Celebrating New Year’s Eve with small children and babies doesn’t mean missing out on the fun. In fact, it’s the perfect excuse to create a magical and memorable evening from the comfort of your own home. Whether it’s your little one’s first New Year’s Eve or part of a growing family tradition, here are some creative and cosy ideas for a family-friendly celebration.

1. Create a “Countdown” for Kids

You don’t have to wait until midnight to celebrate the New Year with little ones. Create your own countdown earlier in the evening, complete with party hats, noise makers, and a pretend ball drop. You could even set an alarm for 7 pm, 8 pm, or whenever suits your family best, and gather everyone for a celebratory countdown with plenty of cheers and hugs.

2. Host a Mini Dance Party

Nothing gets kids giggling and wiggling like a dance party! Create a playlist of family-friendly songs or children’s favourites mixed with upbeat New Year’s Eve classics. Decorate your living room with fairy lights or glow sticks for an added festive touch, and let everyone dance the night away (or at least until bedtime!).

3. New Year’s Eve Sensory Play

Babies and toddlers love exploring new textures and colours. Create a sensory play activity themed around New Year’s Eve. Here are some ideas:

• Shimmering sensory bins with tinsel, large sequins, and baby-safe shiny objects.

• Bubble fun using a bubble machine to create “fizzy” fun.

• Sparkly crafts with glitter glue or metallic stickers (perfect for supervised play).

4. Have a Family Movie Night

For a relaxed New Year’s Eve, snuggle up with your little ones for a cosy movie marathon. Pick a couple of short, family-friendly films or animated classics, and let everyone wear their comfiest pyjamas. Don’t forget the popcorn and baby-friendly snacks!

5. Make a New Year’s Eve Keepsake

Get creative with your little ones by making a keepsake to remember the year gone by. Some ideas include:

• Handprint or footprint art with the year marked on it.

• A simple drawing of your family decorated with stickers.

• A time capsule filled with small items or notes from each family member to open next year.

These activities are fun, meaningful, and great for cherishing memories of your growing family.

6. Prepare a Special Baby-Friendly Feast

Celebrate with your baby by serving them a special New Year’s Eve meal. This could be their favourite foods arranged into fun shapes (like stars or hearts) or a small selection of festive finger foods for toddlers to enjoy. The grown-ups can indulge in their own treats alongside the little ones.

7. Storytime with a Twist

Settle down for a New Year-themed story session. You could read books about the changing seasons, family traditions, or new beginnings. If you don’t have specific New Year books, improvise by talking about exciting things to look forward to in the upcoming year.

8. Photo Fun

Turn your living room into a mini photo booth and take some silly family snaps. Use props like party hats, 2024 glasses, or fun accessories, and let your kids get involved. These photos will become treasured memories you can look back on year after year.

9. Countdown Balloon Pop

Fill several balloons with small surprises (like stickers, confetti, or little notes) and label them with different times. Let your child pop a balloon each hour leading up to your family’s New Year countdown. It’s a fun and interactive way to keep the excitement alive throughout the evening.

10. Reflect and Set Family Goals

For older toddlers, spend some quiet time reflecting on the highlights of the past year and talking about what everyone is excited about in the year ahead. For babies, you can keep it simple by sharing your own hopes and dreams for their year to come. Write down your family’s goals and display them as a reminder throughout the year.

Final Thoughts

New Year’s Eve with babies and small children doesn’t have to be a late-night affair to be meaningful. By celebrating with thoughtful, fun activities and creating your own family traditions, you can make the night just as magical—even with an earlier bedtime! From all of us at Bibbilyboo, we wish you and your family a happy and healthy New Year filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments.

Shop Bibbilyboo: Our bamboo dribble bibs are perfect for keeping your little ones clean and comfy during all your New Year’s Eve festivities. Explore our collection here.