by Angela S. Young

Created on: December 26, 2011

Once again a New Year approaches, and you want to include your children in the festivities.  The question is: what to do with them for the evening so they will enjoy it and understand the concept of ringing in a new year? Let’s explore a few options for making New Year’s Eve fun for your kids.

1.  Staying up late.  This is a given, but play it up to your children that this is one night when it’s alright to stay up late.  If they think they are getting away with something, it will increase the excitement of the evening.

2.  Invite other children (with or without parents).  Make a party of it and have other families at your home so the children have someone to play with.  Parents can help out with the kid’s games or just watch the antics as they go about doing more adult things.  Company always adds to the excitement level of any celebration.

3.  Games, games, games!  Have several card tables set up with various board games to play, plan out a charades type game or other interactive game that children and adults can enjoy.  You may set up tables for adults to play games and have children play at another table.  If they are still in the middle of things, they will love being able to play with their peers.  All age groups can play games like charades, pictionary or even New Year’s Bingo.  If you have a younger child, just pair him or her with an older child or an adult to play.  Depending on the weather and whether you have a safe place, kids could play games outside early in the evening while there is still light.  They can make snow angels or snow men, sled, have a snow-ball fight, or just play and have fun.

4.  Crafting.  Most kids love to make things.  Having a time for craft activities, such as making a hat for new years, allows the kids to do what they love and still learn some things about the New Year Celebration, why it’s celebrated, and even how others celebrate it.  This element also helps build excitement in the kids.

5.  Build up to the big moment.  What traditions does your family have in regards to the New Year celebration?  Do you watch the ball drop at Times Square?  Do you kiss someone at midnight?  This is a great time to create a family tradition.  Do build up the excitement as the end of the year approaches and do count down.  Whether you all count together or let one child be the ‘count down master’ for the year, use this as a time of tradition setting and family bonding. 

These ideas will get you started.  Use your imagination and see where it takes you.  Your children may also have ideas of things they would like to do such as bake cookies or make candy.  Remember, if you have fun, your children probably will too.  So, relax, smile, laugh, and enjoy your bringing in the New Year celebration.

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