Making wishes at the start of a new year using a favorite snack is a fun activity for kids to do anytime. This activity combines a Latin American tradition with learning the months of the year in a play based learning way. See how to do this tradition with your children below.

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The inspiration for this activity came from the book A Song of Frutas by Mary Engle. The simple tradition combined with the book gives this activity a myriad of learning opportunities. Your 3-5 year old can learn the twelve months of the year, about another culture’s New Year’s tradition, setting plans, and thinking of others.

If you enjoy this activity you may find the rest of the week’s activities to be of interest. Check it out at Gg is for Grape. 

What is the tradition?

Where did this tradition originate?

Known as the “Las doce uvas de la suerte,” or “The Twelve Grapes of Luck.” The tradition originates from Spain and traveled to Latin America. 

On New Year’s Eve.

As the clock strikes midnight each member of the family eats one grape, at each stroke, for each month of the year.  As they eat the grapes they may wish or make an intention for that corresponding month. 

Additional practices to consider.

• The taste, whether it be bitter or sweet, predicts if the month will be one of bad or good luck. 
• Only green grapes are to be eaten. The oldest part of the tradition but now includes purple and black grapes. The colors can symbolize their own meaning for the month that they are eaten for.
• All 12 grapes are to be eaten by the time the 12 strokes of midnight have finished.

A myriad of learning opportunities.

The book that inspired our family.

A Song of Frutas by Mary Engle is a story written in Spanglish about a little girl who enjoys visiting her abuelo, grandpa, in Cuba. They celebrate the New Year together and participate in this hopeful tradition. The little girl discloses that her last wish is for her country and her abuelo’s country to be friends so that he can visit her in America. 

I highly recommend reading this book before introducing the activity to your child. The illustrations are captivating, it is very well written, and there is a mix of Spanish and English words. By reading this book my eldest son’s interest in other languages was piqued. Now we are studying Spanish as a family.

Set up the tradition.

After we read the book I ask the boys to gather around the table. I bring out each plate which has twelve grapes each, already rinsed. 

Next, I explain that we are going to do the same eating of the grapes that the little girl did with her abuelo in the book. You can ask the question, “what holiday is the little girl and her abuelo celebrating when they eat the grapes?” Or you can simply tell your child that even though this is a New Year’s tradition it can be done any time and if enjoyed repeated on the New Year.

Lastly, we discuss where the little girl’s family is from. What countries participate in this tradition?  You can use a globe or map to help.

Twelve months of the year.

Now it is time to recite the months of the year. I ask my 3-5 year old to repeat after me. Even though we may be doing this in the middle of the fall I still begin with January. We recite the months a few times. You can also use a months of the year song. Essentially, use a simple but fun way to introduce the months of the year to your child. Check out this song from The Singing Walrus.

Disclaimer for following the exact rules of the tradition.

Traditionally, each grape is to be eaten at each stroke of midnight. Do not encourage your child to eat the grapes this quickly for two reasons. First, for 3-5 year old’s grapes are already a potential choking hazard. We do not need to see how fast the grapes can be eaten. Second, we are focusing on the educational aspect. Learning about another culture’s tradition, learning the months of the year, and thinking deeply about what their wants are (and thinking about other’s needs).

The 12 Grapes of Luck Tradition

Help your child focus their wishes for January through September. I will start and share my own specific wishes for the first few months. This way they can gather ideas and understand how it works. This is also an excellent time to help them consider others.

Then for the last few months try not to give your child any direction and let them decide using, “the sky’s the limit.”

January – Wish for something that will make you smile.

February – Intend to let someone know you love them.

March – Wish to be able to do something helpful this month.

April – Intend to give lots of _____this month. (hugs, kisses, high-fives, fist bumps, etc.)

May – Wish for a specific activity to do as a family.

June – Intend to grow in a personal interest or pursuit.

July – Wish to visit a friend or loved one you miss.

August – Intend to try something new this month.

September – Wish for something that will make you feel loved.

October – The sky’s the limit wish.

November – The sky’s the limit wish.

December – The sky’s the limit wish. 

I do not require my kiddos to share but encourage them to follow the guidelines until the last three months. 

A tradition for your family or not?

After we eat the December grape, the activity is complete! There is no expectation in our family to keep track of our wishes or intentions. However, just like new year’s resolutions you can record the intent and wish and make sure to act upon them in the coming months. Do this only if your child wants to share their wishes.

Next time we do this activity, that is my plan. We have completed it a couple times now and neither time have we recorded. However, I now have a family calendar in our kitchen due to numerous activities and appointments that will be perfect for easily writing down each month’s wish and intentions for all three kiddos.

My kiddos are excited to do this activity for New Year’s Eve this year. I hope it will forever be a tradition in our home. 

Letter of the Week

12 Grape Wishes is a part of a week’s worth of lessons at Gg is for Grape. This is a part of a 26 week curriculum full of activity ideas, printables, coloring pages, book suggestions, and so much more. Click the button below to check it out!

The 12 Grapes of Luck

Activity Instructions