6 Simple New Year’s Eve Ideas for Family Fun
Ushering in the New Year as a family is a golden opportunity to create meaningful memories together. With just a little extra effort, you can turn a simple evening into a celebration your kids will treasure for years. Here are six creative ideas to make your family New Year’s Eve party memorable:
1. Countdown Goodie Bags
My adult kids fondly remember our annual New Year’s Eve Countdown Goodie Bag tradition. I usually started letting the kids and their friends open hourly goodie bags beginning at 8:00. (Feel free to celebrate on East Coast time if you live in the West as we do!) These simple bags containing poppers, sparklers, candy, noisemakers, etc., give kids something to look forward to as they count down each hour until midnight.
This simple tradition engages the kids and builds anticipation for the countdown to New Year’s. Also, you can have your kids decorate the paper bags during the day or do hourly family bags. Make the tradition work for you and change it up each year to meet your circumstances and bandwidth!
2. Transform Your Christmas Tree
Don’t take down your tree just yet! Give it a New Year makeover by decorating it with balloons filled with money or fortunes to pop at midnight. Add streamers, stars, or party hats for an extra festive touch. This is a great way to transition from the magic of Christmas to the promise of a new year.
3. Play interactive games
Bring the family together with fun, interactive games. Favorites like Left, Center, Right (with pennies or quarters), Telestrations, or Scattergories are sure to bring plenty of laughs. Check out our family’s favorite games in my Parent on Purpose Amazon Store.
Or, try a puzzle race with 100-piece puzzles from the dollar store to see who can complete theirs first. These games create moments of connection and joy that make the evening more fun.
4. Family conversation starters
Encourage reflection and connection with my free printable conversation starters. Cut them out, toss them into a hat, and take turns answering. These conversations can deepen bonds and remind everyone of the joys and lessons from the past year.
GET YOUR NYE FAMILY CONVERSATION STARTERS HERE!
- Cut these up and put them in a New Years Hat.
- Pass them around and have each person answer the question they draw.
- OR print the entire list (also included with the FREE printable) and have everyone answer all 20 questions!
5. Serve festive drinks
Kids love feeling fancy, so set up a Torani Soda Bar or serve sparkling cider in fun plastic stemware. Add fruit garnishes or fun drink stirrers to make it feel extra special.
6. Vision Hats and “One Word” for the Year
Turn traditional party hats into vision boards! Have everyone cut out words and pictures from magazines representing their hopes for the new year and glue them onto their hats. Alternatively, introduce the concept of choosing “One Word” to inspire and guide them through 2025—a meaningful activity perfect for setting intentions.
What wonderful family ideas! You are so inspiring, Amy! Have a blessed new year with your beautiful family.