"Spending New Year’s Eve as a family can be one of the most special ways to connect and create new memories. While the grown-ups look forward to toasting at midnight, there’s nothing that says you can’t have an early celebration that includes the whole family—even babies, toddlers, and little kids. Making the countdown to the new year special with little ones is all about having fun New Year’s Eve crafts and activities ready to go.
In years past we always made a point to go out on December 31, but lately, celebrating at home has been our go-to plan. And if you find yourself in a similar situation this year and are looking for cute and easy ways to celebrate the new year with your little ones, this round-up is for you.
Below, we’ve curated a list of 30+ simply fun activities—from crafts and printables to party ideas and games—you can do at home with your kids this New Year’s Eve. Cheers, Everymoms!
1. Felt Pom-Pom Crown
When it comes to New Year’s Eve decorations, it’s temping to declutter and throw them out after all the celebrating is done—especially if they feature a specific year. This year, make pom-pom crowns that will last you for years to come.
2. Pom-Pom Poppers
Every New Year’s celebration deserves a pop! These pom-pom poppers are great because they’re easy to make and clean up.
3. Printable New Year’s Eve Garland
What better way to display all the things you were grateful for this past year than hanging the sentiments on a garland for all to see? Have each person color their own printout and tie it on the string. It’s a great keepsake, too.
4. New Year’s Eve Fondue Party for Kids
Make this NYE super special for your little ones by setting up a treat just for them. With easy cheese and chocolate fondue recipes, this is one DIY celebration idea you won’t want to pass up!
5. Printable Countdown Clock
Decorate this printable countdown clock. Every hour, uncover your beautiful masterpiece until the clock strikes midnight.
6. New Year’s Eve Fizzy Baking Soda Experiment
The little scientists in your house will love this experiment. You can make this classic vinegar and baking soda activity extra special with a few simple items from your local dollar store.
7. DIY Confetti Sticks
It wouldn’t be a New Year’s Eve celebration without confetti! Your little ones will love making these confetti sticks that they can customize with all their favorite colors.
8. New Year’s Eve Party Hat Printables
A coloring sheet that doubles as a festive hat is the perfect two-for-one craft your little ones will love to make—and wear on December 31st!
9. New Year’s Eve Rice Shaker
There are so many ways to make shakers. Add to the noise as you count down from 10 with a homemade rice shaker.
10. New Year’s Confetti Poppers
New Year’s Eve is without-a-doubt the most sparkle-filled holiday out there. Take your celebration to the next level with these poppers you can make in three easy steps.
11. New Year’s Eve Mad Libs Printable
Make sure everyone starts the new year smiling with these celebratory Mad Libs. Everyone can show off their creative side while making each other laugh.
12. New Year’s Eve Balloon Clock Countdown
A fun craft that doubles as an adorable photo op always gets our stamp of approval, and this simple balloon clock does just that.
13. New Year’s Eve Word Scramble Printable
For a fun activity that’s secretly educational, try these printable word scrambles.
14. Fireworks Egg Carton Craft
Live fireworks and confetti poppers aren’t the only things that get to pop at the end of this year. Make a pop of art with this engaging craft that turns a recycled egg carton into colorful fireworks!
15. Unicorn Slime
This craft combines two things little ones can’t get enough of: magical creatures and slime. We know this will be their favorite craft of the night. (Mom Hack: Bookmark this tutorial on how to get slime out of clothes for when you’ll inevitably need it later!)
16. New Year’s Word Search Printable
Another educational printable that’s fun for everyone, this word search features holiday-themed phrases like “countdown,” “confetti,” and “midnight”!
17. DIY New Year’s Eve Headbands
Before you head to the dollar store for NYE wearables, consider making them at home as a family with this fun DIY activity.
18. DIY New Year’s Eve Party Crackers
The best part of these party crackers is you can stuff them with the filling of your choice! Choose from confetti, noisemakers, and more for a fun surprise each time.
19. Sparkly New Year Suncatcher
Look forward to New Year’s morning by crafting your own suncatcher on New Year’s Eve night. The new year will already be looking brighter with this pretty DIY decor piece.
20. New Year’s Resolution Worksheet Printable
Help your kiddos create some meaningful goals for the year ahead with this printable resolution worksheet. We know it will warm your heart to see the responses they come up with.
21. DIY New Year’s Eve Photo Props
Make the night memorable and set up a photo booth. Display these New Year’s Eve photo props for everyone to take pictures with. Oh, the memories!
22. Homemade Brownie Bowl Banana Splits
Your little ones will love making this fun and unique treat. They won’t have much time to admire their hard work, though! They’ll want to eat these tasty treats as soon as possible.
23. Fireworks In a Jar
This is a great alternative if your kids are sensitive to the noise that fireworks bring. You can still show them a beautiful show by making fireworks in a jar. They’ll surely be awed!
24. New Year’s Fortune Cookie Messages
See what the new year has in store by making these DIY fortune cookies. Kids will love making them and handing them out to everyone at school after holiday break.
25. New Year’s Bingo
Bingo is always a fun family activity, and this free printable turns it into an extra-festive game to ring in the New Year.
26. New Year’s Ball Drop Craft
Even if they won’t be awake to watch the ball drop on TV, your littles can participate in the tradition by making their own NYE ball drop craft.
27. Cupcake Bar
While the grownups sip on some adult beverages, make a bar fitted for kids, too—a cupcake bar! Top some yummy cupcakes with white frosting and leave out an assortment of toppers, like sprinkles and chocolate, for the kids to decorate. Instead of toasting to a drink, cheers each other with festive cupcakes.
28. New Year’s Celebration Shakers
It wouldn’t really be a celebration without making a little noise. The best crafty way to do that is with these fun DIY noisemakers.
29. Toddler Bubble Wands
Fireworks don’t have to be the only thing dancing through the air as we head into the New Year. Try making these star-shaped bubble wands with a pop of glam instead.
30. New Year’s Eve Time Capsule Printable
Preserve some of the precious details that have defined your kiddo’s year. This printable capsule is a charming little series of questions about everything from their shoe size to their goals and favorite things.
31. Paper Plate Noise Maker
This vibrant paper plate shaker filled with pasta, beads or the like and adorned with colorful ribbon is a simple yet celebratory way to give life to the evening. If your little ones don’t know how to curl ribbon yet, then it’s also a fun opportunity to teach them how.
32. Wishing Wand
New Year’s Eve is a time of high hopes and fresh wishes, and this enchanting wishing wand is a creative way to encapsulate your child’s wishes for next year. The added sequins and glitter certainly sprinkle a little magic on top to help wishes come true, too!
33. New Years Handprint Craft
Need a toddler-friendly craft? Have your little one dip their fingers in different colors of paint. Then dot each finger on a piece of paper. All the different colors will give you a NYE confetti look.
34. Easy Family Time Capsule For New Year’s Eve
Start a new family tradition by making your very own family time capsule every NYE. Put a few items that represent your year in a jar or a decorated shoe box, and stash it away. It will be a fun activity to open the following year!
Julia Poulter, Senior Managing Editor
With more than 10 years of editorial experience, Julia is passionate about bringing motherhood stories to life and providing moms with interesting and informative parenting content. Prior to joining The Everygirl Media Group in 2019, she served as Executive Editor at Closer Weekly. As The Everymom’s Senior Managing Editor, Julia helps manage the brand’s editorial calendar and content strategy.
Patty Schepel, Editorial Intern
As the editorial intern, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. When she’s not working, you can find her spending time with her family, training for half marathons—she ran one 16 weeks pregnant—traveling, cooking, reading a rom-com, and keeping her sourdough starter, Rose, alive.