10 Inspiring Family New Year’s Resolution Ideas

This post may contain affiliate links, for which I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Please read our full disclosure policy.

Have you ever sat down on New Year’s Day and thought, This year will be different?

I know I have. But resolutions don’t have to be all about individual goals. Why not make them a family effort?

Think about it—planning adventures, working on a shared project, or just carving out more time together.

If you’re hoping to make the New Year feel more intentional, setting family resolutions could be just the thing.

Let’s look at some ideas that might bring your family closer this year!

Why Create Family Resolutions?

Does it ever feel like the busyness of work, school, and life pulls everyone in different directions? Family resolutions are a way to realign and refocus on what matters most.

Teamwork and connection: Sharing a goal strengthens bonds. Whether it’s saving for a big trip or starting a garden, working together builds memories.
Developing meaningful habits: Resolutions help prioritize what’s important, like spending quality time or trying something new.
Teaching life skills: Involving kids in goal-setting gives them valuable experience in planning, staying committed, and celebrating progress.

Last year, my family decided we’d hike more.

Some weekends it was a bust (rain loves to ruin plans), but we still made memories—and got some fresh air.

How to Choose Family Resolutions

Picking resolutions can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Start with a family meeting.
Ask everyone, “What’s one thing we’d love to do more of this year?” You might be surprised by the answers.
Make them realistic and meaningful.
Focus on goals that matter but don’t try to do too much. A couple of manageable resolutions go a long way.
Mix practical and fun ideas.
Balance something useful, like saving money, with something enjoyable, like a monthly movie night.

When my youngest suggested “dessert every night,” it didn’t make the list, but it gave us a good laugh!

10 Inspiring Family New Year’s Resolution Ideas

Weekly Family Game Night
Friendly competition, laughter, and maybe the loser does dishes?
Volunteering Together
Help at a food bank, clean up a park, or do something for a neighbor. It’s about giving back as a team.
Family Fitness Challenge
Walks after dinner, weekend hikes, or a fun dance class—whatever gets everyone moving.
Cook a New Recipe Each Week
Rotate who picks the recipe and tackle it together. Messy? Yes. Fun? Absolutely.
Gratitude Practice
Start a journal or share something you’re thankful for each day.
Screen-Free Evenings
Designate one evening a week to disconnect and just hang out. Check out my blog post for more tips on how to reduce screen time!
Save for a Family Goal
Whether it’s a vacation or a trampoline, track your progress as a family.
Monthly Outdoor Adventures
Explore a park, go for a bike ride, or picnic in the backyard.
Family Reading Challenge
Pick a book to read together or create a family book club.
Learn Something New Together
Try painting, a new language, or even juggling—just something fun and different.

Tips for Staying on Track

Staying committed to your family resolutions can be tricky, especially with busy schedules and unexpected hiccups.

But here are some simple ways to make sure you stay motivated and keep the momentum going:

Keep it Visible

One of the easiest ways to stay on track is to make sure your goals are in sight. Whether it’s on the fridge, in a shared family planner, or on a bulletin board, having your resolutions visible reminds everyone of the shared commitment.

You can create a family vision board with pictures representing each goal—like a beach photo for a family vacation goal, or a photo of healthy food for a fitness challenge.

This visual reminder not only keeps the goals fresh in everyone’s mind but also makes them more tangible.

When my family set the goal of saving for a big vacation last year, we put a picture of our dream destination on the fridge.

Every time we walked past, we were reminded of our goal and how we were working together to make it happen!

Celebrate Progress

Progress, no matter how small, deserves recognition.

When your family hits a milestone, it’s time to celebrate! You don’t have to wait until you’ve achieved the whole goal—celebrating the small wins along the way keeps everyone excited and motivated.

It doesn’t have to be anything huge either. Sometimes the little things are the best.

Maybe it’s an ice cream outing, a family movie night, or even just a round of applause for everyone’s hard work.

These celebrations reinforce the idea that working together is fun and rewarding, making the journey to your goals feel just as good as the destination.

For example, when we hit our halfway point for saving toward our family vacation, we rewarded ourselves with a pizza night.

It made the goal feel more achievable, and it was a great way to bond over the progress we’d made.

Be Flexible

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that life doesn’t always go according to plan, and that’s okay.

Flexibility is key to staying on track without feeling frustrated. If a particular goal isn’t working out or if things change—like an unexpected family event or illness—don’t be afraid to adjust.

Maybe your fitness challenge turns into a weekly walk instead of a daily workout, or your “monthly outdoor adventure” becomes an indoor board game night when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Allowing your goals to evolve as needed helps everyone stay engaged without feeling like they’re failing.

This flexibility also teaches kids that goals can be adjusted and that life is about adapting and moving forward, even when things don’t go as planned.

For instance, if a family activity is proving difficult to follow through on, it’s okay to tweak it and choose something more manageable.

By staying flexible and open to change, you create an environment where everyone feels supported and encouraged—no matter what life throws your way.

You May Also Enjoy:

30 Inspiring Self-Reflection Prompts for a Fresh Start

12 Easy Steps to Decluttering Your Mind

25 Fun New Year’s Eve Traditions for Everyone