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15 party ideas for babysitters watching kids this New Year’s Eve

Get ready for one of the craziest nights of your life! No, it’s not your typical wild New Year’s Eve party with friends. Instead, you’ll be counting down to midnight with the cool kids you̵7;re babysitting — and making some great money and memories in the process.

Of course, everyone at this kids New Year̵7;s Eve party will want to stay up late to ring in the first minutes of 2021. So what can you do to keep them busy until (and maybe past) midnight? Lucky for you, babysitters and nannies, we̵7;ve found some super-fun New Year̵7;s games and activities for kids to share. No matter their age or how many kids you̵7;re watching on the last night of 2021, these ideas are sure to be memorable and might even create some new traditions.

1. Make a NYE smorgasbord

Take your party planning a step further and make an entire New Year’s Eve spread. Opt for easy-to-make appetizers, like these kid-friendly recipes that include chocolate-covered strawberries, quesadillas and deviled eggs. If you want to include the kids, set them up to make their own pizzas or nachos. 

2. Make NYE surprise bags ahead of time

Hit the party supply store and pick up inexpensive New Year’s Eve-themed favors for the kids you’re watching. Grab small, celebratory items like confetti, party poppers, noisemakers, balloons, silly string and NYE hats and glasses. To pass the time with a little fun and excitement, bag up a few items for them to open every hour. That way when midnight hits, they̵7;ll have everything they needs to ring in the new year. Check out this how-to on New Year̵7;s Eve Countdown Bags.

3. Craft your own NYE party supplies

Bring the supplies with you for an awesome crafting pre-party. Here are just a few of the endless number of craft ideas, perfect for New Year̵7;s Eve:

• Paper plate noisemakers
• Mini-marshmallow poppers
• Confetti poppers
• Printable party hats to color
• Paper plate countdown clock
• Sparkling party slime
• DIY balloon drop

4. Walk the nearby holiday lights

Start the evening by taking kids of all ages on a walking tour of the holiday lights in the neighborhood — so long as the parents are OK with you taking the kids out and about, of course. Once the sun sets, dress everyone warm and cozy (masks included!), head out to take in the sparkling lights and some fresh air and — bonus! — burn some of that excess kid energy. Afterward, head back home for a warm cup of hot cocoa and delicious snacks.

5. Let the kids have a fancy NYE party

Make it sparkle! If the kids are feeling festive, help them go all out with a fancy party. You can all dress up in bowties and tiaras, sip sparkling grape or apple juice and turn up the party music for a very classy affair. Check out this page for some delicious mocktail recipes. And if you can get your hands on some cotton candy, this cotton candy drink recipe only has a few ingredients and is perfect to help you teach them the “pinky out” technique.

6. Teach them NYE traditions

In the hours before midnight, teach kids a little bit about different New Year̵7;s traditions. For example, Doce Uvas (or “12 grapes”) is a Spanish New Year’s Eve tradition for good luck — and what’s easier than gathering 12 grapes per person? Just make sure to cut them up if you̵7;re watching littles. And don’t forget the midnight “kiss!” Use this New Year̵7;s Eve printable to make labels for bags of Hershey’s Kisses for the kids to unwrap and enjoy when the clock strikes 12.

7. Ring in 2022 with a different time zone

If you’re watching a younger brood, staying up until midnight might not be ideal. A quick search on Google can give you plenty of options to stream New Year’s Eve celebrations in every time zone around the world. Not only will that give you the option to celebrate early, but the kids will also be able to learn how different cities and countries ring in the new year. You may also consider throwing a “Noon Year’s Eve” party with the kids, so you can celebrate midday instead of late-night.

8. Skip the pyrotechnics and make your own ‘fireworks’

No children will be harmed in the making of these fireworks. You won’t have to deal with potential injuries or fear of loud noises when you’re making this pop-up firework craft or this styrofoam fireworks craft. And this fire-free, mixed media “fireworks” craft is super easy, fun to make and makes a great gift for parents when they get home from their New Year’s Eve festivities.

9. Make your own NYE photo booth

A DIY photo booth is a lot easier to pull off than it sounds. All you need is a camera (or camera phone) and a sheet to hang on the wall as a backdrop. Then, bring in or make your own props or hit the interwebs for tons of printable photo booth props and use them in fun pics throughout the night. These silly DIY masks incorporate a party horn, for extra noise and fun.

10. Make it a game night

Break open the game closet for a truly outstanding game night. Games like charades and Pictionary are always great ideas for keeping kids busy. For other creative ideas, check out New Year̵7;s Eve kids games on Pinterest for tons more games to play with the kids. Two extra cool-looking games to DIY include this glow stick tic-tac-toe board or this I Spy printable game.

11. Make a time capsule

This tradition takes a bit of time to catch up with itself, but it can end up being very cool if the kids keep it up year after year. And 2021 has certainly been a year for the books. 

Spend New Year’s Eve creating the year̵7;s capsule. Nannies and babysitters can be a huge help facilitating memories the kids will include in their family’s capsule. Find a sealable box of some sort (like a Tupperware or a lunchbox) and add photos, school assignments, face masks (!!!) or whatever items will fit that remind the kids of their year. You can even find printable New Year̵7;s time capsule questionnaires for kids online to help jog their memories. On New Year’s Day, open the previous year’s capsule and reminisce!

12. Go on a scavenger hunt 

Scavenger hunts can be a lot of fun no matter what time of year it is. Just put together a themed list of clues for the kids — think ̶0;things that are red̶1; or ̶0;things that sparkle.̶1; You can even put together a New Year’s Eve-themed scavenger hunt or buy one readymade.

Where to buy: New Years Eve Party Scavenger Hunt Printable ($5, PracticalWhimsyCo/Etsy)

13. Play NYE bingo!

Similar to a scavenger hunt, but a little simpler and without all the hunting — Bingo! Print this New Year̵7;s Eve bingo board (or do your own search for the many others to be found online) and find something like gummy bears or jelly beans to use as markers. You can be the caller or let one of the kids do it while you join in the game. Don’t forget prizes for the winner of each round!

14. Create a 2022 goals list

Ask the kids what they would most like to do in the next calendar year. Would they like to learn a new skill? Are they currently trying to perfect something and have a goal they’d like to hit by the end of 2021? Maybe they want to give back to their community. Help them develop these ideas and write them down in a list — or, even better, make a 2022 vision board!

15. Help out mom and dad by taking down the Christmas decorations

Among families who celebrate Christmas, very few parents have the time right after Christmas to start taking down the decorations. Be a huge help to your employers (with permission, of course!) and spend some quality time with the kids putting away all the décor. Turn the TV on to watch New Year’s Rockin’ Eve and the ball drop in Times Square as you recall memories and traditions with each piece to be put away until next year. The kids will enjoy helping and being part of the traditions of Christmas.