Whether you’re eager to kick 2020 to the curb or are sad another year is ending, New Year’s Eve will be very different this year. Some of us may miss dressing up and throwing (or attending) a traditional New Year’s Eve party surrounded by friends, families, and drinks. Others among us would still rather stay home than attend a party.
If you’re looking for fun things to do for New Year’s Eve at home with your kids this year — whether by choice, budget, or because of COVID-19 — you may be wishing to make it extra special. If so, check out these ideas for spending New Year’s Eve during the pandemic.
Please remember that because of the recent surge in COVID-19 numbers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends you only gather with people within your household — and that includes during the holidays.
Kids' New Year’s Eve activities
Kids' New Year’s Eve at-home party ideas
Thanks to the movies, we’ve grown to associate New Year’s Eve with parties and large social gatherings. This year, thanks to the coronavirus, we won’t be throwing those kinds of parties, but we can still throw a party at home for our kids to enjoy.
Dance, dance, dance!
Cue up your favorite party music and start an impromptu dance party in your family room. Get everyone into the mood — even if you have to bribe your older teens with letting them post your embarrassing moves on their TikTok account.
Movie night
There’s nothing wrong with a tried-and-true family movie night. Entrepreneur Jennifer Labit celebrates with her four kids the same way every year. “We stayed home to avoid being on the roads. Just us at home with snacks, movies, and pizza,” Labit told Mom.com. “Our kids will feel like nothing has changed. I’m good with that plan.”
Fancy dress-up dinner
Who says fancy dinners are just for grown-ups? Have your kids dress up in their best clothes — even if it’s a costume — and go all out. “It's tradition in our house to make steak, lobster, and asparagus for dinner,” shared Rachel Barry. “We also get sparkling apple cider for the kids along with noise makers and funny New Year’s glasses or hats… and toast to a new year.”
Early countdown
Little kids (and let’s face it, parents of little kids) usually can’t make it to midnight. “When my kids were little, we celebrated at 9 p.m. like it was midnight,” said Karen Brison Goodwin. “It was a blast!”
