Forget New Year Resolutions For Family (Set Fun Family Goals Like This Instead!)

Want New Year resolutions for family or need New Year’s resolution alternatives? Here are creative family goal setting ideas that spark positive changes in the new year for real accomplishments and improvements (without resolution failures!). Unique and good family New Year’s resolutions to start the year right for a Happy New Year!

Fun Alternatives to New Year Resolutions for Family

The beginning of a new year is an exciting time that can also be overwhelming. Instead of a New Year resolutions list, focus on the family with these New Year’s resolutions tips instead. Set some fun family activities and New Year’s Eve family goals!

How do you set family goals for New Years?

Family-oriented New Year’s resolutions ideas:

• Make empowerment posters or inspire posters for family relationship goals
• Practice gratitude by helping others in your community each month, volunteer, donate, and help the needy
• Start an adventure jar and pick an item out to do each month (everyone can add ideas so everyone is heard!)
• Focus on becoming unbusy for the New Year (let that busy schedule badge go!)
• Add new family traditions for holidays or special occasions
• Have a “Yes Night” where you each have to say yes to the fun ideas other’s have
• Get unplugged from cell phones, laptops, and tablets and plan regular family board game nights (everyone picks favorite board games for weekly family game night!)
• Make a schedule for nature hikes and nature scavenger hunts
• Celebrate your area and become a tourist in your own town
• Plan to cook healthier meals together, sitting down at the dinner table, and talking about healthy food choices / good habits (even young children!) or even spend time planning ahead healthy meals with your family to grab-and-g0
• Take a one night a week break from social media / video games / text messages and see where it leads the family
• Start reading aloud together or listening to audio books or family podcasts for a regular family night activity
• Make a chore board (with money clipped onto each specific chore) that kids can pick and choose
• Have a family arts and crafts night a couple of times each month
• Regularly plan to try new things as a family (make it a personal resolution to push your family outside of comfort zones so they learn and grow!)
• Plan a regular movie and nap day where you stay in pajamas and snuggle down
• Think about a fun physical activity your family can do as a group (zip lines, pickle ball, bowling, etc.)
• Start a family journal or scrapbook that all of you update together each month
• Talk about what you think you have as a bad habit and ideas for correcting it in the new year (ask your kids what they think is a good goal idea!)
• Create an AMA (Ask Me Anything) bulletin board where anyone in the family can ask questions, fun puzzles, or other things and have other members of the family answer them
• Reassess your goals at the end of each month (and change and adjust as needed!)
• Plan a small reward when your family reaches milestones or a specific goal
• Let go of the idea that New Year’s goals mean you change immediately at the start of a new year or at a specific time. Spread these goals out throughout the year and allow for growth and change by the end of the year!

Don’t miss the full ideas for fun family New Years resolutions and New Year’s resolutions goals! These are so much more successful than a boring list of resolutions! KEEP SCROLLING for ideas that the whole family will love as family resolutions (and New Year’s resolutions example ideas).

 

What are some New Year’s resolution for kids?

Start of the new year ideas for kids of all ages:

• Unplug and create art, music, or something else that interests you at least once a week.
• Find a book series that you love (comic books and graphic novels count!) – even if you hate to read!
• Learn a new hobby or skill that pushes you out of your comfort zone.
• Take an online class on being an entrepreneur and learn how to make some money.
• Write or draw a stories that your grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents, or family friends tells you about their childhood (create your own binder book!).
• Get involved in helping out in your community (animal shelter, library, etc.).
• Think of some things you wish for and send them up into the universe with this magic wish paper. (DEFINITELY add this to your new year resolution idea list and fun goals for families ideas!)
• Grab a kindness deck like this and be a kindness ninja!
• Ask: What are good new year resolutions for this year that I want to accomplish?

What are your favorite resolutions new year ideas for kids or family resolution ideas kids will love?

 

Before we get to alternate new year resolution ideas / New Year ideas for kids and parenting goals for the new year / how to set family goals for new year, let’s cover new year new ideas history…

What are New Year resolutions?

New Year’s resolutions are goals traditionally set on the first day of a new year every year. They are things that someone wants to change or accomplish in the upcoming new year. Resolutions are Western Hemisphere traditions more than Eastern Hemisphere.

 

You may also be interested in New Year’s resolutions history…

Why do people set New Year’s resolutions?

So, why do we make resolutions at New Year? According to History.com, ancient Babylonians started the tradition around 4,000 years ago! However, they did not start on January 1st. Instead, their new year calendar started in what we would know as March and focused around the time of their planting season. Julius Caesar and the Romans also participated in the tradition of making resolutions starting in Janus, or on January 1st each year. Today, we carry forth the tradition as a way to change things about ourselves or encourage meeting new goals for a new year.

 

What are popular top 10 New Year resolutions?

You’re probably familiar with the traditional list of New Year’s resolutions, right?

New Year’s Resolutions Top 10:

1. Lose weight, exercise more, eat better (including other health goals like drink less alcohol and quit smoking).
2. Pay off debt and improve finances.
3. Manage time better.
4. Reduce stress.
5. Change careers or get a better job.
6. Volunteer more / give to charities.
7. Declutter and become more organized.
8. Live a more balanced life.
9. Become more environmentally responsible. (Great resolution family idea!) 
10. Start or improve education.

Ditch these for family new year resolutions! See our goals for families below!

 

►DON’T MISS: Ultimate Juggling Life and Homeschool Guide

 

How do you stick to New Year’s resolutions?

How to plan new year goals:

• Make a series of smaller, measurable goals that work toward a larger success.
• Write down your goals!
• Work together as a family to complete each step of your goals and keep each other accountable.
• Celebrate your successes!
• Understand that New Year’s resolutions don’t work for many because keeping resolutions at the beginning of year is so overwhelming, so set New Year goals that you can accomplish instead!

Keep it simple when creating your new year goals list and new year for family list!

 

What percentage of New Year’s resolutions are kept?

So, how long do most New Year’s resolutions last and what is the success rate?

According to Forbes.com:

“The statistics on how many people actually follow through and accomplish their New Year’s resolutions are rather grim. Studies have shown that less than 25% of people actually stay committed to their resolutions after just 30 days, and only 8% accomplish them.”

 

ALSO CHECK OUT:

Fun Family Things To Do on New Year’s Eve

Simple Ways To Plan A New Years Eve Party For Kids

 Noon Years Eve Party For Younger Kids

Family Christmas Traditions To Add To Your Holidays This Year

 

So…

Are New Year resolutions good?

Is there such a thing as good New Year’s resolutions? Maybe not. Because resolutions are often a tradition attached to a New Year’s Eve countdown clock and set with no thought or achievable goal in mind, they often fail. So, instead of “resolutions,” your family should get together and brainstorm what could make you better than you were last year, what you would like to collectively accomplish, and how to give back.

(That’s what New Year resolutions with family are all about, after all, right!)

That way the New Year resolutions you make are going to be way better for your entire family!

Here are some alternatives to New Year’s resolutions ideas and New Year’s resolutions for kids and adults alike (because we think the best New Year’s resolutions are no resolutions!).

 

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BEFORE YOU GET STARTED, GRAB OUR FREE SMART GOALS PACK TO HELP YOU SET GOALS YOUR FAMILY CAN ACHIEVE!

CLICK HERE TO GET TO GOALS PACK

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So, what New Year resolutions do you make with your family then? Instead of doing your own resolutions, try these fun family goals and NYE ideas instead! Great goals for new year ideas and creative ways for setting family goals (instead of unrealistic resolutions). Ditch those top 10 family resolutions for the New Year lists and do these instead for fun resolutions to have!

Creative Family Goals For The New Year – 30+ Things To Do Instead Of New Year’s Resolutions

Wondering what are some resolution ideas? Try these family New Year’s resolution ideas / alternatives to New Year’s resolutions to make with your family!

Make this the Year Of The Family with these fun goal ideas for New Year!

New Year Resolutions For Family Idea #1: Get inspired for the new year!

Planning new year goals doesn’t have to be boring!

One of the coolest New Year’s things I’ve done with my daughter is to make an empowerment word poster as a New Years resolution children’s activity. 

This allows you to look back over the past year and assess how you see yourself and the goals that you accomplished. 

And, it was eye-opening to do with my kid and sparked a lot of meaningful discussion.

(This is one of my top new years resolutions for families activities and so much fun for new year resolution planning / ideas for new year goals!)

So, start the new year with each member of the family creating one of these posters and then display them in a place where you can all be reminded all year long.

You can create on for each of the family members or create a family one together with family resolutions! (If you’re making one together you could ask something like “What would you like to see change for the upcoming year?” And, next year you can make a new one for an annual family activity!)

It’s great for quality time around the dining room table and a fun visual aid to keep your family on track and keep family relationships goals at the forefront! 

I recommended either one of these kits for your new year resolutions for families activities or even New Year’s resolution party ideas / New Years resolution games :

These are fun for kids of all ages (even new year’s resolution list for teenager!) or if you’re looking for New Year resolutions for family and friends (family and friends goals), parents goals for the new year, or something to do together during a New Years Eve party at home!

Fun for annual New Year’s traditions!

 

New Year Resolutions For Family Idea #2: Commit to being healthier and more active together.

Quick, what do you think when you hear New Year’s Resolutions?

Chances are, it’s something about diet and exercise, right?

Blech.

Those kinds of resolutions are so last year… and fail almost immediately.

(All that pressure, yo. We don’t need that as a new year resolution for my family!)

So instead of creating a diet and exercise plan for your family, just plan on making healthier food choices and setting healthy goals that are FUN. 

Your health resolutions for families should be getting more active in fun ways as a family, so ask the entire family for input on these new year resolutions ideas!

Family Active Lifestyle / Healthy Lifestyle Ideas:

• Learn why cooking with kids is important in helping them make better decisions.
• Let kids plan and cook (or create) at least one meal every week for a family dinner.
• Make a commitment to go on an after dinner walk or play at the park every day.
• Go on nature hikes (even if you’re a beginner!).
• Spend some time camping… even if you’ve never been before!
• Have a weekly nature scavenger hunt with small fun prizes to encourage even the biggest couch potatoes to get outside.
• Create a fun Minute To Win It obstacle course at your house using this. (Super fun activities for healthy New Year’s resolutions for children & teens!)

 

New Year Resolutions For Family Idea #3: Support your area by becoming a tourist in your town.

Make a New Year’s resolutions list of places your family has always wanted to visit in your area or state.

(Everyone gets to give their input and everyone gets to be heard!)

Write the names of the places on strips of paper and place them in a jar.

Once per week or weekend or month (whatever your family decides), draw a place out of the jar and then visit them.

Not only will you be spending more time together and learning more about your area and having fun as a family, but you’ll also be supporting tourism and small business for your state or area!

It’s like a regular mini family vacation any time of year!

(And who doesn’t love a good road trip?!)

 

New Year Resolutions For Family Idea #4: Increase family face-to-face time (even if it’s on Zoom!).

OK. 

This one might hurt, but you need to spend more time intentionally interacting (and not just existing in the same space together).

(We all do!)

So, if you can’t do dinner together every night (and many of us can’t for many different reasons), then create intentional (scheduled!) face-to-face time!

Goals for the new year ideas to improve family time:

• Weekly Zoom, FaceTime or Skype connections with family and friends (learn how to have a Netflix party for a family movie night online or even a virtual sleepover — still a fun idea for spending time together!)
• Monthly family pitch-in night where everyone cooks and eats together at least one night each month —  everyone pitches in or even makes their own dish. 
• Have a tech-free board game night (even on Zoom with friends and family!).
• Schedule a regular s’mores and bonfire night and tell “ghost” stories or pass down family stories. (You can even make indoor smores!)
• Have a regular family arts and crafts night or a creator night.
• Have an online virtual scavenger hunt. (Grab a Free Indoor Scavenger Hunt Printable HERE)

If you find you’re having a hard time getting face-to-face time in, have a project where you all collaborate that can be worked on together or alone.

Think: puzzles, an ongoing game like this that stays up all year (that’s what we have and have a great time with it!), an ongoing story in a journal, etc. 

These all help you connect with your family and a small way to connect with busy schedules!

 

New Year Resolutions For Family Idea #5: Commit to reading more as a family.

Reading is a great way to create family time, especially if you trade off and everyone gets to pick a book!

If you have kids who don’t like read, there are ways you can make it more fun for them:

• If you haven’t yet, visit the local library and get each family member a library card. (You may also be shocked how many library events will appeal to family members!)
• Pick a book to read aloud as a family. (You can even rotate favorite books from each family member.)
• Introduce them to graphic novels.
• Have a reading contest with prizes at different milestones.
• Create a reading tree on your wall where you add a leaf for each book read by the family during the year. (Write the book title and author and who read it on the book and your whole family will have fun keeping track of everything they read throughout the new year!)
• Don’t forget about audiobooks! If you can’t get your kids to read, listening to audiobooks is a great alternative.

 

New Year Resolutions For Family Idea #6: Work on savings, finances, and other life skills.

Make it a goal this year to work on more life skills with your kids, which are things that will carry them throughout their lives no matter what they decide to do as a job or career.

• Regularly talk about (and model) saving and spending with your kids. (Try the Financial Peace Junior Kit and a Budget Buddy.)
• Teach your kids to cook (or learn together – even with virtual cooking classes!).
• Work on doing laundry and other chores together. (Assign a rotating chore chart!)
• Work on coping skills like anger, anxiety, stress and more. 
• Talk about the importance of giving back to others and your community. Regularly volunteer together.
• Start to relax control a little and let kids have more autonomy over cleaning and scheduling.
• Commit to approaching hard topics with your kids. Be open with your kids about mental health and regularly check in on them, including ways for them to comfortably reach out to you if they’re being bullied, having issues online, or anything else.

GET A FREE NO SPEND JANUARY CHALLENGE PRINTABLE

 

New Year Resolutions For Family Idea #7:  Create a family emergency plan.

The start of a new year is the perfect time to review your family emergency plan (or create one if you don’t have one!).

Check out:

• Preparing An Emergency Go Kit for Kids
• Emergency Preparedness Activities for Kids 
• FREE Winter Emergency Checklist

It’s the ideal time to get prepared for a new year, so definitely add this to your  New Year’s resolutions for the whole family!

 

New Year Resolutions For Family Idea #8: Spend more time doing nothing.

Yes, I’m actually telling you to set a new year goal of doing nothing (and also how to CALM THE CHAOS in your home).

We live in a culture of go-go-go and doing more is better, but teaching our kids to fill every waking moment of every day (and doing that to ourselves) is not a good thing.

Doing nothing is not wasting time!

Contrary to popular belief, it’s the best thing you can do to help your child, especially if you have school-age children who are used to being on the go all the time for the whole day!

Allowing your kids to be “bored” on a regular basis can:

• Increase creativity.
• Improve executive functioning skills.
• Facilitate motivation.
• Boost confidence and control.
• Strengthen autonomy.
• Provide challenges.
• Improve concentration.
• Create better social skills.
• Teach them that it’s OK to relax.

And, all those good things can only help your children throughout life!

(And, give you some down time, too!)

Be sure to focus on becoming unbusy this year!

 

What are your best alternatives to New Year’s resolutions for families? What’s on your goals new year list and New Year’s resolution spend more time with family ideas? Leave them in the comments and we’ll add them to our NYE list!

 

Ditch ideas for New Year resolutions for family and go for family goals instead. You’ll be happier and healthier! Happy New Year!