Winter Fun for the Family: New Year's Eve Celebration

With kids, simple is best. Many fun and easy foods can be made for and with children. One great place to get kid-friendly recipes for New Year's Eve celebrations is Kids-Cooking-Activities. Also, a great source of non-alcoholic punch recipes is Allrecipes. The recipes there create the perfect punches for the kids, designated drivers, or those who do not consume alcohol. Another source of non-alcoholic drink recipes is FamilyFun, which also features other New Year's Eve recipes and craft ideas.

Entertainment

Television Broadcasts. Many television stations will be broadcasting special New Year's Eve concerts and events. However, some families may feel that the content and advertisements in some of these broadcasts is not family-friendly, so view them at your own discretion.

Local Family Friendly Events. Across the globe, many types of New Year's Eve parties are planned for the public. A common one across the USA that was created with families in mind is First Night. First Night events typically include food, music, art, and entertainment. These events do not include alcohol. A full list of cities offering First Night events may be found at the First Night website. Other countries, such as New Zealand and Canada participate, but as of 2008, only in one city per country. That may change in future years.

Games. Board games such as bingo and monopoly may be played. Also, other types of games may be enjoyable for the family, such as those found online at sites such as The Holiday Spot and Amazing Moms. Simple prizes may be given, or grab bags containing treats, dollar store finds, craft instructions and materials, or party favors may be created and used.

Other Activities. Coloring pages, crafts and instructions for other fun activities including making countdown clocks, party hats, and various noisemakers may be found online at various Web sites such as Kaboose.

Ringing in the New Year

Remember that with younger children, the ringing in of the new year can occur at any time their parents determine appropriate, with no protest. Sleepy kids are grouchy kids, so celebrating according to the time of a different time zone (which works well when watching or listening to New Year's broadcasts from other locations) may be the perfect solution.

A Note about Pets and New Year's Eve

Some pets become very stressed or frightened by the commotion and noise of typical New Year's Eve parties, noisemakers, and fireworks. Please keep this in mind when small children are around. An upset pet may act out of character and nip at an unsuspecting child. Please keep the well-being of your pets and children in mind when celebrating.

SOURCES:

New Years Eve Recipes. Kids-cooking-activities.
http://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/new-years-eve-recipes.html
(Accessed December 17, 2007)

Drinks: Non-alcohol New Year Drinks. Allrecipes. (Reader submitted)
http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Holidays-and-Events/New-Year/Non-Alcohol-Drinks/Main.aspx
(Accessed December 17, 2007)

Colorful Cockatils. A family celebration from FamilyFun.
http://familyfun.go.com/parties/holiday/feature/famf199612_ffnewyear/famf199612_ffnewyear3.html
(Accessed December 17, 2007)

First Night New Year's Eve Fests. Kara Williams. December 4, 2007. Suite 101.
http://kid-friendly-travel-destinations.suite101.com/article.cfm/first_night_new_years_eve_fests
(Accessed December 17, 2007)

First Night Cities. First Night International.
http://www.firstnight.com/cities.php
(Accessed December 17, 2007)

New Year Games for 2008 - New Year Eve Party. The Holiday Spot.
http://www.theholidayspot.com/newyear/games-for-kids.htm
(Accessed December 17, 2007)

New Year's Eve Party for Kids. AmazingMoms.
http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/new-years-party-for-kids.htm
(Accessed December 17, 2007)

New Year's Index. Kaboose
http://holidays.kaboose.com/newyear-index.html
(Accessed December 17, 2007)