Setting Intentional New Year Goals with Children


December 31, 2024



The New Year is a time of fresh starts and endless possibilities, and it's a perfect opportunity to teach children the value of setting intentional goals. Helping our kids take ownership of their time and choices—even at a young age—is a gift that will serve them for a lifetime. These mindful habits can even ripple through generations, creating a legacy of intentional living within your family.

Intentional, Not Overwhelming

Setting goals doesn’t require massive, overwhelming changes. Instead, focus on small, achievable habits that align with your family's values. Research shows that habits are not built by perfection but by repetition. The more we practice—even imperfectly—the more likely we are to create sustainable and positive habits. This is an important lesson, both for adults and children alike! Remember, habits can be both good and bad, so guiding our children in creating intentional, positive routines is key.

Individual Goals for Kids

Start by helping your children set personal goals for the year. Encourage them to think about new experiences they’d like to try or skills they want to develop. Some ideas include:

  • Visiting new places
  • Exploring a new hobby
  • Reflecting on strengths they want to grow further
  • Identifying fears they’re ready to conquer

Writing these goals down in a planner or creating a vision board can make the process fun and engaging while giving kids a sense of ownership over their year ahead. We have a FREE printable worksheet available for children to easily record their goals and plans for 2025 in addition to easy-to-use student planners to continue tracking goals and plans all year long!

Save the below image and print a free 2025 goal sheet for your family!



Family Goals for Connection

Goal setting doesn’t have to stop at individual aspirations; family goals not only foster a sense of responsibility, but also create opportunities for connection and growth as a team. Simple, shared goals can include:

  • Chore Charts: Create simple tasks like picking up toys or helping with the dishes, ensuring everyone contributes to the household.
  • Unplugged Time: Schedule device-free family experiences, such as game nights or outdoor adventures.
  • Outdoor Challenges: Commit to spending time outside together each week. Many homeschool families enjoy the inspiring goal of using 1000 Hours Outside trackers to document outdoor hours. Beyond fun, outdoor activities nurture mental, physical, and emotional well-being as you enjoy the natural world God created for us.

To help make the goal setting process seamless, Homeschool Complete created planners designed specifically for homeschool families. Whether you follow a faith-based or secular approach, these planners go beyond the typical daily and weekly schedules. Here’s some ways they can help:

  • Chore Charts: Teach your kids responsibility by setting clear expectations for household tasks.
  • Budget Sections: Introduce practical money management skills that your children can grow into.
  • Prayer & Memory Verse Lists: For faith-based families, these sections are ideal for intentional spiritual growth.
  • Academic & Personal Development: Set tailored goals for homeschooling success and work on skills outside the classroom, like hobbies or life lessons.

A planner can create a structured yet flexible framework for the year ahead, ensuring that each of your children, and family as a whole, has a roadmap for success.

Spiritual Growth as a Family

Devotional time can also become a meaningful family goal. Rather than stressing over finding quiet time alone for spiritual growth, bring your children along on the journey. Include them in reading scripture, praying, or reflecting together. This could look like giving them a clipboard and markers to doodle as you study. Remember, interruptions are not derailments—they’re opportunities to model faith in action and invite your children into moments of grace and growth.

A Year of Intentional Living

By setting intentional goals for ourselves and our children, we cultivate lifelong habits and strengthen family bonds. Goals don't have to be perfect to be impactful—they just need to be consistent and aligned with your values.

Intentional goal setting teaches children the importance of accountability and perseverance. It gives them a sense of ownership over their efforts, builds confidence, and helps them understand the value of hard work.

Why not make this year a year of growth, connection, and purpose for your family? It starts with a simple step, and the rewards will be immeasurable.

Here’s to a year of intentional living!