HOLIDAYS
HOLIDAYS
New Year's Eve is all about the parties - parties that last all night. If these parties also include kids, you need lots of creative ideas to keep them happily busy until midnight. Set up a spot for the kids to hang out, play games and work on craft projects. You may want to consider hiring high school students (or older siblings) for the night to help watch the kids. Otherwise, arrange for adults to take turns checking on the kids so everyone can enjoy the party.
As the clock ticks closer to midnight on New Year's Eve, let the kids wind down by picking resolutions. Have them sit in a circle while you (or the babysitter or another adult) explains what resolutions are and tell some of the most common types. Give each child a chance to say his New Year's resolution, and write down each one for the child to keep. By the time the resolutions are through, hopefully the countdown will begin and you will be ready to ring in the New Year!
Many network television stations run special New Year's Eve programming in the hours leading up to midnight. These shows usually include music and entertainment acts. Tune in to one of them, and tell the kids to get up and dance. They could have a dance contest, simply take turns showing off their best moves or pretend to host their own show. Either way staying active will keep them energized during the countdown to midnight.
A typical menu for a New Year's Eve party usually includes a feast of finger foods and, of course, champagne! Treat kids to the same style of meal you are serving the adults; just tailor it to be kid-friendly.
- Serve kid-favorites cheese and crackers, but choose crackers in fun shapes and use small cookie cutters on cheese slices.
- Pour sparkling grape juice or apple cider for kids in plastic goblets to make them feel special.
- A fondue station will grab kids' attention and keep it there as boys and girls dipping their favorite fruits and desserts.
Save money on elaborate party supplies for New Year's Eve and let the kids make party hats and noisemakers to use at midnight. They may not be as chic as store-bought versions, but making them will keep little ones busy while the grown-ups mix and mingle.
Preparation
- For party hats:
- Purchase paper party hats in black, gold and silver.
- Provide craft supplies such as glue, glitter, stickers and feathers.
- Let kids decorate hats for everyone.
For noisemakers:- Use empty plastic containers (soda bottles, icing cans, etc.) filled with dried beans, seeds or beads.
- Wrap the containers with construction paper, and have kids decorate them with stickers, glitter and crayons.
- Tape feathers, curling ribbon or strips of crepe paper to the top of containers, and then get ready to shake.
Inspire kids to think about the events of the past year with this fun learning activity. They will each create a time capsule of important events from around the world and in their lives.
- Give each child an empty shoebox to decorate and fill.
- Provide old magazines, photos, coloring pages and memorabilia that kids can choose to fill their capsules.
- Older kids can write down interesting things that happened to them during the year.
- Be sure to tell kids to keep the time capsules until next year.
New Years Eve Menu
Ideas, A Feast of
Fin...
Ideas, A Feast of
Fin...
Breakfast Club: New
Years Brunch
Years Brunch
New Year's Eve
Dinner Party
Dinner Party
