Activities for Kids on New Year’s Eve

new year's eve

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New Year’s Eve is a magical time filled with anticipation and celebration, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to create unforgettable memories with your kids. Whether you’re staying at home or planning a small gathering, having a lineup of fun activities can keep the evening lively and exciting for everyone. Here are some fantastic ideas to make your New Year’s Eve with kids a night to remember.

1. Countdown Crafts Activities for Kids on New Year’s Eve

Engage your children in creating their own New Year’s Eve decorations. Gather craft supplies like construction paper, glitter, glue, and markers to make:

  • Party hats: Customize them with their names and fun designs.
  • Countdown clocks: Kids can create paper clocks to count down the hours.
  • Banners and streamers: Brighten up your space with DIY decorations that kids made with art and craft supplies.

2. Create a Kids’ Countdown

Not all kids can stay awake until midnight, but that doesn’t mean they should miss the fun. Host a countdown at a kid-friendly hour, like 8 or 9 PM.

  • Set up a balloon drop using a garbage bag filled with balloons, suspended and released at the chosen time.
  • Use noise makers, confetti poppers, or even bubble machines to add excitement.

3. Family-Friendly Movie Marathon

Pick out a lineup of kid-approved movies to watch together as a family. Some New Year’s Eve favorites include:

  • Rudolph’s Shiny New Year
  • Frozen
  • The Secret Life of Pets

Create a cozy atmosphere with blankets, pillows, and a popcorn station.

4. DIY Photo Booth

Capture the magic of the night with a DIY photo booth. Set up a simple backdrop with:

  • A sparkly curtain or string lights.
  • Props like oversized glasses, tiaras, and boas.

Encourage kids to dress up and strike a pose. The photos will make great keepsakes!

You can grabt this Photo Booth Prop Kit for picture-perfect moments.

5. Interactive Games and Activities

Keep the energy up with games that the whole family can enjoy:

  • Scavenger Hunt: Create clues related to New Year’s themes and hide them around the house.
  • New Year’s Bingo: Customize bingo cards with holiday-themed items.
  • Minute to Win It Games: Simple challenges like stacking cups or balancing objects are always a hit.

6. Baking and Treat-Making

new year's eve cookies

Bring your kids into the kitchen to prepare festive treats. Make sure you use safe kids’ baking sets. Fun ideas include:

  • Cupcakes with clock designs.
  • Star-shaped cookies with colorful icing.
  • Mocktails with sparkling juice and fruit garnishes.

7. Write New Year’s Resolutions

new year's resolutions

Set up a quiet corner where kids can reflect on the past year and write or draw their goals for the upcoming one. Provide them with:

  • Fun prompts like “This year, I want to learn…”
  • Special stationery or journals to make it feel special.

8. Glow-in-the-Dark Dance Party

Turn off the lights and let the kids dance the night away with:

9. Balloon Countdown Game

new yera's eve balloons count down activity

Write an activity or surprise on small pieces of paper, put them inside balloons, and inflate them. Pop a balloon every hour leading up to your countdown, and do the activity inside. Ideas include:

  • Sing karaoke.
  • Play charades.
  • Make a craft.

You can check out this Karaoke Microphones for Kids that will guarantee you hours of fun.

10. Outdoor Adventures (Weather Permitting)

If it’s not too cold, take the celebration outside:

  • Stargazing with blankets and hot cocoa.
  • Sparklers or safe glow wands for kids.
  • A mini bonfire with marshmallow roasting.

11. Virtual New Year’s Eve Party

If you can’t gather in person with friends or family, set up a virtual celebration for the kids. Include:

  • A shared dance party with video chat.
  • Games like Pictionary or trivia.
  • A simultaneous countdown.

12. Midnight Mocktail Toast

Finally, when the clock strikes 12 (or your earlier countdown), let the kids join in on the fun with their own special drinks. Ideas include:

  • Sparkling cider in plastic champagne glasses.
  • Juices with edible glitter.
  • Fruit punch with frozen fruit cubes.

You can try out these Kid-Safe Champagne Flutes for the toast.

Wrap-Up

With these fun activities, your New Year’s Eve celebration will be full of joy, laughter, and cherished moments for the entire family. Don’t forget to capture these special memories on camera and look back on them as you welcome another exciting year.

Make this year’s celebration extraordinary by preparing in advance and ensuring you have all the supplies needed for an unforgettable night. Happy New Year!