10 Unique New Year Gifts for Kids That Parents Will Approve Of
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Let’s face it: kids want fun, and parents want gifts that don’t drive them up the wall by February.
This year, strike the perfect balance!
Whether it’s a screen-free activity kit or a gadget that secretly teaches them something, these 10 unique New Year gifts will earn you the coveted title of “Best Gift Giver” without breaking a sweat.
new year gift box ideas for kids
1. DIY Arts and Crafts New Year Box
This gift box is perfect for encouraging creativity and hands-on fun for kids as they step into the new year. It includes a variety of colorful art supplies such as crayons, markers, glitter glue, construction paper, and stickers.
The box can also feature mini craft kits, like build-your-own ornaments or friendship bracelets, to give kids specific projects to work on.
The DIY Arts and Crafts New Year Box not only keeps kids entertained but also helps develop their fine motor skills and artistic talents. The festive theme of the box, with New Year designs on the packaging, makes it extra exciting for them to open and explore.
Where to Get It or Making Process: Purchase craft supplies from stores like Michaels, Hobby Lobby, or Amazon. Use a plain box or basket and decorate it with New Year-themed wrapping paper, stickers, and ribbons.
Price: Approximately $25-$40.
2. Sweet Treats and Games New Year Box
This gift box combines the joy of sweet snacks with engaging activities, making it a delightful surprise for kids. Inside, they’ll find a variety of treats like candy, chocolate bars, popcorn, and cookies.
The fun continues with small games such as card games, travel-size board games, or puzzles that provide hours of entertainment.
To make the New Year celebration even more special, include party accessories like a festive hat, a noisemaker, and even glow sticks. This box creates a balance of instant gratification with the treats and lasting fun with the games.
Where to Get It or Making Process: Purchase sweet treats and small games from retailers like Target, Walmart, or Amazon. Place them in a decorative box or basket, and add colorful New Year-themed elements like gold and silver wrapping, confetti, and ribbons.
Price: Approximately $20-$35.
new year gift card ideas for kids
1. Toy Store Gift Card with New Year Surprise
A gift card to a popular toy store is a versatile gift that allows kids to pick their favorite toy or game. Pair the gift card with a small New Year-themed surprise, such as a sparkly card holder or a festive balloon, to make it extra special and exciting.
This idea is great for giving kids the freedom to choose something they truly want while still making it feel celebratory for the New Year.
Where to Get It or Making Process: Purchase a gift card from stores like Target, Walmart, or Amazon. Add a festive card or envelope and attach a small New Year party favor, such as a noisemaker or confetti popper.
Price: Starting at $10 (customizable based on the gift card amount).
2. Online Learning or Game Platform Gift Card
This gift card idea supports both fun and learning by giving kids access to their favorite educational or gaming platform. Examples include gift cards for Roblox, Minecraft, ABCmouse, or Audible for Kids. Add a New Year-themed card or digital design to make it feel festive and personalized.
This thoughtful gift encourages creativity, problem-solving, and skill-building, making it an excellent choice for kids stepping into the New Year.
Where to Get It or Making Process: Purchase digital or physical gift cards from respective platforms (e.g., Roblox, Minecraft, or Audible) via their websites or stores like Best Buy or Amazon. Package the card in a custom New Year-themed envelope or create a digital greeting.
Price: Starting at $10 (customizable based on the gift card amount).
DIY new year gift ideas for kids
1. DIY New Year Countdown Jar
Create a fun and interactive countdown jar filled with small surprises or activities for kids to enjoy leading up to the New Year. Each jar contains items like small toys, candies, stickers, or notes with fun tasks or jokes. Kids can open one surprise every hour or day as they count down to the big moment.
This gift idea is both engaging and creative, helping build excitement for the New Year while keeping kids entertained with a sense of anticipation.
Making Process:
- Use a clean glass or plastic jar with a lid.
- Decorate the jar with colorful stickers, ribbons, and a “New Year Countdown” label.
- Fill the jar with wrapped surprises like candies, stickers, small toys, or hand-written notes.
- Add instructions for the countdown (e.g., open one surprise every hour).
Price: Approximately $10-$20, depending on the items included.
2. DIY New Year Party Hat Kit
This kit allows kids to craft their own personalized New Year party hats. It includes supplies like pre-cut cardboard hat templates, glitter, stickers, pom-poms, markers, and elastic strings. It’s a creative and hands-on way for kids to prepare for the New Year celebration.
This DIY kit is an excellent way to keep kids entertained while they create something they can wear proudly during the New Year festivities.
Making Process:
- Pre-cut cardboard into cone shapes for hats.
- Assemble materials like glitter, stickers, pom-poms, elastic strings, and glue.
- Pack the materials into a small box or bag with instructions for assembling and decorating the hats.
- Add a festive New Year design to the packaging.
Price: Approximately $10-$15.
new year gift craft ideas for kids
1. DIY Sparkling New Year Firework Painting Kit
This craft kit lets kids create their own “firework” artwork using paint, glitter, and brushes. It’s an easy and fun activity that brings the excitement of New Year’s fireworks into their hands. Kids can use toilet paper rolls or sponges to create unique firework patterns on black or colored paper.
Making Process:
- Include materials like black or dark-colored construction paper, washable paint, glitter, brushes, and sponges or toilet paper rolls (for stamping firework patterns).
- Add instructions on how to dip the sponges or rolls in paint to create firework shapes.
- Package the materials in a New Year-themed bag or box.
Price: Approximately $10-$15
2. DIY New Year Time Capsule Kit
This kit allows kids to create their own time capsule to capture their favorite memories, goals, and dreams for the new year. It includes printable templates for writing down their reflections, small envelopes, stickers, and a decorated container to hold their items.
Making Process:
- Provide a small container (like a tin or plastic jar) and decorate it with “New Year Time Capsule” labels.
- Include printable sheets for kids to write about their favorite memories, goals for the year, or predictions for the future.
- Add stickers, colored markers, and small envelopes to personalize the time capsule contents.
- Provide instructions on how to store the capsule and reopen it at the end of the year.
Price: Approximately $10-$20
new year activity ideas for kids
1. DIY New Year Countdown Balloon Pop
This fun activity involves popping a series of balloons leading up to the New Year. Each balloon contains a surprise note with an activity, joke, or small prize for kids to enjoy as the countdown progresses. It’s an engaging way to keep kids entertained while they eagerly await midnight.
How to Do It:
- Inflate 12 balloons (or fewer, depending on your schedule).
- Write or print small notes with fun activities (e.g., “Do a silly dance,” “Sing your favorite song”) or include small prizes like stickers or candies. Place these inside the balloons before inflating.
- Label each balloon with a time (e.g., 6 PM, 7 PM) or use countdown numbers (e.g., 12, 11, 10) to correspond with when they should be popped.
- Let kids pop a balloon at the designated times and enjoy the surprises.
Price: Approximately $5-$10 for materials.
2. New Year’s Eve Scavenger Hunt
Organize a New Year-themed scavenger hunt where kids search for items or clues related to the holiday. The clues can lead to small prizes or a “New Year Treasure” at the end, like a box of treats or a special New Year surprise.
How to Do It:
- Create a list of New Year-related items to find (e.g., “Find something sparkly,” “Find something that makes noise”). Alternatively, write clues that lead to hidden treasures around the house or yard.
- Hide the items or clues and provide kids with a checklist or map to guide their hunt.
- Prepare a small prize, like a bag of treats or a toy, for the final discovery.
Price: Approximately $10-$20 for prizes and decorations.
