15 Fun New Year Activities for Toddlers or Preschoolers to Ring in the New Year 2023

As the New Year approaches, it’s important to find fun and engaging activities to help your toddler or preschooler to celebrate and ring in the new year. While New Year’s Eve parties and late night celebrations may not be suitable for toddlers, there are plenty of new year activities for toddlers to celebrate and have a good time.

New Year Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Make the new year 2023 memorable for your little one. Here are 10 fun New Year’s activities for toddlers to ring in the new year:

Make a New Year’s Eve countdown chain

Cut out strips of paper and write down the numbers from 10 to 1. Have your toddler or preschooler help you glue or tape the strips together to form a chain. As the clock counts down to the new year, you and your toddler can take turns pulling off one of the numbered strips. This activity helps your toddler or preschooler learn counting skills and builds anticipation for the new year.

Create a New Year’s Eve time capsule

Collect small items that represent the past year, such as pictures, tickets, or small trinkets. Have your toddler help you put the items in a small container or box. Write a note to your toddler explaining what the items are and why they are special. Seal the time capsule and hide it away until the next New Year’s Eve, when you and your toddler can open it up and look back on all the memories of the past year.

Have a New Year’s Eve dance party

Put on some of your toddler’s favorite tunes and have a dance party to ring in the new year. Encourage your toddler to dance and move to the music. You can even make homemade instruments, such as shakers or drums, for your toddler to use during the dance party.

Make a New Year’s Eve craft

There are plenty of New Year’s Eve-themed crafts that you can do with your toddler. Some ideas include making a New Year’s Eve crown, creating a noisemaker, or decorating a banner. Not only will your toddler have fun creating something special, but the finished product can be used to decorate for your New Year’s Eve celebration.

Have a New Year’s Eve picnic

Among all new years activities for toddlers, this one is the best. Instead of staying up late to watch the ball drop, have a New Year’s Eve picnic with your toddler. Pack some of your toddler’s favorite foods and head to a nearby park or your backyard. You can even bring some blankets and pillows to make it a cozy and comfortable experience.

Play a game of “Guess the Resolution”

Write down a list of common New Year’s resolutions, such as “exercise more” or “eat healthier.” Have your toddler draw one of the resolutions out of a hat or a bag and try to guess what it is based on the clues you give. This activity helps your toddler learn about the concept of resolutions and encourages thinking and problem-solving skills.

Have a New Year’s Eve movie marathon

Gather some of your toddler’s favorite movies and have a movie marathon to ring in the new year. You can even create a cozy fort or blanket tent for your toddler to watch the movies in.

Do a New Year’s Eve science experiment

There are plenty of simple science experiments that you can do with your toddler to celebrate the new year. For example, you can make a homemade lava lamp, create a vinegar and baking soda volcano, or conduct a color-changing experiment.

Have a New Year’s Eve sensory play activity

Sensory play activities, such as play dough, finger painting, or rice play, are great for toddlers because they help with fine motor skills and creativity. Choose a sensory play activity that fits the theme of New Year’s Eve, such as using silver and gold paint for finger painting or adding sparkly sequins to play dough.

Have a New Year’s Eve pajama party

Instead of staying up late, have a New Year’s Eve pajama party with your toddler. Put on your favorite pajamas, make some popcorn, and snuggle up for a movie or story time. This activity is a great way to celebrate the new year without sacrificing your toddler’s bedtime routine.

Make a New Year’s Eve puzzle

Choose a New Year’s Eve-themed puzzle, such as a picture of a party hat or a fireworks display, and have your toddler help you put it together. This activity helps with hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills.

Have a New Year’s Eve treasure hunt

Hide small toys or treats around the house and create a list of clues for your toddler to follow. Your toddler can use the clues to find the hidden treasures and have fun along the way.

Have a New Year’s Eve picnic indoors

If it’s too cold or rainy to go outside, have a New Year’s Eve picnic indoors. Set up a blanket and pillows in your living room and bring out some of your toddler’s favorite snacks and drinks. You can even play some indoor games, such as a balloon toss or hide and seek.

Do a New Year’s Eve science experiment with food

There are plenty of simple science experiments that you can do with food to celebrate the new year. For example, you can make a homemade volcano using baking soda and vinegar, create a color-changing milk experiment using food coloring and dish soap, or make a baking soda and vinegar rocket using a film canister.

Have a New Year’s Eve story time

Gather some of your toddler’s favorite books and have a special New Year’s Eve story time. You can even create a cozy reading nook with blankets and pillows for your toddler to snuggle up in. Reading helps with language development and can also be a calming activity before bedtime.

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No matter what activity you choose, the most important thing is to spend quality time with your toddler or preschooler and create special memories together. Which of the above new year activities for toddlers or preschoolers are you going to try? Tell us in comments.
Happy New Year!