The holiday season is about creating memories, sharing joy, and spending quality time together. If you’re looking for a simple, meaningful activity that keeps kids engaged during winter break, a Joy Jar is the perfect solution! This DIY holiday activity for kids is easy, fun, and helps families focus on gratitude and positivity. It can also turn into a new family holiday tradition that doesn’t have to cost a lot of money!
What Is a Joy Jar?
A Joy Jar is a gratitude jar for kids filled with notes, drawings, or small items that represent joyous moments or activities you want to do together. It’s a creative way to capture joy throughout the season and revisit those memories later – like on New Year’s Eve or the first day of the new year.
Why Make a Joy Jar This Holiday Season?
- Encourages gratitude and mindfulness: Kids learn to appreciate the little things.
- Keeps kids busy during winter break: A screen-free activity that sparks creativity.
- Builds family traditions: Something you can do year after year.
How to Create Your Own Joy Jar
Materials Needed:
- A jar or container (mason jar, recycled jar, or even a shoebox)
- Slips of paper
- Pens, markers, crayons
- Decorations like stickers, ribbon, glitter
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Decorate the Jar: Let kids personalize it with stickers, paint, or holiday-themed designs.
- Write Joyful Notes: Each family member writes down things that make them happy, favorite holiday memories, or fun activities they’d like to do.
- Add to the Jar Daily or Weekly: Make it a routine during winter break.
- Read Together Later: Open the jar on New Year’s Eve or during a cozy family night.
Check out this PDF for more ideas on how to get started!
Joy Jar Ideas for Families:
Prompts for kids:
- “What made you smile today?”
- “What’s your favorite holiday tradition?”
- Include drawings or photos for younger kids.
- Add small surprises like stickers or candy for extra fun.
Tips to Make It Fun
- Turn it into a family craft night.
- Set a goal: Fill the jar by the end of winter break.
- Pair it with other holiday traditions like baking cookies, watching a favorite movie or listening to Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver’s “Choose Joy” Playlist on Spotify!
Joy in Action: A Creative Twist from the Hidden Lake Boys & Girls Club
At the Hidden Lake Boys & Girls Club in Westminster, a spunky 12-year-old named Addeline took the Joy Jar idea to a whole new level. Instead of writing her happy thoughts on paper, she wrote them on brightly colored Ping Pong balls and placed them in a Mason jar.
Kids at Hidden Lake filled their jars with everything from “My Nana” to “Sonic the Hedgehog,” along with inspiring mantras like: “Either you think you can’t or you think you can – you’re right!”
Addeline even wrapped holiday lights around herself and proudly declared, “I am the Joy Jar!”
This creative spin shows that there’s no wrong way to make a Joy Jar—just have fun and let your family’s personality shine through!
Mental Health Matters at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver
Our Clubs are more than places to play—they’re safe spaces that promote mental health awareness and resilience. Here’s how we support kids every day:
- Professional Support & Expertise: Mental health professionals embedded in every Club provide individual sessions and small group activities.
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Evidence-based programming helps kids build emotional awareness and positive relationships.
- Cultural & Age-Responsive Care: Partnerships ensure programming resonates with diverse members and builds lasting resilience.
Impact from 2023–2024:
- 94% of members say adults at their Club care about them.
- 87% feel safe being themselves at the Club.
- 92% care about how their actions affect others.
Activities like Joy Jars complement these efforts by encouraging gratitude and emotional expression at home.
Start Your Joy Jar Today
Creating a Joy Jar is more than a craft—it’s a way to slow down, connect, and celebrate the season. Share your Joy Jar creations on social media and tag Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver on Instagram and Facebook. Inspire other families to join in the fun!
