EN / PT
New Year's Eve is upon us and if you think you'll have a glamorous night with champagne in hand and dancing until dawn… You might want to adjust your expectations slightly (if you have children!).
But don’t worry! With a pinch of creativity and patience, you can make this night one of the most fun and memorable of the year - kids included.
Remember: children in charge
Every age brings a different energy to party nights. Younger kids like simple, colorful fun. Older kids love to feel like the “boss” of the party.
For babies and toddlers up to the age of 3: The star of the party can be something as simple as a new toy or sensory activities. Create a safe “corner” with toys, relaxing music and maybe even some pillows for comfort and rest.
For children after the age of 3: Involve them in easy tasks, such as handing out party accessories (hats, streamers) or decorating cups with glitter stickers.
At this stage, they also start to like some attention. Prepare a pyjama parade with music and funny prizes, or a mini dance floor with hits like Baby Shark (yes, inevitable).
The aim? To make the children feel like the stars of the event. And, hopefully, well exhausted.
Create the kids' corner
As you probably already know, children love to set up tents and houses in every corner of the house. Take advantage of this preference and set up a space just for them. A rug, a makeshift tent, toys and a pile of cushions - that's all you need. We suggest adapting a little according to the age group.
For preschoolers: Add drawing materials and toys for these ages.
For older children: Add board games and construction kits.
Forget the gourmet snacks
We know that brie cheese and canapés are great but offering them to a child is half the battle to dealing with a tantrum. Create a fun version of party food just for them:
Mini burgers or sandwiches cut into fun shapes.
Fruit sticks - Stick grapes, strawberries and pieces of watermelon on colourful sticks.
Juice mocktails with ice and umbrellas or orange slices will be a guaranteed hit.
And, of course, avoid too many sweets. No sugar rush before midnight (or before the simulated hour).
Games, games and more games
If you want to occupy (and tire out) the kids, there's nothing like a few games. After all, healthy competition is the perfect recipe for shouts of joy and channelled energy. Here are some ideas:
New Year's Limbo: Use a roll of wrapping paper as a bar and see who can get the lowest.
Balloon race: Participants must push the balloon from one side of the room to the other. Easy? Very easy! What they can't do is use their hands! They can blow, use their heads, their feet or any other crazy technique. The winner is whoever reaches the end first without letting the balloon fall.
Mime game: A classic for family evenings. Choose words or expressions and challenge the children to act them out without speaking while the rest try to guess.
Themed Treasure Hunt: Hide small toys or sweets around the house and create a map or clues to find them.
Forget the concept of midnight
Better than counting down at midnight? It's counting down at 8 pm. Young children have no concept of time, so it won't be a problem. Prepare an early celebration and the kids will love it. They'll feel part of the party and will rest easy knowing that they've taken part.
The trick is to create the excitement of entering a New Year (for those who already understand this concept) without compromising sleep - neither yours nor theirs.
Last Tip: Have fun
Yes, it can be chaotic. Yes, there will be tantrums. But believe me: the children will remember this night as one of the most exciting. And at the end of the day, that's what matters.
And if the idea of balancing everything still seems like a challenge, remember you can always count on a babysitter to give you a helping hand and make sure everyone enjoys the evening safely.
Happy New Year!