So December 31 snuck up on us just like that and the countdown to midnight begins.
I remember celebrating with my parents as a kid and all the excitement involved to prepare to welcome a new year full of hope. It was only a matter of time that I started some sort of tradition with my own family for New Years Eve. About four years ago it all started:
Countdown Activities!
Let me preface by saying my boys are the kind of kids who have no problem staying up until midnight (especially since it is only allowed one day out of 365!).
Our activities begin around 8:00 pm. This gives us time to have dinner and wind down a little before the fun begins. For almost all of these countdown shenanigans I shopped at either our local Dollar Tree or used things from around our home.
8:00 pm- Painting (or coloring) a 2017 Color Sheet.
I found an instant download on Pinterest (here). I print them on cardstock. This activity can range anywhere from 30-45 minutes.
*My goal is to make activities last 30 minutes or more.
8:45 pm- Cookies and Champagne (AKA: apple juice).
I added a few drops of food coloring to some white icing and put them in ziplock bags. Voila- instant piping bags! Also, added a bit of icing to plastic champagne glasses from Dollar Tree so that sprinkles can set.
*You can totally substitute milk for juice. Unfortunately this New Years Eve I forgot to pick milk up from the grocery store. Improvise!
9:30 pm- Fun with Balloons.
After devouring some yummy sweet treats it’s time to work off that energy. Balloons are a staple at any party and kids LOVE THEM! I found some punch balloons similar to these at Target in the party favor aisle (they’re about $3 for a package of 6 sans lighting up).
10:00 pm- Minute to Win It- M&M Challenge.
Minute to Win It games are always a good time. This is such a simple game especially for older kids. All I needed was a straw for each player, two paper plates and a small package of M&Ms (also purchased at Dollar Tree). Object of the game is simple: one minute, how many M&Ms can you move from one plate to another. Inhale to hold the M&M to your straw and exhale to put it onto the other plate. Easy? Yes. Fun? TOTALLY (especially when you add the timed aspect).
*Not intended for younger children. My guys pictured were 3 1/2 and 8 here.
10:30 pm- Glow Sticks and Tops.
New Years isn’t quite complete without the festive bright colors: enter the GLOW STICKS! Craft stores and dollar stores carry them and you can get at least 10 in a package. Also, party favors- such as tops are all the range with my guys so I knew they would be quite entertained for a little while with these.
11:00 pm- Party Hats and Noise Makers.
Over the years I’ve collected a few festive hats from Party City for New Years and keep adding to the collection. Around this time I let my boys pick out their head gear and have a variety of noise makers to choose from also. One year one activity was to create their own noise make. That was a favorite time as it took them about an hour with all the craft supplies they could choose from to make their own noise maker. Around this time we start channel surfing to watch New Years happen in different parts of the country/world.
11:30 pm- Bid Farewell and a Prayer.
Around this time we reminisce on all the good things that happened in the last year. There is always something to be thankful for and we remember those things. We also share a New Years Even prayer for the upcoming year. It’s important to me to instill in my boys the importance of prayer in our daily life and New Years Eve is no different.
11:59 pm- COUNTDOWN!
Once the clock strikes 12:00 we are in a New Year filled with hope and possibility. Hugs and kisses all around. High fives that they made it all the way to midnight. Then it’s time to brush teeth and go to bed.
What New Years Eve traditions do you have?
