We’re gearing up for our 3rd annual Noon Year’s Eve party with the kids. I’ve collected Noon Year’s Eve ideas from our past (and upcoming) parties to share with you in case you’re thinking of throwing your own party! Plus I have a free reflection printable you can download at the end of this post!
What is a Noon Years’ Eve Party?
A Noon Year’s Eve party is a celebration of the coming New Year. Only it’s held on December 31st at NOON, so little ones don’t have to stay up until midnight. Alternatively, some celebrate this on New Year’s Day at noon. But… as I’m usually up past midnight the night before, I prefer to have our party on the 31st!
Throw a Noon Year’s Eve party:
The Noon Year’s Eve Countdown
You can countdown throughout the party hour by hour with various activities (we did that here).
Or, for the really littles, countdown just the minute before noon. I hear Netflix has a faux “ball drop” video available!
Noon Year’s Eve Party Activities
We use to have our guests arrive at 9 a.m. But this year we’re going to start at 10, because it’s a long time for younger kids. Here’s a few activities we’ve done for the Countdown (the hour-by-hour countdown, not the Ball Drop countdown)
- Snowflake crafts – cut out snowflakes, draw with glue and sprinkle with glitter, or maybe you’ll have snow and you can go out and make real snowmen!
- Cookie decorating – sugar or gingerbread cookies work great if you make them ahead and just have cups of sprinkles and decorations handy!
- Pretzel Kiss making – because, you know, you don’t want to do the actual “kissing on New Year’s Eve!”
- End-of-Year Reflection Worksheet – one year we did my Stars & Wishes goal setting / reflection worksheet (click that link to get the free printable!). This year we’re going to do a Looking Back… Looking Ahead New Year’s Reflection Sheet!
- Photo Booth – hang streamers or tinsel from a door or wall and have kids sit in front with noise makers. Snap away!
- Decorate noise makers (Paper plates stapled together with beans inside are great! Color the plates and affix gems and glitter. Another year we made paper blowers with straws and rolled gift wrap).
Party Food
After all the excitement, you’ll want to bring out some refreshments to toast the Noon Year! We like to keep it simple with veggie, fruit, and cracker trays. Homemade macaroni and cheese is always a great hit with the kids. Sometimes we have finger sandwiches too, but my kids aren’t really into lunchmeat. Colorful sodas and punch in clear plastic cups are fun to drink after the countdown.
The Balloon Drop
We do a balloon drop after the countdown ends. The night before, we blow up balloons and rig them to the ceiling. Here’s how to rig up your own balloon drop:
- Use two vinyl tablecloths or pieces of fabric to contain the balloons.
- Punch holes through one side of each cloth and then “lace” the two clothes together with a long string or twine.
- Tape the unlaced sides to the ceiling with painter’s tape (or you could tack up if you don’t mind holes in your ceiling).
- Leave some slack in the cloth rigging to hold the balloons.
- Stuff the balloons into the shallow “pouch” you’ve just created on your ceiling! We find about 40-50 balloons is an impressive number to drop.
- I also throw in a few handfuls of confetti, although just a warning, you’ll be finding these until July.
Plan your own Noon Year’s Eve Celebration!
However you decide to plan your fun – a Noon Year’s Eve party makes for a great tradition that kids of all ages can enjoy together. Want more ideas? Try: Easy Noon Year’s Eve Party Ideas and How to Throw a Noon Year’s Eve Party where you can find more ideas!
Happy New Year!!! Or, should I say NOON Year!
Get Noon Year’s Eve party supplies:
Rainbow Birthday Party Foil Cone HatsHappy New Year Foil Washi Tape – 2 SpoolsGlitter Fringed Metallic Noise Maker100 12 Inch Pearlescent Latex BalloonsClear Gold Star Print Table Cover2024 Happy New Year’s Eve Party Photo Booth Props2024 New Year’s Eve Party Photo Booth Props Kit
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Noon Year’s Eve Celebration!
Saturday 29th of December 2018
[…] Want to hold a bigger celebration at Noon? Check out these other great ideas and party games from Happy Strong Home! […]
Stephanie
Monday 12th of January 2015
I love the idea of a noon year's eve party. This year, we opted to stay up late instead! ;)
We had a variety of games for our kids to unwrap - including Go Fish, Crazy Eights, Old Maid, Memory, LEGO kits, and multiplication/addition "War." It was a super fun and memorable night - especially since it snowed (almost unheard of in Arizona!).
Leah
Thursday 1st of January 2015
Such a great idea! I'm not big into parties (INTROVERT!), but this makes me wish I was. I'll stuff this aside for an idea for the future. Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year!
Tobi@SimplyJesus
Thursday 1st of January 2015
What a wonderful, fun idea!! I think this might have to happen next year with my niece and nephews. Thanks for all the great ideas, I will pin it for next year. Happy New Year to you and your family!
Jen @ Growing in Faith
Thursday 1st of January 2015
Pretty sure your noon years eve party was amazing...and I kinda wish I could've been there! Balloon drops, daylight, good food....sounds like a great time for both kids and adults!