Families with younger kids often struggle to find ways to celebrate New Year's Eve.
But all you really need to celebrate with kids are party hats, confetti, and noisemakers. Add some kid-friendly snacks? It's the perfect family New Year's Eve celebration!
And guess what? You don't even have to stay up until midnight! If you have younger kids and know they won't last — or you know you won't! You can celebrate the New Year a few hours early or even host a "Noon Year's Eve" bash. Kids will love the party and celebration more than worrying about the actual time on the clock.
Here are three ideas to make an at-home New Year's Eve party with younger kids special:
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1. Prepare celebratory food and drink
No party is complete without great snacks! Looking for ideas? Go kid-friendly with these goodies — all of which kids can easily help prepare:
- Pigs in a blanket (Simply roll hot dogs in biscuit dough and bake)
- Pizza bagels (set up a mini bar so kids can add their own toppings)
- Fruit skewers that kids can make themselves. We love this fun concept from Macaroni KID EATS.
- Pour sparkling cider or apple juice for a "midnight" toast
Don't forget the dessert! Make cupcakes or a cake, add sprinkles, and write the new year on top with frosting. Or get even more creative by making a round cake and decorating it with an outline of a clock showing the hands of the clock at midnight.
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2. Decorate
No party is complete without decorations, and kids will love to be responsible for making the house feel festive:
- Set up a craft table for kids to create their own new year signs with paint, markers, or crayons. Hang them on the wall for decorations as they finish.
- Make super easy confetti using a paper shredder and colored construction or scrap paper. Give each of the kids a baggie full of confetti so that they will be ready to toss when the clock hits the appointed hour. (Have kids do this outside if you don't want the mess!)
- Make your own New Year's Eve ball! Use a plastic play ball or beach ball and simply write the new year on it with brightly colored markers. As you count down to "midnight," pass the ball around the room without letting it touch the ground.
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3. Play games
Play games that everyone — no matter their age — will enjoy:
- Interactive games like Twister, Charades, or Pictionary are always great choices. Let the kids team up against the adults for some extra laughs.
- Have kids and adults write down their wishes and resolutions for 2025 and add them to a jar when they get to the party. Later in the evening, you can pick some at random for people to guess who wrote what. Give prizes for the funniest, most unique, or most wishful.
Remember, no matter how elaborate or low-key your New Year's celebrations are, the most important thing is that you are with people you love. Happy New Year!
Looking for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day family-friendly events? Check out these events in the Lynchburg area:
Dec. 31 - New Year's Eve Fun Run at E.C. Glass at 8 AM
Dec. 31 - New Year's at Noon at Amazement Square from 10 AM - 1 PM
Dec. 31 - Noon Year's Eve at Get Air Lynchburg from 11 AM - 1 PM
Dec. 31 - New Year's Eve Kids Countdown at FunQuest from 12 PM - 6 PM
Dec. 31 - Nearly New Year's Eve Skate at AJ Skateworld from 2:30 PM - 5 PM (also 6 PM - 8:30 PM)
Dec. 31 - Nearly New Year's Eve Skate at AJ Skateworld from 6 PM - 8:30 PM
Dec. 31 - New Year's Eve Party at Long Mountain Grill from 6 PM - 12:30 AM (21+ after 9 PM unless accompanied by parent or legal guardian)
Dec. 31 - Lily Stargazer Live at Big Lick at 6:30 PM
Dec. 31 - New Year's Eve Party at Grinnin' Bear Tavern starting at 7 PM
Dec. 31 - Ronnie Roberts New Years Eve at New London Ruritan Club from 7 PM - 12:30 AM
Dec. 31 - New Years Emo at Super Rad Arcade from 8 PM - 2 AM
Dec. 31 - Karlee Raye's Rockin NYE Party at Apocalypse Ale Works from 9 PM - 12 AM
Jan. 1 - New Year's Day Fun Run at Riverside Park at 9 AM
Jan. 1 - First Day Hike at Holliday Lake State Park: Northridge Overlook Hike at 9 AM
Jan. 1 - First Day Hike at Natural Bridge State Park at 9 AM
Jan. 1 - GLOC FROTY (First Ride of the Year) at Snowflex - Skills clinic at 10 AM; Ride at 11 AM
Jan. 1 - First Day Hike at Holliday Lake State Park: Lakeshore Trail Hike at 11 AM
Jan. 1 - First Day Hikes at High Bridge Trail State Park at 11 AM
Jan. 1 - New Year's Day Brunch at Apocalypse Ale Works from 11 AM - 2 PM
Jan. 1 - First Day Hike at James River State Park at 12 PM
Jan. 1 - First Day Hike at Smith Mountain Lake State Park at 1:30 PM
Jan. 1 - New Years Day Skate at FunQuest from 12 PM - 8 PM
Jan. 1 - New Year's Day Skate at AJ Skateworld from 1:30 PM - 4 PM
You'll find a variety of events -- both family-friendly and adults only in this article:
Welcome the New Year and Ring in 2026 in Lynchburg and Beyond
The list is updated as information is received about local family-friendly events. To add your organization’s public New Year's Eve event to the list, message us at our Lynchburg Macaroni Kid Facebook page or click the “submit an event” link on our website. You’ll find more information about many of the local festival on the Lynchburg Macaroni Kid calendar of events.
Many people make New Year's resolutions including living healthier, eating better, spending more time with loved ones, and other ways to improve themselves. If your resolutions include enjoying more family time outdoors, then start 2026 on the right foot while making memories as you Welcome 2026 with a Virginia State Park First Day Hike.
While you're making resolution, resolve to Find Your Family Fun® in 2026 with Lynchburg Macaroni Kid! It's FREE to subscribe to our weekly newsletter, so click HERE and join the fun!
Sandy Wallace is the publisher of Macaroni KID Lynchburg, Va.
