New Year's Eve activities for kids at home tonight

New Year's Eve activities for kids can be simple, inexpensive and fun enough to keep the whole family busy until midnight. Set up an hourly countdown with small surprise bags, play a few family games, make a New Year's goals page and finish with a countdown that suits your children's bedtime.

If you have children between 3 and 10, you probably know that midnight can feel a very long way off. Some kids will be ready for bed by 8 pm, while older siblings may want to stay up for the real thing. This plan gives you both options, with activities you can prepare at home using paper, crayons and things you already own.

Set up a New Year's Eve countdown that works for your family

You don't have to keep a three-year-old awake until midnight to give them a proper New Year's Eve celebration. In fact, I'd plan an early countdown for younger children and let them enjoy the excitement while they still have plenty of energy. An 8 pm countdown works well for many families, while a noon countdown is handy if bedtime needs to stay completely normal.

For a noon celebration, put on some music, serve a special lunch and count down together at 12 pm. Give everyone a paper party hat or a homemade noisemaker. Take a family picture when the countdown reaches zero. Your little ones get their New Year's moment without having to wait until evening.

For an 8 pm countdown, save a few activities for the afternoon and make the final hour feel special. Turn down the lights, switch on some fairy lights and let the children help announce the last ten seconds. If older children want to stay up later, they can have another countdown with the adults.

The thing is, children don't need an elaborate party. They need something to look forward to. Pick the countdown time first, then build the rest of your evening around it.

Follow this New Year's Eve schedule from 5 pm to midnight

Don't worry if dinner takes longer or the scavenger hunt gets competitive. The schedule is a guide, not a set of rules. If the children are having a good time with one activity, let it run a little longer.

For families with younger children, simply move the 8 pm celebration to the end of the schedule. Save the later activities for another afternoon or skip them altogether.

• 5 pm: Open the first bag and decorate the room. Make paper chains, draw party pictures and put up homemade decorations.
• 6 pm: Have a family dinner. Let the children choose a special dessert or help arrange the snacks.
• 7 pm: Open the games bag. Play Would You Rather and have a family trivia competition.
• 8 pm: Hold an early countdown for younger children. Play music, cheer together and take pictures before they get ready for bed.
• 9 pm: Open the scavenger hunt bag. Hide the party supplies and let everyone search for the noisemakers.
• 10 pm: Make New Year's goals pages. Talk about favorite memories and one thing each person wants to try next year.
• 11 pm: Open the final activity bag. Play a favorite song, serve a late-night snack and prepare the countdown supplies.
• Midnight: Count down together, make some noise and welcome the new year.

Make countdown bags with easy surprises

If you have children of different ages, give the older child the job of reading the activity aloud. Younger children can open the bags and help with the task. This gives everyone a part to play.

Prepare the bags before the children come home or involve them in decorating the outside. Just keep the contents hidden until the right hour.

• A drawing challenge: Draw what you think the new year will look like.
• A dance challenge: Everyone chooses a song and dances for one minute.
• A silly family challenge: Walk across the room like a penguin or pretend to be a sleepy bear.
• A snack surprise: Open a bowl of popcorn or prepare a simple dessert together.
• A memory challenge: Tell everyone about your favorite moment from the past year.
• A party challenge: Find something shiny or colorful to wear for the countdown.

Play New Year's Eve games the whole family can enjoy

You don't need complicated board games or a house full of guests. A few short activities are enough to fill the evening, especially when children can take turns being the game leader.

Start with Would You Rather questions. Ask everyone to choose between two funny options, then let them explain their answers. You can find more ideas in our [Would You Rather questions for kids](https://123arc.com/would-you-rather-questions-for-kids/) collection. Try questions such as these:

Would you rather have a giant birthday cake every day or eat ice cream for breakfast? Would you rather celebrate New Year's Eve on the moon or under the ocean? Would you rather have a pet dinosaur or a talking dog?

Next, hold a family trivia round. Ask questions about the people in your home and the things that happened during the past year. Who made the funniest joke? Who learned something new? What was everyone's favorite family meal? Give one point for each correct answer, but let younger children have help from an adult.

Finish with a scavenger hunt for the noisemakers. Before the game starts, hide paper party hats, bells, homemade shakers and other safe party supplies around the room. Give each child a short list of things to find. Younger children can use picture clues, while older kids can follow written hints.

Need more ideas for the hunt? Our [indoor scavenger hunt printable](https://123arc.com/indoor-scavenger-hunt/) gives you another activity to use when the weather keeps everyone inside. Keep the hiding places easy enough for little children to find.

Help children make New Year's resolutions they can enjoy

What if your child doesn't know what to write? Ask what they would like to do if they had a free afternoon, or what they would love to learn. You can write their answer for them while they draw.

Put the finished pages somewhere the children can see them, such as on the fridge or bedroom wall. Check them again in a few months. There is no need to turn a child's wish into a strict deadline or a promise they must keep.

• Learn to swim or ride a bike.
• Read a new book every week.
• Help prepare one family meal.
• Make a new friend at school.
• Spend more time drawing or building.
• Help someone who needs a hand.
• Try a new hobby or sport.

Bring New Year's activities into a kindergarten classroom

A New Year's celebration can be a lovely first-week-back activity for a kindergarten class in January. Children have plenty to talk about after the break, and a short collection of drawing and conversation activities gives everyone a chance to share.

Start with a circle-time question: What was one thing you enjoyed during your winter break? Let children draw their answers if they aren't ready to explain them in front of the class. You can also ask what they would like to learn during the new year.

Set out crayons and simple easy coloring pages for toddlers and preschoolers for an independent activity. Give children time to color a picture of fireworks, stars or party decorations. Those who finish early can draw their own celebration on the back.

For a group activity, make a classroom wishes poster. Each child contributes one drawing or a short sentence about something they want to try. Display it where the class can see it throughout January.

Keep the activities short and flexible. Some children will have lots to say about their holiday, while others may prefer to draw quietly. Let them take part in the way that feels comfortable.

Questions parents ask

What can I do with kids on New Year's Eve at home?

Try hourly countdown bags, family trivia, Would You Rather questions, a scavenger hunt and a simple craft. Finish with a countdown, snacks and music at a time that suits your children's ages.

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

Have a noon or 8 pm countdown instead of keeping toddlers awake until midnight. Add a favorite snack, music, simple decorations and a short family celebration before bedtime.

What are some easy New Year's resolutions for kids?

Children can choose goals such as learning to ride a bike, reading more books, helping with dinner or trying a new hobby. Let them draw or write their ideas on a page and keep it somewhere they can see.