Ringing in the New Year with your loved ones is a tradition for many families around the world. However, our little ones are often tucked up in bed by the time that midnight rolls around. So, why not make the celebrations for 2022 a little bit different? Use these top kids’ New Year’s Eve party ideas to help your child join in on the celebrations this year.
Ring in the New Year With a Kids’ New Year’s Eve Party
Every member of the family will be looking forward to a brand new year full of adventures, laughter, and everything else in between. Although your young children may want to stay up until midnight to celebrate with the adults, that’s not very realistic. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t join in on the celebrations.
Preparing a kids’ NYE countdown party full of exciting activities and games is a great way to get your kids involved on the day. This way you can all celebrate together as a family without having to risk your children being over-exhausted and cranky the next day. Below are some of our favorite ways to celebrate the New Year with our children.
10+ DIY New Year Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers
No kids’ New Year’s Eve party is complete without a selection of activities that will keep you and your kids entertained. Whether you are a board games type of family or prefer to get crafty, there are plenty of ideas below that will bring you all some joy.
New Year’s Eve Party Ideas
A kids’ New Year’s Eve countdown doesn’t have to be elaborate or over the top. The best New Year’s Eve activities for toddlers and preschoolers can often be those that are simple and family-centric. With that in mind, let’s take a look at which activities kids will enjoy most when ringing in 2022.
Mock Countdown
If your children are too young to stay up until midnight why not have a mock countdown instead? Simply set an alarm to go off at 8 pm, pass around some party hats and poppers and celebrate the New Year a little early. This way your child can join in on all the excitement while not missing out on their bedtime.
Photo Booth
No kids’ New Year’s Eve party is complete without your very own photo booth accompanied by some festive accessories. Whether you make a DIY photo booth with some sparkly tinsel and fairy lights or rent one, taking photos with your children (while looking only a little bit ridiculous wearing a glitter hat and glasses) will create very special memories for your family.
Host a Movie Marathon
Is your child a movie fan? Why not include a movie marathon on your list of New Year’s Eve activities for preschoolers. This can be a great way of wrapping up another year with your family. Perhaps you could re-watch your favorite movies from the year or take it as an opportunity to introduce your kids to some of the best educational kids’ movies that they haven’t seen yet.
Bake New Year Treats
Baking some delicious New Year treats with your kids that they can enjoy as part of their New Year’s Eve dinner is another great way to celebrate the start of 2022 together. Does your family have a tradition of making sugar cookies or gingerbread men for New Year’s Eve? If so, ask your kids to help you bake them.
This way you get to spend some quality time with them as the year comes to an end while getting to munch on some yummy treats.
New Year’s Eve Crafts
New Year’s crafts for toddlers and preschoolers is another activity that you should be including as part of your family’s kids’ New Year’s Eve party this year. From DIY firework decorations to confetti poppers that you can use to ring in 2022, there are plenty of craft ideas that you can use.
Confetti Poppers
No party is complete without some party poppers. Confetti poppers are a fun (albeit messy) way for your children to join in on the celebrations. For supplies, you’ll need a toilet paper tube, colored or tissue paper, confetti, ribbons, and any other craft supply you have for decoration. Use Craftaholics Anonymous’ instructions to create your own DIY confetti poppers.
DIY New Year’s Eve Ball
We all know of the iconic New Year’s Eve ball drop that happens in Times Square every year. So, why not make a glitter ball for your kids’ NYE countdown at home? All you will need is some glittery or sparkly paper, scissors, a hole punch, and thread for hanging. Tatertots and Jello have a great step-by-step DIY New Year’s Eve ball guide on their website.
Firework Decorations
Can’t see any firework displays where you live? No need to worry, your family can have their own firework display for New Year’s Eve. This guide to making firework decorations by Fantastic Fun and Learning is another excellent way of getting your children to experience an iconic New Year’s Eve activity from the comfort of their own home.
Happy New Year Garland
Missing festive bunting for your kids’ New Year’s Eve party? That just won’t do! Making and hanging a garland is another ideal New Year’s craft activity for young children that can be enjoyed by the whole family. All you need is some colored paper, alphabet letters, and gold string. Follow Vicky Barone’s instructions on how to make a DIY Happy New Year Garland.
New Year’s Books for Kids
The New Year’s festivities don’t have to stop once bedtime rolls around. Why not continue your child’s NYE countdown by reading them a book that celebrates welcoming a brand new year full of joy and excitement. Below are several of the New Year’s kids’ books that we love at Vivvi.
P. Bear’s New Year’s Party
P. Bear’s New Years Party by Paul Owen Lewis is a fun and beautiful story about a polar bear that decides to invite all of his animal friends to a party on the night of New Year’s Eve. As we are introduced to each of P. Bear’s guests, children learn how to count and how to identify different types of animals.
Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolutions
As we all know, the start of the New Year often means making resolutions for what you would like to do during the brand new year. In Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution by Pat Miller, your children will be introduced to Squirrel who is trying to understand what resolutions are. As she visits her friends in the forest and helps them to make their lists, she begins to wonder even more what should go on her New Year’s list of resolutions.
The Night Before New Year’s
The Night Before New Year’s by Natasha Wing should be in every child’s personal library. This gorgeous book talks about the traditions and symbols that surround New Year’s Eve such as festive party hats and sparkly streamers. As you read about the young children doing their best to stay awake until midnight, you and your child will be left laughing and smiling at all the New Year’s Eve festivities.
The Stars Will Still Shine
The Stars Will Still Shine by Cynthia Rylant is a comforting book for both parents and young children. It reminds you of how to admire the beauty in the simple things in life such as flowers and the stars. This is particularly for those who may find the New Year a more challenging time or for those young children that are unsure of change.
Our team at Vivvi would like to wish you and your family and a very happy and prosperous New Year.