5 Ways to Celebrate New Year's Eve with Kids

Celebrate New Year's Eve with kids of all ages with these easy suggestions. Whether you stay up late or celebrate during the day, these tips for an exciting kid-friendly event are sure to be a hit with the whole family.

Celebrate New Years Eve with kids

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Are the kids busy all day, and up past bedtime too?

Kids are often thrilled with the possibility of staying up late to ring in the New Year.

While kids might get excited about it, parents may not be as thrilled with the idea.

Keeping kids awake until the midnight hour doesn't have to be an option.

There are lots of ways to celebrate this special event during the day and even early evening.

 

Celebrate New Year's Eve with kids

 

  • Plan simple foods and games you can introduce throughout the day.

  • Have pre-recorded movies and countdowns ready to play at any hour.

 Here are a few suggestions for celebrating with the kids.

 

1. Serve Special Refreshments

Serve snacks and finger foods on festive plates, or with novelty napkins. Include a few original foods to tempt them to try something new! 

Include kids in a toast to the New Year. This means they will need a special drink so they can join in the fun.

  • Fill plastic champagne glasses with sparkling cider or fruit juice. Add raspberries or grapes!
     
  • Scoop ice cream over sparkling soda.

 

2. Break Out the Party Hats and Noise Makers

 

If your kids won't be staying up late, let them wear the party hats throughout the day.

  • You often find paper crowns inside party crackers so you can make these a part of the fun.

  • Or decorate cone-shaped party hats with stickers and glitter!

Kids can use noise makers as they watch news footage or videos of other countries ringing in the New Year. This allows your kids to experience the holiday fun that takes place at midnight.

 

3. Attend Family-Friendly Events

 

Many areas offer family-friendly events for New Year's Eve. This might include indoor or outdoor games or tournaments, or local entertainment at the park.

If possible, be sure to take in a fireworks display to kick off the New Year. 

 

4. Practice the Countdown

 

Have fun practicing the countdown. You could have a mock countdown with younger children before they go to bed.

  • Set the clock ahead, let the kids countdown, and then celebrate when the clock hits 'midnight'.

 Have paper streamers for tossing, glasses for toasting, and noise makers for sounding the event!

 

5. Explore How People Ring in the New Year Around the World

 

Many news stations will show celebrations around the world as they happen. Because of the different time zones, you can tune in periodically to watch how different countries celebrate. 

This is a great way for your kids to experience New Year's Eve without having to stay up well past their bedtimes. It's also a great way to expose your children to other cultures. 

 

 6. Include Everyone in the Preparations

 

From toddler to teen, kids look forward to annual festivities, especially the ones they help plan. 

  •  Choose between two events rather than attend both.
  • Be willing to make some compromises. Older kids can tag along to events that are suitable for preschoolers, in return for attending a sledding party with their friends. A younger child who is staying behind with Grandma can request special treats and plenty of craft supplies for making noisemakers! 
  • Have a list of options that leave room for flexibility. Unexpected changes in plans may arise due to weather, illness, or unexpected guests.
      
  • Include options for quiet times to offset the busy times, to keep energy and excitement from running too high.

New Year's Eve Pinterest board for more celebration ideas!

These are awesome ways to celebrate as a family!

Try these ideas when staying up until the clock strikes midnight is less exciting for you than it is for the kids.

Whether you serve a special snack or have a mock countdown, your kids will love getting to ring in the New Year with you.

This is a time for the whole family to enjoy, at any time of day!

 

More family-friendly New Year's Eve fun!

 

Kid Friendly New Year's Eve Celebration Ideas / A Mother Far From Home

5 Tips for New Year's Eve With Kids / Lemon Lime Adventures

New Year's Eve Party Ideas / Crystal & Co.

Wishing Wall New Year's Eve Activity with Kids / Buggy and Buddy

 

 


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