New Year's Resolutions for Kids

10 healthy resolution ideas for preschoolers, school-aged kids, and teenagers.

• 3 min read
• child development
• health & wellness

New Year's resolutions can seem like a silly practice, but they're a great way to motivate your kids and help them start the year off on the right foot. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages parents to sit down with their children to come up with healthy goals to keep them motivated throughout the new year. Once you work together to set their resolutions, you and your co-parent can find ways to support them in following through and reaching their goals.

How can New Year's resolutions benefit kids?

As children learn and grow, making resolutions can help them develop a growth mindset and be better prepared for the future. Setting goals and following through can help your kids be more independent and confident, especially when they have your support. Resolutions can also act as a springboard for developing healthier habits, following more productive routines, and learning important concepts like responsibility and accountability.

What are some helpful tips to make kid-friendly resolutions?

Setting New Year's resolutions can be very beneficial to children, but it's essential to approach the process with careful consideration. If kids set goals that are overly ambitious or not realistic, they can easily get discouraged and feel stressed or frustrated. Sarah Loftin, a clinical therapist at Children's Health, shared these tips to help your kids set achievable resolutions.

• Consider your kids' interests and values
• Focus on making fun, meaningful goals
• Create a resolution you can follow together
• Display goals and have monthly check-ins
• Make resolutions using a positive tone

10 healthy resolution ideas for different ages

One of the best ways to ensure your kids set productive goals is to consider their developmental stages. Depending on their age, children can be more or less receptive to certain resolutions, whether it's doing chores or practicing acts of kindness. As long as your kids have your support in forming and following their goals, they're better set up for success in the new year. Here are 10 examples of healthy resolutions for children of different ages.

Preschoolers

1. I will clean up my toys before bed.
2. I will brush my teeth twice a day.
3. I will follow the teacher's rules at school.
4. I will help take care of family pets.
5. I will wash my hands after using the bathroom and before I eat.
6. I will put my clothes away where they belong.
7. I will listen to my parents when they talk to me.
8. I will be nice to other kids, especially if they seem sad.
9. I will help clear the table after meals.
10. I will always have good manners, even if I don't get my way.

School-age children

1. I will make my bed each morning.
2. I will be open to trying new foods.
3. I will always complete my homework.
4. I will go to bed whenever it's my bedtime.
5. I will help my parents with laundry and dishes.
6. I will do physical activity three times a week.
7. I will be kind to kids who seem left out.
8. I will always wear a seatbelt in the car.
9. I will read before bed each night.
10. I will tell an adult if I see or hear bullying.

Teenagers

1. I will get at least 8 hours of sleep each night.
2. I will study more and get better grades.
3. I will help cook family meals or do the dishes.
4. I will stay strong against peer pressure.
5. I will use healthy ways to cope with stress.
6. I will limit recreational screen time to two hours each day.
7. I will volunteer in my community at least once a month.
8. I will consume less sugar and avoid overindulging.
9. I will participate in extracurricular activities.
10. I will be kind to my peers no matter what.

New Year's resolutions can be a family effort

Setting goals to achieve in the new year alongside your kids can help them feel even more encouraged and supported in their individual efforts. Children learn by example, so participating in goal-setting with your kids can show them that everyone has room for self-improvement, no matter how old they are. By setting resolutions that involve you and your children, you have an excellent opportunity to support each other as you work together toward a common goal.

In addition to forming New Year's resolutions for your personal life, you can also set co-parenting resolutions. Whether you want to build trust and collaboration, try the grey rock method, or improve your financial wellness, using a co-parenting app like TalkingParents can help you achieve your goals. With features that help with organization and documentation, you can spend less time worrying about tracking details and more time enjoying quality time with your kids.