I’m a self-proclaimed night owl. Even when I was young, I remember debating with my parents about extending my bedtime past 9 PM because I just wasn’t tired yet and wanted to keep reading. I remember nights in high school and college where I stayed awake all night reading books. Not because I had to for class, but because I just wasn’t tired enough to put them down. Even to this day, I do the majority of writing for this blog at 2 and 3 AM. To be honest, it’s probably why I need so much caffeine because the majority of the world doesn’t function at 2 and 3 AM in the morning.
That being said, my husband is not a night owl. And though my kids are night owls, I try to not let them stay up past 10 PM (and before you ask, no, they don’t usually get up until 8 AM). So when it comes to New Year’s Eve, there needs to be a different option for those that can’t make it to midnight to ring in the new year.
In recent years, the idea of a Noon Year’s Eve has become really popular for kids. It’s a celebration of the New Year, but held just before and at noon on December 31st, New Year’s Eve. It’s kid friendly and still makes sure your little ones get to bed at a decent hour on this night of partying.
Our local baby boutique and local libraries put on Noon Year’s Eve celebrations for the city. But if you don’t have someone local to put on this celebration, here are a couple of fun tips to hold your own celebration to countdown to noon on New Year’s Eve!
- Keep all the bubble wrap from the Christmas and holiday gifts
The Bubble wrap is Noon Year’s Eve gold. Tape some on the ground for the kids to stomp and jump on and other pieces for the kids to crinkle and pop at the stroke of noon! Easy activity and reuses something you might’ve otherwise just tossed right in the garbage. - Have your kids make paper horns
No need to purchase horns to blow! Have the kids color and draw on paper, then roll it up and tape them into colorful horns for them to blow. - Toy musical instruments
That basket of toy instruments that they received for Christmas? This is the perfect time to pull it out. The tamborines, kazoos, and maracas will be sure to add excitement to the celebration as they count down the seconds to noon. - Netflix countdowns
Netflix created a whole bunch of countdowns based on their original kids shows. If you search “Countdown” in Netflix, you can find several as well as a collection page of them all. Have your kids pick their favorite and countdown with characters that they love! - Sparkling grape juice or milk and cookies
Make the celebration seem a little more grown up with plastic champagne cups of sparkling grape juice or milk and cookies. Help them toast to auld lang syne and enjoy a tasty, age-appropriate treat! - Balloon drop
This is quite possibly one of my favorite things to do, maybe because Little Mister loves balloons so much. Fill several balloons and some cut out pieces of paper confetti (I skip on the small glitter confetti but it’s up to you) and use a sheet to hold them all to the ceiling. Attach a string and when the clock strikes noon, release the balloons on top of your kiddos and their guests! What a fun surprise and they’ll love playing with the balloons after. Just don’t forget to leave the fan off!
Just because your kiddos aren’t going to stay up until midnight to ring in the new year doesn’t mean they can’t participate in some of the fun. Make this day special for them, then get the family to bed early and have a great New Year’s Day!
Want to hold a bigger celebration at noon? Check out these other great ideas and party games from Happy Strong Home!