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New Year back to school activity ideas

Blog
The YPO Team
10 Dec 2024

As the New Year approaches, people are reminiscing on their memories in 2024, breaking unhealthy habits and looking forward to trying new things. Acknowledging the New Year in your classroom can be a great way to make some exciting plans for 2025, remind students about the classroom expectations and help students get back into the learning routine. Here are some engaging New Year activity ideas that you can easily incorporate in the New Year.

1. Create a New Year time capsule

A time capsule is the perfect thing to make with your students. They can write a brief note to their future selves about something funny or memorable, so that they are reminded of this time when they open it later. They can even make a class video saying ‘hey’ to their future selves, documenting what year it is and what they want to achieve in the New Year. Students can then see if they have accomplished those goals. Another great idea is to include school photos from earlier in the school year so that students can reminisce about their old looks. They can also store their personal belongings such as their favourite piece artwork or stationery items to add a personal touch.

2. Make New Year’s resolution stars

New Year is all about thinking of the future and what we want to achieve this school year. Get students thinking about the resolutions they would like to make by asking students to jot down their new year's resolutions on these Glo-Card Stars. After that’s done, they can begin sticking their stars on a bulletin board or a classroom whiteboard to create a collage where students can take turns to share their thoughts, feelings, and future goals about the new year. This is a fun way to get children thinking about how they can improve on certain aspects in their lives, whether personal or academic!

3. New Year Show and Tell

Show-and-tell is an excellent way for students to boost their self-esteem, confidence and social skills whilst being able to share their experiences. Prompt your students to discuss what they did over the Christmas holidays and if they celebrated New Year’s Day with any traditions or fun activities. Learning about the different traditions and customs can promote inclusivity and awareness, encouraging further conversations between students and creating a sense of mutual connection.

4. Hopes and wishes jar

What better way to help students share their hopes and wishes for the new year than by doing a fill the jar activity! Grab a large jar or container and get your students to note down their hopes and wishes for the coming year on some sticky notes. Students can then fill the jar in with their notes. This is a fun way for students to express their creativity and imagination as they write, as they start to feel excited and optimistic about what the year will bring for them.

5. Make a list of things to learn

You can also help students make their own list of what they want to learn in the new year. It could be anything from learning how to do abstract painting to adding fractions, even learning something completely new depending on their school year. Whatever it may be, students can start off 2025 with these things in mind to do till the summer holidays, and you can even put a reward system in place as they go through the list!

For more relevant resources and information, check out our Primary School Resources & Supplies page where we offer a range of educational supplies to suit your needs.

Author

The YPO Team

YPO supplies products and services to a wide range of customers including schools, local authorities, charities, emergency services, public sector and other businesses such as nurseries and care homes. YPO are 100% publicly owned, by 13 local authorities, which means the profits made are returned to public sector customers, delivering even better value for money.