps kids inspired and focused on their resolutions.
Create a chart with rows for each resolution or goal and columns for tracking daily or weekly progress.
Kids can add a sticker, stamp, or checkmark each time they work on a goal. For example, they might get a sticker for practicing mindfulness or completing a book.
Why It’s Helpful: Tracking progress visually reinforces the importance of consistent effort and creates a sense of achievement.
Kids write their goals on colorful cutouts (ie: stars, leaves, balloons).
Attach the cutouts to a larger display, like a poster board or a "Resolutions Tree" for the classroom.
Leave space to add new goals throughout the year.
Why It’s Helpful: This craft gives kids a creative way to visualize their goals and serves as a constant reminder in the classroom or home.
Kids write their goals for each month and track their progress.
At the end of the month, they reflect on what went well, what was challenging, and how they can improve next month.
Include prompts like:
“What did I learn this month?”
“What made me proud?”
“What can I do better next time?”
Why It’s Helpful: This builds self-awareness and helps kids stay accountable for their goals while developing reflective habits.
Buddies share their resolutions with each other and check in weekly or monthly to see how they’re doing.
They can give each other encouragement, tips, and high-fives for progress.
Include a system for celebrating each other’s achievements, like small rewards or special shoutouts.
Why It’s Helpful: A buddy system adds accountability and makes goal-setting a collaborative and supportive experience.
Each week, they draw one goal from the jar to focus on.
Encourage them to reflect on their progress and put completed goals in a separate “success jar.”
Why It’s Helpful: This makes goal-setting interactive and rewarding while teaching kids to focus on one step at a time.
Have kids create a collage of images, words, and drawings that represent their goals for the year. For example, pictures of books for reading goals, a soccer ball for sports goals, or a heart for kindness goals.
Encourage them to include both personal goals (e.g., "learn to ride a bike") and classroom-related goals (e.g., "finish homework on time").
Why It’s Helpful: A visual reminder keeps kids inspired and focused on their resolutions.
Create a chart with rows for each resolution or goal and columns for tracking daily or weekly progress.
Kids can add a sticker, stamp, or checkmark each time they work on a goal. For example, they might get a sticker for practicing mindfulness or completing a book.
Why It’s Helpful: Tracking progress visually reinforces the importance of consistent effort and creates a sense of achievement.
Kids write their goals on colorful cutouts (ie: stars, leaves, balloons).
Attach the cutouts to a larger display, like a poster board or a "Resolutions Tree" for the classroom.
Leave space to add new goals throughout the year.
Why It’s Helpful: This craft gives kids a creative way to visualize their goals and serves as a constant reminder in the classroom or home.
Kids write their goals for each month and track their progress.
At the end of the month, they reflect on what went well, what was challenging, and how they can improve next month.
Include prompts like:
“What did I learn this month?”
“What made me proud?”
“What can I do better next time?”
Why It’s Helpful: This builds self-awareness and helps kids stay accountable for their goals while developing reflective habits.
Buddies share their resolutions with each other and check in weekly or monthly to see how they’re doing.
They can give each other encouragement, tips, and high-fives for progress.
Include a system for celebrating each other’s achievements, like small rewards or special shoutouts.
Why It’s Helpful: A buddy system adds accountability and makes goal-setting a collaborative and supportive experience.
🌟goal-setting jars
💭Dream board
📊goal tracker chart
🌳new year resolution tree
📖 monthly journaling
👬goal buddy
read more >>
HOw to Encourage Mindfulness with your Kids
Encouraging mindfulness in kids is a powerful tool for nurturing their emotional well-being and resilience. These moments of stillness empower kids to navigate life’s challenges with calm and clarity, fostering a sense of connection to themselves and the world around them.
We’re not just teaching our kids to be present; we’re equipping them with essential skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
The benefits of mindful breathing for kids
Adding mindful breathing into your child's routine unlocks so many benefits that go beyond relaxation.
By teaching kids to pause, breathe, and reconnect with themselves, you’re equipping them with essential tools for navigating life's challenges with greater ease. As they develop these skills, you may notice improvements in their emotional regulation, focus, and overall well-being. Whether through simple exercises at home or playful activities that make breathing fun, the journey of mindful breathing will enrich your child's life. Watch as your kids grow into more centered, confident individuals ready to take on the world!
read the post >>
hey, i'm mae!
Former Kindergarten & Elementary teacher and kids yoga instructor, I began creating mindfulness resources while I was completing my Master's degree in Educational Psychology at McGill University.
I've had my work published in some of the world's most sought-after kids yoga teacher trainings, including Cosmic Kids and Kids Yoga Stories.
More About Wolf + Whimsy Kids >>>
i'm a creatively obsessed, 5/2 manifestor, overachieving, nature loving dog mom who runs on coffee and nutty buddys.
I've been building Wolf and Whimsy Kids since 2017.
and it just keeps getting bigger and better, beyond what i could possibly have dreamed up.
I'm genuinely so excited and grateful that you've landed here.
Welcome to the Wolf and Whimsy Kids movement.
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mindful activities in the classroom is a powerful way to create a calm, focused, and emotionally balanced learning environment. When students learn how to pause, breathe, and tune into their thoughts and feelings, they become better equipped to engage more fully in learning.
activities for the classroom
yoga for the classroom
GUIDED IMAGERY COLLECTION
journal prompt generator
With these guided imagery scripts for kids, you will be giving your kids the tools they need to reduce stress and anxiety, ease tension, release emotions, and shift their energy so they can be inspired, creative, and happy kids!
Perfect for quick brain breaks or moments of calm, yoga is a fun and effective way to nurture mindfulness in the classroom. use these simple & fun exercises to help students stretch + refocus without needing extra space or special equipment.
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