Our annual “Pop-Around-the-Clock” New Year’s Eve tradition has become my daughter’s favorite day of the year. I think it is because it is the one day I lay aside my agenda (dishes and laundry included) and give my undivided attention to her and doing these activities as a family.
The general concept is that I come up with 12 activities, one for each hour of the day. I write the activities on slips of paper that are inserted into balloons before blowing them up. Then, I make a clock with the inflated balloons and each hour we pop a balloon and do the activity.
I like to keep it simple and redo most of the same activities from year to year but I have switched it up now and then. Most activities are cheap or free but I like to work in some “wow” ideas too to keep it exciting!
Supply List: (Most of these things can be found around the house or the not-actually-a-Dollar Tree)
- Celebration Slime: Clear glue, glitter, baking soda, Bio-Tru Contact Solution, straws
- Box of Brownie mix
- Canvas, acrylic paint markers (or fill in with another craft or art project)
- Wish Wall: Post-it Notes and pens
- Plastic champagne glasses, sparkling cider/juice, Hershey’s kisses
- Clock: balloons, slips of paper, tape, paper plate, brad fastener (optional)
Activity Ideas:
- Celebration Slime: Making slime is always a hit in our house and it’s a great way to kick off your day because it will keep the kids busy for awhile! If you’re afraid of slime, stop it! Slime is so fun and right recipe is all you need to overcome your fears! Here is our favorite, tried and true, recipe. Be sure to try blowing giant bubbles into the slime using a straw! (Gently fold the slime over one end of the straw and blow into the other end. The kids will love it!
- New Year’s Mad Lib: You can google to your heart’s content for New Year’s Eve Mad Libs. Here’s a simple one we have used.
- New Year’s Joke Teller: Another simple, free printable that the kids will carry around all day!
- Make brownies: This will be a handy snack to work in with the next activity.
- Watch Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution read aloud on YouTube while you enjoy brownies and milk!
- Paint a Canvas: We have done this activity each year and I loved seeing our collection grow! We stick to a similar look by googling “kawaii art” for ideas. Prep this activity by drawing the design on a canvas ahead of time. (Or you can even buy pre-printed canvases to paint) We like using acrylic paint markers for this activity. Just keep in mind that acrylic paint does not wash off….wear old clothes!
- Make a Dodecahedron (12-sided) Calendar: I think these things are cool but a word of warning that this can be a little complicated and therefore frustrating for little ones. Here’s a link for a 2025 version.
- Lunch/Dinner and Discuss Favorites from the Year: This is a fabulous free printable of things to talk about over lunch to review some of your favorite things about the past year. Give each family member one of 2 to read/ask out loud and give everyone a chance to answer.
- Watch Kid President: I’m dating myself here but I still love Kid President and we love watching this New Year’s Challenge every year. It’s timeless…well except for the Twitter mention… and filled with great ideas to think of others in the coming year!
- Wish Wall: Each family member gets their own color post-it notes and writes down their wishes/goals for the new year and sticks them on the wall. Be sure to save these to look back on next year! I’m always pleasantly surprised to see how many we actually manage to do!
- Glow Cotton Candy: We scored a cotton candy machine at our local thrift store for $5 and have gotten so much use from it! Adding a thick heavy-duty glow sticks in the paper cone makes for a magical New Year’s treat!
- Cheers and “Mid-Night” Kisses: Break out some fancy glasses or get the plastic ones and say a little toast or prayer for the coming year with sparkling grape juice and Hershey’s Kisses! Happy New Year!
Enjoy celebrating with your family! I wish you many blessings for you and family this coming year!
