New Year's crafts and activities for kids

New Year's Eve is exciting for children, even if most of them will not make it to midnight. These New Year's crafts and activities for kids help the whole family celebrate together, with party hats, noisemakers, countdown ideas, a "noon year" celebration for little ones and fun ways to look back on the year and plan the next one.

New Year's crafts for kids

1. Party hats. Roll card into a cone, staple it and decorate with glitter, stickers and a pom-pom on top.
2. Noisemakers. Put dried beans or rice between two paper plates, staple the edges and decorate. Shake at midnight!
3. Shaker bottles. Fill a small plastic bottle with rice, beads and glitter and glue the lid shut.
4. Paper confetti. Use a hole punch on colored paper to make confetti (and sweep it up together later).
5. Star garland. Color our star coloring pages in gold and silver, cut them out and string them up.
6. Countdown clock. Make a paper plate clock and move the hands closer to midnight as the evening goes on.
7. Fireworks art. Stamp toilet rolls cut into strips or a fork in bright paint on black paper.
8. Crowns. Decorate card crowns with the new year's number.
9. Party blowers. Decorate paper party blowers or make your own with paper tubes.
10. Paper lanterns. Fold and cut paper lanterns and hang them up.

Countdown activities

Children love counting down the hours to the new year.

Countdown bags

Fill 6 to 12 bags, one for each hour before bedtime or midnight. Each bag holds a small activity:

• A coloring page
• A craft kit (party hat or noisemaker)
• A game to play together
• A special snack
• A dance party song list
• A glow stick
• Pajamas and a story for bedtime

Balloon countdown

Put a slip of paper with an activity in each balloon. Pop one every hour.

A "noon year" party for little ones

Young children often cannot stay up until midnight, so celebrate at 12 noon instead! Do a countdown at 11:59, throw confetti, shake noisemakers and watch a recorded fireworks video. It gives them all the excitement of New Year without the late night.

Looking back: reflection activities

The new year is a great time for children to think about the year that has passed.

• Highlights list. Each family member shares their favorite memories of the year.
• Year in pictures. Draw your best moment of the year.
• "All about me" page. Write your age, height, favorite food, best friend and favorite book. Do it every year and compare.
• Gratitude list. Write or draw things you are thankful for. See how to teach gratitude.

Looking forward: goal setting for kids

Goals help children think about what they want to learn or try.

• One thing to learn. Ride a bike, swim, read a chapter book or learn the times tables.
• One thing to try. A new food, sport or hobby.
• One way to help. Help at home, be kind to a sibling, or help a friend.
• Goal jar. Write goals on paper and put them in a jar to open at the end of the year.
• Vision board. Cut pictures from magazines or draw things you hope for.

Keep goals small and achievable, and check in on them together during the year.

Time capsule

Make a family time capsule to open next New Year's Eve. Fill a box or jar with:

• Drawings and letters to your future self
• A photo of the family
• A list of favorite things this year
• Predictions for next year
• A small toy or souvenir

New Year's activities for the whole family

• Family game night. Board games, card games and charades.
• Dance party. Make a playlist of the year's favorite songs.
• Special dinner. Let children help plan and cook a special meal.
• Fancy dress. Dress up for the occasion with crowns and party hats.
• Movie marathon. Watch favorite films from the year.
• Coloring together. Calm mandala and pattern pages for quieter moments.

New Year around the world

New Year is celebrated in many different ways and at different times. Children can learn about Lunar New Year, with its red lanterns and dragon dances, and other new year traditions around the world. Count down in different time zones by watching how countries celebrate as midnight reaches them.

Safety tips

Keep children well back from fireworks and sparklers; glow sticks are a safe alternative. Make sure confetti and small craft pieces are out of reach of babies and toddlers.

After New Year

The first days of January can feel quiet after the holidays. Plan simple activities like winter crafts and walks. See our winter crafts for kids for snowflake and snowman ideas.

New Year's crafts by age

Toddlers

Shaker bottles, sticker crowns, painting with glitter glue and coloring big stars. Keep small pieces out of reach.

Preschoolers

Party hats, paper plate noisemakers, star garlands and fireworks stamping.

School age

Countdown clocks, time capsules, vision boards and goal jars. Older children can also plan the evening's countdown activities for younger siblings.

New Year in the classroom

When school starts again in January, teachers can use New Year themes: an "all about me this year" page, simple goals for the term, a class time capsule to open in summer and star garlands with each child's goal on a star.

Whatever you choose, the best part of New Year for children is feeling included in the celebration. A homemade hat, a noisy shaker and a countdown with the family make the evening memorable at any age.

Frequently asked questions

How do you celebrate New Year's Eve with kids?

Make party hats and noisemakers, do hourly countdown bags or balloons, have a family dance party and celebrate at noon for little ones who cannot stay up.

What is a noon year party?

A New Year celebration at 12 noon instead of midnight, with a countdown, confetti and noisemakers, so young children can enjoy the excitement.

How do I help my child set New Year goals?

Keep goals small and fun: one thing to learn, one thing to try and one way to help. Write them down and check in during the year.