Originally published December 30, 2016. Updated December 13, 2020.

As parents, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day is not as glamorous, fun, or fabulous as it used to be. However, it can be! Plan some fun with the kids, and bring back the spirit of this holiday with these Happy Noon Year New Years’ Eve Ideas for Kids!

For younger kids who cannot stay up until midnight (or for parents who also want to celebrate earlier!) have a Happy Noon Year celebration! At 12:00 P.M (compared to A.M) celebrate the start of the New Noon Year! You can either do it on December 31st or January 1st!

New Year’s Eve Ideas for Kids

A cute idea to help kids celebrate New Year’s Eve is to fill each bag with a fun activity or snack and open one bag every hour till midnight (or bedtime). Head to the local party store and you can find little trinkets, or tuck some chocolate or bags of chips into the bags from the grocery store.

Other Noon Year Ideas

If you want a bit less work, blow up balloons; one for every hour. Kids can then pop their way into the new year! (Make sure they don’t get scared from the popping!)

I like this idea for kids to reflect on the past year. Older kids can fill it out themselves or ask the younger ones the question and fill it out for them. It is something to do and a great keepsake. You can get the printable HERE.

Another idea is to take a picture. Have your child hold a sign that has their favorite thing from the past year or hope for the new year.

If you want more activities and crafts to do during the day and evening, I like this bingo idea. Especially with the marshmallows! You can get the printable HERE.

Have fun with food too. Take pizza dough and let your kids roll in into the year (literally!!) Then they can decorate the pizza too. A fun way to keep them occupied and have fun with dinner! Yummy!

Check out all the other ideas I have for easy New Years’ Eve activities for kids – including a year-in-review ornament idea!

Happy New Year!