New Year's Eve is probably the loudest, most exciting holiday for many people, especially for kids. Anticipating the coming of a new year is simply thrilling! Since we have kids, we really were thinking about some alternatives to the traditional parties (with drinking) that we think of at this time of year. We were surprised to find there are many ways to make this event extra special, fun, exciting, and memorable for the little ones. Here are some ways to celebrate New Year's Eve with the kids:
1. Make Fireworks Rings
These cute rings that look like colorful fireworks will surely be a hit to little girls. All you need are some tensil stems and a little creativity. Kids will enjoy making these fancy New Year's eve rings. It's fun, quick, and easy to do.
2. Go to a Theme Park
Many theme parks have kid-friendly celebrations. Disneyland has nightly fireworks but LegoLand usually does an early fireworks and “ball drop” for the kids. Here's a recent review we did on a guidebook for Disneyland that you can use to get the most out of your trip.
3. Make Noisemakers
Get an empty plastic bottle, some pennies, rice, or beans, ribbons, and colored tissue paper and some glue, and you and your kids are ready to make some noise and welcome the new year with cheer! DIY Noisemaker
4. Take a Train Ride
In Southern California, you can ride Metro buses and rail lines for free on New Year's Eve. A few years ago, we took the train for free out to Los Angeles from San Bernardino, walking to Olvera Street and Phillipe's for a fun day out!
5. Make a Firework Pop-up
Kids simply put their fancy “firework” colors (made from colorful paper cut-outs, glitters, and sequins) inside the black cone, jump then swish their hand or just pop it and let all the fireworks shower them. This paper firework pop-up sure is a lot of fun!
6. Plan a Game Night
Plan a night in with friends and family around the table, playing games. My friend Holly hosts an awesome game night – with games on multiple tables and ping pong in her backroom. There's something to do for everyone in a safe, fun environment! This scrapbook page was from the game night a few years back, when Matthew was playing with the toys in the kids play room while we all played Sequence.
7. Make Confetti Party Poppers
Make your New Year's eve party even more fun and awesome with confetti! The kids will surely love making and “popping” these DIY confetti party poppers.
8. Make a Sparkler Firework Craft
Now if you prefer not to have too much scattered confetti, pieces of paper, glitters etc. after the celebration, make these colorful sparkler firework craft. No mess. Only pure fun!
9. List New Year's Resolutions
Sounds boring to the kiddos? Then make it exciting for them! Try making these colorful, artistic framed New Year's resolutions using felt paper, colored popsicle sticks, ribbons, and cute decorations for the frame.
10. Christmas Tree to New Year's Tree
Don't pull your Christmas tree down yet. Turn it to a New Year's tree! Why not! Blow some colorful balloons, grab some party blowers and ribbons, and a “2015” ornament, put them on the tree and there you have it; a new tree for a new year!
11. Paint Fireworks!
Every kid loves colours, colorful paint, and paintbrushes. So try this quick and easy firework painting activity. All you need are some tensil stems formed to look like fireworks, some paint, and paper.
12. Make Countdown Balloons
Make your New Year's countdown more exciting than yelling 5-4-3-2-1! Make countdown balloons! Pop each balloon as each hour passes and read the note inside the balloon to find out the activity for the hour. These countdown balloons will surely make each hour fun, loud, and exciting!
13. Make Countdown Treat/Activity Bags
Another way to countdown for the new year is making these creative New Year's eve countdown bags. Do an activity or give treats to the kids for each hour. For example, start the countdown at 6pm. The bags for that time contains notebooks and pens. Have the kids write down their goals for the new year. At 7pm, it's snacks time. At 8pm, make party hats. At 9pm, sing a song. At 10pm, it's dancing time! At 11pm play an exciting game. And at 12 midnight, get your poppers, sparklers, party blowers, and horns, and welcome the new year with a bang!
14. Go Out To Dinner
Before the big crowds come out, enjoy a dinner at a diner or fun place to eat, like Pink's Hot Dogs in Los Angeles or even your local Denny's. Here's a list of restaurants offering specials on New Year's Eve. The kids will think it is special and you can have your last hurrah before that diet you're starting on January 1. This scrapbook page above was about our visit to Pink's Hot Dogs one year…
15. Take a Road Trip In A Day
Okay, so as you can see on my scrapbook page, we didn't go on this road trip on New Year's Day. But you can… find a scenic byway in your area, like the Palms to Pines Scenic Byway here in Southern California, and take a drive. Pack a picnic lunch and spend the day exploring., hiking, and making memories. If you are making resolutions to travel more, this is a great, inexpensive way to get started (cost is gas and food).
I hope you'll have a loud, exciting, and safe New Year's eve celebration with the little ones!
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