Here are links to crafts and recipes you can create with your children during January to bring out the inner chef, adventurer, and artist in your child.
1/1-New Year’s Day: The Times Square ball drops at midnight on New Year’s Eve in New York City has been signaling the start of a new year every January 1 since 1908. New Year’s Day represents a fresh beginning, as plans and resolutions for the upcoming year are made annually on this first calendar day. Here are some simple resolutions you and your child can make together https://gatheredagain.com/35-new-years-resolution-ideas-kids. There are some for every age group from toddler to teens, so pick a few out and have fun trying to help your child keep these goals throughout the year. Drink some sparkling cider and watch the ball drop on New Year’s Eve https://timessquareball.net while you work on your list of resolutions.
1/4- National Spaghetti Day: Didn’t you get enough festive food this holiday season? Then why not enjoy a favorite kid’s staple on January 4th in honor of it? Believed to be invented in Asia, spaghetti can be traced all the way back to the 1st century, eventually making its way to Italy during the Arabian conquest of Sicily in the 8th century. While traditionally enjoyed with meat, tomato sauce and parmesan cheese, there are many other toppings to savor on this delicious pasta, as you twist it around your fork. Have your kids pick out their favorite recipes and try a different one every week! https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/pasta-recipes-for-kids Have fun with pasta for an art project with your children. Bring Pasta to life in their creations.https://artfulparent.com/pasta-art-activities-for-kids/Fun fact: Spaghetti is one of over 600 types of pasta and is by far the most popular! Check out some more fun facts about https://nationaltoday.com/national-spaghetti-day/.
1/6- National Bean Day: If you have any room left over after all that spaghetti, celebrate on January 6th in honor of geneticist Gregor Mendel, who died on this day. Mendel used bean and pea plants in his studies to develop theories on genetics. Beans are a favorite comfort food on cold ,winter, January days. When used in soups and chilis, they will keep you warm and filled up. Sharing the classic story of Jack and the Beanstalk https://www.y outube.com/watch?v=_LY0UVBLq7Q with your child is a wonderful way to recognize National Bean Day. Fun Facts about National Bean Day: https://nationaltoday.com/national-bean-day/ Dried beans are great in recipes, but they also work well for creating crafts and art projects for kids. For example, you could create a mosaic that includes a variety of seeds and assorted sizes and colors of beans. This can be a lot of fun for kids. And bean art puts macaroni art to shame, especially on National Bean Day.
1/6- National Cuddle Day, so be sure to keep your child/pet warm long after the bean soup is gone by giving them lots of hugs and love! Communication is more than just e-mails, texts, or conversations. Physical touch also communicates trust, commitment, safety, and reassurance. This goes for human-to-human contact as well as human-to-pet contact; cuddling expresses all these things, which are vital to a healthy relationship.
1/8- National Bubble Bath Day– Sure, those bubbles are great to play with, but did you know they serve a practical purpose too? The bubbles on top of the water (also known as foam bath or foaming bath) insulate the bathwater, keeping it warmer for a more extended period. Children find bubble baths fun and enjoy playing with the bubbles, which entices them to take their baths.
Some bubble bath, bath foam, or foaming bath serves a dual purpose and can also be used to wash skin or hair. Along with providing a good night’s sleep just add some lavender oil to your bubble bath at night and relax your body and mind before bed. Relaxed muscles combined with lavender will nudge your body toward a better sleep routine .https://www.pinterest.com/natural1647/bath-recipes-kids/
1/13-National Rubber Duckie Day: Remember to toss in some bath toys for added enjoyment and do not forget the rubber duckie, especially on his birthday. According to a 1973 Sesame Street calendar, Big Bird and Ernie’s friend made his first appearance on a February 1970 episode. You can sing to your rubber duckie while enjoying your bubble bath, with this Sesame Street classic. https://www.google.com/search?q=sesame+street+rubber+duckie+lyrics&rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS889US889&oq=sesame+street+rubber+duck&aqs=chrome.3.0i355i457j46j69i57j0l3j46j0.6751j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
1/15-National Hat Day is a fun time to put on some cozy headgear before stepping out into the harsh winter elements, but did you know the idea behind this day is to wear a hat that promotes a statement or a product while showing off your individual style? Hats are meant to protect you but who says you cannot have fun while wearing one? Just ask Frosty the Snowman! Here are some ideas for fashionable paper hats you can make, although you may want to wear them indoors! https://www.firstpalette.com/craft/easy-paper-hats.html and day. Some of the most interesting facts you can learn about the National Hat Day include the following: The largest percentage of body heat is lost through the head. Therefore, people wear hats during the cold season to reduce the amount of heat lost by the body, the top hat has a very ancient history. The hat was first created in 1793 by George Dunnage, the hat has been a fashion sensation that traces back to more than 15000 years ago. This is after rock drawings in Central France were discovered depicting hat wearing.
1/19- National Popcorn Day is celebrated. While everyone enjoys a classic butter popcorn bucket during movie night in the winter, why not add a summer flair to your popcorn by mixing it with the flavor of another delicious classic treat? Check out this delicious homemade recipe to make at home with your child. Popcorn isn’t just a delicious snack; it’s also a versatile ingredient for entertaining and educating kids! Whether you are looking for rainy day activities, birthday party games, or educational projects. Here are a few fun and engaging activities you can do with your child.
1/20 -Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday: Every year on the third Monday in January, Americans celebrate Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday. The life and achievements of Dr. King, an American civil rights leader, are recognized on this day and he is most famous for promoting racial equality in the United States. A good way to honor this holiday is by serving your community. https://www.familyhoodcentral.com/kid-friendly-volunteer-opportunities-nj-families/
1/27th-1/31 Muffins for Mom at Kangaroo Kids: Is a Day to Celebrate our moms, Grandmothers, and many other special women in our lives.
- Jan 27th-PreK Room at 9:30-10:30am
- Jan 28th-Waddlers at 9:30-10:30am
- Jan 29th-Preschool at 9:30-10:30am
- Jan 30th-Discovery Preschool at 9:30-10:30
- Jan 31st- Young Explorers and Kindergarten at 9:30-10:30 am
1/27- National Chocolate Cake Day celebrates the cake most people favor. And often, we celebrate our special occasions like anniversaries, birthdays, and weddings with cake. Why not enjoy chocolate cake on January 27th every year? In America, chocolate was consumed primarily as a beverage until the 1830s or 40s. Chocolate cakes, as we think of them today, mostly did not exist then. The chocolate cake was born in 1765 when a doctor and a chocolate maker teamed up in an old mill. They ground up cocoa beans between huge millstones to make a thick syrup. The liquid was poured into molds shaped like cakes, which were meant to be transformed into a beverage. A popular Philadelphia cookbook author, Eliza Leslie, published the earliest chocolate cake recipe in 1847 in The Lady’s Receipt Book. The first boxed cake mix was created by a company called O. Duff and Sons in the late 1920s. Betty Crocker released their first dry cake mix in 1947. https://thehistoricalhomemaker.com/2023/01/28/national-chocolate-cake-day/
1/28- National Puzzle Day: Enjoy munching on your popcorn while you work on a puzzle. On this day, puzzles of all sizes, shapes and forms are honored and, in some cases, even completed! A variety of puzzles include mazes, word jumbles, crosswords and sudokus, but the best one to do as a family activity is a jigsaw puzzle. Your preschooler will feel special when he or she gets to help you solve one of them.
1/29 Chinese New Year 2025 falls on Wednesday, January 29th, starting a year of the Wood Snake. The 2025 element, wood, lends the Snake’s traits greater versatility, growth, and creativity. With an emphasis on relationships, personal development, and conquering challenges, this combination suggests a year of consistent progress. Check out some fun Chinese New Year activities for kids
1/31 Hot Chocolate Day-Each year on January 31st, National Hot Chocolate Day warms up people across the country by celebrating the timeless cold-weather beverage. Cozy up together at home and enjoy some homemade and delicious hot chocolate. In America, we often use the terms hot chocolate and hot cocoa interchangeably.https://celebratingsweets.com/homemade-hot-chocolate/
For more family things to do, visit these websites which highlight ideas and local events in the area. Always call to make sure any chosen activities are still happening before you head out for the day.
https://bridgewaternj.macaronikid.com/
https://www.jerseyfamilyfun.com
https://mommypoppins.com/new-jersey
https://www.visitnj.org/nj/events
Additionally, the Raritan Public Library offers programs and events to children in the area. It also has free Museum Passes for its patrons. For more information, visit https://raritanlibrary.org/events
