The January Challenge (with 64 million artists)
Get ready to embark on an exciting journey of creativity and community engagement as your school gears up for the January Challenge 2024! Following our successful participation last year, we can't wait to once again immerse ourselves in this inspiring initiative hosted by 64 Million Artists.
The January Challenge isn't just an artistic endeavor; it's a powerful platform that encourages individuals, schools, and communities to discover the transformative potential of creativity. This challenge is an opportunity for everyone to unleash their imagination, embrace diverse perspectives, and celebrate the joy of creating together.
Please have a look https://64millionartists.com/thejanuarychallenge/
Don't miss out on the chance to be part of something extraordinary! Join us in the January Challenge 2025 and witness the transformative power of creativity within your school. Let's make this year even more vibrant, inspiring, and memorable!
what we want to try and see is both a feeling of wellbeing from each taking a little “me” time and also to build community as we take on these challenges as a school. We can share experiences using social media platforms or through our channels we will set up to support those taking part.
Let us know what challenges you will be doing. we will add your name to the below to let others know you are taking part and we can all support each other:
Social Media
We ask that anyone taking part and posting about this on social media include the hashtags:
#SCMH_TJC (the SCMH-specific one to allow us to keep track)
#TheJanuaryChallenge (so you can see what others elsewhere are doing).
If you are not on social media then don’t worry, you can still share your contributions by emailing these to us and they will be added to posts from the Schools accounts.
We want everyone to be able to take part.
We will be coming together for some of the challenges!
TBC - group dates will show here
We will be showcasing our activities on Social Media
#SCMH_TJC
#TheJanuaryChallenge
SUBMIT YOUR CHALLENGE HERE
TO APPEAR ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS
Who has designed the creative prompts this year?
All of the creative prompts have been designed by individuals and community groups across the UK.
Learn more about the people involved throughout this Pack, and at 64millionartists.com/thejanuarychallenge.
1. Word of the Year
Hello, 2025! We have a brand new year ahead of us. What would you like to happen this year?
Choose your ‘word of the year.’
What word are you drawn to today? Perhaps it captures what you want from 2025.
Create that word with your pen or by making shapes with your body, or using the things around you. Spell it in socks, craft it in cookie dough, or design it in a doodle…
You could turn collectively choose the word of the year for your group, team or your company. Collectively make a large poster decorating the word, or create a visual representation on a digital platform.
TAKING PART:
2. Listen/Lock Up
Find a comfortable space to lay or sit where you can look up to the sky, or use your senses to take in your environment
around you. You could head out to a garden or park, or simply next to a window. Get yourself as comfortable as you
can. If the sky’s bright, wear sunglasses and don’t look at the sun.
Look up for 2-3 minutes and let your eyes take you where they want. Perhaps you see clouds shaped like animals or
objects, tree-tops, construction cranes, high-rises. You might notice new shapes or textures from this perspective.
Connect with other senses – what can you hear, smell or touch/feel? On a piece of paper, write or draw something to
describe how you feel right now.
Don’t think too hard, just whatever comes to mind straight away. You might want to use a colour you feel drawn to.
You could anonymously leave your words or symbol for someone else to discover. You may also wish to note down the
prompt of ‘Look Up’ on the paper so that someone might feel inspired to take part too!
This is a great opportunity to take a mindful break on a busy day.
TAKING PART:
3. Your Memory Poem
Close your eyes and think of a favourite place or memory. Take 2 minutes, longer if you wish, to imagine you are there. Think about what can you see, hear, smell, touch and taste.
Take a few moments to reflect on how this imagining of your place or memory has made you feel and think about. Perhaps there are feelings of nostalgia, happiness, melancholy, gratitude, excitement or calm.
When you are ready, see if you can complete the 8 statements (below) based on those senses, feelings and thoughts. If you don’t feel inspired to complete them all, just complete the ones you feel drawn to. If you are working in a group, you could take one statement each.
Your statements can be simple, a few words each or longer.
I see…
I smell…
I touch…
I hear…
I taste…
I think…
I feel…
I am grateful for…
Once you’re done, remove the pre-filled words of each statement, e.g. remove “I see” and so forth. If you want, you can change the order of your statements or you may wish to combine one or two. Ta-da, you’ve imagined your way to your very own poem! If you wish you can name your poem - and share with your peers.
TAKING PART:
4. Capture Your Day
Set an alarm to go off every hour, or at an interval of your choice. Each time the alarm goes off, take a photograph that captures whatever is happening in that moment.
This is a nice whole team activity - you could split the day up, and give each person the opportunity to take one photo each. You could even head out on a walk together.
Perhaps you might find it helpful to choose a theme, like a colour or shape to look out for, or perhaps you’ll simply be inspired in the moment. Include yourself in your photos if you’d like to. Importantly, have fun!
Don’t worry about taking the ‘perfect’ photo – there’s no right or wrong. We make images using our ability to see, notice and feel the moment. Cameras are simply a tool to capture those images.
TAKING PART:
5. Erasure Poetry
Create an Erasure Poem.
Using existing texts, let’s play with words to create our own poems. Erasure poetry is created by blacking out words to form new sentences, poems and stories from what remains. It allows us to play with words without the pressure of having to think of them from scratch. Instead, we can enjoy restructuring and playing with words which already exist to tell our own stories.
Tear out a page from a newspaper, magazine or book. If you don’t have any to hand – you could print out a selection from the resources linked here, or a place of your choice. Use a marker pen to cross out the words surrounding those you wish to remain. It can be helpful to first underline the words you wish to remain, before then blacking out all of the others.
If you'd like, add in any additional words around those you've selected. Once completed, read the poem you created by playing with someone else’s words. This activity could make a great ‘lunch and learn’ session!
TAKING PART:
6. A Word Walk
Go for a word walk! This could be an opportunity to strengthen connection with nature and green spaces. If you're unable to go for a walk, find a window and look outside or sit outdoors. Notice how many words you can see, from those on signs to flags to buses, as you either walk or look around. Select your favourites and write them down, or record them by reading aloud.
Use the words you found to write a poem. You may want to gather your words first and then re-order to make your poem – there is no right or wrong! If you wish, add in any additional words for context and look back over your word walk poem.
A word walk encourages us to get walking to find the words that surround us every day – 'gathering' them to create a piece of poetry. It highlights the potential all around us and supports us to view the world through a more creative lens.
TAKING PART:
7. A Word-less Construction
Let’s reimagine what a ‘poem’ is and have some fun! Poems, at their core, are a collection of words brought together and constructed into a form.
Gather any objects you have around you – stationary, books, tables, bags - don’t worry what the objects are as this is all part of the fun.
Using any means possible, construct a form from these objects. You might tape them together, you might build the tallest tower, you might create a bridge.
Challenge yourself to push your construction as far as you can, whether that’s via height, length or combination of multiple materials. (Here’s where friendly competition might be fun!)
You may want to gather your objects first and think about what you’d like to construct – and how – before you begin, or make it up as you go along.
For many, terms such as ‘poetry’ and ‘creative writing’ can feel intimidating; for others, words may simply be inaccessible. Today, we’ll create a word-less ‘poem’ by playing with objects to construct a physical form. This reminds us that creativity can take any
shape; it needn’t be prescriptive or expected!
TAKING PART:
8. Makaton
“At our school, some of us use Makaton to communicate with each other. Makaton is a language programme that uses
symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate. With Makaton, signs are used, with speech, in spoken word
order. Let’s learn some Makaton!”
Using the links here, learn some signs or symbols in Makaton that communicate something about what you are doing with your day
today – or something that you would like to do today.
A willing staff member, or an external trainee, could host a short workshop on Makaton signs, promoting inclusivity and communication.
TAKING PART:
9. Smile!
Create something to make someone else smile. You could:
- Tell a joke and make someone laugh
- Say hello to someone new
- Create a card, draw a picture, sing a song, bake a cake...give the gift of your creativity to someone else.
Perhaps this creative prompt inspires a ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ Day. Invite your peers to perform small acts of kindness and share their experiences.
TAKING PART:
10. A Musical Day
What is your favourite song? Play it!
Make noise and interact with the song.
Hum, sing, stamp, clap, click, bang on the table in time to the beat - whatever you do, let yourself make some noise and enjoy your
favourite song.
You could do this creative prompt during a “music break” where team members share their favourite songs. Mini dance parties encouraged!
Extension - invite everybody to share their songs and collate the group's songs into a playlist to be listened to regularly.
TAKING PART:
11. A New Word
Create a word that does not, as far as you know, exist. Create it because you like, or hate, the sound of it.
Decide how it's written. You could even make up letters that don't exist in any alphabet you use. Write it down in several different ways – pencil, felt pens, on a steamed up bathroom mirror.
How is this word pronounced? Say it in different ways – in a whisper, in a sing-song voice, shouted. You could perhaps record yourself saying it and listen to it.
This prompt could work nicely as a ‘check in’ - invite peers and team members to create a new word relevant to their work environment and share its meaning. What do you learn about them?
TAKING PART:
12. Making Waves
Find some clean water.
It could be a stream or a beach, or it could be water in a sink or even in a cup.
Allow your skin to touch the water in some way – you may wade out until you are waist deep, dip your toes or your hand in it, even
just put one finger in the cup.
And now play – move your body, hand or finger in the water, either gently or quickly, splash. Then stay still and feel the water. Enjoy a moment of relaxation.
TAKING PART:
13. Follow the Sound
Find some instrumental music, any type of music. It could be familiar music, perhaps from well known films or artists – or you could choose something that you or your group is unfamiliar with.
Play the music, not too loudly, and write down or speak aloud words, inspired by the music. If you are doing this with others, you could nominate a scribe to write down what they hear (or scribe yourself.)
Try not to think too hard – say or write what you instinctively want to say or write.
If the music evokes any memories, invite the group to share.
TAKING PART:
14. Mindful Animal Movement
Choose an animal that inspires you. It could be a lion, a deer, a bird, or even a snake. Think about how this animal moves, how it occupies space, and what its presence feels like.
Begin to move like your chosen animal. Notice how it takes up space. Is it bold and expansive like an eagle soaring in the sky, or is it slow and deliberate like a turtle? How does it express confidence or vulnerability? Explore these movements with your whole body, letting go of any preconceived ideas about how you "should" move.
You can make this activity as ‘big’ or ‘small’ as you like. Remember, some people might feel silly moving like this. Try to foster an encouraging environment – and if they feel like being still, ask them to think about what sort of animals sit still like that?
This could be a great movement break or group stretch moment before the day begins.
TAKING PART:
15. The Worm
Recall the last time you noticed a worm—whether in soil, on the street, or in a bird’s mouth.
Using any paper and pen you have, recreate the worm!
You could make or illustrate the worm out of materials you have around you? What characteristics would it have? You could create a map of its journey. You could all contribute to the same long, wiggly picture.
TAKING PART:
16. Recycle to Stitch
Experiment with stitching using paper, card, fabric and other found or recycled materials around you. Use a piece of card as your – or, if you like, use a bigger piece of fabric.
Use a pen to mark out 3 lines of dots. Use the pen to punch through the card to make holes on each of the dots. You can continue to make the holes as big as you like.
Once you have done this look around you to find materials to stitch or weave in between the holes to create a pattern. You could use scissors to cut strips of the pages from a magazine, colourful string, fabric, tights, scarves, or cut up elastic bands – depending on the size of your holes.
Try overlapping your stitches or going in different directions to create a pattern. You could also work with others to thread or weave – what could you create together? Do you have sustainability goals? Use this prompt to talk about them with your peers!
TAKING PART:
17. Mind-Full Of...?
Spend 15 minutes writing a poem, journal entry or doodle of the things that are most pressing on your mind.
It can be important, inane, personal, public - if it's the first thing you think of, take the time to explore why.
This prompt is about having a mindful moment. Journalling is proven to enhance mental clarity and emotional expression. Perhaps you can return to this prompt throughout the month.
TAKING PART:
18. Dressed to Impress
Invite the people around you to choose their favourite item of clothing or shoes—the one that makes you feel the most confident, comfortable, or truly them.
Organise a day (and there’s no better day than today!) to wear that item of clothing. Ask them - as you go about your day, take notice of how it makes you feel. Did it give you a boost of confidence? Did it bring back a memory?
You could also invite people to draw themselves in their favourite item of clothing, if that item is elsewhere.
Note - this could be a great way to get to know each other better. Celebrate each others style and how they choose to represent themselves.
TAKING PART:
19. Unseen Borders
Pick a song that makes you feel like moving. It can be slow and soothing or fast and upbeat, whatever resonates with, or means something to you.
As the music plays, allow your body to respond instinctively. This can be subtle movements like stretching, swaying, or moving just your hands, waist, or feet. The key is to move in a way that feels natural and freeing for you, without thinking too much about it. Let the rhythm guide you and focus on the sensations in your body.
Now, try doing the same prompt but with a peer or another person in the space. You could try to mirror each others movements. Move in a way that’s comfortable and accessible to you - as big, small, slow, fast as you like.
(Did someone say dance break?!)
TAKING PART:
20. A Meaningful Touch
Create something meaningful to hide inside a chosen bag or item of clothing. It could be:
- A small picture: Draw or capture an image that has personal significance to you. It might be of a person or a scene from a memory or place.
- A personal note or quote: Write a positive affirmation, inspirational quote, or personal note on a small piece of paper or fabric.
- A keepsake or token: Create a small 3d item, like a collection of charms, or fabrics that holds special meaning for you.
Then, secure your ‘meaningful touch’ inside your bag or chosen item and attach it if you can. You could place it in a pocket, or attach it with a pin or sew it on.
TAKING PART:
21. You Inspire Me
Imagine you have all of the people who have ever inspired you in your contacts list (friends, family and famous people though the ages).
Write a message, a picture or write a letter to one of them lettingthem know why they are inspirational and what they have inspired you to do.
If it’s in any way possible, send that message or letter. Share your thoughts with the person who has inspired you.
Note - you could encourage team members to write appreciationnotes to colleagues, highlighting their impact.
TAKING PART:
22. Take Back the Trash
Today - We're getting crafty!
Gather some clean recycling from your office (or home-office) stash. Take time to think about that thing differently.
Could it be re-used at all? Could it be used for something completely different? Could it be made into a friendly character?
Revive that peice of trash and give it a new life.
TAKING PART:
23. This is Me
Imagine, in 100 years time, someone finds a photo of you that was taken today. If you or a group member prefers to use an older picture, go for it.
Create something that captures what is happening for you today (or the day that picture was taken).
It could be an illustration or drawing; poem, a single word, a headline or any other wat you can think of.
TAKING PART:
24. Heart Beat
Feel and notice your heartbeat and pulse. You can feel the pulse in your wrist, neck or any other part of your body. If you happen to have a stethoscope, or any safe instruments that can pick up the beats and pulse, use it!
Then, notice what you notice. How fast or slow is your heart beat or pulse? If it's tricky to hear the beats - play the sound of a heartbeat from YouTube or similar.
Now, replicate the beats or pulse by making vocal sounds, by tapping your feet on the ground, clapping your hands or tapping your hand on your thighs. Perhaps you have a drum, or pots and pans. Perhaps you event use drum sticks and bouncy balls. Use whatever is available, takes your fancy and feels sage and comfortable.
This is a lot of fun to do together as a rhythmic team building exercise.
TAKING PART:
25. Gratitude Bank
Reflect on 3 things that you are grateful for.
It could be anything, small, large, ordinary or profound. Write them down. Start a Gratitude Bank. You could do this together as a group - perhaps coming back to it each week to give and take form the gratitude bank!
Find a jar or box and label or decorate it as a Gratitude Bank. Daily, or as regularly as you can manage from time to time, write down things that you are grateful for onto slips of paper and deposit them in the jar or box. This could be a great thing to do as a team.
Withdraw from the Gratitude Bank from time to time. Especially when feeling ready for inspiration and motivation.
As a group activity, take it in turns to withdraw form the bank and read out to the rest of the group. Then the person who's 'gratitude deposit' is being read out can choose to say something of tell a story about it, if they want.
TAKING PART:
26. Pieces Together (Peace is Together)
Create a collage or mixed media assemblage responding to the themes of 'Peace' and/or 'Together'.
What does Peace mean to you? What does being 'together' mean to you? What do you like ti be 'together' with? When you are 'together' with people how does it make you feel?
Flick through scrap paper, magazines or newspapers and reip out any images or words that you associate with the theme, and piece together a collage. Do this activity as a group, or individually.
TAKING PART:
27. Grounding
Step outside or open a window. Listen out for birdsong.
What can you hear? Is there a bird song you can recognise? If so, do you know the name of the bird? If you don't recognise any bird songs that's ok! Look out for the birds who are singing and make a connection between their appearance and the sounds they make.
You could all go outside together. You could even feed the birds! If you don't hear birdsong, imagine a bired and the vibrations it creates with its voice.
Capture the bird on paper. Draw, paint or collage your image. How big is it? What colour are its feathers? What is its name?
TAKING PART:
28. Silly Self Portrait
Create a visual self-portrait of yourself.
It can be abstract, cartoonish or lifelike out of objects around you. It can be a simple drawing or painting, or maybe even made with any scrap materials on offer like pasta shapes or discarded bits of ribbon and buttons.
Focus on the silly and the daft, maybe you can draw yourself in bright, colourfil clothing, with fun make-up or hair, and maybe surround yourself with drawings or lists of all the silly things you enjoy doing. Fill the page with the silly stuff.
"This could work digitally too. There are free software/apps available such as Pixlr, Photopea, Adobe Mix, etc. Even PowerPoint/Slides has some good image tools to do something like this."
TAKING PART:
29. Character Creation
Take two or three random letters, if you can see a car number plate near you take the letters from that, if not look around your space and take the first letter of the two/three objects you look at.
These two letters are initials, for example, 'WP'. Create a name with these initials for example 'William Percy'. This character can be a human, animal or alien, whatever you want.
Now you have the name, you can either draw the character or just imagine what they look like. Think about who the character is – what are they like?
Consider what the backstory is for your new made up character.
Note - you could adapt this prompt to inform a team building exercise. What characters represent team dynamics? How do they interact? What do the characters need at work?
TAKING PART:
30. I make myself laugh
Do something that makes you giggle.
Maybe if you’re working from home you can wear a fancy dress hat or prop while sending some emails or carrying out chores. Maybe you can skip for a bit when walking to the shop. Maybe whenever you pass a mirror that day you can pull a funny face at yourself.
Take a bit of time out of this particular day to make yourself chuckle.
TAKING PART:
31. Changemaker
What change do you want to make - in your life, in your workplace, or in the world around you? Write down the change you want to make. Be bold! Try not to overthink it.
Write down what comes to your mind. Take a moment to read your statement.
Choose one creative action you could take today to move towards that change. It might be a tiny thing, or it might be the start of something bigger. Perhaps you recall your ‘word of the year’ from Day 1 to help you choose what to do.
TAKING PART:
We will be showcasing our activities on Social Media
Use the Hashtags:
#SCMH_TJC
#TheJanuaryChallenge
TO APPEAR ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS - EMAIL US HERE
Illustrations by Shipli Sahi: @shilpiness