In all of my years, I have never been one to go out on New Year's Eve. Even as a child, I stayed in and rang in the new year with my parents and sister. We'd play board games and watch movies. From time to time we hosted family and friends. It was always laid back and just a nice relaxing evening with those closest to us. Midnight would strike, the ball would drop, and one by one we would clink our glasses filled with the beverage of choice, then a kiss and a goodnight and the night was done.
I think back to those days and often wondered how my mom kept it cool and calm, because I find it pretty difficult some years letting my boys stay up. Some kids just don't take kindly to staying up late. And no matter how many times you tell them, that it's perfectly ok to go to bed, they refuse.
This year I am hoping to combat the grumpy pants in the group and keep everyone entertained all day and all night. I have a 5 year old who loves a party and party food. He's already asking everyday when the party is. So I came up with a little treat for the boys and the adults as well!
I printed out these tags that I created. Feel free to download them here and use for yourself. DOWNLOAD TAGS HERE. These tags all have times from 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
I took lunch bags and cut off about 2 inches from the top. Inside the bag I placed a fun activity (I'll share a list here), folded it over, popped two holes in it to keep it closed, tied some yarn and ta da, a fun little time pack. I then hung them up on twine with clothes pins.
I'm really hoping this will work! And I am pretty excited about the things I have for us to do.
Activities you might want to add to your bags:
- Color a picture. I found this Happy New Year one and printed it out.
- Clean up your toys or clean the bathroom. A chore is a nice twist to get them to straighten up before guests start to arrive, or to just get some things looking better.
- Dance Party
- Play a board game
- A round of indoor hopscotch with masking or painter's tape
- Eat a cupcake
- Balloon Ping Pong
- Snowball toss
- T.P. Snowman race
- Make a sock puppet
- Put on a puppet show
- Create a noise maker
- Do 20 jumping jacks
- Simon Says
- Do a Lego challenge
- Create your favorite food out of playdoh
- Wish launch (place a wish or three in a hellium balloon and let it set sail)
One of my envelopes has some minute to win it games that even kids can play.
- Defying Gravity - you must keep two balloons in the air for 60 seconds only using your mouth.
- Tissue Toss - Using both hands, empty an entire tissue box.
- Tweeze Me - using tweezers relocate 5 tic tacs from one bowl to another
- M&M Race - Using a straw transfer M&Ms from one plate to another
- This Blows - using a straw and a plastic cup blow till your cup falls off the opposite side of the table.
- Face the Cookie - place cookie on forehead and only using facial muscles you must try to get the cookie in your mouth. No hands!
- Unicorn - stack 7 ding dongs (we are using Oreos) on your forehead.
So there you have it... some ideas and maybe a little inspiration. Many items can be picked up for this fun day at your local dollar store. Celebrating with your family this New Year's Eve is priceless! Have fun and stay safe.
Happy New Year Everyone!!!!
