Any parent knows that New Year’s Eve after kids is a lot different than New Year’s Eve before kids, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t enjoy yourself, especially if you choose to stay in with the little ones. Count down to the new year with these 10 fun New Year’s Eve-inspired crafts that will help keep the kids busy until midnight. (If they manage to stay up that long!)
10. Time Capsule
It’s always fun to see how much you and your family has changed over the year and this time capsule from Come Together Kids offers a creative way to look back on the year before. This version from The Idea Room allows you to look back and celebrate all the special memories you made together over the year.
9. Homemade Noisemakers
These New Year’s Eve noisemakers via Classic Play make use of those old paper towel tubes or toilet paper rolls and can be filled with any fun noisemaking bits you have on hand (pennies, dried beans, rice, etc.). This paper plate version from The Adventures of J-Man and MillerBug is also a lot of fun for both kids and grown-ups alike.
8. Festive Party Hat
No New Year’s Eve party is complete without a festive party hat, and this one from Oh Happy Day includes a free downloadable hat template to make the process easy and can be decorated in your child’s favourite colour.
7. Resolutions List
The new year is a time for new beginnings, and even little ones can get in on the resolution fun. Get your big kid to write down some things they want to try in 2016 with a New Year’s acronym via Kitchen Counter Chronicles, and do one for yourself while you’re at it.
6. New Year’s Wreath
Who says wreaths are just for Christmas? Make a New Year’s version with the kiddos via this example from Real Housemoms. Get the kids to wrap the wreath frame with the garland while you prepare and hot glue the decorations.
5. Play Dough Balldrop
While you’re waiting for the ball to drop, create a ball of your own with homemade play dough full of glitter via Homegrown Friends.
4. Confetti sticks
Let the bigger kids fill clear straws with their favourite glitter and confetti bits via Best Friends for Frosting to crack open for a festive end to 2015. These confetti tossers from Confetti Sunshine are easier for little hands to fill.
3. Fireworks
Create your own noise- and danger-free fireworks with this art project from Plastiquem. The instructions are in French, but you basically colour a sheet of paper with different pencil crayons and then cover with black crayon. Scratch off a firework design to reveal explosions of beautiful colours.
2. Party Blowers
Ruffles and Stuff had the brilliant idea of reusing leftover party blowers and fitting them with your own favourite paper, fabric or feathers for a fun new take on the classic party blower.
1. New Year Calendar
This creative idea from Ivaalex makes use of all those pictures your child drew throughout the year. Print-off a free online calendar template and glue it, with your child’s art above it, on a piece of coloured construction paper for a year-round reminder of their creative genius.
Caitlin McCormack is a writer, editor and full-time mama to one cool little dude. When she’s not spending time at the park or working on recipes in the kitchen, you can find her lifting weights, growing her own veggies, or enjoying some precious time with her shift-working husband. Read her blog at Big City Mama or follow her on Twitter @Caitlin_Writes.
READ MORE LIKE THIS:
- 5 At-Home New Year’s Eve Party Ideas with Kids
- Fun New Year’s Eve Traditions for Families
- 7 Festive Party Drinks for Kids
If you’re looking for something to keep you busy outside of the house, take a look at all the Toronto/GTA New Year’s Events.
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