As the New Year approaches, it’s the perfect time for educators to inspire creativity and goal-setting in their K-4 classrooms. (Or PreK, homeschool, or 5 & 6th! ) This blog post is full of fresh, exciting ideas for bulletin boards and activities that will make your classroom sparkle like a disco ball! From engaging crafts to thoughtful writing prompts, let’s dive into cheerful ways to celebrate the New Year with your students. 

Happy New Year Bulletin Board Disco Ball Goals

Start the year off right with a vibrant bulletin board showcasing your students’ goals – as well as their personality!

This bulletin board is a great way to:

• Start back in January with a writing activity
• Talk about and create goals
• Take some fun pictures that will let your student’s personality shine

BONUS: It will easily turn into a winter-themed bulletin board! (example shown)

I suggest starting with the writing piece.

• Talk about resolutions or goals.
• Brainstorm together about what the difference is between a wish and a goal.
• All prompts come with and without lines.
• Younger studentsmay choose to draw their goals in the blank space.

Once the writing/drawing is complete:

• Pick a front and back cover
  • Blackline with clip art, color with clip art, or a realistic disco ball
  • Cut out the front and back cover
    • If you want a solid disco ball, whether it’s clip art or the realistic one, print the back cover twice and use it for both front and back.
  • Assemble the front cover, the writing pages, and then the back cover
    • (*Be sure to turn the back cover over so the picture side is facing OUT)
• Stack together and line the circles up
• Staple at the top

Once the booklets are stapled, they will go on your bulletin board along with your students' pictures.

• Encourage students to get creative!
• You could do a full-body shot or a half-body shot (just use your phone!).
• Print 4 x 6
• Cut out around the student
• The size will be disproportionate – that’s part of the charm! 🙂

This not only captures the festive spirit of New Year's Eve but also encourages discussion of personal goals and achievements, making it one of the best happy New Year bulletin board ideas for your classroom.

Happy New Year Writing Craftivity Disco Ball Goals

Encourage creative writing through a New Year's resolution writing prompt. Ask your students to think about what goals they want to accomplish this year and write about them.

This New Year’s Disco Ball Writing Craftivity is a great way to:

• Start back in January with a fun activity
• Talk about and create goals
• Ease back into the groove of the regular schedule

Have a bright, EASY display for a bulletin board or to show student work! I have clothespins on the backs of my doors and switch out writing work like this on a frequent rotation.

Happy New Year Coloring Pages

Incorporate fun New Year’s printables like coloring pages featuring festive designs, including stars, fireworks, and, of course, disco balls! These coloring pages can serve as a calming activity for students, spark conversations about their New Year’s resolutions, and enhance their fine motor skills. 

These coloring pages are perfect for:

• That first week back after break (I will have one on their table as they walk in)
• Can-do buckets
• Fast finishers
• If you need a quiet, calming moment
• BONUS: There are 3 bookmark designs!

Have a bright, EASY display for a bulletin board or to show students' artwork! I have clothespins on the backs of my doors and switch out artwork like this frequently. You could also print the colored versions and hang them up for a welcoming first week back!

Happy New Year Crown Disco Ball

Let your students shine with a happy New Year crown craft! Provide materials for them to create their own crowns adorned with disco ball cutouts and colorful decorations. This craft allows them to express their personality and creativity while celebrating the New Year in style. 

This New Year’s Crown is a great way to:

• Start back in January with an ice breaker
• Let them have fun and get creative in the first week back in the new year!
• Take some fun pictures that will let your student’s personality shine
• BONUS: Photo props are included!

Happy New Year BUNDLE!

To make your planning easier, consider bundling these activities together with other New Year activities for kindergarten! With this collection of New Year art crafts, New Year's printables, and creative prompts that will captivate your students' attention, their return to school after the holidays will feel exciting!

This bundle is a valuable resource for teachers looking to enhance their classroom themes and celebrate the New Year in a truly memorable way!

With these happy new year bulletin board ideas and activities, your classroom will be set for a fun and inspiring start to the year. Here's to a fabulous New Year filled with creativity, goals, and learning!

Check out this Ugly Sweater Bulletin Board for December!

Ever considered incorporating a school-wide theme? Learn more here!