Looking to host a kids’ New Year’s Eve party? Here are ideas on how to decorate, which activities to have, and what snacks to serve to give the kids an unforgettable New Year’s Eve.
Decorating for a Kids’ New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve has a certain magic, especially for kids. There’s an exhilarating feeling when the clock is ticking down to a brand new year. Decorations help make the moment truly special, instead of just another evening.
Balloon Countdown Clock
A balloon countdown clock is vibrant, simple, and perfectly captures the excitement of counting down to midnight. Just use tape to apply twelve numeral cutouts to twelve balloons, then tape the balloons to the wall and place paper clock hands in the center.
Colorful Sweets Station
Decorate the treats table so it matches the candy — bursting with color! Use vibrant latex balloons to create garlands and bunches, and add bouquets of shiny foil balloons. Make sure the treats table has an eye-catching table cover, and give it a backdrop that’s sure to make the kids go Wow! before they even notice the candy.
New Year Balloon Columns
If you really want to heighten the party atmosphere, there’s nothing like New Year’s Eve balloon columns. Featuring foil number balloons, which spell out the new year, on top of pillars of colorful latex balloons, these columns will instantly get the kids excited to party.
Kids’ New Year’s Eve Activities
What’s the core of a kids’ New Year’s Eve party? The activities, of course! Keep the kids entertained until the clock strikes twelve with engaging games and other activities that will make the time fly.
Photobooth
Set up a killer photo backdrop (bonus: it doubles as a decoration!) and provide fun New Year’s-themed photo props for the kids to use. Try hats, glasses, feather boas, and other silly accessories, plus signs with funny phrases.
Classic NYE Party Games
Throw in some classic, kid-friendly NYE party games that’ll get kids laughing, moving around, and using their imagination. Games like musical chairs, charades, or scavenger hunt are always big hits with the kids.
New Year’s Eve Crafts
Instead of just giving the kids all their photobooth props, have them make some instead! Have them create party hats out of colorful construction paper, make necklaces out of popcorn or beads, or make glasses out of cardstock.
Glow Dance
Give the kids glow sticks, glow necklaces, and other glow-in-the-dark items, then turn the lights off and the music up! Make the glow dance an impromptu surprise and the kids will love it even more.
New Year’s Resolutions Wall
Each kid writes down their resolution, shares it with the party, and sticks it on the wall. By the end, there’s a wall of New Year’s resolutions that makes for a wonderful photo keepsake.
Midnight Balloon Drop
Make the countdown to midnight as memorable as can be with an epic balloon drop. With a balloon drop bag, it’s easy to pull this off as the clock strikes twelve. Make sure to have noisemakers on hand, like horns and blowouts, to add to the excitement. You can bet the kids will be leaping, laughing, and making plenty of noise when the balloons come down.
Kids’ New Year’s Party Food & Drinks
The kids will need to keep their energy up to make it to midnight, so make sure to have plenty of yummy snacks and drinks on hand. These food and drink ideas are sure to win over the kids’ taste buds.
Sweets Galore
Fill the sweets station with candy in an array of dazzling colors and provide treat cups for kids to fill. Add a cake tray with brownies, cookies, and cupcakes to make sure every sweet tooth is satisfied.
Kid-Friendly Charcuterie Board
“Charcuterie board” may sound fancy, like it’s only something adults would want, but it can be just as pleasing to kids as a pile of candy. When it comes to making a kid-friendly charcuterie board, it’s all about the ingredients. No need for expensive aged cheese: go with cheese sticks, cheese curds, or simple cheddar cubes. A basic salami, jerky, or beef stick can be the meat, and forget expensive crackers — serve popcorn, croutons, or pita chips, instead.
Festive Punch
New Year’s Eve is still the holiday season, so why not serve up a festive drink the kids will love. Hot apple cider goes especially well with popcorn and other snacks, and cranberry punch makes for a mouthwatering refreshment with holiday flavor.
Visit Party City for all your kids’ New Year’s Eve party needs. Find balloons, accessories, games, and everything else you need to throw a New Year’s bash the kids won’t ever forget.