There are lots of fun things to do today – this last day of 2011. Here are some ideas, whether you live locally in Massachusetts, or live in California and want some at-home festive ideas.

If you live in Massachusetts, pick up a First Night Boston button and get free admission to the Boston Children’s Museum today. Then hop on the subway and check out the Family Festival at the Hynes Convention Center from 1-5pm. Then at 5pm, head outside to check out the Metro Boston Grand Procession down Boylston Street to Boston Common. First Night buttons are $18 each and kids under 4 are free. They can be purchased at the Boston Common Vistors Information Center or at these other locations. There is free on-street parking in Boston all day and free T rides after 8pm if you stay out that late. The entire First Night Boston schedule can be seen here.

If you want to head west, then check out First Night Worcester. Buttons are $12 available at these locations, or $15 at the door of an event. Kids under 7 are free and there is plenty for kids to see and do. Magic shows, petting zoos, synchronized swimming shows, kite making and other art projects. Then stay for the fireworks at 6pm.

If you don’t want to venture out, or don’t live in Massachusetts, then make some New Year’s fun at home with some craft projects for the kids. (And maybe check out these cocktails recipes for the grown-ups!)

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New Year’s Eve Hats:

To make a cone-shaped hat, cut a 14 inch diameter semicircle from a large piece of poster board. Roll it into a cone, adjust its size to fit, and seal the seam with double-sided foam tape. To make the chin strap, use a thumbtack to poke a hole through each side of the hat near the bottom, thread one end of an elastic or string through each hole, and knot a few times to secure it. To have the kids decorate the hats, wrap pipe cleaners around pom-poms to make antennae or coil them around a pen to make spirals. Attach pom-poms, add fun stickers, or decorate with markers and crayons.

Make Noise Makers:

Take a clean, dry (and empty) water bottle and take off the logo. Place a handful of beads, dried beans or coins inside. Run some glue around the mouth of the bottle and replace the cap. Then make a mixture of 1/2 white craft glue and 1/2 water to cover the bottle a few times over. Tear white tissue or colored tissue paper into large chunks. (Kids love this part.) Paint a small section of the outside of the water bottle with the glue mixture. (Kids can help!) Place a torn piece of white tissue paper onto the glue mixture and paint over it with the glue mixture. Repeat this process, covering the entire bottle. You can add layers if you wish. Allow to dry. Then you can add stickers or other fun things to the bottle. Take some ribbon and tie around the cap for a festive flair.

Happy New Year’s Sign:

Have kids make a big banner to hang outside or inside the house. Take a large piece of poster board and have them go at it. If they are not old enough to write, write “2012″ and “Happy New Year” on it. Then let them decorate around the words.

Make a Time Capsule:

This is a project the whole family can get involved with. See what things your kids can think up. Whether they write a note, take a picture of themselves or collect objects found around the house, have fun! Then place in an empty shoe box covered in wrapping paper or construction paper that they can decorate. Or place in an old milk jug, old can with a lid (like a coffee jar) or other storage container.

Make a Countdown Clock:

This is great for elementary school kids. Take a paper plate and have them make numbers around the edges to make a clock. Add glitter and glue or just stick with basic markers. Then make the clock hands with pipe cleaners, heavy duty paper, etc., and secure with a fastener. Then as the day goes on, have them countdown the number of hours left until the new year!

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After making these items, set a time for your family’s New Year’s eve celebration. Whether it is at 6pm or 7pm. Serve fun drinks (like sparkling water mixed with orange juice and cranberry juice) and serve their favorite dinner! They can wear their hats, shake their noise makers and watch a YouTube clip of the ball dropping on the computer to yell Happy New Year (just try to ignore the fact that it is from last year).

Happy New Year Everyone!

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Image Credit: Creativity103 on Flickr Creative Commons