New Years Eve for Kids
Make New Year's Eve magical for your little ones with this curated list of the best party ideas and activities! From countdown crafts to themed games, create lasting memories filled with joy.
✍️ November 21, 2024
New Year’s Eve is a magical time of reflection, celebration, and new beginnings. While it’s a time to ring in the new year with friends and family, it can be tricky to keep little ones entertained as the night stretches on.
But don’t worry, with this selection of the best New Year’s Eve party ideas and activities for kids, you’ll be able to countdown to 2025 in style while keeping your little ones entertained.
Best New Year’s Eve Party Ideas For Kids
There are many ways to make your New Year’s Eve party kid-friendly and fun. Whether you’re preparing for a party at home or looking to go out with your little ones, these ideas are sure to make the night memorable for everyone.
So, get ready to ring in the new year with a bang and keep reading for some fantastic party ideas!
1. Make A New Year’s Resolution List
New Year’s resolutions are a great way to set goals and make positive changes for the upcoming year. Why not involve your kids in this tradition by creating a resolution list together?
You can get creative with this activity by making it into a craft project. Have your kids write their resolutions on colorful pieces of paper, decorate them with glitter and stickers, and display them proudly for all to see.
Make individual goals for each family member or make a collective resolution for the whole family to work towards. This activity not only encourages creativity but also promotes teamwork and self-improvement.
2. Have A Kid-Friendly Game Competition
Kids love to play games, so making it a part of your New Year’s Eve celebration is a no-brainer. Consider having a mini-Olympics competition with various games such as relay races, obstacle courses, and sack races.
Simple and fun games like charades, Pictionary, or a scavenger hunt are also great options to keep the kids entertained. Not only will these games provide endless entertainment, but they will also help develop teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Looking for some great games to play? Dive into our guide on party & drinking games, and discover a world of laughter, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments.
3. Throw A New Year’s Eve Costume Party
Who says costumes and dressing up are just for Halloween? Get your little ones excited by encouraging them to dress up in their favorite costumes for New Year’s Eve. You can also make it a themed costume party, such as superheroes or movie characters.
Not only will this add an element of fun to the celebration, but it will also provide great photo opportunities for you and your kids to look back on. You’ll also be amazed at the creativity and imagination your kids will showcase with their costumes.
4. Watch A New Year’s Eve Movie Marathon
The holidays are the perfect time to snuggle up and watch movies with your loved ones, and New Year’s Eve is no exception. Create a cozy movie night for your kids by selecting a few family-friendly movies to watch together.
Include classics like “Home Alone” or “The Incredibles,” or opt for newer releases like “Trolls World Tour” or “Soul.” Make it even more festive by serving themed snacks or hot cocoa during the movie marathon.
Once the kids are asleep, why not infuse your holiday movie night with extra cheer using Christmas movie drinking games? Experience festive films in a whole new way with laughter, friends, and spirited enjoyment.
5. Throw a family dance party!
Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to groove the night away with your little ones. Create a playlist of upbeat songs that are appropriate for all ages and let loose on the dance floor.
You can also make it into a competition by having a dance-off or creating teams and choreographing a routine. Not only is this activity great exercise, but it’s also an excellent way to bond and create fun memories with your family.
6. Make New Year’s Eve Snacks and Treats
Stressed about keeping the kids entertained throughout the night? Why not involve them in meal preparation by making fun and festive snacks together?
Let your little ones help decorate cupcakes, make homemade pizza, or create a DIY sundae station. Not only will this keep them busy, but it’s also an excellent way to spend quality time together as a family.
7. Create a DIY Photobooth
Speaking of photos, why not create a DIY photobooth for your kids to enjoy? Set up a backdrop using some leftover wrapping paper or balloons and provide props like hats, glasses, and mustaches.
Your kids will have a blast taking silly photos and creating memories they can look back on. You can also print out the photos and make scrapbooks or hang them up around the house as decorations.
8. Organize a ‘mocktail’ station
If you’re planning on having a few drinks to ring in the new year, consider setting up a ‘mocktail’ station for your little ones. Have them mix and create their own non-alcoholic cocktails using fruit juices, sodas, and syrups.
This activity not only keeps them entertained but also promotes creativity and responsibility by teaching them about mixing drinks. Plus, they’ll feel included in the celebration while sipping on their fancy mocktails!
Best New Year’s Eve Activities For Kids
Nothing says New Year’s Eve like fun and engaging activities for kids. Here are a few family-friendly activity ideas that will keep the kids entertained. Let’s create favorite memories together with these fun party game ideas!
1. Would You Rather for Kids
A fun variation of the classic game, Would You Rather for Kids is a great way to get your little ones talking and laughing. Simply prepare a list of silly and lighthearted ‘Would You Rather’ questions and have everyone take turns answering.
This game is perfect for any New Year’s Eve party because it can get everyone involved in the conversation and gives people a chance to learn more about each other during this family celebration.
Some questions you could ask include:
- Would you rather only be able to eat pizza for the rest of your life or never be able to eat pizza again?
- Would you rather have super strength or the ability to fly?
- Would you rather live in a castle with no internet or in a small house with high-speed wifi?
- Would you rather be three years older or three years younger?
- Would you rather always tell the truth or never tell a lie?
- Would you rather have a pet dragon or a pet unicorn?
- Would you rather be smart or rich?
- Would you rather be a tiger or a lion?
Spark laughter with our Would You Rather for kids, playful scenarios creating delightful moments and engaging conversations.
2. Truth or Dare for Kids
This classic party game never goes out of style, even for kids! Prepare a list of age-appropriate truths and dares for your little ones to choose from. They can either answer a question truthfully or complete a dare given by another player.
Some kid-friendly dares could include:
- Dance in front of everyone at the party!
- Eat a spoon with ketchup!
- Give someone a big hug!
- Give the player next to you a kiss on the cheek!
- Tell your funniest joke!
- Show us your best dance move!
- Sing a song in a silly voice!
- Share your most embarrassing moment!
As for truths, some ideas could include:
- What do you want to achieve this year?
- If you could have anything in the world right now, what would it be?
- What is the name of your crush?
- What was your favorite part about today?
- What is your funniest memory from last year?
- If you could be any fictional character, who would you be?
- What is your biggest fear?
- Who do you look up to the most in your life and why?
Elevate family fun and playdates with our 500+ Truth or Dare ideas for kids, offering a diverse compilation of silly antics and heartwarming questions that create lasting memories and foster camaraderie.
3. Host a Themed New Year’s Eve Party
Add an extra level of excitement to your New Year’s Eve celebration by hosting a themed party for kids! Let them choose their favorite theme, whether it’s superheroes, princesses, or pirates, and let them dress up for the occasion.
You can also incorporate the theme into games and activities, such as pin the tail on the donkey for a farm-themed party or a treasure hunt for a pirate-themed party. Get creative and make decorations to match the theme to truly bring it to life.
Another fun idea is to have a costume contest with prizes for the best-dressed. This not only adds an element of competition but also encourages kids to use their imaginations and get into character.
4. Host a Trivia Night
Put your kids’ knowledge to the test with a fun game of trivia! Prepare questions about pop culture, history, or general knowledge and get the whole family involved in playing.
You can also make it into a team competition by dividing everyone into groups and keeping score. This is not only an entertaining activity but also educational for kids as they learn new facts and information.
Encourage learning through play with our Trivia Questions for Kids! Explore diverse subjects, creating an interactive way for children to engage with different topics.
5. Watch the ball drop together
One of the most iconic moments of New Year’s Eve is watching the ball drop in Times Square at midnight. While it may not be possible to actually be there, you can still recreate the experience by tuning in to a live broadcast on TV.
Gather your family around and count down together as you await the new year. It’s also a great opportunity to talk about resolutions and goals for the upcoming year.
6. Most Likely To For Kids
Another fun and interactive game for kids is a version of ‘Most Likely To’. Simply have each player write their name on a piece of paper and put them all in a bowl.
Then, take turns drawing out names and asking questions like “Who is most likely to become famous?” or “Who is most likely to travel around the world?”
Here are a few other ideas for questions:
- Who is most likely to eat all Halloween candy before Christmas?
- Who is most likely to start a new hobby next year?
- Who is most likely to change the most over a year?
- Who is most likely always to forget birthdays?
- Who is most likely to want to get a new sibling next year?
- Who is most likely to love New Year’s Eve?
- Who is most likely to stay up the latest?
- Who is most likely to become a teacher?
- Who is most likely to become an astronaut?
- Who is most likely to win a Nobel Peace Prize?
Bring laughter to family time with our Most Likely To questions for kids, entertaining scenarios fostering connections.
7. 5 Seconds Game for Kids
A fast-paced and exciting game, the 5 Seconds Game is perfect for kids who love to think on their feet. Simply set a timer for five seconds and ask a player to name three things in a specific category before time runs out.
Some categories you can use are:
- Name three animals that start with the letter “S”.
- Name three colors of the rainbow.
- Name three fruits that are red.
- Name three things you bring to the beach.
- Name three Disney movies.
You can also make it more challenging by increasing the number of items they have to name or giving them a shorter time limit. It’s a great way to get kids thinking and laughing at the same time!
Master quick thinking with the 5 Seconds game! Unveil rules, variations, and have a laughter-filled party.
8. Create a Time Capsule
A time capsule is a fun and meaningful activity for kids to do on New Year’s Eve. Have them gather items that represent their current interests, hobbies, or things they want to remember from the past year.
You can also add in photos, handwritten notes, or drawings to make it even more personal. Then, bury the time capsule in your backyard or keep it in a safe place and open it on New Year’s Eve the following year to see how much has changed.
It’s a great way for kids to reflect on their growth and memories throughout the year. Plus, they’ll have something special to look forward to opening next New Year’s Eve.
With these fun and creative New Year’s Eve party ideas and activities for kids, you can countdown to 2024 in style! From themed parties to interactive games, there are plenty of ways to make the celebration memorable for your little ones.
So gather your family together and ring in the new year with joy and laughter! Cheers to a happy and healthy 2024!
