Hi Everyone!

I usually have big plans for New Years Eve with my group of friends every year. House parties, drinks, laughs, and just sooo much adult fun. This year, however, the plans are slim to none. My mom (who usually babysits the girls’) has to work that night. THAT means, my girls will be home for the first NYE since…I can’t remember! So…in exchange for drinking games and adult fun, I’m switching the game up and throwing a kid-friendly New Year’s Eve party for Kayden and Kami.

I’ve been searching the web Pinterest and here are some cute ideas that I found and I am thinking about doing. WordPress was acting kind of janky with my photo source captions, so be sure to click the photos to be directed to the source site.

  Balloon Pop Countdown 

 I love, love, LOVE this idea. So much that I also shared it on the MBBL Facebook page. It’s a simple way to keep the kids busy while keeping them guess as to what they are going to be doing as the hours pass. You will need how ever many balloons you need for how every many hours you want to countdown (I will probably start at 5), and simple activities. Some examples of activities can be have a dance party, make cookies, share your favorite memory from 2012, or do a new year’s eve craft. Here is another example of the balloon countdown and a low scale countdown box option here.

Countdown Goodie Bags

This can also be done in conjunction with the balloon activity countdown. The idea of this would be to have the kids open their goodie bag each hour. These can be filled with cheap party favors and things you would use as stocking stuffer. These are simple and easy to do and of course, the kids will be looking forward to each hour to see what goodies they get. Check out the tutorial here.

Midnight Balloon Drop

What kid doesn’t love balloons? I’m almost 30 and I still love getting a gang of balloons for my birthday! A balloon drop is a fun way to bring in the new year. I did a balloon a drop for my New Year’s Eve party last year and even though we were a few seconds late releasing it, it was still a fun addition to the party. The only downfall is of course…blowing all those balloons! The balloon drop kits can be purchased at your local party store. If you are a DIYer, here is a tutorial of how to do your own.

New Years Tree

What a great way to re-purpose your Christmas tree right? Once you pull all the Christmas ornaments off, set up balloons all over the tree with New Year Garland, party blowers, and favors for a great NYE party focal point! You can even fill your balloons up with money or activities to do! This won’t work for me because I follow ALMOST all of those New Year traditions superstitions which includes all Christmas decor being down before January 1st.  I thought I would share though for those that don’t because this is a totally cute idea!

Food and Fun Snacks

Banana Split Bites (Source)

How incredibly cute are these?

Milk+Sprinkle Shots (Source)

Personal Pizzas made with Pillsbury Biscuits  (Source)

Veggie Shooters (Source)

There are tons of ideas out there on the interwebz. Many that I love, like a pajama pizza party, wish releases, all the way you and the kids getting all dressed up for a fancy party at home! I don’t have the time (or energy) to post them all! Here are some links to some other ideas to get you started if you need them.

• “New Year’s Eve Party Ideas for Kids” - Highland Park Patch
• “New Years Activities for Kids” – A Jeweled Rose
• “DO: New Years with the Kids” – Families that Stick
• “Throw a Kid-Friendly New Years Eve Party”- Chocolate Cake Moments
• “Happy 2011, Super Mommies” (Oldie, but GREAT ideas)  - Secrets of a Super Mommy
• “Games, party ideas, crafts, for a kid-friendly New Years Eve Party”- All Star Activities
• “Make it a kid-friendly New Year’s Eve Celebration” – Ginger(ly) Homemaking 

What are you plans for the New Year? Are you going out for a night on the town or will you have a low-key celebration at home? If you have children, how will you celebrate with them? Please share!  

Happy New Year!