Here is a big list of Family Traditions for each month of the Year.
Why do we do family traditions? It's pretty simple- they strengthen our family bonds. Nothing is more fun than reminiscing with my brother and our families about the things we used to do when we were children. From trips to our Grandma's house, to playing tag with our cousins, those shared experiences strengthen our bonds with one another.
When I had my own family, I knew I wanted to keep some family traditions for my childhood and add a bunch of my own. And I really wanted to celebrate more than just holidays! Because I think celebrations should be all year long.
Ideas for Monthly Family Traditions
January
- New Year's Day breakfast party
- Make word collages for a new year goal
- Have a family Snowball fight
- Go see a movie as a family
- Bundle up and go for a nature walk
- Have a Super Bowl viewing party
February
- Decorate Sugar Cookies and deliver to friends and neighbors
- Valentine's Lunch or Dinner
- Give someone a Heart Attack
- Explore a new hiking trail
- Surprise your neighbor by shoveling the snow from their sidewalks
March
- Family vacation for Spring Break, even if it's just a stay cation
- Have a family March Madness Bracket
- Have a green lunch for St Patrick's Day
- Give everyone in the family new green socks for St. Patrick's Day
- Write sweet secret messages in chalk on someone's driveway
April
- Watch General Conference as a family with lots of snacks
- Go on a family hike
- Color Easter Eggs
- Have an Easter Basket scavenger hunt
- Fly kites at the park
May
- Spend Mother's Day celebrating the mom's in your life
- Let everyone pick out a flower and plant it in your garden
- Take flowers to those that could be lonely
- Host a last day of school breakfast
- Attend a yard sale or host one of your own
June
- Make a Summer Bucket List
- Spend Father's Day celebrating the dad's in your life
- Have a car/bike wash for your neighborhood
- Be a tourist in your own town
- Go swimming at the community pool, lake or other swimming place
- Have a back yard camp out
July
- Host a firework viewing party at your house
- Watch fireworks in the closest big city to you
- Have a movie marathon complete with forts and snacks
- Go through belongings and donate extra to a good cause
- Go to the flea market
- Visit an animal shelter and donate time or supplies
August
- Go on back to school shopping dates with each child in the family
- Take Back to School Pictures with signs
- Buy extra school supplies and donate to local schools
- Make a plan to volunteer in a classroom
September
- Watch a high school football game under the Friday Night Lights
- Go for a family bike ride
- Have a Sunday afternoon picnic at the park
- Pay for a drink/meal for the person behind you in the drive thru line
October
- Watch General Conference as a family again, with lots of snacks
- Go on a thrift store treasure hunt
- Pick out pumpkins and then paint or carve them
- Boo your neighbor
- Dress up in costumes and go trick or treating
November
- Develop a family gratitude practice
- Donate to/volunteer at a Food Bank
- Invite family and friends over for Thanksgiving Dinner
- Go Black Friday Shopping
December
- Draw names and shop for gifts for family members
- Make handmade gifts
- Get a yearly ornament
- Give to an angel tree
- Decorate Gingerbread Houses
- Go for a drive to look at Christmas Lights
Another great idea is to create weekly or daily traditions such as having dinner together at night, bedtime routines, family prayer, Sunday night game night, FHE, and more.
Family traditions are a great way to create bonds and lasting memories of your time spent together as a family. Do you have family traditions? What family traditions would you like to incorporate?
