30 New Year’s Eve Crafts & Activities for Kids

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Welcome back to Red Ted Art! Hooray, ’tis the season to be Jolly.. so many wonderful celebrations in Autumn/ Winter from Thanks Giving, to Halloween, to Christmas and the ending in New Year’s Eve! These are all occasions that are wonderful for establishing family traditions and easy kids crafts for family or kids. To the task at hand: New Year’s Eve Crafts! YAY!

New Year’s Crafts for all the Family

New Year's Eve Crafts ideas for all the family!
First published in Dec 2010 – updated and republished for your convenience!

I also have a set of New Year’s Eve Traditions from around the world for you, do go and have a peak! They are fantastic fun and your really have to read them and have a giggle! Maybe even adopt one or two them for YOUR family!

Gather your craft supplies and let’s get making with these fun ideas for your New Year’s Celebration!

New Year’s Eve Countdown with Kids

As well as an HOUR BY HOUR set of Countdown Activities to do with kids. So much fun! Each hour gives you 2-4 ideas of what to do.. there are many free printables as well as non printable activities and crafts. Why not check it out? The best bit..? It comes with a countdown clock.. you can move the clock along hourly or half hourly if the kids need to get to bed earlier!

If you are celebrating New Year’s Eve with Toddlers or Preschoolers, I have an extra special collection for them! Including celebration playdough and New Year’s Eve Slime! Great for little hands!

New Year’s Eve Crafts: Games & Activities

new year's eve party

A great New Year’s Eve Paper Fidget Toy

Party Emoji Kaleidoscopes – perfect for New Year’s Eve or a Birthday Party DIY

COUNTDOWN CLOCK Free Printable

These countdown clocks are super duper easy to make and OH SO FUN!!!!! The kids can colour and customise their clock and then get ready to count down. Start at Noon.. to midnight.. or write your time stampes – maybe from 6pm to 9pm!!

GRATITUDE Jewel Garland for New Year’s Eve

A thoughtful activity and decoration for New Year’s Eve. Colour and Cut these beautiful jewels, add wishes and gratefulness messages and decorate the mantel piece! Beautiful Garland for New Year’s Eve.x

About Me Booklet for New Years Eve or Back to School

All About Me Mini Books

Make these super fun About Me mini books (just one sheet of paper and NO GLUE!) then fill in all the details. Compare year on year how things have changed.

New years quiz

Traditions Fortune Teller for New Year’s Eve

Have fun with this  New Year’s Eve Quiz cootie catcher – learn all about quirky traditions from around the world. Or use the blank template to write some New Year’s Fortunes!

New Year's Eve Crafts

Countdown Balloons activity

I HAVE to start with this post from Pioneer Party & Gift [UPDATE: this site is no longer available] but you can find hourly New Year’s Eve activities here], as it has no less than 14 kids New Year’s Eve party games. Definitely one to keep the kids busy with.x

new years eve crafts

Make Countdown Bags with Activities in each one

Similarly, here is  a set of activities and ideas from Sweet Blessings (UPDATE: this blog no longer available, but 12 activities still shared!). Not only did she have 12 different activities and goodies planned out, but she invented her own riddle for each one, so the kids would have to figure out what the treat or activity is first. Brilliant.

new years eve crafts

Create a Wishing Tree for the New Year

I am not much of one for “New Year’s Resolutions” – they usually just end up making people feel bad. But I do LOVE the idea of a wishing try.. how wonderful to wish for things in the New Year, it kind of makes it all sparkly and magical. No Time For Flashcards comes up trumps with this activity.

New Year’s Eve Crafts: Decorating Ideas

new years eve crafts

Gorgeous Gold & Silver Circle Streams

Martha Stewart [Update: this image now serves as inspiration as the actual detailed post no longer available] has these oh so stylish shimmer streamers that have something very New Year’s Eve Craft about them. Maybe the represent the bubbles in your bubbly or the sparks of fire works or the stars in the New Year’s Eve sky, but to me they have New Year’s Eve all over it!

new years eve banner 2024

New Year’s Eve Crafts: Tinsel Banner

Another Martha Stewart idea (whilst we are there already!) for New Year’s Eve decorating crafts is this simple Tinsel Banner. A great way to use anything up from Christmas crafts or school plays and sure to get you into that New Year’s Eve mood!

New Year's Eve Crafts for kids

DIY Happy New Year Garland

Or check out this colourful Garland from Craft Kaboose [Update: this site no longer running, but luckily this exact craft also available here].  An opportunity to use up lots of colourful bits and pieces – be sure to include it in yout New Year’s Eve Crafts collection. So bright and jolly! x

Paper Plate Star Twirler for Preschoolers

This is a super easy and adorable craft to get young kids involved in New Year’s Eve, make this super darling STAR Decoration with them. Watch them twirl and twirl… they also make a great gift from an “older” sibling to a new baby’s room! Love a Paper Plate Star Twirler (complete with star template)x

New Year’s Eve Crafts: Noise Makers & Party Poppers

These noise makers and party poppers are a fun way to make your own party crackers! Let’s have a look at these DIY New Year’s Eve Noisemakers (and not so noise makers) now!

easy party poppers

Super Easy Party Poppers

Easy Pom Pom Poppers – super fun to make and great for celebrating New Year’s with little ones (plus you can keep them busy picking up the pom poms and having another go!). You can turn these into DIY confetti poppers too… we just like the pom poms, as they are easy to pick up and then pop again!

New Year’s Eve STEAM Printable

Learn how to make New Year’s Eve Thaumatropes! Well not strictly speaking a noise maker.. but a bit of interactive fun, which is always good, right?

new years noise makers - a great New Year's Eve Crafts for kids

Raisin Box Shakers

I love these little Raising Box shakers that Artists Helping Children came up with as a New Year’s Eve Crafts idea. The little bell in particularly makes me happy! Love the little jingle bells!x

New Year's Eve Crafts - noise maker

Paper Bowl Noise Maker

Yes, this one time of the year when we encourage our kids to GET NOISE! Love this simple paper bowl and bead noise maker from Education.x

new years eve crafts

Recycled Spool Rattles

Another cute and upcycled New Year’s Eve Crafts idea are these noisemakers made from old ribbon spools. Family Fun shares their how to [UPDATE this particular craft website is no longer available BUT you do get a very similar one here!!] .x

new years eve blowers

New Year’s Eve Crafts Paper Blowers

Martha Stewart [UPDATE: This site is no longer available, BUT, we still get to see how to make these Gift Wrap Paper Blowers on this wonderful website here] shows us how to make these BEAUTIFUL paper blowers… never really thought about the fact that we could make these ourselves! Wonderful.

new years eve crafts - DIY noisemaker

Button Noisemaker

Another cute New Year’s Eve crafts idea from Martha Stewart [UPDATE: again, Martha Stewart disappoints by updating her website.. however this GREAT YouTube video shows you how easy tehse are to make] is this button noisemaker… and it looks like it isn’t *too* noise. Yay.x

New Year's Eve Crafts - noise makers

Easy DIY Bell Bracelet

Super simple, super cute. My two would LOVE this idea from Ramblings of a Crazy Woman! A great way to use up lots of jingle bells!x

New Year’s Eve Crafts: Firework Art & Crafts

What would New Year’s Eve be without some fireworks! We have a whole fireworks craft/ art project section, but here is a small highlight for you.

Paper Roll Fireworks for New Year's Eve

Paper Roll Fireworks Streamers

Similarly we have these easy Paper Roll Firework Blowers! These are super cute and easy to make. Use upcycled tissue paper and Toilet Paper Tubes!

new years eve crafts

Favourite Firework Bubble Wands for Preschoolers

Make super easy sparkly bubble wands for toddlers to play with this New Year’s eve. So cute!

new year's eve crafts - firework art

Simple Fireworks Art Project

Here a simple and cute New Year’s Eve Crafts Idea! Glitter fireworks from The Ramblings of A Crazy Woman. Sometimes keeping things easy and simple is best and is a lovely way to sit down and still do a “topical” craft with your kids!x

new years eve crafts - wonderful fireworks art

Firework Town

How pretty is this Firework Town (originally made for the UK Bonfire Night, but just as appropriate for New Year’s Eve, surely?!).  A team effort from Patches of Puddles. Love it.x

New Year's Eve Crafts - spin art fireworks

Spin Art Fireworks for New Year’s

Or rather sweet is this spin art fireworks from The Imagination Tree. Always a great activity for the younger children amongst us and certainly no big bangs to frighten them!

New Year's Eve Crafts - fireworks in a glass

Indoor Fireworks in a Glass

Can’t have real fireworks? Fear not, this New Year’s Eve science craft will have your kids oohing and aahing: Fireworks in a Glass from Science Sparks.x

New Year’s Eve Crafts: Count down ideas

Free COUNTDOWN CLOCK Printable – interactive activity!

These countdown clocks are super duper easy to make and OH SO FUN!!!!! The kids can colour and customise their clock and then get ready to count down. Start at Noon.. to midnight.. or write your time stampes – maybe from 6pm to 9pm!! We have a WHOLE SET of countdown activities for you here!

new years craft - countdown clocks

Count Down Clock with Paper Plates

A fun little craft helping focus on the “big count down” and whlist you are it, you can sneak a little “how to read clock teaching”. Craft Kaboose shares this craft [Update: this website again, is no longer available.. but you can see it is an easy craft – you will need a paper plate, some split pins (one per clock) and either some sticker numbers.. or handwrite your own.. easy peasy and a great way to look at time and clocks with young children!).x

new years eve crafts - confetti boxes

Countdown Confetti Boxes

Mmmh, yes confetti is messy, but SOOOO pretty and fun! Love Carolyns Homework idea of making your own confetti and decorating matchbox. Wonderful.x

New Year's Eve Crafts - confetti balloons new years eve

Countdown Confetti Balloons

Sun Hats and Wellieboots (a gorgeous blog by the way, do check it out if you don’t know it already) has wonderful Confetti Balloons to pop as the clock strikes 12. Great fun to make and build up that excitement to the New Year! UPDATE: As we learn and grow as bloggers, Sun Hats and Wellieboots has taken this post down, as balloons are not really that eco friendly! It is still an amazing website to visit with many meaningful, educational and eco friendly crafts, so please do continue to be inspired!x

new years eve crafts

Countdown Confetti Wands

Or if you don’t fancy the balloons (and the bangs that go with them), how about some adorably fun and sparkly confetti wands? How Pip Squeak would ADORE these. Shared by Education.com.x

new years eve crafts & activities

Fun with DIY Confetti Eggs

I have loved these confetti eggs from Playing By The Book for a long time now. She actually made them as a traditional craft for Easter Sunday, but would also be a perfect fit for any confetti crafts and activities this New Year’s Eve. Take a look and have fun! UPDATE: Sadly Playing By the Book is no longer blogging (she had such a fab book led website)! But you can learn how to maek cascarones with egg shells on this lovely website here.

Marzipan Pigs for New Year's Crafts for kids

Traditional Good Luck Marzipan Pigs

Cute little Marzipan Pigs are part of New Year’s Day traditions – hand them to neighbours and friends for good luck. “Making” these is a great activity for that loooong wait on New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Eve Crafts: DIY Party Hats

Let’s make some Party Hats! Including hats with 2024 Printables!

2024 party hat printable free
Free Printable 2024 Party Hats

This party hat has been updated to represent 2024 and there are also some more generic Happy New Year Party hat printables. We also show you how to make some fun finger pom poms. Grab your free party hat printable!

Christmas Elf Hat

Paper Plate Party Hats

Similarly, you can make party hats from paper plates – this one was decorated as an ELF HAT.. but the process is simple and you can easily decorate it in New Year’s Eve colours and add messages!

New Year's Eve Hat

Star Party Headbands

Or make our super simple Star Party Hats/ Headbands!

New Years Eve Photo Idea

DIY New Year’s Eve Photo Props

Love these DIY Photo Props – a great New Year’s Eve Crafts for kids -just get the kids to print these photo props, cut them out, stick to craft sticks and then have lots of fun creating New Year’s Eve Memories!

new years eve crafts - paper plate hats

Paper plate Star Party Hat

Love this selection of paper plat party hats that you can find over Alphamom. Though none of them are specifically for New Year’s Eve hats, I do think they are a great idea – and the star one definitely would work. Add a cheeky “year date” and you are done.x

easy New Years hats

Gold Doily Party Hats

More hats from the wonderful Domestic Goddesque! Complete with funky “specs”. UPDATE this blog has now gone off line, I hope the picture is enough for inspiration!

New Year’s Eve DIYs: Masquerade Masks

Having a masquerade party theme and nnew some DIY New Year’s Eve Ball ideas? Then be sure to include some of these fun masquerade masks – which you can reuse for Mardi Gras.

masquerade masks

Paper Plate Masquerade Masks for Preschoolers

Let’s kick things off with a super simple paper plate craft, and make some masquerade mask for preschoolers!

Flowers & Feathers Masks, Paper Plate Masks, Recycled Book Pages Masks

So we have 3 more inspiration masks for. The original websites are no longer available! BUT First Palette comes to the rescue with some templates and decoration ideas. But to honour the original sites, we have:

  1. Craft Jr shares a template and instructions of how to make this wonderfully colourful masquerade mask. Fabulous.xx
  2. Would you have guessed that this mask was based on a paper plate? I didn’t! Parents Connect share this lovely idea.x
  3. Or how about these stylish “book pages” mask from Mark Montano?x
new years fun

Quirky Masks Specs

Or how about these? I think they are brilliant! A wonderful craft from Bloesem Kids.x

New Year’s Eve Activities: Memories & Blessings

new years eve time capsule
Time Capsule

Making a simple Time Capsule

Spotted on Kelli Crowe’s blog, we made a time capsule last New Year’s Eve – a lovely way to discuss the year gone by and add a precious family photo or two! The great thing is, that you can make a time capsule any time in that week between Christmas and New Year, or New Year’s Day. So if you have younger children, you don’t need to make them stay up all evening!x

new years eve

Make a Blessings Jar

A similar activity 0- but really something to focus on throughout the year is this wonderful ideas from I Can Teach My Child. You have to read the whole post for it’s full impact, but it is a wonderful way to recognise the wonderful and good things in your lives.

Oh and here.. are some reasons why I do NOT do New Year’s Resolutions!!! I do hope you have a fun New Year party and wish you all the best for 2024!

Looking for MORE? Really? Well, I have 15+ New Year’s Eve Traditions from around the world for you..

New Year's Eve Traditions from around the wrold

these EVEN MORE New Year’s Eve Activities

New Years Eve Ideas

Happy New Year 2024 everyone!