We SO #hardrelate that sometimes the thought of lugging little ones out amongst the New Years Eve crowds is The. Worst. Idea. Ever. So here are a few more subdued and easy to manage New Years Eve ideas.
Raid the local $2 shop for glow sticks and sparklers and have a glow party at home.
Spend the day making a family Spotify playlist and dance like nobody’s watching, literally!
Set up a sleep over party in the lounge room with blankets, LOTS of pillows and yummy snacks and watch the fireworks on TV (or find fireworks from previous years on YouTube and watch them before bedtime)
Make a goodie bag to open on each hour. Draw a time clock on each bag and put some fun treats inside to play with for each hour. Glow sticks, sparklers, party poppers, balloons etc
Make a memory scrap book. Sit down with the kids and write, draw and stick in photos of your favourite family memories of the year.
Resolutions – Teach the kiddies about goal setting and what resolutions are. Perhaps set three each and are always great discussion points as the year rolls on. Take a look at Goalstar Rewards for some tips and ideas on goal setting for kids.
Make (and eat) a New Years Eve Countdown Cake! Thanks for the idea iambaker.net
Make your own photo booth at home and snap those last photo memories before the New Year.
Let the kids stay up til midnight, go on, just this once let tell them they can stay up that late, and see how many actually make it!
Make a New Years Balloon Clock Countdown – kudos to Suburbanmom for this great idea!
For age appropriate audience -watch the movie New Years Eve featuring the all star cast of Zac Efron, Robert De Niro and Hilary Swank to name a few
Interview each member of the family about the last year. Use these printables from SohoSonnet Creative Living, or video everyone giving their answers (and then ask the same questions next year!)
Bubble Wrap Bonanza! Get loads of bubble wrap (Office Works or Australia Post) and let the kids go crazy twisting, popping, and jumping on it.
Create a calendar of ways you want to give to others in the new year. Plan something unique each month or find a good cause to support or serve on a regular basis.
Make a day spa in your home! It is so fun to get pampered! Get creative about which “spa treatments” you will offer. Ideas include a facial, foot scrub, massage, pedicures and more!
Make Kids “Cocktails” with “pop” drink with non alcoholic sparkling cider or with pop rocks and Sprite – served in fancy glasses of course!
PJ and movie marathon – picking favourite movies of the year and a pizza of course!
Make your own balloon drop. The kids will love this. Thanks to the daily meal for this great idea
Have some Piñata funso many to choose from! Check out a dollar store for cheap ones and perhaps even look for numbers of the year.
AND if you’re feeling brave and want to venture out with the kids Check out our event calendar for a great list of Family Friendly NYE ideas. Early fireworks, family friendly locations and afternoon events where you can be home before meltdown o’clock.
Ring in the New Year with Sparkles, Not Stress: Your Guide to Family-Friendly New Year's Eve Fun in Adelaide! Looking for New Years Eve in Adelaide with kids that doesn’t involve staying up until midnight (or a total meltdown)? You’re in the right place. Adelaide looks after families on New Year’s Eve with early fireworks, outdoor celebrations and kid-friendly events that let you ring in the new year and still make it home by bedtime. Whether you’re planning a picnic by the river, heading to an early fireworks show, or just want to know where kids are actually welcome on New Year’s Eve in Adelaide, we’ve rounded up the best family-friendly options. Bookmark this guide, we update it every year with the latest event info so you can plan your New Year’s Eve without the stress. Here's a sneak peek of Adelaide Family Friendly New Year's Eve Events for this year. Early Fireworks: Witness the night sky light up in a kaleidoscope of colors this New Year’s Eve! 🌟 Head to Elder Park (thanks to the City of Adelaide), Semaphore Foreshore, or Glenelg for spectacular early fireworks that are perfect for little ones. Early fireworks = happy kiddos and a…
When are the Adelaide Summer School Holidays? Saturday, December 13 2025 to Monday, January 26 2026 Check back regularly as we add more and more ideas for keeping the kids busy this summer in Adelaide. NEW IDEAS ADDED DAILY! Summer + Christmas + School Holidays – does it get any better than that! Slip, slop, slap and wrap and get out in the sunshine to enjoy the best of what Adelaide has to offer in summer. Days at the beach, at the playground or get festive and check out Adelaide’s Best Christmas Light Displays Below you’ll find some of the best school holiday programs, activities, events, things to do and places to see in Adelaide. Will you sign the kids up for some full day outdoor adventures? Book them in for holiday learn to swim? Check out one of our fantastic museums? Or take advantage of the many FREE school holiday programs on offer around the place. Whatever your kids are into, there will be a school holiday activity or two (or three) to keep them busy and happy this December and January.
B.Curious Adelaide takes the stress out of party planning and turns birthdays into unforgettable, creative celebrations for kids. Their beautifully designed studio in Adelaide’s western suburbs sets the stage for a magical day filled with imagination, laughter, and hands-on fun. From planning and entertaining to set-up, clean-up, and even providing the kids’ lunch, the team at B.Curious handles it all. Parents can simply bring the cake and, if they wish, pre-order grazing boxes or a hot barista coffee to enjoy while the kids create. Creative Party Packages include: Slime-Making Parties – A gooey, glittery adventure where children create their own colourful & fluffy slimes to take home. Canvas Or Plaster Painting Parties – Engaging art sessions where kids paint and decorate their own canvas or plaster keepsakes. Pamper Parties – A little bit of Pamper with a little bit of creative, your little ones will get to decorate their own head band while having their nails painted, sparkle with face glitter and dazzle with coloured braids Fairy Parties - Have your very own fairy for the day, creating wooden fairy wands, balloon animals, magic tricks and many more whimsical adventures Sensory & Craft Parties – Perfect for younger guests, with messy, tactile, and imaginative play set…
I'm a Mum of 2 girls and also one 4 legged ratbag of a dog called Rudy. I work from home and family balance out the work/school hours with lots of beach time, walks, bike rides skates, scooters and surfs. We like being outside. Our favourite places in Adelaide are the Adelaide Hills and Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park