Hellobee

The new year is almost here! Mr. Garland and I aren’t the type to go out to a big NYE party, and Jackson is (much) too young to stay up late with us, so this year we are looking for ways to get creative with our celebrations. I’ve been looking around for ideas on how we can celebrate the new year with a toddler (and not miss bedtime!) and I thought I’d share some of the best ideas I’ve found.

– Throw up a sheet for a backdrop, print out these photo booth props, and go to town! Who doesn’t love snapping silly photos?

– Set your clock ahead a few hours or have a big celebration at noon. The kids don’t know the difference, and everyone can be in bed on time!

– Build a DIY balloon drop!

– Have a glow-in-the-dark party (complete with party games!)

– I know my toddler would be obsessed with these DIY noisemakers. You could also do these water bottle noisemakers, these toilet paper roll poppers, or these paper plate shakers.

– Make a new year’s photo book – how sweet is this?

– Do a countdown with fun activities every hour or half hour leading up to bedtime. This would be so fun for older kids! More ideas here, here, and here.

– Or, you could make a countdown chain.

– It would be messy, but how amazing is this New Year’s Eve bath?!

– It’s not a party without some confetti party hats! These are easy enough that toddlers could help make them. You can also make clock hats, sparkly hats, or these gold fringe party hats.

– Play some “minute to win it” games!

– These countdown marshmallow pops are a fun and easy way to practice counting down to the new year!

– Make some clock cookies together!

– Redecorate your tree with NYE party supplies and treats! I’m obsessed with this idea!

– Pull up a video of New Year’s Eve celebrations from last year – you can watch the ball drop at noon!

– Create a kids’ drink bar – they’ll get to feel like the grown-ups!

– Make these edible party horns – festive and tasty!

– Interview your kids about the year – you could even record their answers and watch it next year! This is also a simpler version, here is a time capsule questionnaire, or you could just do a coloring page for the little ones.

– Have a fancy cookies and milk party.

– Have a scavenger hunt with memories and photos from the year!

– Make a new year collage or some glittery play-doh.

– Play New Year’s Bingo!

– Have the family write your resolutions on plastic plates and snap some photos.

– Decorate your home with these printables. Cute, easy, and free!

– Play this silly game with mini marshmallows.

– Make this amazing NYE ball and let your kids have at it!

– Play this fun reminiscing game with your older children!

– Make a New Year’s sensory tub.

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How are you celebrating New Year’s Eve with your kids this year?