New Year's Eve celebrations often are adults-only affairs, but the evening is exciting for kids as well. You can create some great family moments by planning a kid-friendly New Year's Eve party. Including the children can start new traditions, fostering closeness in the family. Your children will feel like they're an important part of the household when you let them take part in and even help plan the party. If your children are older, you have the additional advantage of knowing where they are and what they're doing on New Year's Eve.
Create a Family-Friendly Environment
Step 1
Gather all the supplies and items you'll need before the party begins. You won't want to interrupt your own revelry by taking time out to find that platter or the video game the kids want.
Step 2
Create child-friendly spaces. Children and adults will need some time and space on their own. Schedule times when the groups are separate and times when they will be together for fun activities.
Step 3
Arrange adequate supervision for the youngsters and keep adult beverages out of reach.
Step 4
Provide for the children's needs. If the party will run late into the night, arrange a quiet sleeping area for younger or tired guests.
Include Family-Friendly Activities
Step 1
Offer age-appropriate activity options. Plan some activities that everyone can enjoy together, such as easy card games or party games with family-oriented teams. Also have activities the children can enjoy on their own, such as movies or video games.
Step 2
Plan activities that will promote positive goal-setting and productive reminiscing. BabyZone.com suggests creating a time capsule, for example.
Step 3
Share family-friendly foods. Adults may enjoy unusual tastes, but children often like familiar foods. Include favorites like pizza, chips and candies on the menu.
Step 4
Celebrate together. At midnight, or a prearranged time for younger children, gather the group together to ring in the new year. Party hats, noisemakers, confetti and whistles all add to the excitement for everyone.
Tips and Warnings
- Consider enlisting a teen or other responsible person to supervise the children's area when adults are enjoying one another's company in other parts of the house. Be flexible. If an activity doesn't go over well, be prepared to change it quickly. Include sparkling fruit juice in your party's menu for a grown-up feel. Offer sleeping accommodations to families if possible. That will add flexibility to the length of the party and protect your guests.
Things You'll Need
- Age-appropriate games
- Decks of cards
- Age-appropriate video games and/or movies
- Paper and pencils
- Child-friendly refreshments
- Party hats
- Noisemakers
- Whistles
