Although we might not quite be ready for that first school day of the new year, it’ll be here before we know it. So, while I’m sorta, kinda dreading it (sorry, not sorry), I’m napping… I mean, prepping. Here are 5 New Year’s activities for ringing in 2025 in the classroom!
Reflect and Share Activities
That first day back can be rough. The kids are tired from sleeping in and staying up late. It is inevitably dreary or possibly freezing rain (or is that only in Pennsylvania?). My favorite first activity of the new year I like to call “Musical Shares”. I play some music and students walk around. When the music stops, they pair up with someone to share 1 thing about their winter break. We repeat this 3-4 times so they’ve had time to share with multiple classmates. Grab your free copy here.
Get Moving & Have Fun
Kickstart the post-Winter Break return with an engaging and hassle-free activity that combines movement, laughter, and a touch of knowledge. Introducing Stand, Sit, Hands on Hips! Say goodbye to the post-vacation slump with this no-prep game that promises to infuse energy and excitement. Designed to get students on their feet, this interactive trivia game revolves around entertaining questions about Winter Break and the New Year. As the questions unfold, participants must quickly decide whether to stand, sit, or strike a pose with hands on hips based on their answer. It’s a dynamic way to review holiday adventures, share stories, and test knowledge, all while fostering a lively atmosphere. So, if you’re in search of an easy and entertaining post-holiday classroom activity, Stand, Sit, Hands on Hips might just be the perfect fit for you!
Grab a copy of these games in my TpT Store.
New Year Books and Activities
The start of a new year is the perfect time to dive into books that inspire goal-setting, self-reflection, and fresh starts. One of my favorite New Year’s activities is reading Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution by Pat Miller. This book introduces the concept of resolutions in a kid-friendly way. Pair these books with discussion questions or quick writing prompts, like “What is one goal you want to work toward this year?” or “What’s a problem you’ve faced and how did you handle it?” These reads and follow-up activities can help set a positive and reflective tone for the new year in your classroom.
If you don’t have any physical new year books, start the new year by listening to a book from the “New Year’s” section of my FREE January Digital Library. These libraries are perfect for including in your morning meeting routine or an independent listening center!
Create a New Year’s Bulletin Board
Have students what they are excited about in 2024 with this easy-to-prep writing activity + bulletin board option. I like to build up the excitement for what is possible in the new year! I love hearing about what they are excited about in their lives. PLUS this makes an adorable display that you could even do before winter break. The best part is you can then leave it up through January! Find it here: NY 2025 Bulletin & Writing
Ringing in a new year with your students is a special time! I hope you have found some helpful New Year’s activities for celebrating 2025 with your class. Looking for more activities for the first week back from break? Check out this blog post!
