Last Updated on December 30, 2024
This New Year Countdown Activity for Kids is the perfect way to keep children occupied late on New Year’s Eve.
Being up so late can be a challenge for kids if you don’t have a plan to keep them active. This year will be a breeze with these fun activities for kids.
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What are New Year Countdown Bags?
Allowing your children to stay up until midnight (or however long they last) lets them be a part of the celebration and creates special memories and traditions. These countdown bags are designed to give kids something to look forward to throughout the evening.
You will make up at least 6 bags.
Each of the bags has a clock on it that shows a different time. The times are 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 11:30, and 11:45.
There are some extra clocks on the printable that you can customize if you wish. That way if you’re having your kids go to bed earlier, like at 9:00, you can make some clocks that start earlier than the pre-printed ones.
During the evening, when it is the same time as the clock on the bag shows, the kids can open the bag up. Inside the bag will be different toys/crafts/games or snacks the kids can eat or play with until it is time to open the next bag.
What do I Put in the Countdown Bags?
There are so many different ideas of what you can fill the bags with to keep kids happy so they can stay up until midnight. Basically any item that will fit in the sack that you know kids will love to play with is a good way to go:
Toys/Crafts/Games
- Small cans of playdough
- Kinetic sand
- Card games like UNO or Old Maid
- Special snacks like Pop Rocks, Rock Candy, etc.
- Dice Games
- Small Lego Sets
- Craft sets
, 
Snacks
- Snowman Nutter Butter cookies
- Juice Box Snowman
- Snowman poop
- Air Fryer popcorn in these cute popcorn cups
- Fruit snacks
- Granola bars
- Rice Krispies treats
Materials Needed for Making the New Year Countdown Bags
This craft activity is so easy to make and only takes a few supplies. You can even have the kids make and decorate the bags — just don’t let them see what you put in them so it will be a surprise they’ll look forward to receiving.
- Printable clock faces: Sign up on the form below to get the printable.
- 2 1/2 inch circle punch: You’ll use this to help you punch out the clock faces.
- Paper lunch bags: Any brand of lunch bags is fine. Look at the printable clock faces and figure out how many bags you want to make.
- Glue: Use bottled glue or glue sticks — whichever one you prefer your kids work with to glue the clocks on the bag.
- Washi tape: There are so many different colors and designs to choose from to decorate the bag.
- Hole Punch: You’ll need this to punch holes in the top of the bag.
- Curling Ribbon or Twine: Use this to tie the bags closed so the kids can’t peek and see what’s inside.
or Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools for Printables
Here are some tools that may be useful when you print out the clock faces printable.
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Printer paper or cardstock: If you’re printing for one-time, quick use, print on regular printer paper. If you need the printout to hold up to being handled often or if you plan to laminate it to use it multiple times, choose cardstock.
How to Make This New Year Countdown Activity
If you are having a party at your house for the holiday this New Year Countdown Activity for Kids is perfect. The bags are easy to customize for different ages too.
Step 1: Print the Clocks
Start off by printing the clock faces. You can download the printable by filling in the form below.
Cut the clock faces out using the circle punch. Be sure to print off enough so that every bag has a clock.
Printable FAQs
Fill in the form above. After you submit the form, you’ll receive an email from “Wondermom Wannabe” with a direct link to the printable. If you do not see the email in your inbox within a few minutes, check your spam folder.
The most likely place will be in your computer’s Downloads folder. You can also select “Downloads” in your browser menu to see a list of your downloads, then simply select “Show in folder” below the file name to see where it is stored on your computer.
You’ll need a program that supports PDFS, like Adobe Acrobat (which is free). Open the program, click File > Print. Select your printer and set the number of copies you want to print. Double check your print preview, then click print.
Step 2: Decorate the bag
Decorate the bags with Washi tape or other items you may have around the house if you desire.
Step 3: Glue the Clock
Now it is time to glue the clock face onto the bag. You can use regular Elmer’s glue or a glue stick.
Step 4: Fill the bags
The fun part of this activity is filling each bag with a variety of fun activities to keep the kids busy all evening, like these New Year’s coloring pages.
Step 5: Fold the bag and add Ribbon
Once the bags are full of goodies it is time to seal them up. Fold the top of each bag down.
Punch two holes in the top portion of the folded part and add ribbon or twine to tie the bag off.
Step 6: Open Bags at Time Displayed
The kids will open the bag at the designated time on the clock and can enjoy the items inside.
If you would like to have the complete supply list and directions to make this New Year Countdown Activity for Kids just print off the card below.
New Year Countdown Activity for Kids
Equipment
- 2 1/2 Inch Circle Punch
- Hole Punch
Materials
- Printable clock faces
- Paper lunch bags
- Glue
- Washi tape if desired
- Curling ribbon or twine
Instructions
- Print clock faces and cut apart using a 2 ½ inch circle punch.Printable clock faces
- Decorate bag with Washi Tape or other items if desired.Washi tape
- Glue clock faces, one to each paper lunch bag.Paper lunch bags, Glue
- Fill bags with card games, craft supplies, snacks, and other surprises.
- Fold down the top of each bag. Punch two holes toward the top of each bag. Add curling ribbon or gift twine to seal.Curling ribbon or twine
- To use, have the kids open a bag according to the designated time and enjoy the goody inside.
Additional New Year’s Fun
Keep the New Year fun going strong with some of these other fun printables, activities and treats.
- New Year’s Eve Party Ideas for Teens: Plan the ultimate New Year’s Eve celebration with these awesome party ideas for teens. These decorations, treats, and activities will keep them entertained until the clock strikes midnight.
- Printable I Spy Games for Winter Holidays: Free Winter Holiday I Spy printables perfect for New Year celebrations. Keep kids engaged with these festive seek-and-find activities.
- Simple New Year Dice Game for Kids: Make New Year’s Eve fun for kids with this simple printable dice game. Get kids excited about counting down with this engaging New Year’s game.
- Sugar Plum Hot Chocolate: Warm up this holiday season with Sugar Plum Hot Chocolate! This cozy, kid-friendly drink combines rich and fruity with a sweet twist, making it the perfect festive treat for all ages.
- Hot Cocoa Chocolate Dump Cake: Hot Cocoa Chocolate Dump Cake is a decadent dessert that’s simple to make. This dump cake is packed with chocolate and marshmallows.
- Simple Charcuterie Board: This Simple Charcuterie Board is the perfect party appetizer. It’s simple to put together, and there are endless possibilities for toppings.
