12 New Year's traditions to start with your family
Family-friendly ways to ring in the new year
Celebrate "Noon Year's Eve"
If you have a kid who can't stay up until midnight, try having a countdown at noon instead. Some and host , but you can throw a midday bash in your house with some streamers and noisemakers.
PHOTO: ktaylorg
Get Netflix to Help
Netflix hosts short videos that end with some kind of countdown, so your kids can have some New Year's fun and still get to bed at a decent hour. (Hey, every moment marks a year from something, right?) The videos star characters from kiddie faves like "," "," "," "," "," "" or "," among others.
PHOTO: Netflix
Convert the Christmas Tree to a New Year's Tree
Yes, the Christmas decorations have to come down and be put away, but some families are squeezing a few extra days out of their trees by . Put away the red and green ornaments and dress it up in metallic silver and gold streamers, balloons and other New Year's paraphernalia. Don't forget a 2019 tree-topper!
PHOTO: Vanya Dudumova / EyeEm
Adopt a Tradition From Around the World
Every country has its own way of ringing in the new. In Spain, they for luck — one for each month of the new year. In Denmark, they stand on chairs and . In Armenia, they bake bread and . Closer to home, even some states have some unique ways to celebrate: In upstate New York, for example, they sell special and everyone gets to take a turn hitting it with a special candy-size hammer and eating a piece for luck. (Yum!) Each year, , and try it out for yourselves.
PHOTO: percds
Write Notes to Your Future Selves
Have everyone write down a resolution, goal, wish or note to their future selves, put it in a jar and save it for the year. On New Year's Eve, retrieve the jar, read the notes and have everyone see how far they've progressed.
PHOTO: Etsy/MillstoneCrafted
Actually Learn the Words to 'Auld Lang Syne'
At least the beginning of it. The later verses might be too Scottish to even attempt. might help break down the meaning. Once you've got it down, time for a karaoke party!
PHOTO: Comstock
Make Your Own Noisemakers
With some supervision, some metallic spraypaint, dried beans and a few jars from the recycling bin, you can make a DIY shaker to use at your countdown. Get the full instructions .
PHOTO: KATIE HOLDEFEHR
Propose a Toast
Whether you use , ginger ale or make-your-own sparkling punch, everyone loves clinking glasses and saying "Cheers!"
PHOTO: Hoxton/Sam Edwards
Play Last-Year-Themed Charades or Pictionary
So much has happened in the last year. Challenge your family to remember the year' pop-culture trends, news headlines and meme-ified moments with a game of Charades or Pictionary themed to the last 12 months. You can make your own, or buy this printable one from (though, depending on the ages of your kids, you might have to filter out some of the cards and make ones more tailored to their age and tastes).
Watch the Ball Drop in Times Square ...
... in your cozy clothes, from the comfort of your own home. Going in person seems miserable. This year's official "" broadcast will be hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Lucy Hale, with performances by BTS, Sam Hunt, Post Malone, Alanis Morissette, and the cast of the Broadway musical, "Jagged Little Pill." If your kid's fave is in there, let them stay up late to watch.
PHOTO: anouchka
Make New Year's Day Brunch Together
You can push off starting your for another day, right? Get some yummy .
PHOTO: Mike Garten
And Have Hoppin' John for Dinner
It's said that anyone who makes this dish of black-eyed peas, pork and rice on New Year's Day will . Don't like ham? Try one of the other from around the world. Couldn't hurt, right?
PHOTO: bhofack2
Celebrate "Noon Year's Eve"
If you have a kid who can't stay up until midnight, try having a countdown at noon instead. Some and host , but you can throw a midday bash in your house with some streamers and noisemakers.
PHOTO: ktaylorg
Get Netflix to Help
Netflix hosts short videos that end with some kind of countdown, so your kids can have some New Year's fun and still get to bed at a decent hour. (Hey, every moment marks a year from something, right?) The videos star characters from kiddie faves like "," "," "," "," "," "" or "," among others.
PHOTO: Netflix
Convert the Christmas Tree to a New Year's Tree
Yes, the Christmas decorations have to come down and be put away, but some families are squeezing a few extra days out of their trees by . Put away the red and green ornaments and dress it up in metallic silver and gold streamers, balloons and other New Year's paraphernalia. Don't forget a 2019 tree-topper!
PHOTO: Vanya Dudumova / EyeEm
Adopt a Tradition From Around the World
Every country has its own way of ringing in the new. In Spain, they for luck — one for each month of the new year. In Denmark, they stand on chairs and . In Armenia, they bake bread and . Closer to home, even some states have some unique ways to celebrate: In upstate New York, for example, they sell special and everyone gets to take a turn hitting it with a special candy-size hammer and eating a piece for luck. (Yum!) Each year, , and try it out for yourselves.
PHOTO: percds
Write Notes to Your Future Selves
Have everyone write down a resolution, goal, wish or note to their future selves, put it in a jar and save it for the year. On New Year's Eve, retrieve the jar, read the notes and have everyone see how far they've progressed.
PHOTO: Etsy/MillstoneCrafted
Actually Learn the Words to 'Auld Lang Syne'
At least the beginning of it. The later verses might be too Scottish to even attempt. might help break down the meaning. Once you've got it down, time for a karaoke party!
PHOTO: Comstock
Make Your Own Noisemakers
With some supervision, some metallic spraypaint, dried beans and a few jars from the recycling bin, you can make a DIY shaker to use at your countdown. Get the full instructions .
PHOTO: KATIE HOLDEFEHR
Propose a Toast
Whether you use , ginger ale or make-your-own sparkling punch, everyone loves clinking glasses and saying "Cheers!"
PHOTO: Hoxton/Sam Edwards
Play Last-Year-Themed Charades or Pictionary
So much has happened in the last year. Challenge your family to remember the year' pop-culture trends, news headlines and meme-ified moments with a game of Charades or Pictionary themed to the last 12 months. You can make your own, or buy this printable one from (though, depending on the ages of your kids, you might have to filter out some of the cards and make ones more tailored to their age and tastes).
Watch the Ball Drop in Times Square ...
... in your cozy clothes, from the comfort of your own home. Going in person seems miserable. This year's official "" broadcast will be hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Lucy Hale, with performances by BTS, Sam Hunt, Post Malone, Alanis Morissette, and the cast of the Broadway musical, "Jagged Little Pill." If your kid's fave is in there, let them stay up late to watch.
PHOTO: anouchka
Make New Year's Day Brunch Together
You can push off starting your for another day, right? Get some yummy .
PHOTO: Mike Garten
And Have Hoppin' John for Dinner
It's said that anyone who makes this dish of black-eyed peas, pork and rice on New Year's Day will . Don't like ham? Try one of the other from around the world. Couldn't hurt, right?
PHOTO: bhofack2
Celebrate "Noon Year's Eve"
If you have a kid who can't stay up until midnight, try having a countdown at noon instead. Some and host , but you can throw a midday bash in your house with some streamers and noisemakers.
PHOTO: ktaylorg
Get Netflix to Help
Netflix hosts short videos that end with some kind of countdown, so your kids can have some New Year's fun and still get to bed at a decent hour. (Hey, every moment marks a year from something, right?) The videos star characters from kiddie faves like "," "," "," "," "," "" or "," among others.
PHOTO: Netflix
Convert the Christmas Tree to a New Year's Tree
Yes, the Christmas decorations have to come down and be put away, but some families are squeezing a few extra days out of their trees by . Put away the red and green ornaments and dress it up in metallic silver and gold streamers, balloons and other New Year's paraphernalia. Don't forget a 2019 tree-topper!
PHOTO: Vanya Dudumova / EyeEm
Adopt a Tradition From Around the World
Every country has its own way of ringing in the new. In Spain, they for luck — one for each month of the new year. In Denmark, they stand on chairs and . In Armenia, they bake bread and . Closer to home, even some states have some unique ways to celebrate: In upstate New York, for example, they sell special and everyone gets to take a turn hitting it with a special candy-size hammer and eating a piece for luck. (Yum!) Each year, , and try it out for yourselves.
PHOTO: percds
Write Notes to Your Future Selves
Have everyone write down a resolution, goal, wish or note to their future selves, put it in a jar and save it for the year. On New Year's Eve, retrieve the jar, read the notes and have everyone see how far they've progressed.
PHOTO: Etsy/MillstoneCrafted
Actually Learn the Words to 'Auld Lang Syne'
At least the beginning of it. The later verses might be too Scottish to even attempt. might help break down the meaning. Once you've got it down, time for a karaoke party!
PHOTO: Comstock
Make Your Own Noisemakers
With some supervision, some metallic spraypaint, dried beans and a few jars from the recycling bin, you can make a DIY shaker to use at your countdown. Get the full instructions .
PHOTO: KATIE HOLDEFEHR
Propose a Toast
Whether you use , ginger ale or make-your-own sparkling punch, everyone loves clinking glasses and saying "Cheers!"
PHOTO: Hoxton/Sam Edwards
Play Last-Year-Themed Charades or Pictionary
So much has happened in the last year. Challenge your family to remember the year' pop-culture trends, news headlines and meme-ified moments with a game of Charades or Pictionary themed to the last 12 months. You can make your own, or buy this printable one from (though, depending on the ages of your kids, you might have to filter out some of the cards and make ones more tailored to their age and tastes).
Watch the Ball Drop in Times Square ...
... in your cozy clothes, from the comfort of your own home. Going in person seems miserable. This year's official "" broadcast will be hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Lucy Hale, with performances by BTS, Sam Hunt, Post Malone, Alanis Morissette, and the cast of the Broadway musical, "Jagged Little Pill." If your kid's fave is in there, let them stay up late to watch.
PHOTO: anouchka
Make New Year's Day Brunch Together
You can push off starting your for another day, right? Get some yummy .
PHOTO: Mike Garten
And Have Hoppin' John for Dinner
It's said that anyone who makes this dish of black-eyed peas, pork and rice on New Year's Day will . Don't like ham? Try one of the other from around the world. Couldn't hurt, right?
PHOTO: bhofack2
Family-friendly ways to ring in the new year
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The last few days of the year are ticking by, and it's almost time to year. If you're looking for ways to get your kids excited about the festivities, here are a few family-friendly ways to celebrate. (Bonus: No )