If you’ve got little ones who can’t make it anywhere near midnight, there’s a simple fix: celebrate the new year at noon instead! A Noon Year’s Eve party gives kids all the fun of a countdown, party food and celebration — with none of the late bedtime.
We’ve pulled together some of our favourite ways to make your family’s Noon Year’s Eve one to remember.
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Watch our video below for a quick taste of Noon Year’s Eve fun, then read on for 10 ideas to bring it to life at home.
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10 Ideas for Noon Year’s Eve Fun With Kids
The best thing about a Noon Year’s Eve party is that it fits neatly into the middle of the day. Once it’s done, you can get everyone bathed and into pyjamas, and still have the evening free to see in the “real” New Year your own way.
Here are 10 simple ideas to get the party started.
#1. Make a Fortune Teller
Grab some paper, scissors and markers and make a classic paper fortune teller for the year ahead. Follow our step-by-step instructions on how to make a fortune teller here.
#2. Make a Time Capsule
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Look back on the year that’s ending by putting together a time capsule filled with treasures from your family’s year. Think photos, a school drawing, a handprint painting, a ticket stub from a day out, or a note about family news.
Our free downloadable time capsule sheet is a handy way to get started.
#3. Make Paper Plate Noise Makers
Every countdown needs noise! These paper plate noise makers are a quick, easy craft that will keep toddlers and preschoolers happily busy.
You’ll need:
- Paper plates
- Paint, markers or crayons
- Curly ribbon
- Dried pasta or beans
- Tape
- Glue or a stapler
To make them:
1. Have the kids paint or colour the back of the paper plate.
2. Attach curly ribbon to the edge so it pokes out once the plate is folded in half.
3. Add a small handful of pasta or beans to the plate, then fold it in half.
4. Glue or staple the plate closed.
5. Shake and enjoy the racket!
#4. Make Goals for the New Year
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Print out our New Year’s resolutions sheet and have everyone write a few simple goals for the year ahead.
Even the youngest family members can join in with goals like sharing toys, being kind to a sibling, or trying a new vegetable.
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#5. Make an Old Year “Best” List
A “best of the year” list is a lovely tradition to repeat every New Year. Fill in your family’s favourites for categories like:
- Best movie
- Best book you read
- Most memorable trip
- Favourite song of the year
- Best holiday moment
- Best family day out
- Best thing you did for someone else this year
- Best moment of the year
#6. New Year Nibbles
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Kids love anything mini! Try bite-sized pizzas on English muffin bases, cupcakes arranged in a clock shape, or brownies decorated with next year’s numbers.
Other easy favourites include mini gourmet burgers, homemade chicken goujons, veggies with dip, or fun fruit kebabs.
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#7. Ring in the Noon New Year with a Mocktail
Kids love feeling like part of the grown-up celebration, and a mocktail of their very own is the perfect way to include them. Try one of these non-alcoholic drink ideas and raise a glass together as a family.
#8. Do a Noon Year’s Eve Countdown
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Nothing beats a good countdown! Gather everyone together, count down from ten, and let the kids enjoy their very own “midnight” moment — complete with cheering, hugs and those homemade noise makers.
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#9. Sing Auld Lang Syne
Round off your Noon Year’s Eve party the traditional way, with a family singalong of Auld Lang Syne.
Form a circle, crossing hands with the people either side of you. As you sing, step into the middle of the circle and back out again — a bit like the Hokey Cokey.
If the words escape you (they escape most of us!), here’s a quick reminder:
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne.
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne.
We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp!
And surely, I’ll be mine!
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
(Repeat chorus)
#10. Take Photos
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Snap away throughout your Noon Year’s Eve celebrations — even a few silly selfies will do. Pull out some photo booth props if you have them, and let the kids take charge of the camera for a while.
These are the moments worth keeping, and they’ll make a lovely addition to next year’s time capsule.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Noon Year’s Eve party?
It’s a New Year’s celebration held around midday instead of midnight, so young children can join in the countdown, food and fun without staying up late.
Why celebrate Noon Year’s Eve instead of waiting for midnight?
It lets the whole family enjoy the excitement of a countdown together, then still have a normal bedtime — and gives parents a chance to celebrate the “real” New Year afterwards, their own way.
What age is a Noon Year’s Eve party suitable for?
It works well for toddlers through to primary-school-aged children, with activities like the noise makers and fortune tellers easy to adapt for younger or older kids.
Do I need special decorations for a Noon Year’s Eve party?
Not at all. Simple homemade touches — noise makers, a countdown, party food and a few photos — are enough to make it feel special.
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- How to Make a Time Capsule With Kids
Save These Ideas for Next Year
Loved these Noon Year’s Eve ideas? Bookmark this page or save it to your favourite parenting board so you’ve got it ready to go again next New Year’s Eve.
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