We’re all familiar with the classic New Year’s Eve tradition of going to a party and toasting to the future with a glass of champagne at midnight. However, what do you do when there are kids around? How do you make the holiday party you’re hosting or attending kid-friendly?
While it’s still nice to be able to have a couple of cocktails, that’s not appropriate for children to partake in. To make your party fun for the kids, there are a bunch of things you can incorporate into the evening. Let’s take a look at a few.
Bring in the Bounce House
Did you know that the very first bounce house was designed by John Scurlock, a Louisiana engineer, over 50 years ago? Since then, they’ve become a major hit. Ask any child: one of their favorite birthday party activities is the bounce house. If they love that so much during birthdays, why not incorporate it into your NYE party? The jump house is a great way to get the kids active and to know that they’re going to be safe while you’re having fun with your friends. Jump house rentals are also a great way to tire kids out before the clock strikes 12, just don’t forget to wake them up in time to say “Happy New Year!” Ask one of your neighborhood babysitters to be the appointed bounce house activities safety guard to make sure that everyone stays safe in the inflatable throughout the night.
Set Up a Noisemaker/Hat Station
It honestly wouldn’t be NYE without a few noisemakers and hats. Setting up a station for the little ones to craft their own party hats and noisemakers will not only keep them occupied but will give them something to be excited about once the ball drops. Once it’s time for the countdown, tell the children to get their noisemakers out and to put their hats on. As a parent, get ready for a lot of commotion!
Take Time to Reflect
The hardest part of NYE is saying goodbye to all of the fun times you had with your kids during the past year. Take some time to sit down with your child and ask them what their favorite part of 2017 was. Their answer may surprise you!
While NYE parties are known for typically being an adults-only function, don’t forget about the kids! Take a few of the tips above and use them at your own party to include the children with different activities.