New Year's Eve Games and Activities

Every year, the ball drop in Times Square plays on television screens across the nation on New Year’s Eve. Games provide entertainment for party guests until the clock strikes midnight and the giant ball makes its descent. Here are a few game ideas that will keep your guests engaged until the clock strikes. If the guest list includes people of different age ranges, adapt the games and activities to fit your guests.

Resolution Guess

Provide pieces of paper for the guests, asking each guest to write a resolution on one. Let them know they can be serious or funny. Have the guests place the resolutions in a basket as they are written. Later in the evening, begin reading the resolutions one at a time. As each one is read, the guests try to determine who wrote the resolution. Continue reading the resolutions until each guest has been matched with theirs.

Karaoke

This is sure to be a hit for all of the extroverts in the bunch. Even for those who don't feel the vibe of performing in front of others, they will enjoy this form of entertainment. Karaoke is a simple set up that you want to handle before the party. Make sure the microphone is working, the song list is plentiful and top off this fun group activity with party or disco lights. Be warned, this activity can go on and on. Have fun!

Trivia

Create a series of trivia questions based on the past year. Divide the questions into categories for organizational purposes. Topic can include movies, political events, celebrity news and pop culture events from the year that is coming to an end. Divide the party guests into two teams. Take turns asking each other the trivia questions, awarding a point for each correct answer. After a specified number of rounds, total the points and award a prize to the winning team.

Costume Contest

Throw a New Year’s costume party. If you want to follow a specific theme, encourage the guests to come dressed for the theme. Otherwise, leave the costume selection up to them, letting them know the costumes will be judged. Another option is to provide dress-up clothes in many different sizes. See what kind of costumes guests can create with the provided dress-up clothes. A final option is to divide the partiers into groups, providing each group with newspaper, tape, string and tissue paper. Instruct them to select one person as the model and use the materials provided to create a costume for him. Award a prize to the best costume.

Words by Anaverde Magazine