January 2026
Find activity ideas for occasions and events in January.
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Find inspiration for occasions and events to plan into your programme in January. You can view the PDF version of our January calendar or find even more ideas on this page.
- New Year's Day (Thursday 1 January)
- World Braille Day (Sunday 4 January)
- Lohri (Tuesday 13 January)
- International Kite Day (Wednesday 14 January)
- Popcorn Day (Monday 19 January)
- Squirrel Appreciation Day (Wednesday 21 January)
- Big Garden Birdwatch (Friday 23 to Sunday 25 January)
- International Day of Education (Saturday 24 January)
- Burns Night (Sunday 25 January)
- Holocaust Memorial Day (Tuesday 27 January)
- International Reducing CO2 Emissions Day (Wednesday 28 January)
- National Puzzle Day (Thursday 29 January)
- National Hot Chocolate Day (Saturday 31 January)
- Backwards Day (Saturday 31 January)
- National Storytelling Week (Saturday 31 January onwards)
Badge of the month - Naturalist Badge
Discover the wonders of nature by exploring wildlife, habitats, and how to care for our environment with the Naturalist Badge.
Start the year with these healthy recipes
Or Try tasty plant-based meals and take on the Veganuary challenge!
Activities to try:
New Year's Day (Thurs 1 Jan)
The first day of the year in the Gregorian calendar, celebrated in lots of places around the world.
Activities to try:
- Set some goals and dreams with I have a dream collage.
- Be productive with Healthy balance clock
- Start the new year by decluttering and Plan a Scouts swap shop.
World Braille Day (Sun 4 Jan)
Celebrate World Braille Day and discover how braille helps people read and connect with the world.
Activities to try:
- Get baking and Make braille biscuits
- Write your name in braille with the Lumpy bumpy name game
- Learn to communicate with communicator badge.
Lohri (Tue 13 Jan)
Explore the popular winter Punjabi festival of Lohri, traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music and dancing.
Activities to try:
- Try this traditional treat and Make a sugarcane mocktail
- Construct a campfire
- Make some handprint cards.
International Kite Day (Wed 14 Jan)
International Kite Day originated in India. Every year thousands of kites head to the skies at the International Kite Festival in Gujarat.
Activities to try:
- Learn some new knots and make a kite.
- Make and fly a kite
- Challenge yourself and try Kitesurfing
Popcorn Day (Mon 19 Jan)
“Pop, crunch, munch – celebrate Popcorn Day with friends and buckets of fun!
Activities to try:
- Cook some Campfire popcorn
- Create your own movie masterpiece.
- Watch a Disney film, then try one of our Disney activities.
World Religion Day (Mon 19 Jan)
World Religion Day is about respecting different beliefs and celebrating what brings us together.
Activities to try:
- Cubs and Scouts World Faiths activity badge.
- Learn about world religions by making faith feathers.
- Find out about different places of worship.
Squirrel Appreciation Day (Wed 21 Jan)
Just like squirrels, Squirrel Scouts are curious, clever, and full of energy! From gathering acorns to climbing trees, squirrels show us how fun it is to explore – Squirrel Scouts love to do the same!
Activities to try:
- Get crafty with stylish squirrels.
- Explore the outdoors and go on a squirrel hunt.
- Make delicious chocolate squirrels nests.
International Day of Education (Sat 24 Jan)
On the UN International Day of Education, Scouts stand with young people everywhere who deserve opportunities to learn and achieve their dreams.
Activities to try:
- Put together a reading tree.
- Raise awareness about International Day of Education by staging a community event.
- Create a community library.
Big Garden Birdwatch (Fri 23 - Sun 25 Jan)
Plan in some activities about our feathered friends and tie it in with the Big Garden Birdwatch.
Activities to try:
- Learn to identify different birds in Go birdwatching.
- Make a cosy nest.
- Make brilliant bird feeders.
Burns Night (Mon 25 Jan)
Celebrate Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, and explore Scottish culture on Burns Night.
Activities to try:
- Cook haggis, neeps and tatties
- Learn about Scotland's geography in Scotch puzzle.
- Recite these Scottish poems (other poets) in Wax poetic.
- Weave wonderful tartans.
Holocaust Memorial Day (Tue 27 Jan)
Observe this International Day of Remembrance. Find out more on our Holocaust Memorial Day Trust page. The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 is Bridging Generations.
Activities to try:
- Learn about Holocaust memorial day.
- Spread kindness by being a kindness champion.
- Share a story about refugees and displaced children.
National Lego Day (Wed 28 Jan)
Whether it’s building with blocks or building confidence, National LEGO Day is a celebration of imagination.
Activities to try:
International Reducing CO2 Emissions Day (Wed 28 Jan)
A global reminder to take action and protect our planet by cutting down on pollution and using energy wisely!
Activities to try:
- Find out how lifestyle choices impact our planet in Carbon conscious
- Design your own battery recycling box
- Plant your own trees
National Puzzle Day (Thurs 29 Jan)
From crosswords to jigsaws, puzzles help us use our brains, stay curious, and have fun.
Activities to try:
- Make your own jigsaw puzzle.
- Try the astronauts puzzle teamwork challenge.
- Go on a jigsaw hunt.
National Hot Chocolate Day (Sat 31 Jan)
From campfires to mugs, Scouts know hot chocolate makes every adventure cosier.
Activities to try:
- Make hot chocolate spoons.
- Cook some campfire chocolate oranges.
- Make some tasty banana boats with chocolate filling.
Backwards Day (Sat 31 Jan)
Take something you'd normally do and give it a twist, by doing it in reverse order!
You could try:
- Learning your Scout Promise backwards
- Wearing your uniform back to front
- Starting the meeting with your closing ceremony