Whether you’re a parent who’s celebrating the start of a new year with your family (you made it!) or a babysitter who’s hanging with some cool kiddos on December 31, New Year’s Eve looks different when you’re spending it at home with kids — and that’s not a bad thing.
Ditching the fancy cocktails and uninterrupted conversation this year? We guarantee you it’ll be fun — just don’t show up to the proverbial party without a few kid-friendly ideas up your sleeve.
From New Year’s Eve crafts with kids to colorful treats that are sure to please even the pickiest eaters, here are 17 New Year’s Eve family activities (or ideas if you’re babysitting!). Staying up until midnight is overrated anyway.
1. Celebrate “noon” years
What’s better than New Year’s with kids? Noon year with kids. Avoid cranky children on January 1 by having a countdown and celebration at 12 p.m. instead of 12 a.m., a la Kaitlyn Palladino.
2. Party under a disco ball
Is it even a party without a disco ball? No need to clean out Party City in order to make the house festive for New Year’s, but a disco ball — especially when you’re celebrating with kids? Now that’s essential.
3. Count down with goody bags
How clever is this idea from Organize & Decorate Everything? New Year’s countdown bags! And the best part? You can start your hourly countdown anytime, so small fries needn’t stay up too late past their bedtime.
4. Decorate fancy cups
What’s a kids New Year’s Eve celebration without some ice-cold sparkling cider? And to take things up a notch, consider having the kids drink out of fancy cups they decorated themselves. This simple idea from Learning Through Playing is a great way to keep kids engaged and involved in some of the NYE setup.
5. Make and share NYE fortune cookies
Whether you’re sharing motivating resolutions or just plain silly messages, these New Year’s paper fortune cookies from Crafts by Amanda will add a special touch to the night for kids.
6. Snack on party hat treats
If you think anyone — including you — can resist these adorable blonde brownie party hat New Year’s Eve treats from Kid Friendly Things to Do, you’re sorely mistaken. Fun to make. More fun to eat.
7. Unleash the pompoms
Not only are these DIY pompom poppers from Tantrums and Rainbows uber cheery and cute, they’re a fun, celebratory (and generally noise- and mess-free!) activity to do with little ones on NYE.
8. Craft some noisemakers
If there aren’t noise makers, is it even New Year’s Eve? Happy Crafty has a simple — and super cute — noise maker craft that’s great for younger kids.
9. DIY fun NYE hats
Another New Year’s Eve must-have? Hats, of course! These cute DIY NYE party hats from Meaningful Mama — with free printables! — are a fun way to make the evening feel more celebratory.
10. Soap it up
Perhaps a little different from the foam parties you’ve been to in New Year’s Eves past, but just as fun nonetheless. Kids will love making these rainbow soap foam bubbles from Fun at Home With Kids — hours of sensory fun with just a few ingredients!
11. Festive ornaments
There’s no denying it: These confetti baubles from A Spoonful of Sugar Designs are flat-out adorable. A cute, colorful craft — and decoration — for the big night.
12. NYE Bingo
You can make your own NYE bingo game or download this one from Practical Whimsy Co on Etsy. Either way, you’re set in the fun department — and bonus points for being thematic!
Where to buy: NYE Bingo ($4, Practical Whimsy Co/Etsy)
13. Create your own balloon drop
Set up your own festive balloon drop to ring in the new year. Just follow the step-by-by step instructions in this video tutorial from Delia Randall of Delia Creates.
14. Make a sleepy-time surprise
Did somebody say sleep?! Whether you’re letting your little ones shack up in the same bedroom for the night (godspeed … ) or just want to add something special and cozy to the night, these sleep tents from Slumber Squad Party are a slam dunk.
15. Make resolutions
A little annual reflection never hurt anyone. For kids who are old enough, these free, printable New Year’s resolution worksheets from The Best Ideas for Kids are a nice way to think about the past year and what —hopefully! — lies ahead.
16. Play the cotton ball game
Even if you’re staying in on New Year’s, doesn’t mean you have to relegate yourself to crafts, movies and baking. In fact, party games can turn a regular night into, well, a party. Kids are sure to get a kick out of the cotton ball game, where one person tries to toss cotton balls into another’s bucket while they’re facing the opposite direction.
17. DIY photo booth
Looking for a slamdunk kids New Year’s Eve activity? Create a photo booth! Whether the kids are old enough for the ‘gram or not, they’ll definitely get a kick out of both creating their own photo backdrop and seeing the goofy photos everyone has taken together.
