Want to make this New Year’s celebration extra special for your kids?
Craft projects turn ordinary moments into memorable experiences that children talk about for months.
These activities keep little hands busy while teaching creativity and patience. From noisy shakers to colorful decorations, each project brings its own kind of fun.
You don’t need expensive supplies or advanced skills to get started. Most materials are already sitting in your craft drawer or recycling bin.
In this blog, I’ll show you some simple craft ideas that turn your celebration into an exciting, hands-on experience.
Let’s get crafting and ring in the new year together!
19 New Year’s Craft Ideas to Check Out
These craft ideas bring joy and creativity to your celebration. Each project is simple, fun, and perfect for kids of all ages.
1. DIY Party Hats
Plain paper turns into festive headwear that feels fun and personal. These hats add color and excitement to any New Year’s gathering with family.
What You’ll Need:
☐ Construction paper or cardstock
☐ Scissors
☐ Glue or tape
☐ Markers, crayons, or stickers
☐ Elastic string or ribbon
☐ Glitter (optional)
How to Make:
→ Cut construction paper into a large triangle or cone shape
→ Decorate with markers, stickers, and glitter in fun patterns
→ Roll into a cone and secure edges with glue or tape
→ Punch holes on both sides and attach the elastic string
→ Adjust the string to fit comfortably on your child’s head
2. Paper Plate Noisemakers
Simple paper plates turn into flat, handheld celebration tools. These noisemakers invite decorating and shaking when midnight arrives.
What You’ll Need:
☐ Two paper plates
☐ Dried beans or rice
☐ Stapler or glue
☐ Paint or markers
☐ Stickers
How to Make:
→ Place dried beans or rice on one paper plate
→ Put the second plate on top, facing downward
→ Staple or glue the edges together all around
→ Decorate the outside with paint, markers, and stickers
3. Printable New Year Coloring Pages
Coloring pages offer calm entertainment while building fine motor skills. Download free templates online featuring clocks, fireworks, and celebration themes.
What You’ll Need:
☐ Printer and paper
☐ Crayons or colored pencils
☐ Markers
☐ New Year themed templates
☐ Clipboard or coloring book
How to Make:
→ Search online for free New Year coloring page templates
→ Print multiple pages for each child at the party
→ Set up a coloring station with various art supplies
→ Let kids color and personalize their favorite designs
4. Party Wands
Sparkly wands add a magical touch to the countdown celebration. Children can wave them around while dancing and celebrating the arrival of the new year.
What You’ll Need:
☐ Wooden dowels or sticks
☐ Star-shaped cardboard cutouts
☐ Aluminum foil or metallic paper
☐ Ribbons in multiple colors
☐ Glue and tape
☐ Sequins or glitter
How to Make:
→ Cover star cutouts with aluminum foil or metallic paper
→ Glue two stars together with a dowel in between
→ Attach colorful ribbons to the bottom of the stick
→ Add sequins or glitter for extra sparkle and shine
5. New Year’s Eve Poppers
These poppers add surprise moments when pulled apart. Fill them with confetti, small toys, or candy for an exciting reveal.
What You’ll Need:
☐ Empty toilet paper rolls
☐ Tissue paper or wrapping paper
☐ Confetti or small treats
☐ Ribbon or string
☐ Tape
☐ Scissors
How to Make:
→ Cut tissue paper larger than the toilet paper roll
→ Place the roll in the center and fill with confetti
→ Wrap the paper around the roll completely
→ Tie both ends tightly with ribbon like a candy wrapper
→ Pull apart when ready to celebrate and release contents
6. Slime Craft
Glittery slime provides sensory play and entertainment for hours. This gooey creation invites stretching, squishing, and shaping by hand.
What You’ll Need:
☐ White school glue
☐ Liquid starch or contact solution
☐ Gold or silver glitter
☐ Mixing bowl
☐ Spoon or stick
☐ Food coloring (optional)
How to Make:
→ Pour glue into a bowl and add glitter
→ Mix in liquid starch slowly while stirring continuously
→ Keep mixing until slime forms and pulls away from the bowl
→ Knead with hands until it reaches the desired consistency
7. Fireworks Art
Paint-splattered fireworks capture the beauty of midnight celebrations. The finished artwork looks colorful and works well for wall displays.
What You’ll Need:
☐ Black construction paper
☐ Paint in bright colors
☐ Paper plates
☐ Toilet paper rolls
☐ Forks or brushes
☐ Newspaper for protection
How to Make:
→ Cover work area with newspaper to protect surfaces
→ Dip the toilet paper roll ends into bright colored paint
→ Stamp onto black paper in circular burst patterns
→ Use forks to drag paint outward, creating firework streaks
→ Let dry completely before hanging or framing artwork
8. Countdown Clock Craft
Paper plate clocks make counting down to midnight easier to follow. Move the clock hands together while counting down the final minutes.
What You’ll Need:
☐ Paper plate
☐ Brad fastener
☐ Cardboard for clock hands
☐ Markers or paint
☐ Scissors
☐ Numbers stickers or markers
How to Make:
→ Write numbers around the plate edge like a clock
→ Cut two hands from cardboard in different lengths
→ Attach both hands to the center with a brad fastener
→ Decorate the plate with festive colors and designs
9. Fingerprint Silhouette Art
Colorful fingerprints form firework patterns around midnight silhouettes. The finished piece saves your child’s tiny prints creatively.
What You’ll Need:
☐ Black cardstock paper
☐ Stamp pads in multiple colors
☐ Wet wipes for cleanup
☐ White paint or marker
☐ Frame (optional)
How to Make:
→ Draw a simple city skyline at the bottom with white paint
→ Press the child’s finger onto the colorful stamp pads
→ Stamp fingerprints above the skyline in burst patterns
→ Create multiple bursts in different colors across the page
→ Clean fingers with wet wipes between color changes
10. Confetti Poppers
Handheld poppers shoot confetti into the air for instant celebration. Colorful paper pieces flying through the air add instant excitement.
What You’ll Need:
☐ Balloons
☐ Paper confetti or hole punch circles
☐ Funnel
☐ Scissors
☐ Cardboard tubes (optional)
How to Make:
→ Cut the tied end off a balloon carefully
→ Use a funnel to fill a balloon with confetti
→ Stretch the balloon opening and blow it up slightly
→ Release air quickly to shoot confetti into the air
11. Paper Crown Craft
Royal crowns help every child feel special at parties. Add their names, stick on colorful jewels, and use their favorite colors for a personal touch.
What You’ll Need:
☐ Yellow or gold cardstock
☐ Scissors
☐ Glue or tape
☐ Gems, stickers, or sequins
☐ Stapler
☐ Markers
How to Make:
→ Cut a long strip from cardstock paper
→ Cut triangle points along one long edge
→ Decorate with gems, stickers, and markers
→ Measure around the child’s head and staple ends together
12. Cup Noisemakers
Plastic cups filled with beads create rounded shakers with rattling sounds. These simple shakers are quick to make and fun to use.
What You’ll Need:
☐ Two plastic cups
☐ Dried beans or beads
☐ Duct tape
☐ Stickers or markers
☐ Tissue paper
How to Make:
→ Fill one cup halfway with dried beans or beads
→ Place the second cup upside down on top of the first
→ Tape cups together securely around the rim
→ Decorate outside with stickers, markers, or tissue paper
13. Cupcake Liner Fireworks
Colorful cupcake liners mimic firework explosions on paper. Layer different colors for a three-dimensional effect that pops off the page.
What You’ll Need:
☐ Cupcake liners in bright colors
☐ Black construction paper
☐ Glue
☐ Scissors
☐ Yellow paint or marker
How to Make:
→ Flatten cupcake liners and cut small slits around edges
→ Layer two or three liners in different sizes
→ Glue stacked liners onto black paper
→ Add small yellow dots or lines for sparkles
14. Fortune Cookie Messages
Write hopeful messages for the coming year. Kids can create personalized fortunes to share with friends and family members.
What You’ll Need:
☐ Small strips of paper
☐ Pens or markers
☐ Brown construction paper
☐ Glue
☐ Scissors
How to Make:
→ Write positive messages or predictions on paper strips
→ Cut circles from brown construction paper
→ Fold circles in half and tuck the message inside
→ Glue edges slightly to keep fortune cookie shape
15. Fireworks in a Jar
Oil and water create colorful firework effects in glass containers. This science experiment doubles as beautiful table decorations.
What You’ll Need:
☐ Clear glass jar
☐ Vegetable oil
☐ Water
☐ Food coloring
☐ Fork for mixing
☐ Small bowl
How to Make:
→ Fill the jar three-quarters full with warm water
→ Mix food coloring drops with oil in a small bowl
→ Pour the oil mixture slowly into the water jar
→ Watch as colors drop and create firework patterns
16. Tissue Paper Pompoms
Fluffy pompoms add festive decorations to any party space. Hang them from ceilings or doorways for colorful celebration vibes.
What You’ll Need:
☐ Tissue paper sheets
☐ Scissors
☐ Pipe cleaners or string
☐ Ruler
How to Make:
→ Stack eight sheets of tissue paper on top of each other
→ Fold the stack accordion-style with one-inch folds
→ Tie a pipe cleaner or a string tightly around the center
→ Cut rounded edges on both ends of the folded paper
→ Separate each tissue layer carefully and fluff outward
17. New Year’s Word Search
Custom word searches provide quiet entertainment during party downtime. Include words like countdown, celebration, resolution, and midnight.
What You’ll Need:
☐ Grid paper or blank paper
☐ Pencil and eraser
☐ List of New Year words
☐ Markers for solving
☐ Ruler for straight lines
How to Make:
→ Draw a large grid on paper with a pencil
→ Write New Year words horizontally, vertically, or diagonally
→ Fill empty spaces with random letters
→ Make copies for all children at the party
18. New Year Bingo
Custom bingo cards feature celebration-themed images and words. Play multiple rounds with small prizes for winners.
What You’ll Need:
☐ Blank bingo cards or paper
☐ Markers or crayons
☐ New Year images or words
☐ Small prizes or treats
☐ Coins or buttons for markers
How to Make:
→ Draw a five-by-five grid on paper or cardstock
→ Fill squares with New Year words or simple drawings
→ Make multiple cards with different arrangements
→ Use coins or buttons to mark called squares
19. Bubble Wands
Homemade bubble wands create outdoor fun during celebrations. Children love making giant bubbles that float through the air.
What You’ll Need:
☐ Pipe cleaners
☐ Beads (optional)
☐ Bubble solution
☐ Shallow container
☐ Wire or dowels
How to Make:
→ Bend pipe cleaner into circle or star shapes
→ Twist the end around a dowel or stick
→ Add colorful beads to the handle for decoration
→ Dip the wand into the bubble solution and blow gently
Wrapping It Up
These craft projects bring creativity and fun to your celebration without breaking the bank.
Each activity offers something different, from quiet coloring time to energetic noisemaker shaking. Kids develop essential skills while making decorations they feel proud to display.
The best part is watching their faces light up when they complete each project. Keep extra supplies on hand for those moments when boredom strikes during winter break.
Mix and match ideas to create the perfect activity lineup for your family. Try one new craft each year to build lasting traditions.
What will your children create first? Share your experiences or ask questions in the comments below!
