If you’re new to the stroller-set or even if you’re an old hand at this, you may want some new ideas to re-energize your family-friendly New Years Eve event. There’s no reason why you can’t have a rip-roaring party even if sparkling cider is on the drink list. It just may be the best New Years you (and your guests) ever have.
If you’re entertaining, a good rule of thumb is to change activities approximately every 30 minutes. This way no one gets bored and everyone gets to do something, so even if one activity isn’t appealing to one guest, the next one likely will and the energy of the party stays up.
1. Craft: Time Capsule
MATERIALS:
Ask Your Guests To Bring
- An Empty shoe box per family
- A newspaper from that day (or week is fine but must be ’11)
- Any photos/clippings they want
- Personal memorabilia from the past year
You Will Need To Provide:
- Pens
- Paper
- Markers
- Glue
- Tape
- Scissors
HOW IT WORKS: Each family will fill their shoebox with their memorabilia. Younger children can draw a pictures that represent their favorite moment from the year. Older kids can write down interesting things that happened to them during the year. They will then use pens, paper, markers and such to decorate the box. When all the families are done, they can share with the rest of the party or allow each child to share their favorite. Be sure to tell kids to keep the time capsules until next year.
2. Game: Guess My Resolution
MATERIALS:
- Paper pre-cut cut into small 1-inch slips (have as many as you have guests)
- Scissors (to cut the paper)
- A pen
- A large bowl
HOW IT WORKS: As guests arrive, have each one write their resolution on a slip of paper, fold it and put it into the bowl. Make sure they do not tell anyone their resolution. Once everyone has arrived and deposited a resolution into the bowl, read each resolution and have people guess who each one belongs to.
3. Game: True or False?
No materials needed.
HOW IT WORKS: Once everyone has arrived, go around the room and one by one, ask each person to share three accomplishments of 2011–the clincher is one of the three is FALSE–the object of the game is to try to stump the guests and to reveal as many falsehoods as possible.
4. Activity: Movie Room
If you have the space, setting up a movie room for little ones can be a good idea where you show festive but age-appropriate flicks. This can also be a good place for them to pass-out should they not make it to midnight. You can spread a bunch of pillows on the floor and then cover them with a quilt or comforter and then pile a few more pillows or stuffed animals on top. For snacks, some popcorn and juice boxes could be just the thing. Here are some options to consider:
Animated:
- I Want A Dog For Christmas / Happy New Year Charlie Brown
- Rudolph’s Shiny New Year
- Charlotte’s Web
Musicals:
- The Wizard of Oz
- The Sound of Music
- Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory (1971)
- High School Musical
Live Action:
- Night At The Museum
- Star Wars Saga (depending on age groups)
- The Goonies
- E.T.
5. Activity: Blind-folded Cookie Taste Test
MATERIALS: Assorted varieties of commonly consumed kid favorite cookies (Oreos, Chips Ahoy, Fig Newtons, Nutter Butter, Nilla Waffers, Animal Crackers, Honey Maid, Teddy Grams, etc…), blindfolds, scoreboard for each child listing each cookie.
HOW IT WORKS: Each child is blindfolded and taken through a taste test (by their parent, perhaps) trying each cookie and guesses after each bite. If they get it right, it is checked off next to the name on their scoreboard.
RELATED LINKS
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