25 Fun & Festive New Year’s Eve Party Ideas for Kids
Ring in the new year with 25 fun and easy New Year’s Eve party ideas for kids of all ages—perfect for family fun, games and memorable celebrations at home!
Looking for creative New Year’s Eve party ideas for kids that the entire family can enjoy? Whether you’re celebrating with toddlers or teens, hosting a group or just keeping things cozy at home in your living room, these kid-friendly ideas are the perfect way to ring in the upcoming year together.
The holiday season is a great time to make memories, and New Year’s Eve is no exception. This list of fun activities and party games will help you plan an unforgettable New Year’s celebration with the whole crew, no matter their ages.
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New Year’s Eve Party Ideas for Kids of All Ages
These 15 activities are ideal for kids of all ages, from toddlers to tweens, and are easy (and cheap!) to set up at home.
- DIY Balloon Drop
Create a simple balloon drop using a plastic tablecloth and tape. Fill it with balloons and let it fall during the big countdown. Kids LOVE the thrill. Bonus points if you add some silly string or sparkly pipe cleaners. - Create a Time Capsule
Have each family member write down their favorite memory from the past year and hopes for the following year on slips of paper. Put everything in a container or decorated jar to open the next NYE. - Countdown Bags by the Hour
Fill paper bags with small surprises (free printables, candy, stickers, party hats) and open one each hour leading up to midnight (or bedtime for little ones!). - Make New Year’s Eve Party Hats
Get crafty with paper plates, glue, glitter, and markers. Let kids design their own party hat treats! - Host a Living Room Dance Party
Crank up the music, turn off the lights, and break out the glow sticks for a kid-friendly dance party. Add a disco ball from the dollar store for extra fun. - New Year’s Eve Bingo or Scavenger Hunt
Download or make your own New Year’s Eve bingo cards featuring things like “sparkle,” “balloon,” “happy face,” and “party horn,” or use our free printable! - Year-in-Review Gratitude Jar
Reflect on the good things from the last year. Use a memory jar or bowl and fill it with small pieces of paper listing favorite moments. - Apple Cider Toast at “Midnight”
Let the kids sip apple cider or a fun drink from plastic champagne glasses when the ball drop happens (or do a kid-friendly countdown at 8pm!). - Family Game Night
Play classic board games, card games, or family-friendly games like charades or Pictionary. - Photo Booth Fun
Set up a simple backdrop with Christmas trees, balloons, and signs that say “Happy New Year!” Add fun props and take silly photos. - Glow-in-the-Dark Ring Toss
Use glow stick bracelets and empty water bottles for a festive nighttime party game! - Create a Wish List Chain
Kids write down goals or wishes for the next year on colorful strips of paper, then link them together to make a paper chain decoration filled with wishes for the new year. - Decorate DIY Noisemakers
Using slips of paper, plastic bottles, and beads, kids can create their own custom party poppers and noisemakers. - Create your New Years Goals as a Family
This is one of my own family’s very favorite traditions. As my children are still young, the kids draw their goals for the new year (like “learn to ride a bike,” or “take care of the kitty on my own”), and the grown ups write the words for them. We also create a “Family List” of goals we want to achieve in the next year, like “fill the local free pantry 4 times,” “go on a family cruise,” etc. Make sure to take photos of your children holding their lists! - Watch Fireworks from Different Cities
Look up time zones and livestream fireworks displays from around the world—fun and educational too! Our family usually finds these on YouTube.
New Year’s Eve Party Ideas for Young Children (Toddlers & Preschoolers)
These 5 ideas are designed with young children in mind—especially those who don’t quite understand what NYE is all about yet.
- Sensory Confetti Station
Fill bins with shredded paper, fruit slices, pom-poms, and safe glitter. Perfect for fine motor skills and safe fun activities! - Storytime with Books About the New Year
Snuggle up and read books like Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution or The Night Before New Year’s. - Countdown with Balloons and Colors
Use colored balloons for each hour leading up to bedtime. Pop one and do a fun activity or sing a song with each! - DIY Firework Painting
Use paper plates, forks and paint to make colorful “fireworks.” You can also use toilet paper rolls to make paint fireworks, too. It’s messy, yes, but also a great time. - Early Countdown and Pajama Party
Have a fake countdown at 7 or 8pm, complete with snacks, fun party games and toddler and preschooler crafts for New Years Eve, followed by a movie in PJs.
New Year’s Eve Party Ideas for Older Kids & Teens
Older kids and tweens want something cooler than party hats and glitter glue. These 5 ideas hit the mark.
- TikTok Dance Challenge
Have a family dance floor and let older kids choreograph a happy new year routine. Film it to post on social media! - Game Tournament Night
Host a friendly competition with classic games like Uno, Jenga, or trivia. Winner gets a fun prize or gets to pick the first snack in the new year. - Reflect and Set Goals
Use free printable activity sheets to fill in reflections about the past year and new year’s resolutions. Pair with our New Year’s Resolution for Kids post for support. - Vision Board Party
Give everyone a piece of paper, magazines, scissors, and glue. Let them dream up their perfect upcoming year. - Movie Marathon & Midnight Toast
Let teens pick 2–3 favorites (maybe one from the last year) and watch until new year’s day begins. Serve mocktails or sparkling apple cider for the toast.
Final Thoughts on Kids’ New Year’s Eve Parties
Planning New Year’s Eve parties for kids doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you throw a big eve celebration with the entire family or keep things simple at home, what matters most is spending quality time together.
From crafting a DIY time capsule to playing silly New Year’s Eve games, these fun ideas are a wonderful way to make lasting memories with your favorite people.
Happy New Year from our family to yours!
