Celebrating the New Year is not just for adults. Kids love celebrating as well. Since young kids typically fall asleep well before midnight, I decided to celebrate Noon Year's Eve. My kids had a blast! Here are some of the things we did.
1. Search a live stream of the New Year count down around the world. With so many countries, you do not have to count down at noon, you can celebrate at 10am or 4pm or whatever time best fits your schedule. Last year we counted down about 5 different times. A bit much I think, but the kids never lost energy and wanted to count down some more.
2. DIY crafts! This really gets the kids involved and also saves you money. Before your count down, or even in the days prior, here are some simple DIY activities you might enjoy.
*Confetti Balloons. Now this can get messy, so if you don't want to clean up tons of tiny ripped up pieces of tissue paper, this may not be the craft for you. Fill balloons as much as you want with pieces of colored tissue paper, about one or two square inches. I find it easier to stuff the balloons if I take some tissue paper and roll it up. Tip: Save money by using tissue paper that you received in gifts during the holidays. Adults/teens - at the strike of midnight - somewhere in the world, hold the balloons over the children's head and pop them. The kids love being showered in paper. And if they are like mine, they will pick up the confetti and toss it over and over again. If the weather is nice, you can even do this outside. Start making these a few days before because 1. these take a little more time to put together and 2. kids enjoy tossing balloons around so let them enjoy them for a few days.
* Noise Makers. Ours were simple. A folded paper plate, staples around the edges with beans inside. The kids decorated them with markers and stickers. You can also use a toilet paper or paper towel rolls.
*Party Hats. Roll construction paper into a cone shape. You can also cut construction paper into a crown and add a paper band fitted to your child's head.
3. Have a Glow Stick Dance Party. My kids favorite!!! We buy glow sticks from dollar stores and as soon as it gets dark, or just close all blinds and shades, we turn up the kid-friendly music and dance. We also use various light-up toys. Be sure to turn down the music when you're ready to count down at whatever time of day you choose.
4. Midnight Around the World. If you have a World Map, or print one out, you can get the kids involved by moving a toy across the map about every 30 minutes to an hour or so. This is a visual activity that clearly shows as we approach the New Year here in California. To see when 2024 starts around the world in our time (Pacific time) click here.
5. Reflection and Future Goals. As a family, discuss all of the good things that happened in 2023 and write them down. A child "getting a lollypop" is a good thing in their mind, so let them write it down. Don't discourage them from sharing even the simplest ideas, but help guide them to positives which include kindness, love, and family for example. Then help your family decide on positive goals for 2024! Your list can include things such as saying hello to strangers during a walk outside, helping parents or siblings with simple tasks, calling or writing to friends or family whom you don't see often. The list can go on and on. The key here is to encourage your children to come up with the ideas and then you have a year to help make those ideas become a reality. Don't force the items on your list to happen, but rather celebrate them when they do. Hang the list somewhere visible and as the year passes, you can always add to it.
Have fun ringing in the New Year!
I hope 2024 brings you all lots of joy and love! Happy New Year from my family to yours!
