How To Throw The Best Family-Friendly New Year's Eve Party
New Year's Eve is a holiday that can be enjoyed by the whole family, not just adults. You don't have to attend a party or hire a babysitter to have fun. There are plenty of ways to make it a fun-filled family affair!
If you're the type that prefers to stay in, wear cozy jammies, and soak up the fun with your kiddos before the clock even strikes midnight, this is for you.
And if you're the type that does prefer to go out, no judgment here. We all have our preferred ways of doing things, but if more hustle and bustle is the LAST thing that you want more of after a busy Christmas season, you're in the right place.
In our house, New Year's Eve is always one of those days that's a little hard to navigate. We're a lover of all holidays, but a holiday that requires the celebrating to take place wee into the hours of the night? Not exactly our cup of tea.
And since I know it's not everyone else's either, I've created the ultimate guide to throwing the BEST family-friendly New Year's Eve party that doesn't require staying up to watch the ball drop OR getting all dressed up (if you don't want to).
Instead, it's more about spending intentional time together as a family one last time before the school season starts again, enjoying the ENTIRE day (not just a few late hours), and making the celebration more aligned with our family values.
I invite you to do the same this year, and below, you'll find a few ideas on how to do just that.
4 Family Friendly New Year's Eve Party Ideas
1. Themed Breakfast 🍳🥓
Nothing starts a celebratory day off on the right foot quite like a themed breakfast!
You don't need much to achieve this – a sparkly tablecloth, tinsel, festive New Year's headgear, etc.
Pair this decor with your family's favorite breakfast items, like cinnamon rolls or a bagel bar, like this one and you can serve the kids sparkling grape juice in plastic champagne flutes to really add to the New Year vibe!
While sharing breakfast, discuss your favorite moments of the past year as a family to reflect on what you all experienced together.
Provide the kids with New Year-themed coloring sheets or kid-friendly resolution printables so it feels like a fun activity before the day begins.
You can count this as your main event and let the rest of the day go as is. Or this could be the prelude to a beautiful day ahead combined with other ideas below!
2. Noon Year's Eve ⏰
If breakfast isn't your thing, consider throwing a Noon Year's Eve party! This could be something just for you and your immediate family or something you do with your neighborhood friends.
Either way, the idea is precisely what it sounds like – a New Year's Eve party hosted at NOON instead of midnight.
Talk about my kind of party!
You can design this party however you want, but the idea is to keep it simple with yummy finger foods, perhaps a taco board, and festive activities for the kids throughout.
Some ideas include a balloon drop, an NYE-related craft (like this one!), a mocktail bar featuring fun glasses rimmed with icing and sprinkles, a dance party, and sparklers!
3. A New Year's Eve Family Movie Night 🎬🍿
Consider a New Year's Eve family movie night if you want to keep things simple.
You can order pizza, make popcorn, and snack on your favorite treats while enjoying a family-friendly movie before bed at a decent hour.
Movie nights are our family favorite, so this is always a go-to!
To make this feel extra special, you can wear festive NYE headgear, socks, or pajamas to match the day's theme.
And if you're searching for more movie night tips, refer to my ultimate guide for a few quick tips.
4. "Fancy" Dinner at Home 🥂
Some people love that New Year's Eve is known for dressing in your best sparkly outfit, and I get it! There's a fun vibe that brings.
If you want to embrace the sparkles and flair on NYE but want to do it in a way that keeps your kiddos involved in the celebration, consider putting together a "fancy" dinner at home where everyone gets dressed up and enjoys their favorite meal together at home.
You and your spouse can toast with champagne while the kids dance alongside you to a fun playlist until it's time for bed.
To commemorate the night, you can create a fun photo booth with silver and gold balloons and New Year's Eve props to utilize alongside a Polaroid camera to have forever memories.
This keeps it semi-casual while embracing what the holiday is so often known for!
Overall, give yourself permission to think outside the box this New Year's Eve and enjoy the celebrations WITHOUT giving into all the usual things the day typically includes.
Remember: sometimes doing less is doing more, and the simple things often bring the MOST joy!
I'm curious – do you curate a unique way to celebrate New Year's Eve with your kiddos? I'd love to hear about your traditions!
Connect with me on Instagram and let me know – I'm all about parents helping parents.