bubbles. If you do not have droppers, kids can pour small amounts of vinegar over the baking soda with cups.
Bake a Clock
If your kids love baking, one fun and delicious activity is to make a countdown clock. You can do this by baking cookies or cupcakes and arranging the treats in a circle on a round serving platter or pizza pan. Decorate each with the numbers of the clock and use licorice sticks such as Twizzlers as clock hands to mark the time.
Balloons, Balloons, Balloons
It’s not a party without balloons, right? Confetti-filled balloons will brighten up your space; then, you can pop them at midnight for a confetti shower! Make your own or buy them on Amazon. You can fill them with helium or not – either way, the kids will love them. If you really want to wow the kids, stage your own balloon drop! You can make one by taping a plastic party tablecloth filled with balloons to your ceiling or buy a kit on Amazon.
Milk and Cookie Cocktails
Every party needs snacks! Serve up milk and cookies in style by coating the rims of small glasses, or even wine glasses, with colorful sprinkles. Spread a thin layer of honey or corn syrup on a plate, and then pour out sprinkles onto a separate plate. Dip the rims of glasses in honey or corn syrup then dredge in the sprinkles (Leave the glass upside down in the sprinkles for a few minutes so that the sprinkles do not slide down the glass). Cool the glasses in the fridge, fill with cold milk, and serve with cookies.
Family Time Capsule
Putting a time capsule together as a part of your New Year’s Eve activities can be an excellent way to reflect on the past year. It can be as simple or elaborate as you wish! Grab a shoebox or big manila envelope and gather your time capsule items. Here are some ideas for what to include: your child’s handprint, a family picture, and an interview (Question your kids about their current likes and dislikes, life goals. It will be fun in the moment and joy to look back on next year. You can Google “interview questions for kids” for ideas on what questions to ask – some bloggers even offer printable Q-and-A forms). Once finished, tuck away your time capsule and open next year.
New Year’s Eve Picture Books
The night can get long, and a quiet break for storytime could be great for everyone. Try one of these holiday-themed books to balance out the activities: • The Night Before New Year’s by Natasha Wing: The kids want to stay up until midnight, but can they make it? • Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution by Pat Miller is a fun way to explain New Year’s Resolutions to children. • Shante Keys and the New Year’s Peas by Gail PiernasDavenport: This book introduces kids to the way people celebrate New Year’s in different cultures.
W
hatever you choose to do with your family on the eve of the New Year, you can make sure it is memorable with these sure-fire party pleasers.