Fun and Festive New Year's Eve Crafts for Kids

Discover 15 creative and engaging New Year's Eve craft ideas to entertain kids and make the celebration memorable and festive.

New Year's Eve is an exciting time for everyone, and kids are no exception! Whether you're planning a family celebration or simply want to keep little hands busy while counting down to midnight, New Year's Eve crafts are a fantastic way to add creativity and joy to the occasion. Here are some fun and easy craft ideas that your kids will love.

1. DIY Party Hats

Help your kids ring in the New Year with personalized party hats!

Materials:

• Cardstock or construction paper
• Markers, crayons, or paint
• Stickers, glitter, and other embellishments
• Elastic string or ribbon
• Tape or glue

Instructions:

1. Roll a piece of cardstock into a cone shape and secure it with tape or glue.
2. Let your kids decorate their hats with markers, paint, and stickers.
3. Attach an elastic string or ribbon to the base of the hat to keep it in place.
4. Optional: Add a pom-pom or tassel to the tip for extra flair!

2. Countdown Clocks

Create countdown clocks to help kids track the hours until midnight.

Materials:

• Paper plates
• Construction paper
• Markers
• Brass fasteners (for movable clock hands)

Instructions:

1. Draw a clock face on a paper plate.
2. Cut out clock hands from construction paper and attach them to the plate using a brass fastener.
3. Let kids decorate their clocks with colourful designs.
4. Use the clock hands to practice telling time and count down together!

3. Sparkly Fireworks Art

Celebrate the New Year with some sparkling fireworks art.

Materials:

• Black construction paper
• Glitter glue or craft glitter
• Paint in bright colours
• Cotton swabs or paintbrushes

Instructions:

1. On black construction paper, have your kids draw fireworks bursts with glitter glue or bright paint.
2. Use cotton swabs or paintbrushes to add extra details.
3. Sprinkle loose glitter on wet paint or glue for extra sparkle.
4. Let the artwork dry and display it as a festive decoration.

4. Noise Makers

No New Year's Eve celebration is complete without noise makers!

Materials:

• Empty toilet paper rolls or small plastic containers
• Dry beans, rice, or beads
• Tape or glue
• Decorative materials (stickers, markers, ribbons)

Instructions:

1. Fill the toilet paper roll or container with a handful of dry beans or rice.
2. Seal the ends securely with tape or glue.
3. Let kids decorate the outside with stickers, markers, and ribbons.
4. Shake, rattle, and celebrate!

5. New Year’s Wish Jars

Encourage kids to reflect on their hopes for the new year with a wish jar.

Materials:

• Small jars or containers
• Strips of paper
• Pens or markers
• Stickers or washi tape for decoration

Instructions:

1. Give each child a jar and strips of paper.
2. Ask them to write or draw their wishes and goals for the new year on the paper.
3. Fold the strips and place them in the jar.
4. Decorate the jar with stickers and washi tape.
5. Open the jars at the end of the next year to see which wishes came true!

6. Balloon Drop

Recreate the magic of a big New Year’s Eve countdown with a DIY balloon drop.

Materials:

• Balloons
• A large plastic tablecloth or netting
• String or tape

Instructions:

1. Blow up several balloons.
2. Use a large plastic tablecloth or netting to hold the balloons.
3. Tape or hang the tablecloth at the ceiling, leaving one side open.
4. When midnight (or your designated countdown time) comes, release the balloons for a fun and festive moment!

7. Confetti Poppers

Add some sparkle to your celebration with homemade confetti poppers.

Materials:

• Empty toilet paper rolls
• Tissue paper
• Ribbon
• Confetti
• Tape or glue

Instructions:

1. Fill the toilet paper roll with confetti.
2. Cover one end with tissue paper and secure it with tape or ribbon.
3. Decorate the outside of the roll with markers or stickers.
4. Pull the tissue paper end to release the confetti.

8. Glow-in-the-Dark Jars

Bring some magic to the night with glow-in-the-dark jars.

Materials:

• Mason jars or plastic jars
• Glow sticks
• Glitter (optional)

Instructions:

1. Activate the glow sticks and carefully cut them open (adults only).
2. Pour the glowing liquid into the jar and add glitter if desired.
3. Seal the jar tightly and shake to mix.
4. Turn off the lights to watch your jar glow!

9. Paper Fortune Cookies

Create paper fortune cookies to share fun predictions for the new year.

Materials:

• Coloured paper
• Scissors
• Markers
• Tape or glue

Instructions:

1. Cut circles from the coloured paper.
2. Write fun fortunes or messages on small strips of paper.
3. Fold the paper circle in half, placing the fortune inside.
4. Secure with a small piece of tape or glue.

10. Photo Booth Props

Set up a New Year’s Eve photo booth with DIY props.

Materials:

• Cardstock
• Markers or paint
• Wooden sticks or straws
• Glue

Instructions:

1. Cut shapes like hats, glasses, and speech bubbles from cardstock.
2. Decorate the shapes with fun designs and messages.
3. Attach wooden sticks or straws to the back.
4. Use the props for silly photos!

11. Star Garlands

Add a festive touch to your home with star garlands.

Materials:

• Construction paper or cardstock
• String or ribbon
• Scissors
• Glue or tape

Instructions:

1. Cut out star shapes from the paper.
2. Decorate the stars with glitter or paint.
3. Attach the stars to a string or ribbon.
4. Hang the garland around your home.

12. Time Capsule

Create a time capsule to open next New Year’s Eve.

Materials:

• A small box or container
• Paper
• Pens or markers
• Photos or small mementos

Instructions:

1. Have your kids write notes or draw pictures about their favourite memories from the year.
2. Add photos or small mementos.
3. Seal the container and decorate it.
4. Store it in a safe place to open next year.

13. Handprint Fireworks

Make keepsake art with handprint fireworks.

Materials:

• Paint
• Large paper or canvas

Instructions:

1. Have children dip their hands in colourful paint.
2. Press their hands onto the paper in a circular pattern to create fireworks.
3. Add glitter or extra details with a paintbrush.
4. Let it dry and display.

14. New Year’s Eve Crowns

Let your children feel like royalty with DIY crowns.

Materials:

• Cardstock
• Scissors
• Glitter, stickers, and other decorations
• Tape or glue

Instructions:

1. Cut crown shapes from cardstock.
2. Decorate the crowns with glitter, stickers, and more.
3. Tape the ends together to fit your child’s head.

15. Bubble Wrap Stomp

Let your children pop in the New Year with a bubble wrap stomp.

Materials:

• Bubble wrap

Instructions:

• Spread bubble wrap on the floor.
• Let the children stomp and pop to their heart’s content.
• It’s a simple and fun way to celebrate!

These New Year's Eve crafts for kids are not only entertaining but also a wonderful way to create lasting memories as you welcome the coming year. Whether you’re making noise makers, crafting clocks, or designing fireworks art, these activities are sure to bring joy and excitement to your celebration. Gather your supplies, let creativity flow, and have a Happy New Year!