When it comes to New Year’s Eve, it can sometimes be a challenge to keep the youngest members of the family entertained. Luckily, there are a multitude of fun-filled and engaging New Year’s Eve activities that cater to kids of all ages. From creative crafts and delightful games to themed snacks and festive traditions, this list of 27 activities will ensure that your New Year’s celebration is one to remember for both children and adults alike.
1. DIY Balloon Drop
Transform your living room into a mini Times Square with a DIY balloon drop. All you need are some plastic tablecloths, party balloons, string, and a safety pin. Hang the balloons from the ceiling and let them fall at the stroke of midnight. This easy-to-set-up activity is sure to bring a lot of excitement and joy to your New Year’s Eve celebration. (1)
2. Memory Makers: Photo Booth and Props
Set up an interactive photo booth station with a sparkly backdrop, a ring light, and some DIY props. Kids will love dressing up and taking fun photos throughout the night. Create a custom family hashtag to easily find and share everyone’s photos later. This activity not only entertains but also captures precious memories of your celebration. (2)
3. Countdown Bags for Kids
Prepare a series of countdown bags for the kids to open each hour. Fill them with small treats, toys, or games to keep them engaged as they count down to midnight. This activity helps maintain excitement and anticipation throughout the evening and ensures that the little ones stay entertained. (3)
4. Minute to Win It Challenges
Organize a series of Minute to Win It challenges, which are perfect for getting everyone moving and laughing. Some popular games include Cookie Face (balancing a cookie on your forehead), Stack Attack (stacking cups), and Penny Tower (stacking pennies using only one hand). These quick and fun games are great for all ages and add a competitive spirit to your New Year’s Eve party. (4)
5. Personal Touches: Family Awards and Time Capsule
Create personalized family awards to celebrate each member’s unique achievements and contributions over the past year. Additionally, start a New Year’s Eve time capsule tradition. Have everyone fill out a questionnaire and decorate a small container with their hopes, dreams, and memories from the past year. Open last year’s time capsule before creating the new one to see how everyone has grown and changed. (5)
6. Sparkler Time
Bundle up and head outside for a magical moment with sparklers. Have fun creating light paintings in the dark winter sky. Remember to supervise the kids closely and follow safety precautions to ensure a fun and safe experience. (6)
7. European Feast
Introduce a bit of international flair to your New Year’s Eve celebration by serving raclette, a traditional Alpine cheese that’s melted and scraped onto potatoes and bread. This German-inspired feast engages all the senses and provides a unique cultural experience for the whole family. (7)
8. Craft Some NYE Hats
Get the kids involved in making their own New Year’s Eve party hats. Use free printable templates and let them decorate the hats with glitter, stickers, and other craft supplies. This activity is fun and helps set the celebratory mood for the evening. (8)
9. Fancy Cup Decoration
Enhance your kids’ New Year’s Eve drinks by having them decorate fancy cups. Provide them with markers, stickers, and other decorative items to personalize their cups for sparkling cider or other festive beverages. This simple activity keeps kids engaged and involved in the party preparations. (9)
10. DIY Noisemakers
Create homemade noisemakers using materials like paper plates, beans, markers, and stickers. Kids can personalize their noisemakers and have a blast shaking them at the countdown to midnight. Crafting these noisemakers adds an element of creativity and fun to the celebration. (10)
11. New Year’s Eve Fortune Cookies
Make and share New Year’s Eve paper fortune cookies with motivating resolutions or silly messages inside. Crafting these fortune cookies adds a special touch to the night and provides a fun activity for the kids. (11)
12. Pom-Pom Poppers
Create DIY pom-pom poppers, which are cheerful, cute, and celebratory. This noise- and mess-free activity involves using balloons and pom-poms to create a festive popper. Kids will love the excitement and the colorful display when the pom-poms are released. (12)
13. Disco Ball Dance Party
No New Year’s Eve party is complete without a disco ball. Craft your own DIY disco ball or purchase one to create a fun dance party atmosphere. Turn up the music and let the kids dance the night away to ring in the New Year. (13)
14. Festive Beverages
Stir up some festive beverages like cotton candy drinks, where cotton candy is dissolved in sparkling cider or other drinks. Kids will enjoy the sweetness and visual delight of this fun beverage. Check out recipes for other kid-friendly mocktails to serve throughout the night. (14, 15)
15. Smorgasbord Snack Table
Prepare a kid-friendly smorgasbord of appetizers, such as mac and cheese bites, chicken tenders, and pigs in a blanket. Get the kids involved by letting them make their own pizzas or nachos, adding their favorite toppings and ingredients. This interactive snack table keeps kids engaged and well-fed throughout the celebration. (15)
16. Party Hat Treats
Create party hat treats using blonde brownies topped with colorful sprinkles, resembling party hats. These adorable and tasty treats are fun to make and even more fun to eat, adding a festive touch to your snack table. (15, 16)
17. Walk the Nearby Holiday Lights
Take the kids on a walking tour of the nearby holiday lights. Dress warmly, enjoy the sparkling displays, and burn off some of that excess energy before heading back home for hot cocoa and indoor activities. This outdoor adventure adds excitement and a bit of holiday magic to the evening. (17)
18. Scavenger Hunt
Organize a New Year’s Eve-themed scavenger hunt with clues and items related to the holiday. Create your own list or find printable scavenger hunt templates online. This activity encourages exploration and teamwork while keeping the kids entertained. (18)
19. New Year’s Resolutions
Have the kids write down or draw their New Year’s resolutions using free printable worksheets. This activity encourages reflection and goal-setting, helping kids think about the past year and what they hope to achieve in the coming year. (19)
20. 2025 Goals List
Ask the kids to create a list of goals or a vision board for 2025. Help them brainstorm ideas and write down their aspirations for the new year. Whether it’s learning a new skill, trying a new hobby, or giving back to the community, this activity fosters positive thinking and motivation. (19, 20)
21. Photo Booth Fun
Set up a photo booth with fun props and a festive backdrop. Kids will have a blast taking silly and creative photos, capturing the fun of the night. This activity is perfect for all ages and provides plenty of laughs and memorable moments. (21, 22)
22. Noon Year’s Eve Celebration
For families with young kids who can’t stay up until midnight, celebrate Noon Year’s Eve instead. Have a countdown and celebration at 12 p.m., complete with a mini-balloon drop, noisemakers, and a snack table. This option ensures that the little ones can enjoy the festivities without staying up late. (23)
23. Different Time Zone Countdown
Celebrate New Year’s Eve by ringing in the New Year according to a different time zone. Stream celebrations from around the world and learn about different New Year’s traditions. This activity allows the kids to experience the global celebration of the New Year and possibly hit the hay a bit earlier. (24)
24. Countdown Goody Bags
Use countdown goody bags to distribute small treats and surprises leading up to midnight. Label each bag with the hour to be opened and fill them with fun items like snacks, small toys, or activity materials. This keeps the excitement building and gives the kids something to look forward to each hour. (24, 25)
25. Create a Sleepy-Time Surprise
Set up cozy sleep tents for a special and cozy New Year’s Eve sleepover. Whether the kids are having a sleepover with friends or siblings, these festive sleep tents create a fun camping experience within the comfort of your home. (26)
26. Classic Board Games
Play classic board games like Monopoly, Scrabble, or Pictionary. These games are suitable for all ages and provide hours of entertainment for the entire family. (27)
27. Creative Countdown Ideas
Invent different creative ways to countdown to midnight, such as making a countdown clock game, where kids can play interactive games that help them learn to tell time while waiting for the New Year. With a plethora of activities and creativity, the countdown will be as much fun as the New Year’s arrival itself.
These 27 fun and lucky New Year’s Eve activities for kids ensure that your celebration is packed with entertainment, creativity, and joy. By integrating these ideas, you’ll create lasting memories and family traditions that everyone will look forward to year after year. Celebrate safely and enjoy ringing in 2025 with these engaging and delightful activities!
