Try a new tradition
Invent a new family tradition: design a simple ritual, make a small handmade keepsake, and practice it together to celebrate and remember special moments.
Step-by-step guide to invent a new family tradition
How To Start New Family Traditions With Your Kids? - Fatherhood Journey Network
Step 1
Gather all the materials on a small table so everything is easy to reach.
Step 2
Pick one special thing you want your new family tradition to celebrate.
Step 3
Give your tradition a short fun name and say it out loud.
Step 4
Write down three very simple actions that could be part of the ritual (one sentence each).
Step 5
Choose one of the three actions to be the main ritual move.
Step 6
Decide a regular time and place when your family will do this tradition.
Step 7
Draw a simple sketch of a small keepsake that matches your tradition on the paper.
Step 8
Cut out the keepsake shape from the paper or from a folded piece of cardboard.
Step 9
Decorate the keepsake using your colouring materials and small decorations.
Step 10
Attach a ribbon or string to the keepsake or put it into the small box or envelope.
Step 11
Invite your family to gather and show them the keepsake and tell them the tradition name.
Step 12
Practice the ritual together one time exactly as you planned.
Step 13
Share your finished creation and a short story about your new tradition on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use instead of ribbon, cardboard, or small decorations if they are hard to find?
If you don't have ribbon or string for step 9, use yarn, a shoelace, or a strip of fabric, and if paper or folded cardboard for step 6 is unavailable, repurpose a cereal-box panel or the back of a greeting card, while small decorations for step 8 can be replaced with stickers, drawn details using colouring materials, or torn fabric bits.
What should we do if cutting out the keepsake or decorating it becomes too tricky for the child?
If cutting the keepsake in step 6 is difficult, pre-draw a very simple shape and either help with child-safe scissors or use a safety craft knife for an adult to cut, and if decorating (step 8) is messy try using stickers or colouring materials instead of glued-on items.
How can we adapt the steps for younger children or for older kids who want more challenge?
For younger children simplify step 4 by choosing one action together and use large stickers and chunky colouring materials for step 8, while older kids can write three detailed actions (step 3), design a more intricate keepsake sketch (step 6), and write the short story for DIY.org (step 12).
What are simple ways to make this tradition more special or to extend it over time?
Make it lasting by dating and signing the keepsake on the back after decorating (steps 8–9), creating one keepsake per family member or a shared keepsake box (step 9), recording and practicing the ritual on video once (step 11) to save or upload to DIY.org (step 12), and setting a calendar reminder for the regular time and place you chose in step 5.
Watch videos on how to invent a new family tradition
How To Create New Family Traditions In Blended Households? - Fatherhood Journey Network
3 Videos
How To Create New Family Traditions In Blended Households? - Fatherhood Journey Network
Creating New Family Traditions (Why & How)
How To Create Family Traditions? - Childhood Education Zone
Facts about family traditions and keepsakes
✂️ Everyday materials like paper, clay, fabric, or twine can become durable, treasured mementos.
🕰️ A small keepsake passed down can carry stories and connect children to earlier generations.
🎉 Family traditions help turn ordinary days into special, repeatable moments kids remember for life.
🧵 Handmade keepsakes are always one-of-a-kind—tiny imperfections make them extra meaningful.
🔁 Short, simple rituals can calm stress and create a comforting sense of predictability for kids.
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