• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Cocktails
  • Dessert
  • Appetizers
  • Parties
  • Shop

Cupcakes and Cutlery logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Cocktails
  • Appetizers
  • Dessert
  • Recipes
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Cocktails
    • Appetizers
    • Dessert
    • Recipes
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Mom Life » Holidays » New Year’s Eve Countdown Bags for Kids

    Published: Dec 26, 2022 · Updated: Dec 26, 2022 by Sharon Garofalow | This post may contain affiliate links. See the privacy policy linked in my footer.

    New Year's Eve Countdown Bags for Kids

    Image of count down bags and supplies with text that reads Count Down Bags for New Year's Eve.
    Text - New Year's Eve Countdown Bags with an image of white bags with times printed on them and a few toys next to them.

    These Countdown Bags for New Year's Eve are the perfect activity for a family night at home!

    Surprise the kids with a new bag each hour to keep them engaged and excited until midnight!

    Bags with hours on them and small toys on a table.

    Hourly Countdown Bags Are Awesome

    New Year's Eve is one of our favorite holidays! It's the one that my immediate family and I have gotten to create our own traditions for and we have a blast!

    While we used to enjoy a good New Year's Eve party, now we chill with the family.

    In the afternoon we head to our local Dave and Buster's to play some games. Then we head home for a low-key fancy night in.

    But the one thing my kids look forward to, more than anything, is these New Year's Eve Countdown Activity bags.

    My kids don't have any trouble staying up until midnight but they do get bored and need activities to keep them entertained (and not on electronics).

    These surprise bags are quick and easy to put together and are a simple activity to help celebrate the new year.

    A paper bag laying on the table with small treats and toys coming out.

    I make sure these bags are put together early in the day (or even the day before) so they are ready to go at 6 pm when the kids get their first bags.

    Both kids get a new bag every hour all the way through 11 pm. I put in a mix of small activities or candies to keep them busy for a little while.

    For example, with the fun finger eyes above, I might also include a little note that would encourage them to create a movie with the iPhone using the googly eyes as the characters.  

    The best things for these bags are stocking stuffer type items. I usually always have extra that won't fit in the stockings anyway, so I set those aside for these activity bags.

    I try to plan out the night with an easy timeline. I might do a small game for 6 pm since we will have just finished dinner.

    I'll do a treat when it would naturally fall during dessert time.

    I'll try to pair hot chocolate with a card game a little later on that they can enjoy them together.

    There are no hard and fast rules, just do what feels right.

    Some bags are a bust and they quickly move them aside. More than anything it's the excitement of what's next.

    I keep the costs as low as possible since this has the potential to get really expensive really quickly. And that's not what this is about.

    Paper bags and stickers with different times on them laying on a table.

    How to make New Year's Eve Countdown Bags

    While these New Year's Eve countdown bags create a lot of excitement, they take very few supplies to make.

    Supplies

    Plain paper lunch bags are a great size and pretty much hold everything that you could be sharing in your countdown. If something ends up being too large, I'll include a note or a clue in the bag about where to find the item instead.

    I got fancy and printed out times on a printer paper and then stuck them to the front of the bags. You can easily just use a Sharpie and write on the times. You can make these as easy or elaborate as your crafty little heart desires! 

    And since my kids are nosey, a stapler to keep them shut.

    These are the supplies I use, but you could easily reuse gift bags that were given at Christmas. You could even use plastic grocery bags. Feel free to make this your own!

    Woman adding something to the top of a paper lunch sack.

    What to include in the hour bags

    Then you'll need small trinkets, games, candies, activities, puzzles, etc. to fill up the bags. Since I have 2 kids, I typically buy 2 of everything unless it's a card game that they'll play together.

    You can check out the types of things I like to fill the bags with on this Stocking Stuffer Pinterest Board I created. Party City is also a great place to pick up fun little doodads. And anywhere that has a party favor section.

    Treat Ideas

    I try not to include so many things they there ends up being things they save for later. I try to figure out what they'll enjoy on New Year's Eve. I spread out the treats and only do a few of them throughout the night.

    • Hot Cocoa Bombs
    • Holiday themed candy
    • Bean Boozled (a candy AND an activity. It's super gross, but hysterical)
    • Candy canes
    • Popping candy
    • Mug cakes
    • Have them make brownies as an activity
    • Create a fun non-alcoholic New Year's Eve drink

    Sometimes I'll pair a small piece of candy with a game or activity, etc.

    I typically stick to just having the time they'll open the surprise bag on the outside. But if the items need to be kept in the fridge or somewhere special, then I'll write something fun like "Waiting for midnight sucks!" and then we would drink root beer floats. Get it.

    And I'd put some straws inside the bag so there was something for them to open.

    Totally unclassy use of the word suck. But it's a play on words. But you can totally use another word if your family doesn't say suck. 

    Opt In form for a New Year's Eve Party Planner.
    Paper lunch bags with time stickers on them.

    Activities Ideas

    This year I did go big and found a game that was $14.99 that I bought as one of the activities. It's something I think they will have so much fun playing so I splurged.

    I also know they will spend a little more time with that so it will keep them extra busy. It's too large for the bag, so I'll include a note or small piece of the game.

    Stick on mustaches with a card that tells them to get dressed up like a businessman and create a character. Then have them pretend to finish up one last job before the clock strikes midnight.

    I don't know about your kids but mine are great with impressions and accents. They will use their imagination and put on a fun little show for the whole family.

    Include some "party animals" (plastic animal toys with some metallic garland around their neck) and a cd (or Spotify playlist) of our favorite dance songs. It would tell them to get their dance on.

    Then we would try to guess if animals danced, which animal would be the best dancer. Come on, this is good for at least 10 minutes, right?

    Any minute to win it game is a good idea. Just include any supplies needed in the bag.

    And we've even played Soda Pong (like beer pong but with soda instead, because children.)

    Woman adding small treats to hourly countdown bags for New Year's Eve.

    The activities are a mix of things the kids can do together and a few for us to do with them.

    There are things for them to do by themselves, like a small puzzle and for them to be imaginative together.

    And literally, you can't go wrong with glow sticks.

    Woman folding over the top of a paper bag with a time on it.

    When they are full, close them up (I staple mine to keep prying eyes out) and hide them in your closet so the little vultures can't try to shake them and hold them up to the light to see what is inside...

    A paper bag on a table with a sticker that says 8pm on it.

    Your kids will LOVE these New Year's Eve Countdown Activity bags! 

    They are a quick and easy way to keep your family entertained on New Year's Eve and a fun way for them to count down to midnight.

    If you are coming over from Pinterest you may not find the image that you clicked on, but you're in the right spot! Those photos were just not great!

    Images by Bleudog Fotography.

    More family activities

    • Candy Bar Trains are a fun alternative to decorating gingerbread houses!
    • Set up a super simple backdrop and use these New Year's Eve Photo Booth Props to create some fun digital memories!
    • Make a Donut Tower (aka a faux croquembouche)! Whether you make for a New Year's Eve dessert idea or serve it for a simple breakfast on New Year's Day, your kids will love it.
    Close up of a bag laying on the table with small toys and some candy laying next to it.

    More Holidays

    • A woman holding a white balloon in front of her face with a photo of a little girl pasted on it.
      How to Put a Picture on a Balloon for Mother's Day
    • Collage with steps of the straw decoration DIY and on a straw placed in a cocktail glass.
      DIY Papel Picado Inspired Paper Straw Flags
    • Close up of a panoramic sugar easter egg on a pedastal.
      Panoramic Sugar Easter Eggs
    • Close up of a Colomba Easter Cake.
      Colomba Cake: An Easy Italian Easter Cake Tradition

    Click to share!

    • Share
    • Tweet

    About Sharon Garofalow

    Sharon lives in Southern California with her adorable family. She loves to share ideas to make mom life easier and encourage busy gals to make time for themselves too! Sharon's "me" time often includes watching Hallmark Channel movies, sipping sauvignon blanc, trying not to eat Salt and Pepper potato chips, and planning girlfriend getaways.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. sasirekha says

      December 09, 2014 at 8:24 pm

      That was really nice idea and am gonna try this for the new year celebration! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    2. Elizabeth Leach says

      December 23, 2013 at 10:35 am

      Can I use your photo and ideas on my blog? I will link back to you and include the name of your blog. Please let me know. Thank you and Happy New Year!

      Reply
      • Sharon Garofalow says

        December 24, 2013 at 7:58 am

        Certainly! Thanks! Happy Holidays!

        Reply
    3. Kristen S- Craft Gossip says

      December 28, 2012 at 4:17 pm

      I am definitely going to do this when my kids get older... Great idea! Just posted on Craft Gossip!

      http://lessonplans.craftgossip.com/?p=7396

      Reply
      • Sharon Garofalow says

        December 30, 2012 at 9:59 am

        Thanks for sharing! It is a super easy idea but the possibilities are endless!

        Reply
    4. Kelly @ Studio DIY says

      December 20, 2012 at 6:13 pm

      So cute, Sharon!!

      Reply
    5. Melissa says

      December 20, 2012 at 10:19 am

      This is so cool and VERY creative! My newphews would love this idea.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Welcome!
    Based in Southern California, I am the mom to two amazing boys and married to the raddest man in all the land. Cupcakes and Cutlery is your resource for simple solutions to help you be an awesome wife and mother and not lose yourself in the process. Email me at [email protected]

    More about Sharon →

    Posts about wine, liquor and/or cocktail recipes are expressly for people 21 years of age and older. Drink responsibly.

    Winter Favorites

    • A microwave bread pudding in a white ramekin.
      Microwave Bread Pudding in a Mug Recipe
    • Woman holding a coupe glass with a Spiced Rum Daiquiri in it.
      Spiced Rum Daiquiri
    • Close up of a cocktail in a copper mug on a table.
      Fireball Mule Recipe To Try Right Now
    • Close up of dried beef cheese ball next to crackers
      Dried Beef Cheese Ball Recipe For Your Next Party

    Reader Favorites

    • Close up of frosting in a bowl.
      The Best Quick and Easy Cool Whip Frosting Recipe
    • Close up of a cupcakes infused with Fireball Whiskey and topped with red buttercream.
      Flavorful Fireball Cupcakes Recipe with Cinnamon Whisky
    • Close up of a cup holding coke with a lime garnish next to a bottle of Coke on the table.
      Stupid Easy Vodka and Coke Cocktail Idea
    • A dish of pasta with some text over it.
      50 Birthday Dinner Ideas {Delicious Recipes for Celebrating at Home}
    Text - Shop Now, Shop my Amazon! with food in serving dishes on a counter in a kitchen.

    Affiliate Link Disclosure

    Cupcakes and Cutlery is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Read my full disclosure policy.

    This site generates income via ads.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Accessibility Policy
    • CCPA
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Me

    © 2008-2022 CUPCAKES & CUTLERY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.