I found myself on New Years Eve wondering what I was going to do to bring in the new years. My husband had to work, my baby and I were still recovering from a very bad cold, and everyone I knew had somewhere to go and something to do. So I had to face the reality that I was speeding a night in just me, two rambunctious boys, a grumpy toddler and a demanding five month old baby. In my mind there was only one thing to do. Make the most of it! 

This stage of life is messy and nothing ever goes according to plan and if I just called it quits every time something is a lot of extra work or I wasn't feeling up to it we would never get anything done or make any memories. Sure I wanted to call it quits around 10 pm but I'm so glad I didn't! It was all worth it the next day over hearing my boys tell their dad what a great night they had. These little countdown bags were a huge hit and I didn't have to put a lot of effort or money into them. I love when something so simple can add such a big impact. These really made our ordinary night in feel like something extra special. 

4:00pm: Journal Writing: 10 Things I loved About This Year. 

We started early at four in the afternoon. My kids were restless and I wanted to give them things to do to start to get excited about the night ahead. We started the night out with writing in our journals ten things we loved about the year. This is a positive first activity for kids five and up and a great way to reflect on the past year. 

5:00pm: Decorate With Balloons: 

This bag contained an assortment of different colors and sizes of balloons and It was a great way for us to decorate for the evening ahead. 

6:00 pm: Water Color Fun: 

The kids got these cute little water coloring kits in their stockings and I thought it would also make a great little activity that both the toddler and the big boys would enjoy. While they painted I threw some pizza in the oven for dinner.  

7:00 PM: Make New Years Crowns: 

These are a great little craft to do and the kids love wearing the festive hats the rest of the night. You could fill your bags with different glitters and stickers if you like. I just put a note in there saying what activity we were doing and then we just pulled out the crafts supplies and got to work. 

8:00 pm: Dance Party: 

I surprised the kids with the new 2017 Dance Party Game for the wii. This was a bit of a splurge at $29.00 but was so worth it. It took our whole evening to another level with the fun dancing. Even the baby and the toddler got in on the action. 

9:00 pm: Candy: 

The kids were still dancing an hour later so opening a bag full of sugary treats was perfect to keep our energy up so we could continue to dance the night away. 

10:00 pm: Glow Sticks: 

Just when we were starting to slow down on the dancing end of things we added glow sticks to the party. Now we have to dance party in the dark of course!

11:00 PM: New Year's Resolutions: 

It was a great time to stop and take a break from hours of dancing and write at least three new goals for the new year to come. 

11:30 pm: Noise Makers 

11:45 pm: More Noise Makers

11:55 pm: Even More Noise Makers

Midnight: Cookies & Milk in Champaign Glasses: 

We brought in the new year with a fun Madagascar countdown video on Netflix and some delicious milk and cookies in fun glasses. Everyone crashed within minutes after midnight. It was perfect. 

50 Ideas For Your Countdown To Midnight Bags

1. Journal Writing- 10 Things I loved about this year

2. Decorate: With balloons, streamers or banners

3.Painting or water coloring

4. Color special new years coloring pages

5. Make new years eve hats/crowns

6. Have a dance party

7. Limbo dance

8. Play twister

9. Play a card game

10. Play a board game

11. Glow sticks

12. Candy necklaces/jewelry

13. Sparklers

14. Write new years resolutions 

15. Noise makers

16. Bang pots and pans

17. Play reverse charades

18. Ring pops "Ring" in the new year

19. Silly string

20. Dipping Chocolate Activity

21. Scavenger hunt 

22. Confetti

23. Balloon drop

24. Cookies & Milk in fancy glasses

25. Hoola hoop competition

26. Minute to win it games

27. Make glitter play dough

28. Hide and seek

29. Party Mocktails 

30. DIY photo booth with props

31. New years eve time capsule 

32. New years eve bingo

33. Bubble wrap to jump on

34. Party Chex mix

35. Jewelry making kits

36. Cheese and Crackers snack

37. Silly socks

38. Cotton candy

39. Pop rock candy

40. Toy cars

41. Tic Tacs/Certs

42. Fortune cookies

43. DIY noise makers

44. Get in pajamas

45. Camping in the living room, set up tent, s'mores, ect.

46. Water bottles, 

47. Pass out midnight Hershey kisses

48. Make a wishing wall to tape up wishes for the new year 

49. Lip sync battle

50. Make a mini new year's eve drop ball. 

Please share this Pinterest version image below with your friends and family or save it for your next New Years Eve Party at home.