If there’s a time on earth when magic comes alive, this is it. As soon as the bell tolls the last week of December, you can feel the magic take over. Running through your veins. Twinkling in a fairy light here. Sparkling in a firecracker there. You can feel the magic soak you.
Now, just imagine if you feel this way, how overjoyed and enamoured do you think your kids feel? For them, the time around New Year’s is twice as surreal, if not more so! Which means they truly deserve a celebration that fuels the joy they feel. Spending the new year with kids becomes even more magical when you add meaningful family moments. After all, New Year’s parties are not just about adults. And yes, you can have a fun New Year’s party with your kids as parents too! If you plan New Year’s activities for kids and yourself, that is!
Actually, you know what? Hold that thought. Let us talk about New Year’s a little bit first. More specifically…
Why Do We Celebrate It? What’s the Party for Exactly?
Well, to be frank, it is just like any other New Year’s party. Think Diwali (yep, that is the Hindu New Year). Or the Parsi Navroz. Or Baisakhi in Punjab. Or Bihu in Assam.
You see, January marks the beginning of a new year in the Gregorian Calendar. Which has actually been followed by the Roman Catholics since the 1500s. And since Christianity is the most followed religion in this whole wide world of ours, it took precedence and became the globally accepted year format. Also, because it accounts for the Earth’s revolutions in an accurate manner, it only makes sense. You can also start the festivities by sharing a short new year story for kids to spark joy and imagination.
Anyway, just like all other New Year’s, this one too is about reflecting first and then starting anew. And that is why it is so widely celebrated.
Read More – Best New Year Quotes for Kids
How to Celebrate New Year’s with Your Family?
Countdowns, countdowns!
Okay, maybe you could make an exception one time and delay your kids’ bedtime? If your kid is 10 or older, you could have a fun family countdown to midnight together!
If they are younger, you can still count down right before their bedtime. As they say, it’s probably 12 o’clock somewhere in the world. Countdown rituals are fun New Year activities for preschool kids because they help them understand time. They also make celebrating the new year with kids engaging and exciting. So get your glasses of sparkling apple juice and raise a family toast at the ball drops on your TV!
Host a partayyyyy
Another perfectly fine answer to ‘how to celebrate New Year’s with family’! You know your kids love a party as much as you do. It is the only time they get to have cake and frolic around like there is no tomorrow!
A New Year’s party could quickly turn into a family favourite tradition. Again, you will need your sparkling apple juice and plastic champagne flutes so these tiny ones can sip in style without the risk of breaking anything. Oh, also party decor. And finger food! Balloons and streamers, too. Add party hats to the list as well. Now you have got yourself a partayyyy.
Pop goes the balloon drop!
Okay, ball dropping might be too far-fetched a thing to happen inside the walls of your home. But a balloon drop is not! And neither is a piñata drop if you want to give it a candy-licious spin, your kids are bound to love. We vote for the latter despite the title of this sub-head. Starting the New Year with a delicious treat is a temptation that is too hard to resist. Even for us!
Make resolutions together
As a family! What is more typical of New Year’s than resolving anyway? So what you guys can do is gather around at your breakfast table the next morning. Take out your pen and paper and scribble down your resolutions. Resolution writing can become one of the most meaningful new year activities for preschool children. It’s also a quiet bonding moment when spending the new year with kids as a family.
If your kids cannot think of any, we have got some great New Year’s resolution ideas for kids! Like brushing teeth two times a day. Washing hands after every loo visit. Finishing greens on their plates! Our list of New Year’s resolution ideas for kids could go on and on.
Anyhoo, once each of you is done with your list, you guys can discuss it as a family and have some fun!
New Year family greeting card
First, start by gathering around a table and going through all the photos you guys have clicked as a family in the last year. Shortlist five of them and then put them to a vote. Now the picture that wins could go into your New Year family greeting card! Why this is a great idea is that when you sort through all the pictures together, you get to relive some truly beautiful memories as a family. Which can be one of the best ways to bond, if you ask us. Plus, sending out a card is so personal and sweet. It will definitely teach your kids the value of adding that personal, meaningful touch.
Slumber partayyyy
A spin on the New Year’s partayyy! Okay, yes, we get it. We have to stop calling it a partayyy. Anyway. If your kids are young and they would rather stay curled up in bed, listening to a special New Year’s story from you, then that is exactly what you should do!
Add a couple of snacks, sweets and fizzy drinks to the mix and encourage your kids to just talk. To confide in you. Share their tiny, cute secrets with you. Maybe you guys could even fill out a slam book together
Sure, it is not your typical New Year’s activity, but who says you have to do the conventional stuff as a family? You could always start your own new tradition. You only need to spend a good time together asa family. The only thing of importance is that!
Read More – New Year’s Activities for Kids
Summing up
As the New Year approaches, families can create unforgettable traditions with simple moments of joy, warmth, and togetherness. Whether through playful activities or meaningful conversations, celebrating the new year with kids helps build cherished memories that last a lifetime. Making New Year’s Eve (and day) memorable for your kids through these activities will surely help them remember this time of the year fondly. So much so that you will see them get excited this time of the year, coming up with their own ideas to celebrate New Year’s differently this time around as a family. Which can be so heart-warming
Not to toot our own horn, but that is the kind of sweet sentiment we try to instill in our preschool kids, too. At EuroKids, we want emotionally fulfilling experiences to be a part of a child’s life, too. And that is why we make it a point to celebrate every festival in school, letting kids participate in exciting, engaging and nurturing activities. Visit us for more!
EuroKids Admissions for the new academic year are now open. Parents who wish to provide their children with a strong early learning foundation are invited to explore EuroKids centres across India. Give your child a happy, confident and inspiring start to the new year.
You can check out the EuroKids blog for more insightful and fun articles to support your baby’s growth, health, and learning.
Don’t forget to check out EuroKids Preschools for the perfect foundation to kickstart your little one’s learning journey.
Read More –New Year Story for Kids
FAQs:
1. How can I make New Year’s celebrations more meaningful for my kids?
You can make New Year’s celebrations meaningful by involving kids in simple activities like helping with decorations, preparing snacks, or joining in the countdown in a way that suits their age. Encouraging them to express their feelings about the past year or share hopes for the new one also adds emotional depth to the celebration.
2. What are some easy ways to celebrate the New Year with kids at home?
New Year’s at home can be special with small gestures such as hosting a mini family party, doing a balloon drop, decorating the house together, or reading a cosy New Year story before bedtime. Even adjusting the countdown to an earlier hour makes younger kids feel included and excited.
3. What safe and fun New Year activities can I plan for young children?
You can plan safe activities such as crafting, board games, baking simple treats, or setting up a family movie night. A DIY photo booth or making greeting cards are also wonderful ideas. Always ensure small objects like confetti and balloons are used under supervision to avoid choking hazards.
4. How do I introduce New Year traditions to kids in a fun way?
Introduce traditions through hands-on experiences, like writing resolutions, making a family greeting card, or learning about how the New Year is celebrated across cultures. These interactive activities help kids understand the significance of the celebration while enjoying the process.
5. Can storytelling be part of our New Year celebration?
Absolutely! Storytelling adds warmth and imagination to New Year celebrations. You can share stories about past family events, cultural traditions, or even make up a fun fictional New Year’s tale. It encourages reflection, creativity, and bonding, making it a heartwarming part of the celebration.
