Get ready to travel the world this New Year’s Eve!! This around the world New Year’s Eve party for kids is not only filled with fun new years eve games, new years crafts, and new years activities but it is educational too as kids learn about other countries’ customs, cuisine, and culture!
Around the World New Year's Eve party for Kids
This year, why not learn geography while ringing in the new year! This around the world New Year’s Eve party for kids is an afternoon celebration beginning at 2 pm going until 6 pm (or midnight if you like). Learn where various countries are located on a map, how time zones work, about New Year’s traditions, culture, and cuisine of each country, and have fun creating crafts and enjoying activities from those countries. This is such a fun way to celebrate New Years with kids of all ages!
Russian New Year - 3 pm
Russians welcome the New Year by saying С Новым годом (“S Novim Godom”). New Year’s Day is a family holiday for many Russians including a traditional dinner of Russian potato salad (Olivier Salad), pickled herring and sparkling wine with glasses raised to toast during the chiming of the Kremlin clock. When it is 3PM central time, Russians in Moscow are toasting and kissing for the beginning of their new year. For children the celebration includes a decorated fir tree and visit from Grandfather Frost and his granddaughter, Snegurochka (“The Snow Girl”). Learn more about Russian New Year’s Eve traditions with Little Passports here.
Russian Decor
Nothing says Russian culture like Matryoshka dolls! Decorate your table with the dolls, beautiful coordinating blue and white floral plates & napkins, and delicate white snowflake decorations.
Russian Food
Olivier salad is a traditional Russian New Year’s dish. This Russian-style potato salad is made with potatoes, carrots, peas, eggs, pickles, ham, and dill. Serve it with tangerines, a Russian New Year’s favorite, and sparkling white grape juice cocktail.
Russian Activities
Greek New Year - 4 pm
Καλή Χρονιά! In Greece, New Year’s Day is referred to as Protohronia and is celebrated as Saint Basil’s Day, in honor of a saint in the Greek Orthodox Church who gave to the poor. When it is 4PM central time, clocks in Athens are chiming 12 to mark the Greek new year. One of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday is the New Year baby. Greek’s also exchange gifts and give money to the poor to celebrate Agios Vasilis (or Saint Basil). Read about Greek New Year’s Eve Traditions here.
Greek Decor
Create fun themed decor using the colors of the Greek flag. If your kids feel crafty, encourage them to make paper columns to represent ancient ruins along with a backdrop of Mount Olympus. If you’re feeling festive, dress in togas and wear laurel wreath crowns (see instructions below).
Greek Food
Vasilopita is a New Year’s Day bread which contains a hidden coin or trinket. Whomever receives the hidden coin is believed to have good luck in the coming year. Accompany your Vasilopita with Tiropitas (Greek cheese pies) and Vyssinatha (sour cherry cordial).
- Vasilopia (Greek New Year’s Cake) from Spruce Eats
- Tiropitas (Greek Cheese Pies) from Christina’s Cucina
- Vyssinatha (Sour Cherry Cordial) from Lemon and Olives
Greek Activities
Beginning New Year’s Eve morning, children go from house to house and sing the kalanta, or carols to bring good wishes for the new year ahead. Greek families gather around and play cards beginning in the early evening and lasting until midnight.
- Listen to Greek Christmas Carols
- Make a Laurel Wreath Crown from DLTK Kids
- Play your Family’s Favorite Card Game
French New Year - 5 pm
Bonne année et bonne santé! That is French for Good Year and Good Health. The French New Year’s Eve feast is called le réveillon and is filled with rich foods such as foie gros, goose or turkey, oysters, and champagne. The opulent fare is meant to signify wealth in the year to come. When it’s 5PM central time, people in Paris are ringing in their new year. Learn more about French New Year’s Eve traditions here.
French Decor
Create a Parisian look with fun black, white, gold, and hot pink decor! Have fun with stick-on mustaches, berets, and French photo props.
French Food
The traditional French New Year’s Eve fare isn’t necessary great for finger food so I’ve put together a few ideas that are easy and tasty for kids. These delicious chocolate truffles can be rolled in nuts, powdered sugar, sprinkles, or candy cane bits. Accompany the truffles with Strawberry Brie Crostini and Strawberry Sparkling Perrier water
French Activities
Engage kids in fun French holiday traditions by playing a mistletoe game, making French crackers to break open at “midnight,” and creating beautiful Eiffel Tower fireworks art.
English New Year - 6 pm
Happy New Year! In England crowds gather in Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus waiting to hear the chimes of London’s Big Ben. The English celebrate New Year’s Eve at the same time as those in the United States. When it is 6PM central time, people in London are celebrating the new year while singing “Auld Lang Syne” and enjoying fireworks. Learn more about New Year’s Eve in England here.
English Decor
Set a festive tone with black and gold decor over a British backdrop!
English Food
Enjoy the English classic Toad-in-the-Hole – sausages baked in Yorkshire pudding – as an appetizer. Accompany the canapes with delicious chocolate-dipped shortbread and New Year Sunrise, a tasty citrus mocktail kids will love
English New Year's Eve Activities
The UK (Scotland) is birthplace of “Auld Lang Syne” – the theme song of the New Year. Celebrate by singing this beloved tune, playing New Year’s Eve Pictionary, enjoying some sparklers, and creating a family time capsule!
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