New Year's Eve Family Fun

New Year’s Eve is all about celebrating with my family. I like to plan lots of family fun activities to help get us to midnight. Last year we almost made it to midnight. This year we are going to use this list of New Year’s Eve family activities and try again!

#1 Family Game Night

Start the night with family game night. If you have kids of all ages play a game like Charades to include everyone. Play as a team if this is too challenging for your little ones. This is a great time to play some of the games that haven’t been played in a long time. Let your kids pick a game they’ve been wanting to play and sit down with them and enjoy the time. If you have older kids ask them what they would like to play or learn a new card game. We also like to play Apples to Apples and Trivial Pursuit.

#2 New Year’s Eve Bucket List

Making a New Year’s Eve bucket list has been a family tradition for a few years now. Instead of the typical resolutions, we come up with a list of things we aspire to do in the new year. It is always fun to hear what the kids have planned in the new year.

We start with a blank sheet of paper and write the upcoming year on it. Then we add whatever we are thinking. Here are a list of ideas to get you and your family brainstorming for your own bucket list.

Travel Plans- We always add our bucket list of family adventures we want to go on for the year.
School Goals- Read more, Pack lunches, etc.
Extra Curricular Goals- Sports or Other Hobbies
House goals: Be Helpful, Kindness, Chores, Etc.
Parenting Goals-Yell Less, Be Present, Enjoy the Moments
Health/Wellness Goals- Exercise as a Family, Replace sugary snacks with Healthier Choices.
Family Goals-No Electronic Time, Game Nights, etc.

#3 Dance Party

If you have older kids this may be tough but my kids love a good dance party. We love to dance! Usually we dress up in our favorite dress up clothes and fancy dresses and put on a dance show! If you have older kids take the time to share some of your favorite music and listen to theirs. It is always fun to find great music to enjoy!

#4 Power Snacks

If you want to stay up until midnight you need a power snack. We try to do ours around 10:30pm. My favorite snack has been the fruit kabos. Cut up your fruit earlier in the day and put them on skewers. Save them in the fridge for a half-way to midnight snack. This is a healthy yummy snack that the entire family will love. You can also make parfaits or a veggie tray with cheese and crackers. Make it a fun family activity for earlier in the day that you can enjoy together during your celebration.

#5 Too sleepy to make it to Midnight…

What if you can’t make it until midnight? It is tough for little ones to make it that late…it is tough for me!! My favorite thing to do is watch fireworks on TV. I will YouTube either a major international city that is a few hours ahead of us or watch last years ball drop. The kids don’t really care, especially if they are younger than 5. I’ve celebrated New Years Eve in Australia, London, and Walt Disney World all from the comfort of my couch!!

New Year’s Eve is a special time to celebrate the year and look forward to what is to come for your family. However you celebrate it enjoy the moments. Happy New Year!