Feeling like you need some fun in your homeschool these days? Maybe you are looking for some interesting topics in your Morning Time or just want to supplement with something different. Well I’ve got the best list of January learning ideas right here in this post!
If you want to spark some interest in your child, just take a read through this huge list of topics and ideas to get them started. You could choose a historical event or start by researching a famous person who was born in January. Or just stick with seasonal themes and spice up your days.
Use the topics and booklists as a starting point for learning and turn them into a whole unit study. Just add some more resources, discussions, and maybe a small project. Or look online for something already created!
Want to get outdoors more? Add some nature study!
Need a quick activity, craft, or fun food project? Check those out below!
However you want to use this list, I hope it helps you make the most of this time with your kids. Following things that interest you and your kids is often the best way to learn and helps make amazing memories!
So check out this list of January learning ideas. And don’t forget to download the printable version at the bottom of the post!
*Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the link. Please see my disclosure for more details.
January learning ideas
I have created this list of January learning ideas to help spark you and your child’s interest. These are not just topics about the season, though many of them are. These lists also cover historical people and events, which can spin off into so many categories of learning!
From political figures, to artists, musicians, and even authors, you can use this list to jump start learning in most any area! Learning about the science behind the nature topics, or dive into the science and history of the technological advances.
There is no shortage of learning options! You could easily fill hours learning just through fleshing out some of the topics in this post.
May your homeschool be rich in learning this month!
Big topics of January
Here are some of the big topics covered throughout all these lists.
- winter
- snow
- new year
- hibernation
- gold rush
- epiphany
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
Major holidays and observances
Below are the major holidays and observances of January within the United States.
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Epiphany (January 6)
- Orthodox Christmas (January 7)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Third Monday in January)
- Chinese New Year (varies, but often in January)
Famous figures born in January
There are so many famous figures born in January. And these can lead to incredible learning opportunities! Check out who was born this month. Maybe you have the same birthday!
Authors
- J.R.R. Tolkien (January 3, 1892) – English author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
- Jacob Grimm (January 4, 1785) – German folklorist, co-author of Grimm’s Fairy Tales.
- Carl Sandburg (January 6, 1878) – American poet, biographer of Abraham Lincoln.
- E.L. Konigsburg (January 10, 1930) – Author of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
- Jack London (January 12, 1876) – Author of The Call of the Wild.
- A.A. Milne (January 18, 1882) – Author of Winnie-the-Pooh
- Edgar Allan Poe (January 19, 1809) – American author and poet known for The Raven and The Tell-Tale Heart.
- Lewis Carroll (January 27, 1832) – English author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Artists
- Paul Cézanne (January 19, 1839) – Post-Impressionist painter whose work influenced the Cubist movement.
- Édouard Manet (January 23, 1832) – French modernist painter.
- Henri Matisse (January 31, 1869) – A key figure in modern art, known for his use of color and fluid forms.
Composers and musicians
- Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (January 7, 1840) – Known for his symphonies and ballets like “The Nutcracker.”
- Elvis Presley (January 8, 1935) – Iconic rock and roll musician, often referred to as the “King of Rock and Roll.”
- Dolly Parton (January 19, 1946) – Singer-songwriter and cultural icon.
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (January 27, 1756) – Classical composer.
Politicians and world leaders
- Alexander Hamilton (January 11, 1755 or 1757) – Founding Father and first U.S. Treasury Secretary.
- Thomas Jefferson (January 13, 1743) – Third President of the United States, primary author of the Declaration of Independence.
- Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929) – Civil rights leader.
- Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706) – Founding Father of the United States.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt (January 30, 1882) – 32nd President of the United States.
Other notable figures
- Betsy Ross (January 1, 1752) – Creator of the first American flag.
- George Washington Carver (January 1, 1864 – approx.) – scientist and inventor
- Louis Braille (January 4, 1809) – Inventor of Braille Alphabet
- Joan of Arc (January 6, 1412) – French heroine and saint.
- Stephen Hawking (January 8, 1942) – Theoretical physicist known for A Brief History of Time.
- Isaac Newton (January 14, 1643) – Physicist and mathematician.
- Muhammad Ali (January 17, 1942) – Legendary boxer and social activist.
US state anniversaries
We must also celebrate the US states that joined the Union! Here are the states that became a part of United States of America in January.
- January 2, 1788 – Georgia became the 4th U.S. state
- January 3, 1959 – Alaska became the 49th U.S. state
- January 4, 1896 – Utah became the 45th U.S. state
- January 6, 1912 – New Mexico became the 47th U.S. state
- January 9, 1788 – Connecticut became the 5th U.S. state
- January 26, 1837 – Michigan became the 26th U.S. state
- January 29, 1861 – Kansas became the 34th U.S. state
Major historicial events in January
So many interesting things have happened throughout history in the month of January. Use these topics as a starting point for deeper learning on historical topics. And don’t worry, it’s not just the boring stuff you find in a history textbook!
Political and military
- January 1, 1863 – Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
- January 3, 1777 – Battle of Princeton: A key American victory in the Revolutionary War.
- January 8, 1815 – Battle of New Orleans (War of 1812).
- January 10, 1920 – League of Nations officially established.
- January 10, 1946 – First meeting of the United Nations General Assembly: Held in London, it signaled a new era of international cooperation.
- January 15, 1559 – Elizabeth I crowned Queen of England: Her reign marked the Elizabethan Era, a golden age of English culture and exploration.
- January 17, 1991 – Operation Desert Storm began (Gulf War).
- January 19, 1915 – First air raid on Britain by German zeppelins: This marked a new form of warfare during World War I.
- January 20 – Inauguration Day for U.S. Presidents (since 1937).
- January 27 – International Holocaust Remembrance Day, marking the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
- January 28, 1915 – The U.S. Coast Guard was officially established.
- January 30, 1933 – Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany: A turning point that led to the rise of Nazi Germany.
Cultural and social
- January 1, 1892 – Ellis Island opens: The immigration station in New York Harbor opened, becoming the gateway for millions of immigrants to the U.S.
- January 3, 1924 – Tutankhamun’s sarcophagus was uncovered by Howard Carter, marking a key moment in the full discovery of King Tut’s tomb.
- January 5, 1929 – Mother Teresa arrived in Calcutta to begin her missionary work.
- January 16, 1919 – Prohibition began with the ratification of the 18th Amendment.
- January 16, 1938 – Benny Goodman’s jazz concert at Carnegie Hall: This event legitimized jazz music in a classical venue.
- January 24, 1848 – Gold discovered at Sutter’s Mill: The California Gold Rush began, transforming U.S. westward expansion.
- January 27, 1888 – National Geographic Society founded: This organization became a leading promoter of exploration and science.
- January 29, 1929 – The Seeing Eye dog-training school opened in the U.S., bringing guide dogs into use for the blind.
Technological
- January 1, 1983 – The Internet is born: The ARPANET officially switched to using TCP/IP protocols, marking the beginning of the modern internet.
- January 3, 2004 – NASA’s Spirit rover landed on Mars, beginning a mission that would vastly expand our understanding of the planet.
- January 5, 1933 – Construction begins on the Golden Gate Bridge: A major engineering achievement in the U.S.
- January 6, 1838 – First successful demonstration of Samuel Morse’s telegraph: Morse sent the first message using his code in Morristown, New Jersey.
- January 7, 1927 – First transatlantic telephone call: The call was made from New York City to London, an important milestone in global communication.
- January 9, 2007 – Apple introduces the iPhone.
- January 10, 1863 – The world’s first underground railway, the London Underground (Tube), opened.
- January 15, 1885 – Patent for the roller coaster granted to LaMarcus Thompson.
- January 21, 1976 – Concorde begins commercial flights: The supersonic jet entered service, changing the landscape of aviation.
- January 23, 1957 – The Wham-O Company produces the first Frisbee: This iconic toy became a cultural phenomenon.
- January 25, 1915 – Alexander Graham Bell inaugurates transcontinental telephone service: Bell made the first call from New York City to San Francisco.
- January 26, 1926 – First television demonstration: Scottish inventor John Logie Baird demonstrated the first mechanical TV system in London.
- January 29, 1886 – Karl Benz patented the first automobile.
- January 31, 1930 – 3M launches Scotch Tape: This practical invention revolutionized household and office supplies.
Booklists for January
We love books in our house, and one of our favorite ways to learn more is through reading. Especially reading about historical topics! Here are a few lists of some great books for the month of January. From picture books to chapter books and bigger novels.
All these books are either on January and winter themes, written by someone with a January birthday, or are related to historical events that happened in January.
Note that these chapter books and novels may not be appropriate for all ages. So be sure to vet them for your family.
Historical and biographical picture books
Picture books are great for all ages! Spark some learning with one of these great historical picture books.
- Ben and Me by Robert Lawson
- Ben Franklin’s Big Splash: The Mostly True Story of His First Invention by Barb Rosenstock and S.D. Schindler
- Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mattick and Sophie Blackall
- Gold Fever! Tales from the California Gold Rush by Rosalyn Schanzer
- I Have a Dream text by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., illustrated by Kadir Nelson
- John Ronald’s Dragons: The Story of J.R.R. Tolkien by Caroline McAlister and Eliza Wheeler
- Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Doreen Rappaport and Bryan Collier
- Poetry for Young People by Carl Sandburg
- Samuel Morse, That’s Who! by Tracy Nelson Maurer and El Primo Ramón
- Six Dots: A Story of Louis Braille by Jen Bryant and Boris Kulikov
- Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and Mary Azarian
- The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver by Gene Barretta and by Frank Morrison
- The Story Orchestra: The Nutcracker by Katy Flint and Jessica Courtney-Tickle
- The Usborne Illustrated Grimm’s Fairy Tales Retold by Ruth Brocklehurst and Gill Doherty
Winter and snow themed picture books
- 50 Below Zero by Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko
- A Mischief of Mice by Caroline Stutson
- Humphrey’s First Christmas by Carol Heyer
- Little Penguins by Cynthia Rylant and Christian Robinson
- Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal
- Owl Moon by Jane Yolen and John Schoenherr
- Snack, Snooze, Skedaddle: How Animals Get Ready for Winter by Laura Purdie Salas and Claudine Gevry
- Snow Globe Family by Jane O’Connor and S.D. Schindler
- Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolutions by Pat Miller and Kathi Ember
- The Mitten by Jan Brett
- The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
- The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter’s Wonder by Mark Cassino with Jon Nelson
- The Wise Men Who Found Christmas by Raymond Arroyo and Randy Gallegos
- Winter Dance by Marion Dane Bauer and Richard Jones
- Winter is Coming by Tony Johnston and Jim LaMarche
Chapter books and novels for January
Here are som fab chapter books and novels to read in January.
Note that these chapter books and novels may not be appropriate for all ages. So be sure to vet them for your family.
- Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
- By the Great Horn Spoon! by Sid Fleischman
- Call of the Wild by Jack London
- Dogsong by Gary Paulsen
- From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
- Greenglass House by Kate Milford
- Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
- Jasper and the Riddle of Riley’s Mine by Caroline Starr Rose
- Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
- Skating Shoes by Noel Streatfeild
- The Bears on Hemlock Mountain by Alice Dalgliesh, illustrated by Helen Sewell
- The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
- The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
- White Fang by Jack London
- Winterhouse by Ben Guterson, illustrated by Chloe Bristol
January nature study ideas
Looking for some science and nature study for January? Or looking for some fun ways to help you get outside even though it’s cold? Check out these fun learning ideas on nature topics.
- Watch for winter birds in your area and identify them
- Make homemade bird feeders with pinecones, nut butter, and bird feed
- Examine frost or snowflakes with a magnifying glass
- Look for animal tracks and identify them
- Learn about conifer trees and compare needle shapes and cones
- Decorate pinecones by adding glitter or fun faces with paper and googly eyes
- Melt snow to see how much water it contains.
- Create snow or ice art by adding food coloring to snow.
- Investigate how animals survive winter (hibernation, migration, fur changes).
- Study constellations visible in winter, like Orion, Canis Major, and Taurus.
- Take a hike in a local park or nature preserve. Compare the quiet of winter to the sounds of other seasons.
- Learn how blubber keeps animals warm
January food ideas
Cooking and baking can be wonderful bonding activities for families. Not to mention it’s a great activity when the weather isn’t so great. Here are some ideas of things to make in the kitchen with your kids.
- Make snowflake-shaped cookies and decorate with white icing and edible glitter to mimic frost.
- Make snowball truffles (can also cover in powdered sugar!
- Build mini igloos using marshmallows and frosting as “glue.”
- Make snowball cake balls
- Cook a nourishing soup or stew to warm up. Let the kids help chop.
- Decorate Nutter Butter cookies to make them look like snowmen.
- Make “melted snowman” chocolate bark
- Create Popcorn snowmen
- Create a hot chocolate bar with all the options
Crafts and activities for January
Look no further for fun indoor crafts and activities to do with your kids. Some of these are great for younger kids, but several are perfect for older kids!
- Grow crystal snowflakes
- Play with fake snow
- Make a 3D snowman card
- Create a felt snowman with all the accessories
- Make winter icicle bath bombs
- Create a magnetic ice skating rink for toys
- Fold an origami polar bear
- Wrap string around nails or through holes for a tree or penguin craft
- Make snowy jars with epsom salt
- Do a winter scavenger hunt
- Create macrame gnomes
- Play with sparkly dough
- Make fun icicles with aluminum foil
- Create ice luminaries
- Build a sock snowman
Free printable list
January learning ideas
There are a ton of learning ideas for January and I hope this list has helped you discover things that spark curiosity in your home! By learning about historical events and figures from January, you can cover so much ground in homeschooling! Top it all off with some nature study, good books, and crafts, and you may not need much else to round out your homeschool for the month!
May your learning be rich and warm this January!
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More months coming soon!
