Five Activites to Do With Kids on New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve is always associated with staying up late, parties, and music. For the most part the celebration focuses on adults rather than children. When we did not yet have children, there was less thought about what we would do because there was not the consideration of how late the kids would be able to stay up, whether we would have a family celebration or would we have to get a sitter for the kids so that we would go out as a couple. So if you are planning on celebrating New Years with your children, here are five fun and simple ways that you can make the evening enjoyable for everyone.

As adults we often reflect on the past year in many areas of our lives. We do not often think about children practicing these same behaviors. So in kid friendly terms, why not have your kids take some time to think about the past year and the year to come. This can be done in a few ways. One way is to have the children divide a paper in half labeling one side 2011 and the other side 2012. Under 2011 have them write or draw a picture of what was great about the past year. Then on the other side have them write or draw about what they would like to do in 2012. They may need a little prompting to think of something so you can ask them questions like: Is there something that you’ve always wanted to try? Is there something that you want to become better at? Is there someone that you want to have a better relationship with? Is there something that you want to do to help others? Hopefully these questions will prompt your child to think about how they want to spend the upcoming year and set some reasonable goals.

What is New Years Eve without party hats and blowers. You can find plain simple hats and blowers at craft stores. Then have the kids decorate and personalize them to wear and blow as they ring in the new year. Some great things to use to decorate are glitter, foam letter and picture stickers, feathers, and jewels. Let your imagination run wild. Explore your local craft store for some more inspiration and you will have the best looking hats and party blowers in town!

After the holiday hustle and bustle, I'm all about keeping it simple on New Years Eve. So when it comes to food and drink I want nothing but finger foods. To keep the kids involved, I like to have them make their own pizzas. You can purchase pre-made pizza shells and sauce and place dishes of your favorite toppings out for the kids to build their pizzas. My kids love make your own pizza night because it allows them to take ownership of their meal and add some creativity as well.

If you are planning to have your children stay up to ring in the New Year, have some sparkling juice available to them for a toast.

When I think of New Years Eve I immediately think of Dick Clark’s Rockin New Years Eve. Although these parties are not child friendly, they are filled with music and dancing. So why not have your own dance party. Hold a dance contest to your favorite beats and then give a little prize to the winner. If a contest is not up your ally, just turn on some favorite tunes and dance the night away. Not only will it be fun, but it burn off some of that food you’ve most likely been munching on that night!

I remember one year as a child we got together with some friends. The hosts had purchased sparklers for us to light when the clock struck 12. It was one of the most memorable New Years Eves that I had as a child. So if your kids are old enough to stay up that late, consider lighting off some sparklers at the stroke of midnight.

Remember that if your New Year's Eve celebrations include children, the more involved you make them in the events of the night, the more enjoyable everyone's time will be. A kid friendly party really is fun for everyone. Happy New Year to you! May your parties be fantastic and your year be filled with all of your heart's desires.