Traditionally, New Year’s Eve is a time just for grown-ups to celebrate the end of the old while ushering in the new, but there is no written rule that says that your little one cannot help you ring in 2018.
True, midnight maybe past their bedtime; however, there are still plenty of ways to let them be a part of New Year’s Eve and have fun while they are doing it! Below check out a few creative ways to start New Year’s Eve traditions with your kids.
1. Hold a mock New Year’s Eve. Counting down to usher in the new year is probably one of the most fun things to do on New Year’s Eve. But, when your bedtime is at 8:00 p.m., that’s a little hard to do. Stage an earlier countdown for the kids and when midnight rolls around, you can do it all over again.
2. Create your own ball to drop. Make or buy a ball-shaped piñata that resembles the big ball in New York City. Have the kids decorate it, and make it their own. While you all are doing your early countdown, incorporate your ball and let it drop! What your ball will have over that in NYC is the candy inside, of course!
3. Do a balloon drop instead. If you don’t want to go the piñata route, do a balloon drop instead. Suspend a bunch of balloons in your living room and when your countdown is at its end, let them go! To make it even more fun, add confetti before you blow them up and let the kids pop away. Enlisting their help in blowing them up and clean up after can serve a double duty!
4. Have an all out slumber party! Host a slumber party for your kids and some of their friends. Break out the games, popcorn, and all-out fun. Invite the other parents to come over and you all can ring in the new year together. Who knows, everyone may actually make it to the real midnight. Don’t forget to let the kids toast the new year with sparkling cider, ginger-ale, punch or some other mocktail while the adults get the real thing.
All-in-all, create memories just for you and your family that will allow you to ring in the new year together!
