Whether you couldn't find a sitter for New Year's Eve or you're just not up for going out, you can still have a fun, kid-friendly celebration. The key is to keep the kids occupied with fun activities as the clock counts down. We've gathered a few family friendly ideas to help make it a memorable experience for the whole family.
Countdown the Hours
There are so many fun ways to help kids mark time until the new year arrives. Pick the time you want to start (and end!) and count down the hours by opening a bag, package or even popping a balloon. Mark each bag with the time and include a fun activity for each hour. This need not be expensive. Here are some ideas of what to stuff the bags with:
- Party hats and noisemakers
- Party poppers
- Candy
- A deck of cards and game instructions
- Pens and paper to write New Year's Resolutions
- Craft projects
- Glow Sticks
- Bubbles
Milk and Cookie Cocktails
Every party needs drinks and snacks! Serve up milk and cookies in style by coating the rims of small glasses (or even wine glasses) with colorful sprinkles. Spread a thin layer of honey on a plate, and then pour out sprinkles onto a separate plate. Simply dip the rims of glasses in honey and then dredge in the sprinkles. (Leave the glass upside down in the sprinkles for a few minutes so that the sprinkles don't slide down the glass!) Cool the glasses in the fridge, fill with cold milk and serve with cookies.
DIY Noisemakers
Create DIY noisemakers for midnight from objects around the house. Decorate empty, lidded canisters such as butter containers, coffee cans, Pringles cans, etc., and add dried beans or rice to make shakers.
Sparkling Science
Younger kids love to watch bubbles grow when vinegar is added to baking soda. You can glam up this simple science experiment by mixing glitter or confetti into the baking soda. To do this, mix baking soda and glitter or plastic confetti in a shallow bowl. When kids add drops of vinegar to the soda mixture, it will produce sparkling bubbles.
Bake a Clock
If your kids love baking, a fun and delicious activity is to make a countdown clock. You can do this by baking cookies or cupcakes and arranging the treats in a circle on a round serving platter or pizza pan. Decorate each with the numbers of the clock and use licorice sticks such as Twizzlers as clock hands to mark the time.
Balloons, Balloons, Balloons
It's not a party without balloons, right? Try some confetti-filled balloons to brighten up your space, then you can pop them at midnight for a confetti shower!
If you can't find confetti-filled balloons, you can fill regular balloons with helium or not – either way, the kids will love them. If you really want to wow the kids, stage your own balloon drop! You can make one by taping a plastic party tablecloth filled with balloons to your ceiling or buy a kit that comes with the balloons and the bag to hold them.
Photo Booth
Even if it's just you and the kiddos, why not have a photo booth? No need for an elaborate set-up, tacking up a sheet or plastic tablecloth to the wall to use as a background works well. Gather fun props from around the house such as hats and sunglasses or buy a New Year's Eve photo booth prop set.
Christmas Crackers
Christmas crackers may be traditional for Christmas dinner but they're equally as fun for New Year's Eve. These brightly wrapped cylinders are pulled apart, breaking the cracker open with a popping sound. Be sure to check the prizes inside before you purchase to get kid friendly items.
Family Time Capsule
Putting a time capsule together as a part of your New Year's Eve activities can be a nice way to reflect on the past year. This can be as simple or elaborate as you wish! Grab a shoebox or big manila envelope and gather your time capsule items. Ideas for what to include: your child's handprint, a family picture and an interview. Questioning your kids about their current likes and dislikes, life goals and more is fun in the moment and to look back on next year. Simply google "interview questions for kids" for ideas on what questions to ask – some bloggers even offer printable Q-and-A forms. Once finished, tuck away your time capsule and open next year.
New Year's Eve Picture Books
The night can get long and a quiet break for storytime is good for everyone. Try one of these holiday-themed books to balance out the activities:
- "The Night Before New Year's" by Natasha Wing
- "Squirrel's New Year's Resolution" by Pat Miller
- "Shante Keys and the New Year's Peas" by Gail Piernas-Davenport
Whatever you choose to do with your family on the eve of the new year, you can make sure it's memorable with these sure-fire party pleasers.
