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If you’re looking for a simple, snack-based activity that sneaks in some learning while sparking joy, you’ve got to try the 12 Grapes New Years tradition with your little ones. This playful twist on a classic Latin American custom turns eating grapes into a magical moment of making wishes for each month ahead. It’s perfect for preschoolers aged 3-5, but honestly, kids of all ages (and adults!) get a kick out of it. Imagine your child giggling as they pop a juicy grape into their mouth, dreaming up hopes for January or July—all while munching on a healthy treat.

This new year’s activity became a yearly to-do in our family after discovering a charming picture book that brought the tradition to life. It’s not just fun; it’s packed with educational goodies like learning the months of the year, exploring another culture’s New Year’s vibes, goal-setting, and even empathy-building by thinking of others. Plus, it’s super practical—minimal prep, everyday ingredients, and endless repeats. The best part? It feels like a game, not a lesson.

Stick with me as I walk you through the origins, setup, tips, variations, why it’s a standout for cultural learning, and how this has become our go-to for family bonding. By the end, you’ll be ready to grab some grapes and start wishing!

The Spark: A Song of Frutas by Margarita Engle

Our love for the 12 Grapes New Years activity started with the delightful picture book A Song of Frutas by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Sara Palacios. This vibrant story follows a young Cuban-American girl who visits her abuelo (grandpa) in Cuba. Together, they become street vendors, or pregoneros, singing rhythmic songs in Spanglish to sell fresh fruits like mangoes, pineapples, limones, and of course, uvas. The highlights? Their joyful bond across distances, the lively market scenes, and the heartfelt New Year’s Eve tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight.

In the book, as the clock strikes twelve, the girl and her abuelo gobble one grape per chime, making a wish for each month of the coming year. Her final wish tugs at the heartstrings: for Cuba and the United States to be friends so abuelo can visit her someday without barriers. The story weaves in themes of separation, hope, and cultural pride, all through a child’s eyes. It’s written in a mix of English and Spanish, with catchy rhymes that make it a read-aloud favorite—lines like “¡Qué dulce es la fruta!” roll off the tongue and invite participation.

Reading this before the activity is a game-changer. It piques curiosity about other cultures and languages—my oldest even asked to learn basic Spanish words like uvas (grapes), abuelo (grandpa), and feliz año nuevo (happy new year). We now sprinkle Spanglish into our daily conversation; like using Spanish to say numbers, colors, animals, foods, furniture and other easy vocabulary words.

Reviews rave about its celebration of family ties and Cuban heritage, earning spots on “best of” lists for diverse children’s books. If your library doesn’t have it, grab a copy online; the flow is immersive, fun, and opens doors to conversations about immigration, family separation, and resilience in an age-appropriate way.

Pro tip: Pair the book with a globe or world map app on your phone. Point out Spain as the origin, then Cuba, Mexico, Peru, and other spots where this tradition thrives. Ask open-ended questions like, “Where do you think the girl lives most of the year? Where’s her abuelo? What fruits grow there?” It turns story time into a mini geography lesson without feeling like school. Extend it by looking up photos of Cuban markets or Spanish New Year’s celebrations—kids love the visual connection.

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What Exactly Is the 12 Grapes New Years Tradition?

Known as Las doce uvas de la suerte (The Twelve Grapes of Luck), this custom is a staple in Spain and many Latin American countries like Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, and beyond. On New Year’s Eve, as midnight approaches, families gather around the TV or radio broadcasting the chimes from Madrid’s Puerta del Sol (or local clocks in their countries). With each of the 12 bell strikes, you eat one grape and make a quick wish or intention for the corresponding month—January on the first chime, February on the second, and so on.

The grapes symbolize abundance and good fortune—after all, grapes represent prosperity in many cultures because of their round shape and the way they grow in bountiful clusters. Traditionally, you use green grapes (seedless for ease and safety!), and the taste matters: a sweet grape foretells a lucky, joyful month, while a sour one hints at challenges or lessons ahead. You must finish all 12 before the final chime, or your luck might fizzle! It’s a race against the clock that adds excitement and laughter, especially when grapes go flying.

Where did it come from? Roots trace back to at least 1895 in Spain, possibly mimicking French bourgeois habits of champagne and grapes at upscale parties. But it boomed in 1909 when vine growers in Alicante had a massive surplus crop and cleverly marketed the ritual to sell extra grapes, turning a potential loss into a national tradition. It spread to Latin America via Spanish colonial influence and immigration, adapting locally with unique flair. In Mexico, it’s often paired with family feasts of tamales and pozole; in Venezuela, hallacas might be on the table; in Peru, some add a 13th grape for extra luck.

For kids? We skip the rush entirely –no choking hazards here! It’s about the joy of wishing, reflection, and family togetherness, not speed-eating marathons. Adapt it to your pace, and it becomes a mindful ritual rather than a frantic one.

Why This Is a Great Activity: Learning About Other Cultures’ Traditions

One of the standout reasons 12 Grapes New Years shines as a family activity is its built-in gateway to cultural education. In a world that’s more connected than ever, introducing preschoolers to traditions from Spain and Latin America builds empathy, curiosity, and global awareness from the start. Kids learn that New Year’s isn’t just countdowns and fireworks here—elsewhere, it’s grapes, chimes, and heartfelt intentions. This normalizes diversity: “See? Families in Mexico do this too!”

Practically, it sparks organic discussions. After the book, we chat about why the girl misses her abuelo—touching on real issues like travel restrictions without overwhelming little ones. It teaches respect for elders (abuelo stories lead to calling grandparents), language appreciation (counting uno, dos, tres grapes), and even history: “Long ago, people in Spain had extra grapes and made a fun game!” Kids absorb that traditions evolve showing culture as being living and adaptable.

The empathy angle is huge. Wishes often include others (“Help Grandma feel better in March”), mirroring the book’s theme of unity between countries. It counters self-centered toddler tendencies, gently nudging toward global citizenship. Research backs this: early exposure to multicultural activities boosts social skills, reduces biases, and improves executive function through perspective-taking. Plus, it’s tasty multiculturalism—no boring lectures, just grapes and giggles. Repeat it, and kids internalize: the world is big, varied, and worth celebrating.

Why This Activity Rocks for Preschoolers (Beyond Culture)

Beyond cultural immersion, 12 Grapes New Years is a goldmine for holistic development:

• Months of the Year Mastery: Reciting January to December in order builds sequencing, memory, and time concepts. Starting from January anytime reinforces calendar structure.
• Goal-Setting Basics: Simple, positive wishes teach planning, optimism, and agency—foundational for emotional intelligence.
• Empathy Boost: Prompts to think of family, friends, or even pets encourage considering others’ needs.
• Language Fun: Incorporate Spanish vocab, rhymes from the book, or invent your own fruit songs.
• Fine Motor Skills: Picking, peeling, or halving grapes hones dexterity.
• Healthy Snacking: Grapes pack vitamins, fiber, and hydration— a sneaky nutrition win.
• Emotional Regulation: Pausing to wish promotes mindfulness; reflecting later builds reflection habits.

It’s play-based learning at its best: no worksheets, flashcards, or screens required—just laughter, fruit, and connection.

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Practical Setup: How to Do 12 Grapes New Years Tradition at Home

Ready to try this new year’s tradition? Here’s your step-by-step guide. Total prep: 10 minutes. Cost: A bunch of grapes (under $5 at any grocery).

Materials You’ll Need

• 12 grapes per person (purple recommended for tradition; wash thoroughly and remove stems for tots under 4).
• Small plates, bowls, or even cupcake liners for fun presentation.
• The book A Song of Frutas (or a quick online summary/video read-aloud if unavailable).
• Optional: Globe/map, printable calendar, markers/crayons for recording, upbeat playlist with months songs or Latin rhythms.

Step 1: Read and Discuss

Snuggle up with the book. Pause frequently: “What fruits are they singing about? How does the girl feel about her abuelo? What’s the girl’s big wish?” Explain gently: “This is a real New Year’s tradition in places like Spain, Cuba, and Mexico. Families eat grapes to wish for good months ahead. We can do it today for practice and fun!”

Step 2: Gather ‘Round the Table

Distribute plates with 12 grapes each. Build excitement: “Just like in the story, we’ll eat one grape per month and make a special wish or plan!”

Step 3: Learn the Months

Always start with January, regardless of the season—it reinforces the full cycle. Chant together: “January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December!” Repeat 3-5 times, clapping or jumping between months. Make it multisensory: march in place, use finger counts, or assign actions (wave for January snow).

Print or draw a colorful calendar strip for visuals—label months with stickers or drawings (snowflake for January, heart for February). Point as you go: “This grape is for June—summer fun!”

Safety First: Kid-Friendly Rules

Traditionalists race the 12 chimes in under a minute—not for us with preschoolers! Grapes are a choking hazard for ages 3-5 due to their size and slipperiness. Eat slowly, one at a time, with plenty of chewing. Cut grapes lengthwise into quarters for under-4s if worried. Supervise closely, and focus on the educational aspect: cultural appreciation, month sequencing, and thoughtful wishing over speed.

Pro tip: Don’t mention the fact that traditionally this is done as quickly as possible – otherwise, as we all know, our child will take it upon themselves to try going as fast as they can.

Recording and Reflecting: Make It Last All Year

No obligation to track wishes—keep it light! But if your child bubbles with ideas, capture them. Use a large family calendar in the kitchen: write/draw each month’s wish per kid (color-coded). Revisit at the beginning of each month: “Remember your April high-fives? How many did we give?” It turns abstract wishes into actionable joy and shows progress.

Crafting Those Magical Wishes

Here’s the heart of 12 Grapes New Years -the wishes! Guide younger kids for each month to spark ideas, provide structure, and model depth. If they seem to be catching on, then let them freestyle the last three for pure imagination. Always model first: “For January, I wish for cozy family movie nights with popcorn to make us all smile!” The following prompts are what I have used for my own boys:

• January: You can wish for something that makes you smile, such as more playtime or sunny walks. This builds positivity and echoes New Year’s fresh starts.
• February: You can intend to show love, for example by drawing a card for Grandma or saying “te amo.” This encourages kindness and nods to family bonds in Latin traditions.
• March: You can wish to help someone, such as by sharing toys or picking up litter. This fosters empathy and service while reflecting community spirit.
• April: You can intend to give lots of high-fives, stories, or dances. This promotes affection and adds playful energy like the market songs in the book.
• May: You can wish for a family activity, such as a park picnic or baking together. This strengthens bonds and mirrors family gatherings at midnight.
• June: You can intend to grow in a hobby, for example by drawing more or kicking a ball. This sparks personal growth and celebrates abundance like grape harvests.
• July: You can wish to see a missed loved one, such as through a video call with cousins. This handles emotions and connects to the book’s separation theme.
• August: You can intend to try something new, such as a different type of food or a new game. This builds adventure and resilience while adapting the surplus grape innovation.
• September: You can wish to feel loved, for example through extra cuddles or kind words. This reinforces security and ties to hopeful intentions.
• October: You might wish to fly to the moon or meet a dinosaur. This unleashes creativity with no bounds, just like evolving traditions.
• November: You could wish to build a castle or have endless ice cream. This encourages more wild ideas and big dreaming.
• December: You might wish for world peace or magic powers. This grand finale echoes the girl’s unifying wish.

Encourage sharing aloud but never force it—some kids prefer whispering to the grape for magic. Taste check: “Sweet or sour? What might that mean for the month?” It adds folklore fun without superstition pressure.

Example of a full round: Announce “January!” and pop a grape. Next, share your wish for that month. Begin again, “February!” and continue to repeat until all 12 grapes are gone and 12 months are complete.

Variations to Keep It Fresh

• Dietary Tweaks: Allergy to grapes? Use blueberries, mini marshmallows, or cherry tomatoes.
• Themed Grapes: Color-code meanings—green for health/hope, red for love/passion, mix for variety.
• Anytime Twist: Birthdays (12 wishes for the age ahead), first day of school (academic intentions), or seasonal starts (spring renewal).
• Group Fun: Virtual with far-away relatives -video call with plates ready from both parties.
• Sensory Add-Ons: Blindfold taste-test for sweet/sour predictions, or freeze grapes for summer cools.
• Older Kid Upgrades: Research a country’s variation online and then adapt.

More Global New Year’s Ideas for Curious Families

Craving variety for your New Years tradition? Sample these kid-adapted activities to kick start a wonderful year:

• Denmark: Jump off chairs at “midnight” (use a timer) for leaping into good fortune.
• Brazil: Wear white clothes, eat seven pomegranate seeds or lentils for wealth.
• Japan: Simulate 108 temple bell rings with pots/pans to “cleanse” the old year.
• Greece: Smash pomegranates for abundance.

Curious for more? Check out Travel + Leisure’s post, Quirky New Year Traditions Around the World and What They Symbolize. See if you can adapt any for your kiddo and your family to share.

Why We’ll Keep This New Year’s Tradition Going Strong

In our home, 12 Grapes New Years is now an anytime staple—repeated seasonally, always with fresh giggles and deeper wishes each time. It’s practical magic: teaches sequencing, cultures, goals, and gratitude while bonding over a shared snack. My kids beg for encores, and it’s sparked ongoing Spanish lessons, map explorations, and empathy talks. This New Year’s Eve we’ll be enjoying 12 grapes each and making wishes/plans for the coming year ahead.

The beauty? It’s scalable—quick 15-minute version or hour-long with extensions. It grows with your child: toddlers focus on eating/counting, older ones add research or charity ties (e.g., “Donate in November”). Give it a whirl—your family will thank you (and crave grapes year-round). Try it this weekend if you don’t want to wait for the new year celebrations and see the magic unfold. Leave a comment with the best wish your child chose; I’d love to see and gain inspiration!

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