It’s a new year, and we’re thinking it's time to find a fun new way to read together and connect as a family! January is always filled with promise, packed with new intentions, family goals, and ideas of screen-free nights (well, mostly). 

This year, we’re taking reading resolutions to the next level with something the whole family can enjoy: a Family Reading Resolution Jar. It’s more than just a family craft; it’s a creative way to set goals, spark some excitement for unread stories, and make reading a shared family adventure. 

Each slip of paper becomes a tiny story waiting to be told, and with our Tween Book Subscription Boxes, you’ll have plenty of fresh inspiration to keep your jar brimming with ideas all year long.

Why Family Reading Goals Matter in 2026

Between work, school, and technology, finding time to connect as a family can feel like a full-time job. But setting family reading goals gives everyone a chance to pause and reconnect. 

Research shows that reading together builds empathy, improves communication, and boosts academic performance.¹  But for us, even more importantly, it creates memories: those quiet moments on the couch, the bedtime giggles, and the impromptu discussions about characters that somehow turn into life lessons.

A Family Reading Resolution Jar turns those moments into a fun, low-pressure way to make reading part of daily life rather than another item on the to-do list. Families that read together create memories that will last a lifetime, and we think it's a fabulous way to start a new family tradition that will hopefully continue through generations.

 

Family Reading Night Ideas: How the Resolution Jar Works

Step 1: Gather Materials

Let’s start with the fun part, crafting! You’ll need a mason jar (or any jar of your choosing), paper slips, colorful markers, pens, stickers, and ribbon. This is a great activity you can all get involved in, and it is even better when accompanied by morning pancakes. The more creative you get as a family, the better! You can even pick out one of our beautiful jars, like the Red Butterfly Jar or the Patterned Green Glass Jar. For an extra touch of charm, add a beautiful ribbon, and you’re ready to go!

You can add optional extras to your new tradition, like a habit tracker or even family reward coupons.

 

Step 2: Add Prompts That Inspire (Not Pressure)

The best part about a reading jar is that it’s flexible and fun and should never be a chore! Make sure to get the whole family involved and fill it with prompts that encourage creativity and variety. You will be surprised by some of your kids' suggestions. It is a great way to get insights into what interests them. 

Here are a few suggestions: 

• Read a book set in another country

• Buddy read with a parent or sibling

• Listen to an audiobook while cuddled up on the couch (it’s a great alternative to Netflix)

• Read a book with a red, blue, or green cover (pick your family’s favorite color)

You can even make it seasonal, like summer adventures, cozy winter reads, or back-to-school experiences. The goal is to make reading something your family looks forward to, not something they feel they have to do. Printable prompts are perfect; simply print, cut, and toss them into your jar.

Step 3: Set SMART Goals Together

Once your jar is filled, it’s time to get intentional. SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) give your family a sense of purpose. We often make our goals too vague with promises of reading more. Try to be more specific with your goals, like “I will read one book a month” or “I will read for 15 minutes every day.”

As a family, you can choose to read the same story together or set individual reading goals that suit everyone’s interests. Maybe it’s time to explore a new author or discover a genre! A family reading journal is a wonderful way to capture your shared experiences. Each person can add their own reflections, favorite quotes, or even funny moments from their reading adventures. Over time, you’ll create something truly special, a keepsake filled with insights, anecdotes, and memories that celebrate how far your family has come on your reading journey.

 

Step 4: Track Progress & Celebrate Wins

Consistency is key, but celebrating along the way keeps everyone excited. You can create your own reading trackers or try our Sticker Collectible Poster or Sticker Collector Water Bottle to mark those magical milestones along the way. Each OUABC box comes with a hexagon-shaped sticker, creating a fun, visual way to track the books you complete on our sticker poster or water bottle. You could always add your own stickers to mark special moments like shared reading nights along the way. 

Don’t forget to reward yourselves! It is so important to celebrate as a family. You can include coupons for “family movie night,” “choose the next book,” or even “one extra bedtime story.” And of course, each of the Tween book boxes becomes a reward in itself. Every box is packed with pure delight and a great opportunity to bond over an exciting story and surprise gifts.

Step 5: Make Reading a Family Routine

Here’s where the magic happens. Pick one night a week to dedicate to Family Reading Night. Yes, it’s time to turn off the devices, grab some snacks, and let everyone get comfortable. It is all about making it fun; you can all take turns reading out loud, discuss what you think will happen next, or come up with alternative endings. 

The whole point is to make reading an experience that feels special and shared. According to the National Literacy Trust (2022), shared reading time builds stronger emotional connections and helps kids develop a lifelong love for books. What better way to nurture that than through laughter, storytelling, and imagination?

 

Reading Goals Template for Kids

If your kids thrive on visuals, a simple reading goals template will keep them on track and make the process more fun. It is a great craft that you can do together, and we recommend creating sections like “Books I Want to Read,” “Pages I’ve Read This Week,” and “My Favorite Book Quotes.”

Let your tween’s imagination run wild with doodles, drawings, or colorful highlighters. This turns reading from an abstract goal into something tangible and achievable, and definitely something they will want to get involved in. And for an even more exciting experience, grab the Tween Reading Passport. It’s the perfect tool for tracking reading progress and setting new goals along the way.

Weekly Reading Goals for Tweens

Short-term goals are the key to long-term habits. You are far more likely to keep your tween excited by reading if they can see their progress and celebrate their successes. Make sure to encourage them to set weekly reading targets that feel achievable, like reading for 15 minutes a day or finishing one book per week. 

Make it a family affair by choosing a book you can all read together, or pick different books and host a mini “family book club.” Start with something that captures their imagination from the start. Relax, we’ve got you covered with our Ready-to-Ship Tween Book Boxes. It’s the perfect way to launch your January reading tradition and keep the momentum going throughout the year.

 

Turning Pages into Family Memories

A Family Reading Resolution Jar is more than a craft; it’s a promise to prioritize family time through the joy of stories. Every slip of paper represents a shared moment waiting to happen, a story waiting to be told, and a memory waiting to be made. 

As the year unfolds, those small slips will tell the story of your family’s reading journey, one book, one goal, and one memory at a time. With our Tween Book Subscription Boxes, your family can keep the excitement alive one box at a time. Our boxes are packed with adventures, exciting activities, and wonderful surprise gifts!

So gather your supplies, make your jar, and start your 2026 reading adventure today—one story, one jar, and one unforgettable family memory at a time. 

For even more inspiration, check out Fun Ideas On How to Keep Kids Reading Any Time of the Year and The Benefits of Reading to Your Children. Here’s to a year filled with imagination, laughter, and the kind of stories that bring families closer together.