Kid Friendly Activities for NYE 2026
New Year’s Eve doesn’t have to be all fancy countdowns and overtired little ones struggling to stay awake.
New Year’s Eve doesn’t have to be all fancy countdowns and overtired little ones struggling to stay awake. When you’re celebrating with children, the night can turn into a cosy, memorable blend of family friendly fun and creativity that make everyone feel included. With just a little planning, you can create a celebration that’s joyful for the kids and low stress for you. We’ve gathered five wonderful ways to welcome 2026 that bring all the excitement, without pushing bedtime too far past midnight. Read on to see our top 5 ideas to help the celebrations go smoothly.
1.Host a Noon-Year’s Eve party
A Noon Year’s Eve is a great way to let children experience all the excitement of New Year’s Eve but without the late bedtime. By shifting the celebration to 12pm, little ones can feel like they’re part of something bigger. There are loads of recorded countdown videos on YouTube and why not get some party poppers too. Children can get the thrill of celebrating and welcoming the new year and still be home and ready for lunch and their usual schedule.
2.Have a DIY station
A simple DIY craft station can turn your little one’s New Year’s Eve celebration into an interactive and engaging experience. Set up a small table with stickers and crayons and maybe some plain party hats or paper and let their imaginations run wild. You could have fun prompts like ‘design your own superhero hat’ or ‘decorate a crown fit for your 2026’. For younger ones, you could cut out shapes or have foam stickers they can easily stick in place. When they are finished with their crafts, display them on a shelf or wear them proudly. This is a great low-cost for New Year’s Eve whilst creating a memorable keepsake.
3.Have a glow stick dance party
A glow stick dance party is a great way to create magical activities to keep little ones entertained on New Year’s Eve this year. All you need are a handful of glow sticks and maybe some battery powered fairy lights. Maybe add some simple dance challenges into this activity like ‘freeze when the music stops’ or ‘show your best light up dance move’. If you have older kids, let them build their own glowing outfits by taping the glow sticks to their clothes. This is a really great way to burn off energy before winding down for the evening.
4.Storytime countdown
If you’re after a calming and heartwarming way to celebrate New Year’s Eve with younger children, then a storytime countdown is a great idea. Rather than building excitement with lights you can create a gentle wind down for the evening. Let your child choose their favourite picture books and create a pile. Read the first one on the pile every few hours. To make this extra special, create a calm and cosy reading nook filled with blankets and pillows. If your child has a favourite stuffed animal or blanket, encourage them to bring it each hour. This is a sweet, calm tone to end the year and welcome 2026 in a gentle and loving way.
5.Wish jars for the new year
Wish jars are a meaningful way to help kids reflect on the year ahead whilst being involved in the celebrations and excitement of the new year. Encourage the whole family to write down a few wishes or goals for 2026. These can be ‘learn how to ride a bike’ or ‘go to the beach more’, there is no right or wrong answer. This gives children freedom to express themselves. You can personalise the jars and decorate them with fun stickers and sparkles. Then, once all the wishes are inside the jar, place the jar somewhere safe and reopen next New Year’s Eve. This can become a wonderful family tradition to look back on how much everyone has grown and what came true. This is also a great keepsake you can treasure for years to come to remember each stage of your children’s wishes.
New Year’s Eve doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful. With just a little creativity and these child friendly activities, your family can welcome 2026 in a way that feels joyful and perfectly suited to you and your family. Whether you’re dancing around the living room with glow sticks, sharing stories in a cozy reading nook or counting down at noon instead of midnight, the magic comes from being together. These small traditions become the moments your children remember most. So, choose what feels right for your family and enjoy starting the new year with love, laughter, and a sense of wonder.
We wish you and your family a very happy new year! Thank you for reading.
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