Ringing in the New Year with Kids

Maybe your New Year’s Eve nights of wine-fueled festivities and shenanigans with the besties have been put on hold. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still ring in the new year with just as much pizazz—even with the “Baby Shark” remix playing in the background on repeat. And, hey, you might not even make it to midnight before crashing on the couch after completing your regular bedtime routine.

Looking for ways to spend a family-friendly New Year’s Eve? We’ve got you covered. From game-a-thons to scrapbooking to an epic bucket list, you’ll find at least one activity your family will want to try. Your kids will be your best party companions because every activity is an adventure to them. So put your party shoes on and get ready to make the best memories to end a great year.

Scrapbook the night away

Gather all the fun materials for scrapbooking: markers, stickers, glitter, glue, magazines to cut pages out of, printed photos, more stickers. Try to create a page that highlights your favorite events of the last year.

Pop a balloon every hour

Kids are very visual creatures, so popping a balloon every hour until midnight will help them with the final countdown.

Design an escape room at home

Make a treasure map of clues, dress everyone up in fun costumes, make fun sound effects, dim the lights, get out a fog machine (I mean, depending how big you want to go with this), and enjoy an evening of your very own homemade escape room adventure.

Photo booth

A classic photo booth could be the best way to document your fun night. Keep a box of silly costumes and props nearby and take the best selfies you can muster in between snacking and watching movies.

Brainstorm a bucket list for 2023

There’s nothing like an epic family bucket list to get you pumped for the next year. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

1. Take a train or subway.

2. Visit a destination restaurant.

3. Take a factory tour (examples: the Jelly Belly factory or a potato chip factory).

4. Take a museum tour—choose a handful of museums and try to visit one per week.

5. Attend sporting events.

6. Spend more time outside at parks, on hikes or biking, camping, fishing or taking an RV trip.

Outdoor movie projector

Snuggle up outside to watch movies with your loved ones if it’s not too cold where you live. Be sure to bundle up, maybe next to a crackling fire pit. Bring your mugs of hot chocolate, a giant bowl of popcorn and even ingredients for s’mores.

Watch a slideshow of 2022

While the movie projector is all set up, why not watch a slideshow of your previous year? Everyone will enjoy laughing or crying at their most embarrassing, most fun, most endearing moments. Start collecting fun photos from your family and friends.

Emily Morrison is a freelance writer, former copy editor, full-time mommy and Disney fanatic who lives in Independence with her husband, son, daughter and dog.