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🌟 What We’re Loving So Far (Amazon Favorites+)
Here are a few things my kids and I use all the time that make homeschooling + everyday life easier and more fun:
📚 Puzzle Books (Amazon)
✏️ Kids’ Washable Art Supplies Set (Amazon)
🧩 STEM Building Kit (Amazon)
🎨 Craft Supplies Organizer Box (Amazon)
🎲 Family Game Night Favorite (Amazon)
🗂️ Homeschool Planner (My Shop)
🧠LCD Writing Tablet (Amazon)
🪄 Quiet-Time Activity Book (Amazon)
If you’re anything like me, January always feels like a reset button in our homeschool. After the holiday rush, the sugar, the events, the late nights… we crave structure again — but not the kind that burns us out two weeks in.
That’s where our January Morning Basket comes in.
Morning baskets are one of my favorite ways to ease back into a gentle, connected rhythm with my kids. No pressure, no racing through checklists — just slow, meaningful learning to ease back into routine. And in January, when everything feels new, a well-planned morning basket can truly set the tone for the whole second half of the homeschool year.
Today I’m sharing my full list of January Morning Basket Ideas, why they work, and how to build a basket that actually solves the mid-winter slump — not just add more work to your plate.
This guide is long and detailed because I want you to leave with everything you need to feel confident and excited about your January reset.
So grab your coffee or tea, and let’s build your January Morning Basket together!
Why a Morning Basket Is Essential in January
Before we dive into the ideas, let's talk about why January is the perfect time to refresh or create your morning basket.
1. Winter burnout is real
By January, most of us are tired — both moms and kids. The holiday break helps, but jumping straight back into full lessons can feel jarring.
A January morning basket bridges that gap gently.
2. It resets expectations
Kids need a moment to shift from holiday-mode back into learning-mode. A cozy morning basket gives them that transition without power struggles.
3. It brings peaceful structure
Even if everything else in your homeschool feels a bit chaotic in January (trust me, I’ve been there), a morning basket anchors your mornings and makes the rest of the day flow easier.
4. It helps you be intentional
The start of the year is perfect for re-evaluating:
Your morning basket becomes a way to re-align your homeschool vision.
January Morning Basket Themes
January is such a rich month for themes! You can blend these or pick one main focus. Here are the most popular January themes:
❄️ Winter Theme
Think snow, animals, hibernation, winter science, and cozy read-alouds.
✨ New Year Theme
Goal-setting, habits, growth mindset, healthy routines.
📘 Literature + Poetry Focus
January is a wonderful month for slow, beautiful literature and seasonal poetry.
🧠Mindfulness & Emotional Reset
Perfect for kids (and moms!) who feel overwhelmed after the holidays.
📚 Skill Refresh
Reviewing math facts, handwriting, narration, and simple comprehension exercises without pressure.
What to Include in Your January Morning Basket
Below is a detailed breakdown of categories and tons of specific ideas you can pick from.
1. January Read-Aloud Books
Winter read-alouds are the heart of our January basket. I try to choose books that feel peaceful, whimsical, and cozy.
Here are some wintry read-alouds perfect for January:
Picture Books
Chapter Books
Choose based on your child’s age:
Why read-alouds work so well in January
They ease kids back into routine without overwhelming them. When we start with a book, everything else flows smoother.
2. Seasonal Poetry & Copywork
January is one of the BEST months for poetry. It slows the atmosphere and helps kids fall in love with language again.
Poetry Books to Include
Copywork Ideas
Copywork is gentle skill-building without the pressure of full writing assignments.
3. January Nature Study
Nature study in winter is surprisingly magical — even if you live somewhere without snow.
Ideas for your basket
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A winter nature guide
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Animal tracks reference cards
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A magnifying glass for frost/snow
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A nature journal
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Printed winter scavenger hunts
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Cards about animals that migrate or hibernate
Nature Study Activities
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Observe winter trees (notice branches, buds, bark)
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Identify birds still active in January
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Compare winter sky colors to fall
-
Sketch bare trees
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Study snowflake formation
This gets kids excited about nature even when it’s cold.
4. Growth Mindset & Goal Setting for Kids
January is a perfect time to introduce:
-
simple goals
-
new habits
-
reflection
-
mindset shifts
Morning Basket Items for Mindset
Easy Prompts to Use
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“What is something new you want to learn this year?”
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“What is one thing you want to get better at?”
-
“What is one habit we can add to our mornings?”
-
“What is something you are proud of from last year?”
This sets the emotional tone for the whole year.
5. Winter STEM & Science
January is AMAZING for simple winter science experiments.
Include supplies like:
Simple STEM ideas
-
Melting ice & salt experiment
-
Snow-to-water measurement
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Crystal growing (borax crystals look like snowflakes!)
-
Make frost on a can
-
How animals stay warm (blubber glove activity)
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Freeze and thaw observation chart
Science adds excitement and curiosity to mornings.
6. January Art & Handcrafts
Kids need creativity in January — it wakes them up and reduces overwhelm.
Art Ideas
Handcrafts
Pick 1–2 per week so it stays manageable.
7. Faith-Based (Optional)
If you include faith in your homeschool, January is a great month to refresh your Bible or devotional study.
Ideas
Even 5 minutes can transform the tone of your day.
8. Gentle Skill Review
January is NOT the month to push heavy academics in the morning basket. But it is a great time for light review.
Skill Review Items
Just 5–10 minutes of each is enough.
9. Audiobooks & Music
On slow, sleepy January mornings, audiobooks can be magical.
Ideas
This is great for kids who need a quiet sensory reset.
10. January-Themed Printables (So Helpful for Busy Moms!)
Printables save me every single January. They make planning easy, and kids feel excited to see something new.
You can include:
-
winter coloring pages
-
handwriting sheets
-
tracing pages
-
number review
-
growth mindset pages
-
winter vocabulary cards
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journaling prompts
-
mini unit studies
Even just grabbing 5–10 new pages can refresh your entire month.
Sample January Morning Basket Schedule
If you need something visual, here’s what a simple, realistic week could look like:
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
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Chapter book
-
Growth mindset activity
-
Winter art project
Thursday
-
Winter nonfiction book
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Vocabulary cards
-
STEM activity
Friday
January becomes peaceful when the plan feels doable.
How This January Morning Basket Solves Real Homeschool Problems
Moms often tell me the same 3 frustrations every January:
Problem 1: Kids resist getting back into routine
The gentle nature of a morning basket warms children back up to learning without overwhelm.
Problem 2: Homeschool feels chaotic after the holidays
A morning basket creates structure, routine, and calm.
Problem 3: Mom feels burned out and unprepared
This basket gives you a plan — without hours of planning. You can reuse these ideas every January.
When your mornings feel peaceful, everything else in your homeschool gets easier.
Final Tips for a Successful January Morning Basket
✔ Don’t include too much — pick a few things per day
✔ Switch items weekly so it stays exciting
✔ Keep it cozy (blankets, tea, candles if you like)
✔ Follow your kids’ curiosity
✔ Don’t stress if you skip a day
✔ Keep it fun — January is for easing in
If this post gave you ideas and inspiration, make sure you save it, share it, and check out my other homeschool posts too. I’ve created tons of resources to make your homeschool simpler, calmer, and more joyful — especially during the winter months.
Leave a Comment
Do you do morning baskets in your homeschool?
What are you planning to add for January?
I’d love to hear from you — your ideas always inspire me and other homeschooling families!
📚 Explore More Helpful Amazon Finds
👉 Best Educational Books for Kids (Amazon)
👉 Top Learning Toys for Kids (Amazon)
👉 Learning Toys for Kids Ages 12+ (Amazon)
👉 Homeschool Supplies for Every Grade (Amazon)
👉 Preschool Learning Tools & Activities (Amazon)
👉 Hands-On STEM Kits & Projects (Amazon)
👉 Arts & Crafts Supplies for Kids (Amazon)
👉 Kids’ Activity Books & Workbooks (Amazon)
👉 Mom Organization Tools & Planners (Amazon)
👉 Family Games & Fun Activities (Amazon)
👉 Self-Care + Motivation Favorites for Moms (Amazon)
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Thank you for reading my blog! Stay tuned for more tips, resources, and printable materials to help make your homeschooling experience enjoyable and effective. Check out my store for a variety of educational products and printables to assist you on your homeschooling journey.
Nancy at Cleverly Kindred ❤️
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