19 Simple and Fun New Year’s Eve Party Ideas for Young Kids

New Year’s Eve doesn’t have to be a bust for our kids. Create a fun party for them with these New Year’s Eve party ideas for kids.

New Year’s Eve Kid’s Party

Usually when you think of New Year’s Eve you don’t think of having a kid’s party. Most people think of booze, staying up too late, and making unrealistic goals. However, it might be easier to include the kids than you think, and it doesn’t have to be at midnight. I know a lot of people who put their kids to bed at their regular bedtime and then they stay up and party, or they even just go to bed. haha.

Last year, we went to a friends house, and we were planning on putting our 3 year old to bed at their house, but he just kept playing and playing, so we decided to see when he would “zonk” out. He didn’t fall asleep until we took a picture together at midnight, and I was holding him in my arms. He was out in like 3 seconds. I didn’t think it was too bad to have him up at midnight one time a year.

Whichever family you might be, you can still have a little party or celebration with your kiddos to make it a memorable time for them, and create some family traditions. Also, you don’t have to use Midnight as your end time. Most young kids don’t know what time it is, so use 8:00 like it’s midnight and do a countdown at 8:00.

Here are some great party ideas for young kiddos that you can do on New Year’s Eve.

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New Year’s Eve Party Ideas

Balloon Clock

I thought this was a fun and creative idea. Blow up some balloons and put surprises in them, then number the balloons for what hour or time they have to pop them throughout the night. When they do, they will get a surprise. I actually did this once for our Anniversary, and the kids helped out. They had a blast!

You could also just use balloons to make an actual clock and move it with each hour so the kids understand a little more how it works. Here is the inspiration. 

Make New Year’s Resolutions

Have your kids make New Year’s resolutions. You can print off my Year in Review sheet for Kids that helps kids evaluate the year and what they are excited about next year.

Reflect on the Year

You could also make it a tradition to reflect on the year, the Year in Review sheets would come in handy for this as well, or you can check out the My Favorites of 2023 where kids can record all their favorite things and see how it changes through the years.

You can also go through these fun Kid’s questions that help them reflect on the past year and look forward to the New Year.

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Stay up late

You could make it a tradition to stay up late. Your kids get to go to bed whenever they want, but only on New Year’s Eve. You could camp out in the living room, or watch a movie to encourage them to fall asleep.

Make a Craft

You could make a New Year’s Eve noise maker so that when the countdown comes, they have something to go crazy with. You could also paint fireworks, or make fireworks with pipe cleaners, or make a disco ball with cupcake liners.

Decorate for New Year’s

Kids love to decorate. This could be a tradition for sure! You can find basically everything you need for this at Dollar Tree. They have some cheap and awesome décor items. I would also highly encourage some gold fringe foil backdrops, which would look good with any New Year’s party and a disco ball. 

Sparklers

All kids love to do sparklers. Buy a pack of those bad boys and you have a fun-filled party! They’re pretty inexpensive too. I also highly recommend the big ones!

New Year’s Eve Snacks

Make some fun treats and snacks for the kids. Here are 15 fun and creative New Year’s Eve snacks for kids.

Movie Night

Have a late-night family night with popcorn and treats.

Watch the ball

Do the traditional thing and watch the ball drop in New York. It’s always a fun thing to do.

Make your own New Year’s Ball

You could be super creative and make your own New Year’s Eve ball drop, here are some simple instructions.

Piñata

Do a New Year’s Eve piñata. Those are always super fun for kids!

New Year’s Eve Printables and Games

There are a ton of FREE New Year’s Eve printables out there for Bingo, I spy, or coloring pages. You can also check out my New Year’s Eve Scattergories, New Year’s Eve Pictionary, or Word Scramble. 

Or, check out my fun New Year’s Eve game pack, where there is fun for all ages!

Countdown

Do a New Year’s Eve countdown. You can use my 12-hour countdown guide, which will give you several different ideas and printables to create an activity every hour for 12 hours. A fun and exciting way to countdown the New Year.

Glow in the dark games

I think New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to do glow in the dark games. I don’t know how that came about, but it just seems to fit. You could play glow in the dark tic tac toe, glow in the dark slime, or ring toss.

Glow in the dark bands

Every New Year’s Eve party needs glow in the dark bands. 

Party Hats

Make, color, or buy party hats for the kiddos. You can find some at Dollar Tree in just about any color!

Hot chocolate

Make hot chocolate! This is my favorite hot chocolate recipe, or buy some crazy yummy flavors like these.

Make Confetti

What kid doesn’t love to make a mess? Make some homemade confetti to throw at Midnight!

Time Capsule

Make a time capsule every year. Write all the things you loved that year, goals you have, things you were doing and thinking, then see what it’s like next year! Here is a great way to make good time capsules.

Start a Goal Planner

Start teaching your kids how to set goals, be positive, and work hard by getting a planner and setting goals.

I hope you have an Awesome New Year’s Eve!

Check out these other New Year’s Activities:

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