New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are holidays that are traditionally depicted with grown-up events and parties. Here are a few exciting ways to involve them in the celebrations and spend some time as a family before the 2023 holiday season ends:

• Have your own party! Dress up and have dinner (gourmet grilled cheese, anyone?), and pour some non-alcoholic sparkling cider or apple juice to “cheers” at the table!



• Are the kids having trouble stating up late? Have a slumber party in the living room with blankets and pillows and celebrate the New Year along with a country that has an earlier time zone, such as the United Kingdom, who are five hours ahead of Florida local time (therefore, they’ll be ringing in the New Year when it’s only 7pm for us)!

• If your little ones are excited for fireworks, check out a safe, public fireworks display run by professionals. If your kids are like my child and get nervous around loud noises, it’s okay to stay inside and bust out some glow in the dark toys or jewelry instead!

• Create a bucket list of goals for your family for 2024. Are there any places you’d like to visit? Any books you’d like to read? Additionally, talk about all that you accomplished in 2023! Did you overcome a fear or learn something new? A lot can happen in a year!

• New Year’s Day means school is starting soon, and the end-of-holiday blues can kick in- but don’t worry! Make the most of the last few hours of vacation by doing all your family’s favorite things- rewatch a favorite movie, reread a favorite book, cook a favorite meal, and wear your favorite pajamas. Do a mixture of everyone’s favorite things to keep the night exciting and nostalgic.

Do your best to take the New Year one step at a time, and focus on building thoughtful, easy everyday activities within the home. What’s important is making more time to spend together as a family throughout the new year.

Have a happy and healthy start to 2024 and have a great time creating new memories and connections with your little ones! For more family activities, visit our Family Resources page at https://www.elcpalmbeach.org/family-resources.