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New Year, New Adventures: 10 Family Resolutions for 2026 That Actually Stick
👶Kids & Parenting10 min read

New Year, New Adventures: 10 Family Resolutions for 2026 That Actually Stick

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The Ridolz Team
December 17, 2025

New Year, New Adventures: 10 Family Resolutions for 2026 That Actually Stick

It's almost 2026. Time for that annual tradition where we promise to become completely different people by January 2nd.

Spoiler alert: it never works.

But here's what I've learned after years of failed resolutions: the ones that stick aren't about changing who you are. They're about doing more of what makes you happy—together.

This year, skip the solo gym membership. Make resolutions your whole family can get behind—kids, pets, and all.

Why Family Resolutions Work Better

Individual resolutions fail because:

  • No accountability (who's checking if you meditated today?)

  • No fun (running alone in January is miserable)

  • No support (willpower is finite)
  • Family resolutions succeed because:

  • Built-in cheerleaders

  • Shared experiences create memories

  • Kids hold you accountable (brutally, honestly accountable)

  • Pets don't let you skip walks
  • 10 Family Resolutions for 2026

    1. One New Adventure Per Month 🗺️

    The Resolution: Try something new together every month.

    Ideas:

  • January: Indoor rock climbing

  • February: Cooking a cuisine you've never tried

  • March: Stargazing night

  • April: Plant a garden together

  • May: Family bike ride to somewhere new

  • June: Beach day or lake trip

  • July: Backyard camping

  • August: Visit a local museum

  • September: Apple picking

  • October: Pumpkin patch adventure

  • November: Volunteer together

  • December: Create a new holiday tradition
  • Why It Works: It's specific, achievable, and creates anticipation. Kids will remind you. Trust me.

    2. Weekly Family Game Night 🎲

    The Resolution: One night per week, screens off, games on.

    Game Ideas by Age:

  • Toddlers: Candy Land, Hi Ho Cherry-O, matching games

  • Kids 5-8: Uno, Sorry!, Jenga, Guess Who

  • Kids 8+: Ticket to Ride, Catan Junior, Codenames

  • Teens: Cards Against Humanity (Family Edition), Wavelength, Jackbox Games
  • Pro Tip: Let kids pick the game. Rotate who chooses each week.

    3. Daily Pet Adventure Time 🐕

    The Resolution: One dedicated adventure with your pet every day—beyond the basic walk.

    Ideas:

  • New walking route

  • Training session (new trick each month)

  • Puzzle toy time

  • Hide and seek with treats

  • Dog park social hour

  • Cat play session with new toys
  • Why It Works: Pets thrive on novelty. So do kids. Combine them for maximum joy.

    4. Screen-Free Sundays (Or Any Day) 📵

    The Resolution: One day per week with minimal screens for everyone.

    What to Do Instead:

  • Board games

  • Outdoor play

  • Arts and crafts

  • Baking together

  • Reading time

  • Building forts

  • Nature walks
  • Reality Check: Start with screen-free mornings if a full day feels impossible. Progress, not perfection.

    5. Monthly Kindness Project 💕

    The Resolution: Do one act of kindness as a family each month.

    Ideas:

  • Make cards for nursing home residents

  • Donate toys (kids choose which ones)

  • Bake cookies for neighbors

  • Write thank-you notes to teachers/mail carriers/etc.

  • Volunteer at animal shelter

  • Clean up a local park

  • Create care packages for unhoused neighbors
  • Why It Works: Kids learn empathy by doing, not just hearing about it.

    6. Learn Something New Together 📚

    The Resolution: Pick one skill to learn as a family this year.

    Ideas:

  • A new language (Duolingo family challenge!)

  • An instrument (ukulele is surprisingly easy)

  • A sport (tennis, swimming, martial arts)

  • Cooking a specific cuisine

  • Gardening

  • Photography

  • Chess
  • Pro Tip: Let kids have input. They're more invested when they helped choose.

    7. Create a Family Gratitude Practice 🙏

    The Resolution: Share one thing you're grateful for at dinner every night.

    Variations:

  • Gratitude jar (write them down, read on New Year's Eve)

  • Rose, Bud, Thorn (best part, looking forward to, challenge)

  • High/Low of the day

  • "I noticed you..." appreciation shares
  • Why It Works: Gratitude literally rewires brains for happiness. Science says so.

    8. More Meals Together 🍽️

    The Resolution: Eat together as a family X times per week (you set the number).

    Tips:

  • Start realistic (3x/week if schedules are crazy)

  • Breakfast counts!

  • Involve kids in cooking

  • No phones at the table

  • Keep it simple—it's about togetherness, not gourmet meals
  • Conversation Starters:

  • "If you could have any superpower..."

  • "What made you laugh today?"

  • "If our pet could talk, what would they say?"
  • 9. Outdoor Time Every Day ☀️

    The Resolution: Get outside together for at least 20 minutes daily.

    Weather Excuses Eliminated:

  • Rainy: Puddle jumping, umbrella walks

  • Cold: Bundle up, hot cocoa reward after

  • Hot: Early morning or evening, water play

  • Snowy: Snowman building, snow angels
  • Why It Works: Nature reduces stress, improves mood, and tires out kids AND pets. Win-win-win.

    10. Document the Memories 📸

    The Resolution: Take one family photo per week.

    Ideas:

  • Same spot, different seasons

  • Silly photo tradition

  • Monthly "interview" videos with kids

  • Pet photo of the week

  • Adventure documentation
  • Pro Tip: Create a shared album. Look back together on New Year's Eve 2026.

    How to Actually Keep These Resolutions

    Start Small


    Pick 2-3 resolutions, not all 10. Add more once habits form.

    Make It Visual


    Create a family resolution poster. Check things off. Kids love checking things off.

    Build In Rewards


    Monthly resolution check-in with a special treat or outing.

    Expect Imperfection


    You'll miss weeks. Life happens. The goal is progress, not perfection.

    Involve Everyone


    Family meeting to choose resolutions together. Buy-in matters.

    The Real Resolution

    Here's the truth about New Year's resolutions:

    The best ones aren't about becoming different people. They're about spending more intentional time with the people (and pets) you love.

    2026 is 365 days of potential adventures, giggles, cuddles, and memories.

    Let's make them count. Together.


    Start 2026 with Joy

    We've got everything you need for family adventures, pet fun, and memory-making.

    👉 Shop for Kids | Shop for Pets

    🎉 Happy New Year! | 🚚 Free shipping on $50+


    What are your family's resolutions for 2026? Share with us on social media—we'd love to cheer you on!

    #new year 2026#family resolutions#new year goals#family activities#parenting tips#family bonding

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