New Year’s Eve is always a fun night for adults but the fun doesn’t have to stop when you have kids. Over the years planning a fun New Year’s Eve has been challenging, especially when the kids were toddlers-an age where they wouldn’t last until midnight, and loud noise or music would keep them up or wake them up.
What are parents to do for one of the biggest celebrations of the year? Some of my friends always celebrate with their children; others enjoy an adult-only night out while the little ones sleep soundly at home as midnight strikes. In the past, we’ve done a variety of things including attending parties where babysitters were hired to watch kids to leaving the kids at home with a sitter. We have even celebrated the night before or on New Year’s Day to save on babysitter costs as some sitters typically charge a hefty premium for this big night.
But as the kids get older, we’ve made it a point to include them in our plans. Over the years we’ve been pretty creative with our ideas, helping to make sure everyone has a great time.
Here are six tips to making your New Year’s Eve family-friendly and fun for everyone:
1. Have your own party at home and invite your friends with children.
2. Include a kid-friendly toast with apple juice, clear soda, or sparkling cider.
3. Going to a party or having one at your place? Create a kid-friendly zone in the house. Have board games and card games ready for the kids. The children may have so much fun they won’t want to join you for the midnight countdown.
4. If you’re going to a friend’s house, let the kids wear their favorite holiday pajamas. When you get home you won’t have to worry about changing them out of their party clothes.
5. Play adult- and kid-friendly games like Charades or Pictionary.
6. Have a family dance-off or make it a Karaoke night.
What are some of the ways that you celebrate New Year’s with your children?