New Year’s Eve is a time of excitement, anticipation, and joy. It’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate not just for adults but also for kids, who love being a part of the festivities. But how do you keep little ones entertained until midnight? Finding the right balance of games and activities that keep kids engaged (without making them cranky) is key to ensuring a fun night for everyone.
If you’re hosting a family-friendly New Year’s Eve party, having a set of exciting games up your sleeve can save the day—or rather, the night! This guide is all about 23 fun, creative, and kid-friendly New Year’s Eve games that will keep children entertained, active, and filled with laughter as they count down to the new year.
Whether you’re planning for a small group of family or a larger gathering with friends, these game ideas will make sure the little ones are having just as much fun as the grown-ups. So, let’s dive in and explore these 23 fantastic games that are sure to make New Year’s Eve one to remember!
1. Countdown Balloon Pop
Kids love balloons, and the countdown balloon pop takes this love to a whole new level. Prepare several balloons and write different activities or tasks on small pieces of paper to put inside each balloon. Each hour, a child gets to pop a balloon to reveal the next activity.
You can schedule fun things like, “Dance Party for 10 Minutes,” “Time to Play Charades,” or “Everyone Gets a Treat!” This keeps the excitement alive as the countdown progresses. Kids look forward to each hour, and it helps make the night more enjoyable.
Plus, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of popping a balloon! Decorating the balloons with glitter or stickers can add even more sparkle to the fun.
2. New Year’s Eve Bingo
Bingo is always a favorite among kids, and giving it a New Year’s Eve twist makes it even better. Create bingo cards filled with things that might happen throughout the night, such as “Hear Fireworks,” “Someone Says Happy New Year,” or “See Someone Dancing.”
Kids get to mark off their bingo cards as they spot these moments. The first one to complete a row wins a prize! This adds some friendly competition and keeps them engaged throughout the evening.
You can make the prizes small but fun, such as glow sticks or New Year’s themed stickers. This helps keep the festive spirit going all night long.
3. New Year’s Craft Station
Kids love getting creative, and a craft station can be a lifesaver to keep them occupied during the slower moments of the evening. Set up a table with craft supplies and let the kids create their own party hats, noise-makers, or even New Year’s cards.
This activity allows kids to use their imagination while giving them something they can proudly wear or use during the celebration. They can design their hats with glitter, markers, and stickers, making it truly their own.
To add more fun, you could have a little mini-fashion show where kids show off their handmade New Year’s gear. It’s a wonderful keepsake to remind them of the special night!
4. Freeze Dance Party
Who doesn’t love a good dance party? Put on some fun music and let the kids dance it out. Every so often, pause the music and have them “freeze” in whatever funny position they happen to be in.
Kids love the thrill of the unexpected “freeze” moment, and it’s an excellent way to help them burn off some energy. To make it more competitive, anyone who doesn’t freeze is “out”—but you can always let them keep dancing on the side.
This game is sure to get everyone laughing, especially when the kids end up in hilariously awkward poses. It’s a great way to keep spirits high.
5. Minute to Win It Challenges
Minute to Win It games are fantastic for kids of all ages, and they’re easy to adapt for a New Year’s theme. Come up with a variety of 60-second challenges, such as stacking plastic cups, moving marshmallows from one bowl to another with a spoon, or seeing how many cotton balls they can blow across the table in a minute.
These games are easy to set up and require minimal supplies, making them ideal for spontaneous fun. Kids love competing to beat the timer, and these challenges keep the energy high.
Reward winners with small, New Year-themed goodies to make it even more special. It’s a simple way to keep everyone engaged.
6. DIY Confetti Poppers
Instead of buying confetti poppers, let the kids make their own! With just some toilet paper rolls, tissue paper, and confetti, they can create their very own poppers to use when the clock strikes midnight.
This activity is fun and allows kids to feel more involved in the celebration. They’ll be proud to show off their creations and use them during the final countdown.
Decorate the poppers with fun designs, stickers, and their names. When midnight arrives, let the kids pop their handmade creations for an explosion of joy!
7. Scavenger Hunt Countdown
A scavenger hunt is a fantastic way to keep kids entertained for an extended period. Create a list of New Year’s-themed items or clues that are hidden around the house. If there’s a larger group, you can even divide the kids into teams.
Include items like party hats, plastic champagne glasses (for juice toasts), or balloons. Give them clues that lead to the next item, adding a bit of a challenge to the game.
Once all the items are found, there could be a final prize waiting—like a bag of goodies or fun party favors. It’s a great way to add a sense of adventure to the evening.
8. Guess the Resolution
This game encourages creativity and is a great way to get kids thinking. Ask each child to write down a simple New Year’s resolution on a piece of paper—something like “I want to learn to ride a bike” or “I want to read more books.” Fold the papers and put them in a hat.
Pick out a resolution and read it aloud, and everyone has to guess who wrote it. It’s fun to see if they can figure out each other’s goals for the new year.
The cute and funny resolutions the kids come up with make this game a memorable one. It’s a nice way for them to reflect and share.
9. New Year’s Eve Limbo
Add some festive fun with a game of limbo! Use a long stick or even a streamer, and have the kids take turns trying to limbo under it. With each round, lower the bar to make it more challenging.
Play some fun party music to set the tone, and watch as the kids have a blast trying to limbo their way to victory. It’s a great way to keep them active.
Cheering each other on adds to the fun, and the laughter will definitely fill the room. This game is a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults.
10. Glow Stick Ring Toss
Turn down the lights and bring out the glow sticks! Use glow sticks to create rings, and set up bottles as targets. Kids can take turns tossing the rings onto the bottles, with the glowing aspect adding an extra challenge.
This game is great for indoor fun, and the glow effect makes it exciting for kids. It also helps create a festive atmosphere.
You could give the kids glow necklaces and bracelets to wear while playing, turning it into a glow-in-the-dark extravaganza. It’s perfect for keeping them entertained as the night progresses.
11. New Year’s Resolution Pictionary
Pictionary is a classic game everyone loves, and you can put a New Year’s twist on it by using resolutions or holiday-related themes. Kids take turns drawing their “resolution,” while the others try to guess what it is.
This game brings out their creativity and often leads to hilarious guesses. It’s a fantastic way to keep everyone laughing and engaged.
Using a small whiteboard or just some paper and markers works perfectly. The giggles and excitement make it a great choice for New Year’s Eve.
12. Time Capsule Activity
Creating a New Year’s time capsule is a fantastic way to reflect on the past year and look forward to the next. Give each child a small box or container and let them fill it with notes, drawings, or small toys that represent their favorite moments from the year.
They can decorate their time capsule however they like, making it a personal and creative activity. This will serve as a wonderful keepsake for them to open next year.
Choosing a special spot to “hide” it until next New Year’s Eve adds to the anticipation. It’s a neat way for them to reflect on their growth over the year.
13. Hot Potato with a New Year’s Twist
Bring the classic “Hot Potato” game to your New Year’s celebration! Play some music and have the kids pass around a New Year-themed item, like a plush toy shaped like a champagne bottle or a glittery party hat. When the music stops, the child holding the “potato” is out.
To keep things exciting, each child who is out can have a fun little task to do, like a silly dance or a joke. This keeps everyone entertained, even if they’re no longer in the game.
This version of Hot Potato adds a festive twist to the classic game, keeping the excitement alive throughout the evening.
14. Marshmallow Relay Race
Set up a relay race using marshmallows and spoons! Divide the kids into teams and give each child a spoon and a marshmallow. They have to balance the marshmallow on the spoon while racing from one end of the room to the other without dropping it.
If they drop the marshmallow, they have to start over, adding an extra challenge. The first team to have all its members complete the race wins.
It’s a fun and simple game that allows kids to burn off some energy indoors during winter. It’s perfect for bringing out their competitive spirit.
15. New Year’s Eve Charades
Charades is always a hit, especially with kids. Make it New Year’s themed by including prompts related to the holiday, such as “Fireworks,” “New Year’s Countdown,” “Party Hats,” or “Ball Drop.”
Kids act out these prompts while others try to guess. The New Year twist makes it even more special and helps create a festive mood.
Acting out different scenes is a great way for the kids to burn off some energy before midnight. It’s a game that always brings laughter and excitement.
16. Balloon Tennis
If you’re looking for a game that lets the kids get active without the risk of breaking things, balloon tennis is perfect. Use paper plates and sticks to create paddles, and blow up a few balloons for the “tennis balls.”
Kids can hit the balloon back and forth, trying to keep it from touching the ground. Creating a mini “tennis court” with tape on the floor adds to the challenge.
This game encourages movement and laughter without the risk of injury or damage. It’s a fantastic way to keep the kids entertained indoors.
17. Story Time Circle: Future Predictions
Gather the kids in a circle and take turns making fun predictions about the coming year. You could start with prompts like, “In the next year, I will…” or “Next year, I predict I will learn to…”
Kids share what they hope or imagine will happen, and it’s always entertaining to hear their creative answers. From learning to fly to eating the biggest ice cream ever, their predictions are often funny and endearing.
This activity encourages imagination and gets everyone involved. It’s a wonderful way to look forward to the new year together.
18. Pass the Sparkle
In this musical game, have the kids sit in a circle and pass around a sparkly object, such as a shiny star or glittery plush toy. When the music stops, whoever is holding the “sparkle” has to perform a fun action—like hopping on one foot or making a silly face.
The tasks are simple but fun, keeping the kids laughing and engaged. The anticipation of what task they’ll have to do next adds excitement.
This game is light-hearted and easy to play, making it perfect for young children. It keeps the energy high as the countdown approaches.
19. Cookie Face Challenge
This hilarious game is simple: place a cookie on each child’s forehead and see if they can move it to their mouth without using their hands. Kids have to use only their facial muscles to maneuver the cookie down, which usually ends in lots of laughter.
It’s challenging enough to keep them engaged, but silly enough to keep everyone entertained. This makes it a perfect combo for New Year’s Eve fun.
The faces kids make while trying to move the cookie are sure to bring plenty of giggles. It’s a fun way to keep the atmosphere light.
20. Pin the Hat on the Snowman
Put a winter spin on the classic “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” with a snowman instead. Create a large snowman poster and have hats cut out of construction paper for each child. Blindfold the kids, spin them around, and let them try to “pin” the hat on the snowman.
It’s always funny to see where the hats end up, and kids will get a kick out of how close or far off they were. The game adds some festive winter cheer into the celebration.
It’s an easy game to set up, but it’s sure to bring lots of laughs. Kids love the challenge, and the winter theme is perfect for New Year’s Eve.
21. New Year’s Eve Piñata
What could be better than a piñata to celebrate the upcoming year? Fill a piñata with New Year-themed goodies like small toys, candies, and confetti, and let the kids take turns trying to break it open.
This game is perfect as the night nears its peak, giving the kids something exciting to look forward to. The rush of excitement when the piñata finally breaks adds to the festive feel.
The moment the goodies spill out is always filled with cheers and laughter. It’s a great way to make the countdown to midnight even more memorable.
22. Musical Chairs
Another classic that never gets old is musical chairs. Add some New Year’s-themed music, and let the kids walk around the chairs, trying to grab a seat when the music stops. The last child standing without a seat is out, but they can help cheer on their friends!
This game keeps the kids moving, laughing, and having fun. It’s perfect for adding some excitement as the night continues.
Be prepared for a little friendly competition as kids rush to find a seat. Musical chairs always bring out lots of giggles and good-natured fun.
23. Toasting with Sparkling Juice
As the clock nears midnight, gather the kids for a special “toast.” Give each child a plastic champagne flute filled with sparkling juice, and have them practice their cheers. It’s a fun way to include the kids in the countdown traditions that adults enjoy.
Let the kids make their own “resolutions” or say something they’re excited for in the new year. This makes them feel like they’re part of the big moment and adds to the festive atmosphere.
It’s a great way to wrap up the evening and bring everyone together for that last special moment before the new year arrives. The kids will love feeling involved.
Conclusion
New Year’s Eve with kids can be such a magical experience if you have the right activities lined up. These 23 games are perfect for keeping the energy high, the smiles wide, and the fun never-ending. Whether it’s creative crafts, active games, or just some silly fun like “Hot Potato,” you’ll be sure to create memories that last well into the new year.
With a combination of laughter, movement, and creativity, these activities ensure the little ones have just as much fun celebrating as the adults. So get ready to watch them light up with joy as they count down to the new year—one game at a time!
Do you have a favorite New Year’s Eve game that your kids love? Share it with us—we’d love to hear your ideas and add to the fun!