I would call the party for about 5:00, so the kids have time to play before dinner.  Dinner could be at 5:45 and then a New Year's countdown around 6:15.  Then everyone would hit the road around 6:30.  (I've found that an hour and half works well for parties with younger kids.  You can have a longer or later party depending on the ages of the kids at your party!)

New Year's Eve Party Invitations

Party411 has a great selection of personalized New Year's invitations that a great for your kids party.  They will love getting their own invitation in the mail! Our whimsical ticket invitations are also great fun. 

You should include on your invitation if parents are also invited to the party.  If you're hosting younger kids, then this is probably a great idea.  Do you really want to watch a house full of little ones by yourself?  Probably not and parents love to see their cute kiddos enjoying a party! It's a great photo op.

Get The Kids Involved: If your child is "hosting" the party, then ask them to help with the invitations.  Print up invitations on white cardstock and ask your kids to help add sparkles.  Or, let them color on the invitation.  They will love helping!

New Year's Party Decorations

As the kids arrive, give the girls happy New Year tiaras and the boys New Year top hats. Or choose from a New Year's Party Kit that includes noisemaker, hats and tiaras.  The Monte Carlo kit is bright and colorful! Finally, everyone (including you!) needs a pair of colorful glitter 2010 glasses.

There are some great scene setters available to create a mood.  A gold New Years glitter banner brightens up the room. And, add New Year's swirls hanging from the ceiling.

I would have bright balloon bouquets around the room.  You can buy these at a local party store (be sure to call ahead so your order is ready) or you can buy a helium tank and New Year balloons and make them yourself!

Get The Kids Involved: Decorations are another great place to get kids involved.  Make a large welcome banner and have them help color in the letters.  If they are older, they can paint the sign themselves!

For more great decorating ideas visit New Year's Decorating411.

New Years Tables

Depending on the ages of the kids you are inviting, you might want to bring in small tables and chairs to make them more comfortable.  Even the picnic table they use in the summer will work.  Cover them with fun silver metallic tablecloths to make them feel more special.

Centerpieces can be a silver star centerpiece or a light up gold New Year's top hat.  Then sprinkle some confetti around the tables. 

Bright New Year's paper goods add color to the room and are easy to clean up!  And, with kids, you won't need to worry about anything breaking.

Kids New Years Party Menu

Your menu certainly doesn't need to be fancy for a kid's New Year's party.  We all know how picky they can be, so choose foods they will eat!  I would, however, make whatever you serve seem extra special for the holiday! 

• Kids eat hot dogs, right?  Why not have mini pigs in a blanket?
• Serving grilled cheese or PB&J?  Use cookie cutters to cut the sandwiches into fun, festive shapes.
• Serve Mac & Cheese in a fancy silver bowl.

New Year's Kids Activities

Have a New Year's countdown about an hour into the party.  A balloon drop will get everyone cheering.  Pass out glasses of sparkling apple juice in plastic wine glasses!  Don't forget to have serpentines ready for the kids to throw and champagne bubbles to blow -they will love these!  Make sure they are all wearing their hats and tiaras you passed out at the beginning of the party. Get the cameras ready!

We've also got a list of other New Year's games for kids in our games section.

New Year's Party Favors

Everyone will love getting their picture taken at the party.  Have a personalized camera on hand and take pictures of the kids with their faces behind the "0"s of a 2010 photo op and pass out pictures to the kids.  An inexpensive frame makes a great favor.

The kids will love getting a personalized New Year's candy bar!

It will be an evening (or afternoon!) to remember! Trust me!!

New Year's Eve Party Planning and Decorating Ideas from Party411.com

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