New Year's Eve Ideas For...

…FAMILIES WITH KIDS

Although New Year’s Eve celebrations are usually adult-only events, kids can get in on the excitement for the big night as well. Thankfully, many communities now host family-friendly celebrations, which can include fireworks, music and games, or you can stay in and save on money by bringing the fun home. So, whether you’re hosting a kid-friendly party or just cozying up with your own family, you can make New Year’s Eve a night to remember.

Party Supplies

What’s a New Year’s Eve party without the celebratory hats, noisemakers, poppers and confetti? Get the kids involved in making these accessories for your at-home celebration, and have everything ready when the clock strikes twelve. Use leftover cardboard, newspaper, wrapping paper, ribbons, etc. to create the hats and confetti. Take it a step further and award a prize for the silliest or most creative party hat. Hopping on bubble packaging is one way to ring in the New Year. Just color the flat side of the bubbles with permanent marker, attach the bubble wrap to a white paper runner, and then secure it to the floor with tape. The kids can also create their own noisemakers by filling empty plastic bottles with rice or lentils, and then covering them with colored paper, glitter and other decorations.

Family Dinner and a Show

Prepare kid-friendly recipes for appetizers, main courses, drinks and desserts that encourage snacking, dipping and dunking for added excitement. Encourage the children to get in on the fun and help you cook. Or, cook one of your family’s favorite meals and eat it by candlelight. Likewise, depending on how many movies you want to watch, you may want to have an early and a late show. And during the show, don’t forget the popcorn!

Games of Time

Plan a series of simple, yet silly, games around a “Father Time” theme. Depending on the number of kids, you can either play individually or create teams, with bonus points going to the team that finishes the quickest. The team with the most points at the end of these games wins, but whether they win or lose, have “thank you for playing prizes” as rewards. A series of 60-second games can include “Bucket
Head”, where the participant has to catch three balls in a bucket on top of their head; “Breakfast Scramble”, where the participants must assemble the front of a cereal box that has been cut into eight equal-sized pieces; “Tweeze Me”, where the players use tweezers to relocate five Tic Tacs from one bowl to another; or even “Find the Clock”, where the players must find a hidden ticking clock or kitchen timer before the 60-second alarm goes off.

Tree of Resolutions

Leverage that Christmas tree once more by transforming it into a resolution tree, or enlist the kids to draw their own trees on construction paper or poster boards. Help the kids write their resolutions on small note cards, as well as twelve acts of kindness that they will perform in the New Year. These resolutions can be family-oriented goals, such as eating all your veggies, exercising more and arguing less. Afterwards, tie or tape the note cards onto the branches of the tree before you usher in the New Year.

Slumber Party

Rent any movies that the kids want to watch. In addition, shop for various snacks, even the ones that are usually forbidden, and pick up a card or board games. Spend the evening watching movies, playing cards and board games. Spread stuffed animals, pillows, and sleeping bags or blankets on the floor and let everyone camp out for the night. Enjoying one another’s company will make the night a winner, plus see who’s still awake at midnight!

The Ball Drop

Forget about the televised ball drop at midnight, have the kids craft their own ball. It’s cheap, sparkly, and fun, while keeping the kids entertained. Simply buy a Styrofoam ball (you pick the size) at your local craft store as well as glue, multicolor sequins, round rhinestones, and a pipe cleaner or chenille. Organize all the supplies onto the table, with all the sequins and rhinestones in separate bowls. Start by pushing the chenille or pipe cleaner stem into the top of the Styrofoam ball. Make sure to push the stem down and in at an angle so that it really anchors into the ball. Have the children decorate the entire ball by attaching the sequins and rhinestones using the craft glue. Once the ball is covered, allow the glue to dry and then tie a long piece of ribbon to the stem and attach the ball to the ceiling; at the stroke of midnight, cut the ribbon. Don’t forget to shine a little light on the ball to celebrate in style.

Whether you’re hosting a kid-friendly party or just cozying up with your own family, there’s something for everyone. So, pick one or mix n’ match, but make sure you don’t overwhelm yourself. Above all, the holidays are a good time to take it easy, so sit back, relax and put an emphasis on enjoying one another’s company. After all, the kids are only young for so long.