Teen New Year’s Eve Party

It’s been years since my husband and I went out for New Year’s Eve. We don’t want to be on the icy and snow-covered roads with all the people who have had one too many drinks to celebrate the new year. Plus it’s cold out and we’re big wimps.

The last few years we’ve let the teens have a small party. Last year we even let the younger kids join in by inviting one friend each to spend the night. The kids think we are really cool for letting them have a party. But we really do it so we know where are kids are at and that they are being safe. [Shh...don't tell them.]

If you’re going to have a party you need some things to keep the kids occupied. My boys are crazy for all things video games so entertaining them is easy. We move a couple TVs in to the family room and hook up video game consoles (some of our own and some their friend’s bring over). But what about my daughter? Or kids who aren’t video game fanatics? What other themes

• Have a blast from the past party. Dress like a different era; the 80’s, 70’s, 60’s or 50’s. For an 80’s party you can watch Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Sixteen Candles and the Breakfast Club. Have a Rubik cube contest. Who can solve it the quickest? Or at all? Maybe just one color? Play a game of Cooties. Dance to some old 80’s rock.
• Have a game night. Break out the board games for a night of fun. We have a ton of Scene It! games that always get us laughing. And my family loves the game Apples to Apples. If you haven’t played it, try it.
• How about a movie night. Watch movies until midnight. It might be fun to pick a theme. When I was younger we had a John Travolta night. We threw on our PJs and slippers and watch old John Travolta movies. Teens today probably don’t want John, but you could have Star Wars or Brad Pitt movies instead. Make sure you have lots of popcorn, candy and soda.
• Clear your throat and have an American Idol party. Rent a karoake machine and sing ’til the ball drops.
• Send the kids on a scavenger hunt around the neighborhood. Put the group in teams of two and give out prizes to the groups that bring back the most items.
• Have a mystery party. There are tons of role playing party ideas. You can find them in the games section at many stores.
• Have a slumber party like when they were kids. They can roll their sleeping bags out on the floor along with their pillows. Get them retro pillow cases like Rainbow Brite and G.I. Joe. Have a pillow fight. Tell ghost stories.
• Create a time capsule. Put in pictures or an article of clothing or an old toy. Include a note card with why the item is special. Share the stories with the rest of the guests. If the grounds not to hard, bury it in the backyard.

What other New Year’s Eve party ideas do you have?