December 26, 2012

Where can I find ideas for New Year’s Eve Celebrations? What are some fun New Year’s Eve traditions?

On Friday we will share a post about New Years Eve Celebrations for kids. There will be several ideas for celebrating New Year’s with kids. If you are looking for even more New Year’s Eve ideas for kids or just New Year’s Eve ideas in general, check out these great links. Also, I’ll tell you a little about some of our New Year’s Eve traditions!

Cassidy’s New Year’s Eve Traditions for Children and Adults

For several years my extended family (who all live within 30 minutes of each other, except for one family) would get together and party on New Year’s Eve. To make the night a little more exciting, and less stressful, we would do a rotating party. At each aunt or uncle’s house we would have a small treat or appetizer as well as do an activity. The night started around 8:00 and we usually went to 3 or 4 houses. We generally ended up at my parents house to watch the ball drop.

One of our favorite activities is to play dodge ball. Our church has a large open court that we are able to use. We line all of the balls (very soft and kid friendly, but still fun for adults too) along the middle, someone yells go and then we run for the balls. It is fun because the adults and kids can play together. We also mix it up and do adults vs kids, boys vs girls, even birthday months vs odd birthday months, Alpine and Cedar Hills vs Lindon, and anything else we can think of to have a good mix of people for the teams.

Some of our other activities have included:

• Card Games
• Trivia Games
• Musical Chairs
• Cake Walk (or something similar)
• Pool Tournaments
• Around the World Ping Pong
• Foosball Tournaments
• Air Hockey Tournaments
• Karaoke
• Dance Offs and a Dance Party
• Minute to Win It (or similar games)

I think you probably get the idea. It’s nice to rotate between houses so that one person doesn’t feel like they have to entertain everyone the whole night and they only have to do a small amount of food. Also, we can start the party early because there are so many fun things to do!

One of the highlights of New Year’s Eve though is my dad’s obsession with balloons. We haven’t done this every year, but we have done it a lot. My dad will blow up hundreds of balloons (with a pump…) and fill our “big room” with them. Usually we just have a bunch of balloons on the floor. Last year though he even did helium balloons so the floor and ceiling were covered. He and my sister also made some balloon animals as well to make things more interesting. The kids (and adults) really love it! Then when the clock strikes midnight (as we watch the ball drop) everyone starts popping the balloons. It’s loud and fun! I think this is among my favorite New Year’s Eve traditions and I know all the kids really like it too!

If you are still wanting more New Year’s Eve ideas we’ve compiled a nice list of ideas for you! Feel free to share any of your New Year’s Eve party ideas with us too!

More New Years Eve Celebrations for Kids:

• Kids New year’s party
• Confetti eggs and decoration ideas
• New Year’s eve party ideas for kids
• Celebrating New Year’s Eve with your Kids
• 2 New Year’s Eve Crafts
• Celebrating New Year’s with Children

New Years Eve Party Ideas:

• Gold Mason Jars for Decorating
• DIY According Clocks plus lots of other party ideas
• Gold Rush decor Ideas
• New Year’s Eve Countdown of Clock party Ideas
• New Year’s Eve Noisemakers and Favors
• Decorations for New Year’s Eve

Food for New Years Eve:

• “Champagne Bottle” Cookie Dough Treats
• Kentucky Hot Brown Bites plus 5 other appetizers
• New Year’s Eve Cupcakes
• Mini Crescent Dogs
• Pretzel Hugs
• Bacon Pops
• BLT Bites plus 14 other party foods
• 8 Easy Party Foods
• Bacon-Wrapped Cocktail Sausages and 23 more appetizers

We've found some fun people with great linky parties. You might just see this post linked up on one of these amazing sites! Link and Learn from No Time for Flashcards Sunday Showcase from Train Up a Child Share it Saturday from Teach Beside Me Tot School Gathering Place from 1+1+1=1 Montessori Monday from Living Montessori Now Tuesday Tots from In Lieu of Preschool Show and Tell from ABC & 123 For the Kids Fridays from Sun Scholars Finished Friday from All Our Days Weekly Kids Co-op from Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails Preschool & Kindergarten Corner from Homeschool Creations TGIF Linky Party from 123 Homeschool 4 Me

Tags: activities, adults, balloons, children, dodge ball, food, games, holiday, kids, new year, party, ping pong, recipes, traditions