Happy New Year! The holiday decorations are being packed away. It’s the season of renewal and blank canvases. I admit that I still get a little melancholy around this time of year (the lack of sunlight doesn’t help.) But it doesn’t last long. To help inspire you this month, here’s a list of ideas for family fun ideas in January. We’re embracing the dark days with plenty of time outside. We’re making, exploring, learning and playing. I hope the new year brings you and your family plenty of love, light and inspiration.
This list is just a starting point, follow me over on Instagram for day-to-day inspiration.
MAKE
- Build snow people bagels for a cute and satisfying snack
- Paint inspiring messages on small rocks and spread them around a local park.
- Measure the weather and make a wind vane
- Study the sun with a DIY sun dial
- Colorful pinwheels to blow in the wind
- Cozy hibernation hangout
- Write a simple New Years resolution on a sticky note and post in a place the family can see every day.
EXPLORE / LEARN
We’re back in action for homeschool studies after the winter break. In addition to our usual lineup, here are some additional things we’re learning about this month:
- Explore museums for free on a less than perfect day of weather. Learn more at King County Library System and Seattle Public Library.
- If you’re in the Seattle area, check out the events hosted by Seattle Homeschool Group.
- Visit the local zoo
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Monday, 1/17/22)
- Sketch out our upcoming garden plan for the Spring. It’ll be here before we know it.
- Online yoga, tai chi and dance classes through our local library
- New dance moves at musical theatre/jazz class (routine is “Hard Knock Life” from the musical “Annie”)
- Ski lessons for the entire family (first-timers!)
- Weekly virtual “tea time” with Grandma
- Learn how to make maple syrup with a local university extension program
- Learn about Chinese New Year (2022 is the Tiger) (Tuesday, 2/1/22)
PLAY
Here are some of our favorite games to play inside and outside.
- In-person park days with homeschool friends (toilet tag, wild animal tag)
- United States of America Scramble Game
- UNO Card Game
- Catan
- Make stop motion and mini-movies with our new green screen
- Practice our balance on the new slack line kit
AND FOR THE CAREGIVERS
With the new year, a lot of focus is on a “reset” in pretty much all aspects of life. Personally, we really tried to take a “break” at the end of December. The last couple of years have been super stressful. I’d like to encourage the caregivers to not fall into the January trap of having to fix everything, especially this year. We’ve been through enough stress. I’m revisiting areas of my life that I’ve let fall to the wayside – my creative outlets and favorite sources of inspiration. I hope that they help you, too:
50 quotes to inspire your homeschool – My Inspired Homeschool
Resources and Ideas for Learning at Home – My Inspired Homeschool
Daily Homeschool Rhythm – My Inspired Homeschool
Required Subjects for Homeschooling in Washington state – My Inspired Homeschool
