Waiting with the kids for the clock to strike midnight on New Year's Eve calls for some engaging entertainment. And even if the kids aren't still awake for the singing of "Auld Lang Syne," the holiday should be a memorable occasion for however long they make it. Choose games that are challenging and different from those the family is used to playing, symbolic of the newness of the coming year.
If New Year's Eve means staying at home with the kids this year, making it a kid-friendly festivity is easier than you might think. Parents can still have lots of fun, ringing in the new year with their little ones.
New Year's Eve isn't exclusively for grownups anymore, and you really don't have to go out somewhere to make it a great celebration. With family friendly New Year's Eve parties becoming more popular, the ideas for planning a fun event are endless:
New Year's Eve celebrations change once kids are in the picture. Champagne toasts and all-night parties are often replaced with a cozy night at home. Whether the New Year's celebration involves only your immediate family or includes other families with young kids, a list of themed games keeps the entire group entertained as the clock approaches midnight. If your kids are too young to stay up late, adjust your celebration schedule to welcome the new year at noon instead of midnight.
The highlight of most New Year's celebrations is the eventual countdown to midnight and the ringing in of a new year. To ensure that your guests don't tire of the festivities before this event, plan an assortment of New Year's games to keep them engaged and pumped for the new year. By playing games, you not only provide guests a diversion that ensures that the hours before midnight don't drag, but you also help your guests get better acquainted.
There is no one better to ring the new year in with than your family. While some elect to hit the town as the ball begins to descend, you can have just as much fun cuddled up on the couch with your favorite crew. Gather your hubby and the kids, and plan a family New Year's celebration. Your little ones will love staying up past their bedtime, and your husband will appreciate the opportunity for the family togetherness. To keep your group engaged until the clock strikes 12, plan a few games.
"Tick, tock" clicks the clock as it winds down to a new year. And if you have a house full of kids, your patience may be winding down, too. Plan some activities for your kids and their friends to entertain during the long hours leading up to that clock when it rings midnight. You can also use these games on New Year's Day to enjoy the new year together.
