Fun and Unique New Year's Eve Game Ideas for Kids

Keeping children entertained during a New Year's Eve party can be quite a dilemma. Children love to play games. Unfortunately, most kids will be bored with the "usual" games within hours if not minutes. On the other hand, new and unique games are sure to keep the kids entertained for hours. So if you are looking for fun, unique games, look no further.

What Did you Say?

Supplies:
None

This game is great for children who do not know each other. It's a great way to learn each other's name as well as get acquainted. Children gather in a circle or at the table. The first child states his/her first name as well as a descriptive adjective that begins with the same letter as his/her first name (for example, Mighty Matthew). The next child must repeat the first person's name as well as his/her own. The third child must repeat the first and second children's names as well as his/her own. This continues until it is the first child's turn again. He/she must repeat everyone's name.

Predict the Future Game

Supplies:
Magazine pictures and/or articles
Paper
Pen/pencil

Have the kids gather in a circle or at a table. Give them magazine pictures or articles (depends on the age of the child) of events that happened throughout the year. For example, a picture of the Super Bowl champs. Present them one at a time. The kids then take turns predicting what they think will happen during the course of the next year. In the case of the Super Bowl champs, the children may try and predict who will win next year's Super Bowl. Have the children or an adult (again, depends on the age of the children) write down the predictions. After the children are done playing, make sure to keep the paper with the predictions. Next New Year's Eve, the children can go over the predictions and see how they did.

New Year's Resolution Game

Supplies:
Paper
Pens/Pencils
Bowl or other container

Each child writes down his/her resolution on a piece of paper (more than one resolution per kid can also be used). The paper is then folded and placed in the container. One child or adult is selected as the moderator. He/she pulls a resolution from the container, one at a time, and reads it aloud. After a resolution is read, the children take turns guessing whose it is. The moderator keeps track of how many each kid got right. The child who gets the most right wins a prize.

Who am I?

Supplies:
Post-It Notes
Pens/Pencils

Have the children sit in a circle or at a table. Each child takes a post-it note and writes the name of a celebrity or well-known person or character. It often helps to give the children a theme, for example, cartoon characters. Next, each child sticks his/her note on the forehead of the person sitting to their right (or left, you decide). The point of the game is that the children do not know who they are, but everyone else does. Each child takes a turn asking a 'yes' or 'no' question. For example, "Am I a girl?" If the answer is 'yes,' then the player gets to ask another question. If it is 'no,' it's the next players turn. The goal is for each player to figure out who they are.

Giant New Year's Treasure Hunt

Supplies:
Depends on your preference

This game requires a lot of adult planning before the party, but it is sure to be fun and keep kids busy for a while. Prior to the party, come up with your clues. These are usually riddles of some sort. Each clue is a hint on how to find the next clue. The final clue is a hint on where to find the ultimate prize. The number of clues is up to you. Generally, the more clues there are, the longer it will take the kids to find the prize. The prize is up to you as well. One idea is to create goodie bags for each child filled with fun stuff for the party. Make sure everything is ready before the party. Once it is time to play, give the kids their first clue and let them start hunting. This game is best played when the kids work together.

The Winking Murderer

Supplies:
None

Kids gather in a circle on the floor. A "detective" is either selected or volunteers. He/she must go in the other room and wait to be called back in. The other children then choose a "murderer." The detective is then called back in. The murderer's job is to wink at people. When a player gets winked out, he/she must let out a scream and fall over. This continues until the detective guesses who the murderer is or the game is over. The detective gets three chances to guess who the murderer is. If he/she doesn't, then they have to be detective again in the next game. If the murderer is guessed, the game starts over with a new detective.