Joy-Filled January: Fun Holidays to Celebrate with Kids
Let’s be honest: January can feel a little dreary. The glitter of December has been swept away, the tree is back in the attic, and we’re staring down a long stretch of winter. Do you ever feel like you need a little spark to get through the grey days? You aren’t alone. We all want those magical family moments without the stress of planning elaborate events. That’s why we love finding small reasons to celebrate. This list of fun January holidays is packed with ideas and easy ways to celebrate with kids, turning an ordinary month into a cherished memories.
Let’s ditch the post-holiday blues and sprinkle some fun confetti over your calendar!
Why Celebrate “Silly” Holidays?
You might be wondering, “Do I really need another thing to do?” I get it. Your to-do list is already a mile long. But celebrating these quirky holidays isn’t about adding pressure; it’s about breaking up the routine.
Novelty is the spice of life! A surprise dessert on a Tuesday or wearing silly socks can completely change the mood of your household. It’s these tiny, low-effort traditions that often stick in our kids’ memories longer than the big, expensive vacations. Plus, it gives us all something to smile about.
Here is a curated list of fun dates to mark on your calendar this January.
Fun January Holidays
January 4: National Spaghetti Day
Who doesn’t love a meal that’s messy, delicious, and easy to throw together? National Spaghetti Day is the perfect excuse to have a laid-back dinner.
Simple Ways to Celebrate:
- The Classic: Make your family’s favorite spaghetti recipe. If you’re short on time, a jar of sauce and some meatballs work perfectly.
- Get Creative: Try out a fun new recipe like Chicken Taco Spaghetti
- Spaghetti Art: If you have younger toddlers, cook a small batch of plain noodles, cool them down, and let them play with the “worms” in a sensory bin. It’s squishy, safe fun!
January 5: National Bird Day
Winter is actually a fantastic time to watch birds because the lack of leaves makes them easier to spot and migrating birds add variety to the mix. This is a gentle way to connect with nature without having to brave a long hike in the freezing cold.
Simple Ways to Celebrate:
- Make a Feeder: Grab a pinecone, slather it in peanut butter (or sunbutter), roll it in birdseed, and hang it on a tree outside your window.
- Window Watching: Set up a cozy spot by the window with some blankets. See how many different birds you can spot in 10 minutes.
- Go Outside: Spend sometime looking for birds and other nature-inspired items with this Backyard Scavenger Hunt.
January 8: Bubble Bath Day
This one is a win-win. The kids get a fun sensory experience, and you get them squeaky clean without the usual bathtime battle.
Simple Ways to Celebrate:
- Glow Bath: Toss some glow sticks into the tub and turn off the lights. It turns a regular bath into a disco party!
- Bubble Mountain: See who can make the tallest mountain of bubbles on their head.
- Mom’s Turn: Once the kids are tucked in, don’t forget to celebrate this one yourself. You deserve a soak with a bath bomb and a locked door!
January 13: National Rubber Ducky Day
Following up on Bubble Bath Day, we have a day dedicated to everyone’s favorite bath toy. This day actually celebrates the birthday of the rubber ducky on Sesame Street!
Simple Ways to Celebrate:
- Duck Races: If you have more than one rubber duck, race them across the bathtub.
- Ernie’s Song: Teach your kids the “Rubber Duckie” song. Warning: It will be stuck in your head all day.
- Duck Hunt: Hide a rubber duck somewhere in the living room and play “hot or cold” until the kids find it.
January 15: National Hat Day
This is one of the easiest fun family activities on the list because it requires zero prep and zero cleanup.
Simple Ways to Celebrate:
- Hat Parade: Pull out every hat you own—beanies, baseball caps, sun hats, silly costume hats. Put on a fashion show in the living room.
- Crazy Hair Option: Don’t have many hats? Flip the script and do “Crazy Hair Day” instead.
- Paper Hats: Make simple hats out of newspaper or construction paper. A simple cone hat or a pirate hat takes just minutes to fold.
January 19: National Popcorn Day
Popcorn is the ultimate budget-friendly snack. It’s warm, crunchy, and customizable.
Simple Ways to Celebrate:
- Movie Marathon: This is the obvious choice! Pick a family favorite, pile on the couch under blankets, and pass the bowl.
- Flavor Lab: Set up a popcorn bar. Put out small bowls of toppings like melted butter, cinnamon sugar, ranch seasoning, or even chocolate chips. Let the kids mix their own creations.
- Popcorn String: If you still have patience left over from Christmas, try stringing popcorn. It’s great for fine motor skills!
January 21: National Hugging Day
We could all use a little more affection, right? This day is a sweet reminder to slow down and connect physically with our little ones.
Simple Ways to Celebrate:
- The Giant Group Hug: Initiate a massive family bear hug in the kitchen.
- Hug Count: Challenge the kids to see how many hugs they can give before bedtime.
- Virtual Hugs: If grandma or grandpa lives far away, video call them and send a “virtual hug” through the screen.
January 24: National Compliment Day
Teaching kindness starts at home. This day focuses on building up self-esteem and noticing the good in others.
Simple Ways to Celebrate:
- Compliment Circle: At dinner, go around the table and have everyone say one nice thing about the person to their right.
- Mirror Notes: Use a dry-erase marker or sticky notes to leave positive messages on the bathroom mirror for your kids to find in the morning.
- The “Good Job” Jar: Write down things you noticed your kids doing well lately and read them aloud.
January 27: National Chocolate Cake Day
Do we really need a reason to eat cake? Probably not, but having an official holiday makes it feel guilt-free!
Simple Ways to Celebrate:
- Bake Together: Use a box mix to keep it simple. Let the kids crack the eggs and stir the batter.
- Mug Cakes: If you don’t want a whole cake tempting you on the counter, make individual microwave mug cakes. They are ready in 2 minutes!
- Just Buy It: No energy to bake? Swing by the grocery store bakery. There is no shame in the store-bought game!
January 28: National Lego Day
If you have kids, you probably have Legos underfoot right now. Why not turn the mess into a celebration?
Simple Ways to Celebrate:
- Building Challenge: Give everyone a theme (like “build a spaceship” or “build a house”) and set a timer for 20 minutes.
- Color Sort: Turn cleanup into a game by sorting bricks by color.
- Tower Test: See who can build the tallest tower before it topples over.
January 31: National Hot Chocolate Day
End the month on a sweet, warm note. This is the quintessential winter treat that feels like a hug in a mug.
Simple Ways to Celebrate:
- Cocoa Bar: Put out marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles, and candy canes while you watch a winter themed movie.
- Read Aloud: Sip your cocoa while reading a winter-themed book together.
- Outdoor Toast: Bundle up and take your warm mugs onto the porch for a few minutes of fresh air.
Keeping It Stress-Free
Remember, the goal here isn’t to do all of these things. That would be exhausting! The goal is to pick one or two that spark joy for you and your family.
Maybe this year you just do Popcorn Day. Maybe next year you tackle Bird Day. It’s all about finding easy ways to celebrate with kids that fit into your actual life, not an Instagram-perfect fantasy.
So, grab your calendar, circle a date that looks fun, and get ready to make a little magic. Which of these fun January holidays are you most excited to try?
Up Next: Fun-Filled February: Silly Ways to Celebrate with Kids
