How to Start the Year Right with a New Year Name Hat Craft

The new year is an exciting time to make resolutions, set new goals, and have some fun in the classroom. While kids don’t always understand the concept of the new year, it’s still fun to celebrate with them! Use these New Year Name Hat Crafts to get kids excited about January and the following months. See how you can pair it with a fun center and writing activities by reading below!

New Year Name Hat Craft

Preschool and kindergarten students are learning how to write their names and spell them properly. One of the best ways to help them with these skills is by providing them with a name craft! If you follow my shop, you know I LOVE name crafts for kids. They are super simple, and they make adorable keepsakes for families.

This New Year Name Hat Craft is simple to prep and cute to display around the room. Give each child their own template and let them complete the craft independently or in a small group. This craft is perfect for small groups, literacy centers, morning work activities, craft time, or a New Year celebration. There are tons of fun ways to use it.

Pair the Name Craft with a Writing Prompt

If your kids can write, give them a piece of paper to write about their New Year’s resolutions and goals. I’m not talking about working out more or running a mile each day, but simpler goals. Encourage them to make goals that push them forward with academics or being a good friend. You might like making a list on the board to give them examples before they get started.

Once they have brainstormed their goals, let them create their craft and writing piece. Then, they can share their work with the class. Everyone will love hearing their peers’ goals and intentions for the New Year. This New Year Name Hat Craft is just a fun way to display it all.

Color the Craft or Print on Cardstock

This craft is versatile because you can let kids color their own templates to make it more customized or you can print the templates on colored cardstock for kids to use. Both methods work great for large groups of kids. Choose which method to use based on your kids’ interests and abilities and switch it up from year to year.

How to Make the Name Craft

Like all of my crafts, this one is quite simple! Each download comes with the step-by-step instructions you need to prep and complete the craft. I like to print everything out and create a model for kids to work off of. This allows them to get a little creative with their pieces instead of following them to a T.

If you prefer to have kids complete them a little nicer, walk them through each step and give them each template piece one at a time. Print the pieces on colored cardstock or construction paper, OR let them color the pieces themselves. Both are great ways to practice fine motor skills with young children.

The best part of this craft is that kids get to curl pieces of paper around pencils to make little ribbons! It’s such a fun activity and makes the craft 3-dimensional and just a little more fun.

Learn how to make this New Year Name Hat Craft by following the instructions that come with it or by watching this fun video! I’m extremely visual, so videos like this always help! Check it out:

I hope your kids love this adorable craft as much as mine do! Curling the paper pieces is always their favorite part and the completed project looks amazing on bulletin boards and walls. Happy New Year!

For more Name Hat ideas, take a look at these posts:

• Personalized and Colorful Winter Name Hat Craft for Little Ones
• Apple Tree Name Craft
• How to Practice Name Recognition with a Spring Flowers Name Craft