Epic Ways to Celebrate Fun Holidays in January

Those quiet, in-between days of holidays in January can feel a little… blah, especially after the sparkle of December has faded and the decorations are packed away.

The decorations are packed away, and the kids are somehow still asking for snacks every 12 minutes. 

But here’s the good news: January is secretly packed with silly, cozy, joy-sparking celebrations that are perfect for easing into the new year without going full “new year, new me” energy.

Sure, we all know about New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but January also brings us delightful gems like National Spaghetti Day, International Puzzle Day, and even National Popcorn Day. 

Yes, those are real. And yes, we are absolutely celebrating them. These fun holidays in January are basically permission slips to slow down, play a little, and enjoy winter without overthinking it.

And while we’re bundling up with hot cocoa and fuzzy socks in the Northern Hemisphere, other parts are soaking up summer sunshine and school holidays. 

This makes these January celebrations just as perfect for relaxed summer crafts, easy parties, and low-key family fun. 

No matter your season, this list of fun holidays in January is here to help you start the year with connection, creativity, and just the right amount of silliness.

Why Celebrate These Weird January Holidays Anyway?

January has a reputation for being long, quiet, and a little dull. But that’s exactly why these small, quirky holidays matter so much. 

They give us something to look forward to when motivation is low and the calendar feels empty.

Celebrating silly holidays in January isn’t about adding more to your plate. 

It’s about using what you already have—snacks, paper, a bit of imagination—and turning an ordinary day into a memory your kids will actually remember. No pressure. No perfection. Just small wins.

Because honestly? Life is too short not to celebrate spaghetti, puzzles, and popcorn. 

These January celebrations are especially perfect for parents who want fun without the mental load, teachers easing back into routines, or moms just trying to survive winter with their sanity intact.

These small-but-mighty special days in January can:

• Spark creativity with low-prep winter crafts
• Break up long winter weeks
• Offer simple moments of joy and laughter
• Build traditions your kids will actually remember

Fun and Weird Holidays in January to Celebrate

January 2: National Science Fiction Day

• Build a “future gadget” from recyclables and explain what it does
• Create alien slime using clear glue and glitter
• Design a new planet and draw what lives there
• Watch a kid-friendly sci-fi movie and vote on the coolest invention
• Make foil robot crowns and speak in “robot voices” at dinner

January 4: National Spaghetti Day

• Use cooked spaghetti to create line-art paintings on paper
• Build spaghetti bridges using dry pasta and marshmallows
• Create an “Italian café” pretend play corner with menus
• Read Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun for a sweet connection activity
• Make spaghetti sensory bins with tongs and strainers
• Adults: Try a new regional pasta recipe (Roman, Sicilian, etc.)

January 5: National Bird Day

• Create binoculars from toilet paper rolls and go on a backyard bird “safari”
• Paint or collage birds using feathers, paper scraps, and textured materials
• Make simple bird feeders using pinecones, peanut butter, and seed
• Keep a bird observation journal with drawings instead of words
• Match birds to their sounds using short clips or recordings
• Adults: Enjoy a quiet coffee while birdwatching (it counts as mindfulness!)

January 7: Old Rock Day

• Let kids start a “rock collection” and sort by size, color, or texture
• Paint rocks with patterns, faces, or encouraging words
• Create a rock sensory tray with sand, brushes, and magnifying glasses
• Write tiny stories about where each rock might have come from
• Build rock towers or patterns and photograph the creations
• Parents: Keep one painted rock as a paperweight or desk reminder

January 10: National Houseplant Appreciation Day

• Let kids name plants and make personality profiles for them
• Create leaf rubbings using crayons and paper
• Make faux plants from paper and pipe cleaners
• Make plant markers with popsicle sticks and markers
• Build a mini greenhouse using clear containers
• Adults: Treat yourself to a new indoor plant or a cute Etsy planter

January 14: National Dress Up Your Pet Day

• Design paper accessories inspired by famous characters
• Draw your pet as a superhero or royal
• Make a pet obstacle course and cheer them on
• Dress up your pets and create a mini photoshoot backdrop
• Write a “day in the life” story from the pet’s POV

January 16: National Nothing Day

• Declare a “no plans” afternoon and let kids choose what happens
• Set up cozy stations: reading nook, drawing table, puzzle corner
• Do a slow family snack board instead of a full meal
• Journal or draw freely with no prompts and no rules
• Take a quiet walk with no destination or agenda
• Adults: Sit. Drink something warm. Do absolutely nothing productive.

January 18: Winnie the Pooh Day

• Have a Pooh-themed snack time with honey toast and fruit
• Read Winnie-the-Pooh and act out the story with stuffed animals
• Make simple bear ears from construction paper
• Create a Pooh-inspired “slow morning” with no rushing
• Paint simple bear faces on paper plates

January 19: National Popcorn Day

• Set up a popcorn bar with sweet and savory toppings
• Use popcorn to make textured art collages
• Use popcorn for a STEM challenge
• Create a pretend movie theater with tickets and posters
• Build a popcorn flavor lab with spices and sugars
• Adults: Fancy popcorn + grown-up movie night

January 21: National Hugging Day

• Make a “hug coupon” booklet for family members
• Make a “kindness chain” with one act per link
• Talk about different ways to show kindness and comfort
• Practice different types of hugs (side hug, bear hug, etc.)
• Share stories about when hugs helped
• Adults: Extra-long hugs count double today

January 23: National Handwriting Day

• Make handmade bookmarks with favorite words
• Start a “One Line a Day” family journal where everyone writes one sentence
• Create a gratitude flip journal with prompts like “Today I liked…”
• Copy a favorite poem or song lyrics in fancy handwriting styles
• Make DIY affirmation cards and decorate the borders
• Adults: Begin a “January reset journal” asking: What do I want more of this year?

January 25: Opposite Day

• Wear pajamas during the day and “day clothes” at night
• Eat dessert before dinner (once — it’s Opposite Day)
• Speak in silly opposites and see who notices first
• Draw upside-down pictures or write words backward
• Pretend parents are kids and kids are parents for an hour

January 29: National Puzzle Day

• Work on a family puzzle or set up a “puzzle station” for the week
• Create your own puzzle by cutting up a drawing
• Try a scavenger hunt-style riddle game
• Adults: Puzzle + coffee + podcast = peak January energy

January 31: National Hot Chocolate Day

• Build a hot chocolate bar with marshmallows and sprinkles
• Make cocoa mug crafts from paper and cotton balls
• Experiment with flavors like peppermint or caramel
• Enjoy cocoa during a family read-aloud
• Host a pretend cocoa café with menus
• Do cocoa-scented playdough or sensory rice

Your January Bucket List, Sorted

January doesn’t have to feel long or boring. With a handful of fun holidays in January sprinkled throughout the month, you can turn ordinary days into cozy, joy-filled moments that actually feel doable. 

Whether you pick one day or try a whole January bucket list, these small celebrations are a gentle reminder that fun doesn’t need a big occasion.

So save this list, circle a few favorites, and give yourself permission to enjoy January celebrations without overthinking them. 

Because fun holidays in January might just be the thing that sets the tone for a happier, lighter year ahead.

Other resources you may like:

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ARTICLE: 36 Kids Handprint Craft Ideas
ARTICLE: Celebrate the Smaller Fun Holidays in February
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