How to Throw a Kid-Friendly New Year’s Eve Celebration

Looking for ways the whole family can get into the spirit of New Year's Eve without anyone missing bedtime? Keep reading to uncover four kid-friendly ideas from the National Inventors Hall of Fame^® that will help you ring in the new year together – even if you don't make it 'til midnight!

Get Party-Ready

Decor is an important part of any grand celebration, but you don’t need to break the bank to make your day unforgettable. Try printing and cutting out seasonal photo props, or grab some colorful paper, pens and glitter and encourage your child to put their creativity to the test by making one-of-a-kind photo decorations! Consider designing paper hats, “Happy New Year” signs or silly outfit additions to give your captured memories a bit of festive flair.

After snapping some pictures as a family, get ready to make some noise for 2024 with DIY confetti poppers! These instructions will help you use common household items to create big fun. Plus, you can use this activity to teach your child about sound, projectiles, and cause and effect.

Share Yummy Sweets

No party is complete without a treat! To keep warm and make certain everyone loves their drink, set up a festive hot cocoa bar. Start with a simple pot of instant hot cocoa and divide it among mugs. Then, gather an assortment of toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, white chocolate or sprinkles so that everyone can add their own innovative twist to the holiday favorite.

If you want a dessert to pair with your drinks, cake pops are simple and delicious. While your child might not stay up until midnight to see the ball drop in New York City, they can celebrate with their own cake balls using this easy recipe. Bonus — as you bake, you’re demonstrating real-world examples of STEM concepts like physical and chemical changes!

Look to the New Year

While you enjoy your snacks together, take time to discuss your family’s New Year’s resolutions. What are each of your goals for the upcoming year? What steps can you take together to achieve these aspirations?

If your young one is still thinking about all they want to accomplish in the coming year, encourage them to share their hopes for the new year in another way. Artistic children may opt for creating a mood board filled with images and words that will help them communicate their current feelings and interests. If your family is feeling adventurous, you could even compile a bucket list to fill your new calendar with lots of family time!

Don’t Forget the Countdown

Perhaps the most common festivity on New Year’s Eve is participating in the countdown to the new year. To avoid waiting until midnight to participate, you can work a kid-friendly countdown into your party plans. Get ready to break out the sparkling apple juice and still make bedtime in one of these fun ways:

• Celebrate “Noon Year’s Eve” and do your 12 o’clock countdown during the day 
   
• Livestream a global countdown event occurring in a time zone hours ahead of your own 
   
• Check out a New Year’s Eve countdown specifically for kids — you might even find that their favorite characters have a version online!

Start the Year With More STEM Fun

Check out our blog for more awesome educational activities kids can do at home!