New Year’s Eve is not just for adults; it’s a time for kids to celebrate, too! With the excitement of ringing in a new year, children love getting involved in the festivities. From creative crafts to engaging games, there are countless ways to make this holiday memorable for them.
Whether you’re hosting a big family gathering or having a quiet evening at home, planning kid-friendly activities can turn New Year’s Eve into an event everyone will enjoy. With a mix of entertainment that appeals to different ages and interests, this celebration can become a night to remember.
Here are 23 fun, festive, and family-oriented activities to make this New Year’s Eve extra special for kids!
1. Countdown Bags Filled with Surprises
Countdown bags create excitement as kids anticipate what’s inside each hour. Prepare bags with different times marked on them, like 6 PM, 7 PM, and so on, until you reach the big moment. Each bag holds a small surprise, like treats or a mini activity, keeping kids entertained throughout the evening.
You can adjust the timing to suit your celebration. If midnight isn’t on the agenda for the little ones, the last bag can mark their bedtime. This way, they still get to experience the magic of counting down without staying up too late.
2. DIY Party Hats and Noisemakers
Kids love making their own New Year’s Eve accessories, so a craft station for DIY hats and noisemakers is perfect. Set up an area with paper, markers, glue, glitter, and other decorations so they can create personalized party gear. It gives them a fun way to express their creativity and feel part of the festivities.
Once their hats and noisemakers are ready, they can show them off and make some celebratory noise. Not only does this activity engage them in the preparations, but it also adds a festive touch to the evening.
3. A “Year in Review” Photo Booth
Setting up a photo booth with fun props and backdrops lets kids capture memories. Use simple materials like a metallic curtain or balloons for the background, and add New Year’s themed props, such as glasses and hats. This little setup encourages kids to have fun while posing and creates keepsakes of the night.
Print out some photos for them to take home or add to a scrapbook. The photos will remind them of the joyful moments spent together, making this simple booth a memorable part of the celebration.
4. Mini Talent Show
A mini talent show gives kids the chance to shine in front of family and friends. Designate an area as the “stage” and let them perform anything they like, from singing and dancing to telling jokes. It’s a great way to encourage self-confidence and creativity as they showcase their skills.
You can even record each act, creating memories they can look back on later. A family talent show is bound to fill the night with laughter, making it a highlight of your New Year’s celebration.
5. New Year’s Eve Bingo
Bring out the excitement of Bingo with a New Year’s Eve twist. Create bingo cards with New Year’s themed words or images, like “party hat” or “2024.” Kids can mark off the items as they spot them around the house or in decorations, keeping them engaged as they wait for the countdown.
Winners can receive small prizes, adding a competitive edge to the game. This activity is perfect for getting the whole family involved in a game everyone can enjoy together.
6. Glow Stick Dance Party
Turn off the lights and hand out glow sticks for an exciting dance party! Kids love dancing, and glow sticks make it feel like a real party. Clear a space in the living room, put on some music, and let them dance the night away with their glowing accessories.
This activity provides great photo and video opportunities, capturing the colorful fun of their New Year’s celebration. The glow stick dance party will be a highlight for kids, making them feel like stars of the night.
7. Movie Marathon with Snacks
If a cozy New Year’s is more your style, a movie marathon with snacks is ideal. Set up a comfortable viewing area with blankets and pillows, creating a home theater vibe. Pick family-friendly movies that everyone will enjoy, from animated classics to recent favorites.
Provide popcorn, candy, and perhaps some sparkling apple cider to complete the experience. Kids can take turns choosing movies, making it a fun, low-key way to celebrate together.
8. Balloon Drop at Midnight
Create a mini balloon drop for a fun and festive way to celebrate. Use a net or a sheet pinned to the ceiling to hold the balloons until it’s time to release them. When midnight (or their bedtime) arrives, let the balloons fall for a joyful celebration.
Kids will love the surprise and excitement of the balloons filling the room. It’s an easy way to add magic to the night, even if they don’t stay up until midnight.
9. Craft a “Goodbye, Old Year” Time Capsule
Help kids reflect on the past year with a time capsule. Have them gather photos, drawings, and small items that represent their year, placing them in a box or jar. Label it with the year and store it away as a keepsake.
Kids can add “predictions” for the coming year to make the capsule even more fun. It’s a meaningful activity that encourages reflection and gives them something to look back on.
10. Scavenger Hunt
Create a New Year’s Eve-themed scavenger hunt with clues or small treasures hidden around the house. Write down hints that lead them from one spot to another, and have a small prize waiting at the end.
Kids will love the excitement of searching for hidden items, making it a fun way to keep them busy. It’s also a great way to add a bit of adventure to your celebration.
11. Family Game Night
Bring out board games and card games for a family game night! From Monopoly to charades, you can keep everyone entertained and laughing. Family game nights encourage interaction and bring everyone together for quality time.
Add small rewards for winners to make it extra exciting. With everyone involved, the competitive spirit will create lasting memories.
12. Resolutions Jar
A resolutions jar helps kids think about their goals for the upcoming year. Provide slips of paper and let each child write down their resolutions. They can revisit them next year to see their progress.
This activity encourages kids to set personal goals, making it both fun and meaningful. It’s also a nice way to introduce the concept of New Year’s resolutions to them.
13. DIY Confetti Poppers
Crafting homemade confetti poppers is a festive activity that also doubles as a fun way to celebrate. Kids can decorate the poppers, filling them with colorful paper or eco-friendly confetti.
When midnight comes, they can pop them to release the confetti, adding excitement to the celebration. These DIY poppers are simple to make and add a sparkly touch to the night.
14. Sparkling “Mocktail” Bar
Set up a kid-friendly mocktail bar with sparkling drinks. Use sparkling water, juice, or cider to create fun, fizzy drinks. Add festive straws or sugar rims to make it even more special.
Kids love feeling included with their own “fancy” drinks, and it adds a touch of elegance to their night. It’s a simple way to make them feel like part of the celebration.
15. New Year’s Eve Piñata
A piñata filled with treats or small toys is a hit for any celebration. Kids can take turns trying to break it open, building anticipation until they get to the goodies inside.
This activity adds a burst of energy to the evening, and the treats are a delightful surprise. A piñata is a high-energy way to add some New Year’s excitement.
16. Midnight Countdown Cookies
Bake New Year’s Eve-themed cookies with clock designs or “2024” decorations. Kids can help decorate these countdown cookies, making them feel part of the preparations.
They’ll love eating the delicious creations they helped make. Countdown cookies are a fun, hands-on activity that also adds a sweet touch to the night.
17. Handprint Fireworks Art
Let kids create their own fireworks art with colorful paint and paper. Using their handprints, they can create “fireworks” on paper, capturing the spirit of New Year’s.
This craft is messy but memorable, giving them a chance to express their creativity. It also makes a wonderful keepsake to remember the night.
18. New Year’s Charades
Play a New Year’s version of charades with categories like resolutions or winter activities. Kids love acting out prompts, making it an interactive way to pass the time.
Using a timer keeps the game fast-paced and exciting. Charades is a simple yet engaging game that everyone can enjoy together.
19. 12 Grapes Tradition
Introduce the Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight, symbolizing good fortune for each month of the year. Hand each child a small bowl of grapes as the countdown begins.
This cultural twist adds something unique to the celebration. It’s a tradition they may even want to continue in future years.
20. DIY Balloon Animals
Balloon animals are always a hit with kids. If you know how to twist a few simple designs, you can entertain them with various shapes.
This activity is interactive, and kids will love receiving their own custom balloon animal. It’s a creative way to bring more color and fun to the night.
21. Snowball Toss (Indoor Version)
Set up a snowball toss game indoors using soft cotton balls or socks. Create a target and let kids aim for points, adding a playful winter feel to the evening.
It’s a simple activity that keeps them active without needing much space. This “snowball fight” will be a favorite, especially
if it’s too cold to play outside.
22. “This or That” New Year’s Quiz
A New Year’s “This or That” quiz is a fun way to get everyone talking. Ask questions like “Stay up late or wake up early?” to learn more about each other.
It encourages conversation and laughter as kids share their choices. The quiz is a lighthearted addition that adds a personal touch to the night.
23. Sparkler Celebration Outside
If it’s safe in your area, sparklers are a magical way to welcome the New Year. Gather outside, hand out sparklers, and let kids celebrate with a bit of sparkle.
Always supervise and ensure everyone knows how to handle sparklers safely. It’s a beautiful way to end the night, creating memories that shine.
Conclusion: A New Year’s Celebration to Remember
With these 23 ideas, you’re ready to create a New Year’s Eve celebration that’s unforgettable for kids. Whether you try just one or a mix, these activities bring the magic of New Year’s into your home. Enjoy the excitement, laughter, and family time as you ring in the new year together—may it be filled with joy and wonderful memories!