NEW YEARS' THEME AND CURRICULUM
Happy Birthday, New Year- Submitted by Sherry
Help youngsters understand the concept of a new year with a surprise birthday party! Prepare and frost a sheet cake the day before you plan to begin your New Year's unit. Use tube icing to write Happy Birthday, [2002]!" on the cake. Then, for each child, cut a sheet of 9" x 1 2" construction paper as shown. Use a die-cutter to prepare enough numeral cutouts so that each child will have the numerals needed to form the new year numbers.
When the children arrive at school, tell them that they will celebrate a special birthday today. Show youngsters a January calendar and point out the first day of the month. Explain that~in the United States-the first day of January is considered the first day of a new year. Show the children the year printed on a calendar or write the numerals representing the new year on the chalkboard. Then invite children to welcome the new year with a birthday celebration.
Demonstrate how to overlap the top two corners of each sheet of construction paper to form a cone-shaped party hat. Staple each child's hat together. Then have each child glue the numerals that represent the new year onto her party hat. If desired, staple a few strips of crinkled gift-wrap stuffing to the point of each hat for a festive flair.
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New Year, New Start- Submitted by Sherry
Now that youngsters have ushered in the new year in style, give them some background about the holiday. The idea of celebrating a new year has been around since ancient times~practiced by civilizations all over the world. At different times in history and in different cultures, the start of a new year has been celebrated in spring, fall, and winter. But no matter what the calendar date, most ancient and modern celebrations were based on the idea of bringing good luck and prosperity for the coming year.
Ask your youngsters what they know about New Year's celebrations. Do their families have any specific traditions? List their responses on a large sheet of chart paper under the heading "Happy New Year!" Keep the chart paper on display throughout your New Year's unit. Add to the chart as children learn more about various traditions and celebrations.
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Things To Do- Submitted by Sherry
Have a mock New Year's Eve party.
Use pots and pans for noisemakers.
Make a New Year resolutions.
Ask everyone to share their best memory of the year past and what they are looking forward to in the upcoming year.
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SONGS
Confetti Toss- Submitted by Lisa in VA
Place a pile of torn paper "confetti" on the floor. Then sing the song below and let your children act out the movements.
Ring around the rose, *****
Confetti Song- Submitted by Lisa in VA
I love to make *****
Confetti Colors- Submitted by Lisa in VA
Red confetti *****
Bell Ring Song- Submitted by Cheryl
Supply each child with a bell ring. Sing this song and follow the directions:
Ring your bells, Ring your bells, *****
Happy Birthday- Submitted by Sherry
Happy Birthday new year, *****
Happy New Year Song- Submitted by Cheryl
It's 2002, *****
Happy Birthday, New Year Song- Submitted by Sherry
Once youngsters are wearing their hats, teach them this version of "Happy Birthday To You." Then serve each child a slice of cake.
Happy birthday, New Year! *****
It's A Brand-New Year!- Submitted by Sherry
It's a brand-new year, *****
ART
Noisemaker Shakers- Submitted by Cheryl
Fill plastic film canisters halfway with corn kernels and decorate with shiny stickers. (Con-Tact or construction paper, glitter, fabric paint and opaque paint markers are also good for decorating.) We poked a hole in the canister's cap (a parent's job) and threaded curled ribbon through. Knot the ribbon on the underside of the cap, and let the rest stream out of the top.
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Streamers- Submitted by Cheryl
Staple lengths of crepe paper to an empty cardboard tube or a straw and decorate with abandon.
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Confetti Collages- Submitted by Lisa in VA
Let your children help makes confetti by tearing colorful paper scraps into tiny pieces. (Or use a hole punch to punch circles out of colorful paper.) Have the children brush glue on pieces of construction paper. Then let them sprinkle confetti all over the glue to make collages.
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Confetti Collage- Submitted by Cheryl
Use regular confetti or have the children use a hole puncher and punch holes in construction paper. Glue onto construction paper.
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Clock- Submitted by Cheryl
Discuss What time is 12:00. (Both hands up on the 12) Make a paper plate clock.
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Confetti Wands- Submitted by Cheryl
Medium-thickness acetate, 6 inches by 1 1 /2 feet (acetate is a thin sheet of plastic you can find at art supply stores, craft stores and hardware stores) Clear Tape Construction paper Colored and/or foil Confetti (you can get these at card stores) Glitter Scissors Bowl Tissue paper (if you are going to open the tubes for your celebration)
Roll the acetate piece into a tube about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Close up one end of the tube by cutting slits in the sides, folding the strips over, and taping them down. Be sure to tape well so the confetti doesn't spill out during the dancing and playing!
To fill, rip construction paper into small pieces, then place them in a large mixing bowl. Add a few tablespoons of glitter and stir in the purchased confetti. Mix up well to get an even color distribution.
Make a funnel from some construction paper and use it to pour confetti into tube. Stuff end with tissue paper IF you are going to allow the kids to pull the paper out and throw confetti later. If not, simply tape the end of the wand like above so it can't be opened.
Kids can use these tubes to dance around and celebrate. When the midnight hour strikes (or noon hour if you're doing an early celebration) the tissue paper can be removed and the kids can sprinkle the confetti around.
TIPS: If you love the idea of a sprinkling glitter around but hate the idea of clean up, you can use colored sugars instead of glitter/confetti and sprinkle the tubes outdoors! The sugar glitter isn't harmful to animals and birds and still glistens! Make the entire wand environmentally friendly by substituting small bread pieces for the confetti and colored sugar for the glitter. Tie long gold and silver ribbons on the bottom end of the tube to create a fun wand to use while sprinkling the animal food confetti!
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Paper Party Hats- Submitted by Cheryl
You will need colored construction paper, a stapler or tape, a hole punch
and yarn at the minimum. You may choose to have the children decorate the
paper with markers, paint, crayons, string, glitter, the number "2001", or
however they wish. After the paper has dried, form a cone shape to fit the
child's head. Then staple or tape the shape securely. The cone shape is
formed by rolling up the paper so the longer sides of the paper forms the top
and bottom of the cone. After you have secured the shape with tape or
staples, cut the bottom of the cone so it is even all the way around. Punch
two holes in the hat near the bottom to attach a string that will secure the
hat on the child's head. Tie on the string.
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Bells- Submitted by Cheryl
You will need yarn, a pencil, craft bells, styrofoam cups and decorating
materials. Have the children decorate their cup. Cut a piece of yarn, no
longer than the height of the cup. Tie the yarn to the bell. Then poke a
small hole on the bottom of the cup. Thread the yarn through the hole so the
bell is inside the cup. Tie the yarn in a knot (or a couple of knots) so it
will not come loose. Now you have a bell.
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Bell Rings- Submitted by Cheryl
You will need to make these for the children. Older children can do the
threading. Simply thread craft bells onto a small piece of elastic, long
enough to fit around your children's ankle or wrist. Then sew the two ends
together. These can be used for group time dancing, songs and games below.
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2002 Art- Submitted by Cheryl
Write the number 2002 on a piece of paper and have the children decorate it
with paint, markers, crayons, string, lace, glitter, or whatever.
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Chinese Good Luck Letters- Submitted by Cheryl
Invite the children to write good luck letters to each other using square red
paper. Fold in the four corners to the center of the paper to make it an
"envelope" for itself. Have the child write their friends name on the
outside.
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Chinese New Year Dragons- Submitted by Cheryl
Have the children make dragons out of lunch size paper bags and decorations
like googly eyes, and paper scraps. Have a New Year's Parade and walk
through the school and have the children place the dragons on their hands and
wave them up and down.
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Red Ribbons To Scare Nian- Submitted by Cheryl
The tradition of Nian is explained in Dramatic Play. Supply each child with red ribbon and a dowel or unsharpened pencil. Have the children tape the ribbon to the dowel. This is used to scare Nian.
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Chinese Laterns- Submitted by Cheryl
Have each child fold a piece of paper (red is best) in half so that the two
longest sides are together. Then have the children cut one strip of paper
off. Then have the children cut slits in the paper starting at the fold and
going almost to the edges. Have the children make four or five slits. Then
roll up the paper connecting the two shorter sides with tape or glue. Then
the children may glue the first piece they cut off to the top of the lantern
for the handle.
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Making Confetti- Submitted by Cheryl
Provide all the paper scraps you can and make it a day long project! have the children tear, rip and cut to their hearts content. After you "ring in the new year" (we do it about 3pm), wrap masking tape sticky side out around each child's hand. Have a sticky pick up blitz to collect up the confetti! (it really works! the kiddos love the clean up!)
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New Years Surprise Craft- Submitted by Sherry
1 toilet roll (cardboard), 1 sheet of cardboard paper, Scissors, Masking tape, 1 sheet of regular paper, colored paper, wrapping paper, Candies, sweets, little toys, etc.
Trace toilet roll end on cardboard 2 times. Cut both circles out of the cardboard. Tape 1 round circle on the end of the roll. Fill in the roll with whatever - candies are good. Then tape the other circle to the other end of the roll. Put the roll on the long side of the paper. Roll up the roll in the paper. Now twist each side up like a tootsie roll. This makes a great party favor or a surprise at a table setting!
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Tournament of Roses Parade- Submitted by Cheryl
Talk about what is in a parade - Marching bands, floats, flags, etc. Discuss that each float is made of flowers and seeds. Make a collage of flowers and seeds just like they do on the floats. Make a pińata with tissue paper flowers. Paper mache flowers from magazine cut-outs. Take a thin layer of glue and glue flowers on to construction paper.
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New Year Head Band- Submitted by Becce
paper, pipe cleaners, confetti, glitter, tag board, stapler, glue
Make a basic band to fit around the child's head. Cut out the letters to
"Happy New Year", or "2002". Cut these out of tagboard. Cover with glue
and add glitter to the letters or numbers. Glue pieces of confetti all
over the headband. Attach the numbers and/or letters to the pipe cleaners
and then staple to the band. You can bend them so the are going in all
sorts of fun directions. Measure the band to fit the child's head and then
staple together to secure. Then put back on child's head and have fun!!
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Confetti Eggs- Submitted by Becce
eggs, colored construction paper, white tissue paper, glue, shaped paper puncher, easter egg dye or food coloring
Have the children punch out confetti using different shaped paper
punchers, or cut tiny pieces of paper to fit inside the egg.
Poke a hole in each end of the egg and blow out the insides. You should do
this over the sink or a bowl. Gently wash the egg and your hands when you
are done. Color egg shells with egg dye, or food coloring (or even
markers) - and let them dry.
After the eggs are dry, make one hole a little larger and fill eggs with
the confetti. You can use a straw or a toothpick to help stuff the
tissue/paper pieces inside. You may want to add a bit of glitter - but it
may get messy when they break open!! After you are done filling the egg,
close the opening by gluing a small piece of white tissue paper over the
opening.
You can use these on New Years Eve: either outdoors, indoors, or even on
top of someone's head! These are not recommended for small children
without supervison!
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Confetti Creations- Submitted by Sherry
Give your child a paper punch along with scraps of bright colored construction paper and aluminum foil. Invite her to punch tiny circles out of the scraps to make "confetti." When she has a small pile, have her brush glue onto dark colored paper shapes and sprinkle the confetti over the glue. Or let her enclose small handfuls of confetti in homemade New Year's cards for family members and friends.
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Little Holiday Hat- Submitted by Sherry
Find a paper or plastic-foam cup for your child to use as a hat base. Have him turn the cup upside down and decorate it by gluing on such materials as paper scraps, stickers, and ribbons. Give him a cotton ball or self-stick bow to glue onto the top of his hat. Then poke holes on opposite sides of the hat and attach pieces of yarn for tying under your child's chin.
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New Year Noisemakers- Submitted by Sherry
The modern New Year's Day custom of making celebratory noises with bells, horns, firecrackers, drums, and joyous cheers has its roots in very old traditions. People long ago believed that loud noises would frighten bad luck away from the new year. Ask your youngsters if they have any noisy New Year's Day traditions such as banging pots and pans or blowing noisemakers.
Have your youngsters make their own noisemakers. In advance, collect a class supply of empty potato-chip cans (with a plastic lid for each one). For each child, cut a piece of construction paper that fits around a potato-chip can. Have each child decorate her paper as desired, then glue it around her can.
Then set out a variety of fillers for the cans: pennies, dried beans, aquarium gravel, popcorn kernels, and rice. Have each child place a handful of a filler-or a combination of fillers-inside her can. Help her secure the plastic lid on her can; then invite her to shake it up! Use the noisemakers to accompany the song "It's A Brand-New Year!" or during a classroom celebration.
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Noisemaker Shakers- Submitted by Sherry
Fill plastic film canisters halfway with corn kernels and decorate with shiny stickers. (Con-Tact or construction paper, glitter, fabric paint and opaque paint markers are also good for decorating.) We poked a hole in the canister's cap (a parent's job) and threaded curled ribbon through. Knot the ribbon on the underside of the cap, and let the rest stream out of the top.
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Streamers- Submitted by Sherry
Staple lengths of crepe paper to an empty cardboard tube or a straw and decorate with abandon.
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New Years Activity- Submitted by Sherry
Have each child draw a picture of something special they want to do during the new year. Have them dictate a story about their picture to you. Assemble the children's pictures and stories into a book and put it in your reading area.
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Crafts to Make- Submitted by Sherry
Make a calendar.
Make a clock out of a paper plate.
Make a one of these New Year's Crafts.
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New Year's Party Confetti Balloons- Submitted by Sherry
One balloon per person, Paper, Confetti, Pin, Funnel
Write a fortune on tightly rolled paper. Using a funnel pour in some confetti and one fortune into the balloon. If you don't have confetti make your own with colored paper and a hole puncher. Blow up the balloon. Decorate as desired. After you have made several give everyone a balloon and have them pop them over their heads on New Years! They will get a kick out of having a personal fortune.
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New Years Resolution Activity- Submitted by Sherry
Piece of paper, Markers, crayons or colored pencils, tape
Discuss the tradition of making a New Year's resolution. Talk about realistic vs. unrealistic resolutions. For instance, it's unrealistic for a young child to resolve to contribute S1000.00 to their favorite charity; but they may be able to save $2 for their contribution. Each person should have at least one resolution. On a sheet of paper the person should print their name and resolution (one sheet per person). Them have them illustrate their resolution. Post the resolutions on one wall. As the new year enters, draw their attention back to their resolutions. Encourage them to keep their resolutions throughout the year.
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Can Noise Makers- Submitted by Sherry
Empty juice or soda can, Cardboard paper, Plain or colored paper, Dry beans, Tape,
Glue, Stickers
These are great for New Years. Decorate one or two sheets of colored paper. You will use this as the covering for the shaker. When you are done decorating the paper glue the paper around the soda can. Let the glue dry. Take some dry beans and fill the inside of the can (a few beans will do). After you have filled the can with the dry beans trace a circle around the bottom of the can on the cardboard paper. Cut the circle out and glue it to the top of the soda can to cover up the hole. If you use a glue gun please be careful. Let the glue dry.
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New Years Hats- Submitted by Cheryl
Provide the children with paper bowls or cone cups, streamers, glitter, glue and construction paper. Have them create a party hat early in the day.
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New Years Glasses- Submitted by Sherry
3 twelve inch pipe cleaners, Scissors (adult supervision required)
To form the lenses that will rest on your nose twist a pipe cleaner into a figure eight. To form the arms of the glasses cut the second pipe cleaner in half and bend them to fold over your ears and join the straight sides to the figure eight to make normal looking glasses. Last but not least, cut the last pipe cleaner in half and form one piece into a two and the other into a zero, then twist the numbers onto the figure eight to make the year 2000. Happy New Years!!
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New Years Fireworks- Submitted by Sherry
Get some black paper and use glue to make a firework design on it and sprinkle it with different colored glitter. Another thing you can do is get Popsicle sticks and glue pieces of colored paper at one end to make sparklers.
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Noisemakers- Submitted by Sherry
Have your students watercolor the underside of a small but sturdy paper plate. On another plate we write the new year (2002) and Happy New Year. Then add streamers to the edges and put beans inside before you staple it shut to make a noisemaker.
Variation: You can also add a time capsule element. Each child draws a picture of their family and answers some questions about themselves and their dreams. Then you can tuck those inside also and give their parents a note asking them to save this for 6 years (until the children were 10 years old) and then open it together on New Years Eve that year! Surprise!
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Confetti Collage- Submitted by Sherry
Buy confetti from a party store. Have the children create a confetti collage on a piece of butcher paper using glue. Talk about how many people use confetti to celebrate the New Year!
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Noise Maker Painting- Submitted by Sherry
Instead of using brushed at your easel, use noise makers! Have the children dip the noise makers into the paint then blow into them so they splat on the paper. The children LOVE this and it is so fun to see how each picture turns out.
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New Year Hats- Submitted by Sherry
Large pieces of white construction paper, glue sticks, crayons, stickers, and anything else you can think of to decorate the hats.
Have the children decorate their white piece of construction paper. Next, take the construction paper and, using the wide edge, bend it around the child's head to made a pointed hat. Secure the seam of the hat with your glue stick. Punch two holes on the side of the hat and attach yarn to help keep the hat secure on the child's head.
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New Years Coasters- Submitted by Lisa in VA
Its a coaster for all those parties everyone will be throwing this
holiday season! It uses all those free, useless CD's you get from AOL,
or wherever else (I never use mine, I use them for this awesome craft
project)
As many Cd's as you want (1 per coaster),
Spray Adhesive (you can use any other kind of glue),
any kind of batting or fabric that will absorb moisture (you can
even use felt, old washcloths, and so on),
decorative fabric,
decorative ribbon, cording, or brick~brack,
scissors
place CD onto the fabric your going to use to absorb moisture and
trace circle and CUT OUT (all together you want to have about a 1/4
inch of absorbent fabric... if you use a old washcloth, use 2 layers)
spray the adhesive glue or spread thin layer of regular glue onto
Top of Cd place ONE sheet onto the glue
When that is dry (takes about a minute or two) layer the other
scrapes onto of each other. Make sure there are no lumps in fabric (or
else your guests drink will fall onto floor... not a good idea)
This is going to get tricky
coat thin layer of adhesive on to top of stack.Place decorative fabric on top of adhesive (press down to make sure it is adhered well). Flip over carefully and continue to wrap the entire thing with the decorative fabric (Make sure you cover the Cd on the bottom as well...it has to flat)
If you use regular glue:
DONT coat top of stack or else it will retract moisture instead of
absorbing it. Draw a thin ring of glue onto the outside of top piece of stack
place decorative fabric on top of glue (press down to make sure it
is adhered well)Flip over carefully and continue to wrap the entire thing with the decorative fabric (Make sure you cover the Cd on the bottom as well)
GLUE the ribbon, cording, brick~brack or whatever else you have
around the house to the edge of the coaster allow to dry
set out on your table and allow your guests to congratulate you on
your new creations!
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New Year Sculpture- Submitted by Sherry
Pointed drink cups that are used with water coolers, thick paste, beads, colored rice, colored macaroni, yarn scraps, fabric scraps, or anything else you can think of.
Have the children spread the thick paste all over the pointed cup. Next, have them decorate their cup with the different art mediums that you have provided. When they are done, they will have a unique New Year hat sculpture!
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Fireworks Painting- Submitted by Sherry
Using water paint drop some onto the paper then using a straw blow the paint across the paper. It looks like fireworks. You can also put paper on the fence and use fly swatters to splatter the paint.
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GAMES AND FUN
Games and Activities- Submitted by Sherry
You can paint the children's faces white, with clock hands drawn on in black.
Guests play the mouse ran up the clock (based on red light, green light). One kid (grandfather clock) stands with his back to the players (mice) and calls out hours at random, and the mice race to take that number of steps before he turns around. Those who fail must return to start. First mouse to "run up the clock" wins.
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Bell Ring Game- Submitted by Cheryl
Instructions on how to make bell rings in art section. Played like Doggie Doggie Where's your Bone? With a twist. Older children will have a hard time keeping the bells quiet, and it will give younger children the advantage of hearing the bells.
This is how the game is played. The teacher picks one child to sit in the middle and be the Doggie. Then the other children sit in a circle around the Doggie. The teacher picks one child to hold the bells (bone) behind their back, and all the children sit with their hands behind their back.
Say the Chant:
Doggie, Doggie, Where's your bone?
The Doggie picks up to three people that he/she believes has the bells.
One at a time, as picked, the children show their hands. If they pick the
right child they "win". Regardless the child with the "bone" become the next
Doggie, and the old Doggie pick who will get the bells next.
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Bell Relay Race- Submitted by Cheryl
Have a relay race where the first player had a bell ring on each wrist and ankle (four total). They run to the next person, and they have to take off all the bells and put them on the next person. (variation: only one person of the two may touch the bells).
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Play Hide the Clock- Submitted by Sherry
Concealed a ticking clock somewhere in the room, then called in the kids to find it.
At the stroke of midnight, with the alarms ringing, the children pop the balloons and celebrate as the confetti flies out.
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Bubble Wrap Pop Countdown- Submitted by Sherry
Tape sheets of bubble wrap to the floor. Count down from 10, and then the kids jump on the bubble wrap to make fireworks sounds. You can also throw confetti or crepe paper streamers. (Then have fun using masking tape to clean up the mess!)
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New Year Freeze Dancing- Submitted by Sherry
Give each child a noise maker. Play some peppy music. While the music is playing, the children can blow their noise makers. When the music stops, the children freeze and yell "Happy New Year."
This is a fun game, but it can get VERY loud. You might want to do this game right before you go outside.
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Bubble Wrap Stomp- Submitted by Sherry
Looking for a way to ring in the New Year that will have the crowd on its feet? Look no further than a packaging supply store. For just a few dollars, you can pick up several yards of large Bubble Wrap (or recycle Bubble Wrap that comes with holiday gifts). Just before midnight, unroll it on a hard surface, such as a wooden floor or driveway, and when the countdown concludes, join in "the Bubble Wrap Stomp."
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CIRCLE TIME
Language Idea- Submitted by Lisa in VA
Hide confetti in a bag. Have your children try to guess what's inside the bag as you give clues. Toss up a handful of the confetti when they guess correctly.
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What Is A Year- Submitted by Lisa in VA
Discuss with the children what a year is. Have one child stand in one place. They will be the sun. You can even give them a yellow plate with the word sun on it. Ask another child to be the earth. They can have a blue or green plate. Make the floor with masking tape where the child will start and stop. Have the earth child walk around the sun while spinning. Have them stop on the masking tape. Tell the children it takes 365 days for the earth to go all the way around the sun. Let other children have a chance to be the sun and earth. You can explain a day by having the sun child hold a flashlight. Turn out the lights, and have the earth child turn around in the same spot.
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Chinese Nian Fun- Submitted by Cheryl
Read this story:
Long ago, in Han times, there was a monster whose name was "Nian". This
monster came once each year to a little village and scared everyone! One day,
just by luck, the villagers discovered that "Nian" had a couple fears of his
own. He was afraid of the color red and even more afraid of scary loud
noises!
The villagers prepared. When "Nian" appeared, everyone in the village ran for
the red banners and noise makers they had made. They waved their banners and
rattled their noise makers, which scared "Nian" so much that "Nian" ran away
and was never heard from again!
Which explains why people in China believe the color red signifies joy and
luck, and why noise makers are rattled on Chinese New Year. At midnight,
firecrackers, paper dragons, noise makers, the waving of red ribbons and
banners all help to drive away any lingering evil spirits from the old year.
(In case "Nian" is still lurking about somewhere!)
Let one child be Nian, and the others be the villagers. Ask the children to
find something red to scare Nian. Read the story again and let the children
act it out.
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Global Talk- Submitted by Cheryl
Using the globe as a discussion tool, inform the children that the New Year comes in at all different times for every section of the world. We celebrate ours at 12:00 midnight.
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Old and New- Submitted by Cheryl
At circle time provide example of new and old:
-shiny and tarnished pennies
-worn and new clothing
-an empty bottle of pop and a full one
-a broken toy and a new toy
After discussing old and
new, have each child choose one item and have them explain whether it is old
or new. What are we able to do with the old items (recycle, give away,
cherish.....)
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"Out with the Old, In with the New"- Submitted by Cheryl
Discuss older generations and babies. Take a field trip to the baby room and see the babies. What are some other things that go out with the old and in with the new? Discuss opposites (old/new, loud/quiet)
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New Years Resolutions- Submitted by Cheryl
Make a Class Resolution Book. Encourage children to make a resolution for things to do around the house (ex: clean their room, help with dinner, etc). Have each child illustrate a page.
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What's in the News- Submitted by Sherry
We have Newspaper Day the first week of January in our SK class. Each child brings in a Newspaper and we explore it together. We make up a chart story of 'What's in the News! ie: sports, weather, comics. Then the teacher makes each child whatever garment they want out of whatever section of the paper they choose. Paper hats by the traditional fold method, vests by creatively carefully cutting, skirts ie: Hawaiian strips etc. The children then walk around the school showing off their Latest Happening Outfit!
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New Year's Wishes- Submitted by Sherry
Instead of making New Year's resolutions, try this. With your child, think of something to wish for and something to learn in the coming year. Help your child write down her thoughts, or let her draw pictures to illustrate them. Make your list on paper, too. Then slip your lists into envelopes and store them with your holiday decorations to read at the end of the year.
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Old and New- Submitted by Sherry
Talk with your child about how New Year's is the time to say goodbye to the old year and hello to the new one. Review the name of the old year and talk about the New Year's name. Then ask your child to look for such things as an old toy and a new toy, an old pair of shoes and a new pair, an old book and a new book. Have him place the items in separate baskets, one for old items and one for new ones.
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DRAMATIC PLAY
Blowing Horns- Submitted by Cheryl
"A lot of noise is made to scare the old year away and welcome the New Year."
Give the children horns to blow.
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Football Games- Submitted by Cheryl
Play football (real footballs or nerf style softies) Decorate football cutouts from construction paper Discuss that the 50-yard line is right in the middle of the playing field Talk about safety that football players use in wearing helmets, protective gear, etc. How much is a yard?
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Ball Dropping (Times Square)- Submitted by Cheryl
Decorate a Rubber Ball with 2001 Count backwards from 10 and drop the ball
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New Year Party Fun- Submitted by Sherry
Set up a New Year's party in your dramatic play center! Add party hats, old fancy dresses, old men's suits, lots of jewelry, noise makers, and a clock set at 12:00. Introduce the materials to the children and talk about how many people celebrate the new year. Put the props in your dramatic play center and let the party begin!
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Kids' New Year's Eve Party- Submitted by Sherry
Our grocery store hosted a mid-day New Year's Eve party for kids so that they would know 1) this holiday is for kids as well as adults and 2) New Year's Eve can be fun and alcohol free. We had the Coca-Cola Polar Bear make an appearance (from the local Coke distributor); kids played the Coke ring-toss game (if they threw a ring around a two-liter of Coke, they won a 12-oz. can of soda--and, we made sure all kids won); we had party hats and noise makers; we let them pick a New Year's "resolution" from a fish bowl (these were actually goals in disguise such as "I'll send a picture or note to a grandparent, aunt or uncle at least once a week," and "I'll go to sleep with a smile on my face every night); we had free refreshments, balloons; we had a display showing what were the highlights from each year a child was born (i.e., if the child was born in '91, the song of the year was "Unforgettable," which team won the Super Bowl, what the population of the U.S. was; how much a dozen eggs cost); the kids made hors d'oeuvres. The kids--and parents-- had a great time!
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DECORATIONS
Decorations- Submitted by Sherry
Fill white balloons with black confetti (made from construction paper with a hole punch), blow up the balloons and draw a clock face on each with a black marker.
Black and white confetti and curling ribbon should be scattered on the party table. Guests can bring as many alarm clocks as they can round up. The clocks should all be set to ring at midnight and placed around the table.
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Midnight Balloon Shower- Submitted by Sherry
Line up two rectangular paper tablecloths and punch holes every 2 to 3 inches down one long side of each. Stitch the tablecloths together with yarn, leaving a foot or so at the end for a rip cord. Tape the cloth to the ceiling on three sides, leaving the side opposite the rip cord open. Tape the cord up separately, so it's accessible. Let the center of the cloth hang down to allow space for the balloons. Inflate at least 75 balloons. Store the balloons in large garbage bags until it's time to fill the cloth.
Buy thin streamers and metallic confetti. Stuff the cloth with balloons, then add the confetti and streamers on top. (Reverse it, and the confetti will weigh down the cloth and filter out ahead of time.) Tape up the last side of the cloth. Let her rip! At the stroke of midnight, just one strong pull tears through the paper, releasing a cascade of balloons and confetti-followed by stomping feet and a cacophony of pops.
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MISC ACTIVITIES
Math Activity- Submitted by Cheryl
Discuss the number 2002, 200, 20, 2 or 0. Collect 2002 of something (pennies, pieces of candy, counters, etc). You can also discuss the number 12 (for 12 midnight). What's a dozen?
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Bell Balancing- Submitted by Cheryl
Supply the children with bells and a balance. Show the children how to make the balance even. Count the bells on each side.
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Bell Ringing- Submitted by Cheryl
Supply the children with many different bells. What different sounds do they make. How are the sounds different.
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Bell Ringing 2- Submitted by Cheryl
Supply the children with pairs of bells. Mix them up. See if they can find their matches by the sound.
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Countdown Numbers- Submitted by Sherry
Draw and color in the numbers 1 through 10 on poster boards- one number per board. At midnight, each child promenades down a flight of steps, number card held high, as the crowd yells out the numbers to countdown to the new year! As the last child hits the last step, the streamers are blowing and the shakers are shaking.
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New Years Time Capsule- Submitted by Sherry
Save those cookie tins, popcorn tins, or any others you may receive for the holidays. They make great storage tins for your Memories Time Capsule.
Cookie tin (or similar type); washed and dried, Rag, Sandpaper, Spray paint, "Painters" paint markers in assorted colors, Memorabilia
Take lid off the tin. Lightly sand the cookie tin (lid and bottom) all over on the outside to rough up the paint. Wipe the cookie tin off with rag. Spread out newspapers and place cookie tin on it. Spray paint the cookie tin. Let dry. Use paint markers to add your message. Some sample messages might be:
Time Capsule Don't open until New Years Eve 2010 ....
These are a few of my favorite things! (add music notes around the words)... Family members names could go around the exterior of the tin. Let each member of your family place a few special items in the tin.
Some ideas to place in the tin could be:
Pokémon cards, report cards, Funny snapshots, Your favorite jokes, A note to each family member telling them how much you appreciate them. , Baseball or other sports cards, Anything that is important to you NOW.
Place the tin some place you will be able to find it in 10 years! You could make the time to open the tin in any year that you wish, maybe less maybe more. You decide.
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Time Capsules- Submitted by Cheryl
Have the children draw a self-portrait on a piece of paper. Ask them their favorites (movie, food, candy, pet, etc.). List it on another paper. Add whatever else the children or teachers wish...maybe a photo of the child. Roll papers together and insert into a paper towel tube. Children can paint and decorate tubes ahead of time. Wrap with packing tape and write on the outside "Do Not Open Until 2001 (or whatever date you wish).
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What is a Year- Submitted by Cheryl
Discuss with the children what a year is. Have one child stand in one place.
They will be the sun. You can even give them a yellow plate with the word
sun on it. Ask another child to be the earth. They can have a blue or green
plate. Make the floor with masking tape where the child will start and
stop. Have the earth child walk around the sun while spinning. Have them
stop on the masking tape. Tell the children it takes
365 days for the earth to go all the way around the sun. Let other children
have a chance to be the sun and earth. You can explain a day by having the
sun child hold a flashlight. Turn out the lights, and have the earth child
turn around in the same spot.
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New Years Resolutions- Submitted by Cheryl
Discuss with your children about the tradition of making resolutions on New Years. Ask each child what New Year's Resolution they would like to make. Write them down on a big piece of paper to post in the class. Or for older children have them write them down themselves.
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DRAMATIC PLAY
Countdown to the New Year- Submitted by Cheryl
Supply the children with party hats and noise makers. Pretend to countdown
to the new year. Did you know a lot of noise is made to scare the old year
away and welcome the new year?
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Bells on Shoes- Submitted by Cheryl
Younger children will enjoy this activity. You can thread craft bell onto
the shoelaces of your children. Then have your children walk around, dance,
or stomp.
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Bubble Wrap- Submitted by Cheryl
For just a few dollars you can pick up several yards of large Bubble Wrap (or recycle Bubble Wrap that comes with holiday gifts). Just before "midnight" unroll it on a hard surface, such as a wooden floor or driveway, and when the countdown concludes, do "the Bubble Wrap Stomp." It sounds like firecrackers!
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COOKING
A New Year Toast- Submitted by Cheryl
1 loaf square white sandwich bread, 1 pint milk Food coloring
Pour milk into several cups and tint with food coloring. Using clean paint brushes (or q-tips), paint the slices with the milk solution. Place on cookie sheet and toast lightly in oven. Serve with cream cheese or butter for snack.
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Snack Idea- Submitted by Lisa in VA
For a "confetti" snack, mix diced vegetables, such as carrots and celery or red and green bell peppers, with cottage cheese.
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New Year's Cupcakes- Submitted by Becce
cake mix (your choice),
frosting (white, or your choice),
colored sprinkles (different types and sizes),
cupcake liners (silver, or fun colors),
toothpicks,
silver paper, of fun colored paper,
silver marker, or regular markers,
tape or glue,
glitter (optional)
Prepare the cake mix according to the package directions. Place cupcake
liners into muffin pan. Pour the cake mix into the liners, and bake
according to the package directions. Let cool.
~ While the cupcakes are baking and cooling you can make the decorations
to put on top of the cupcakes. Cut out a star shape from silver paper or
colorful paper about 2 or 2 1/2 inches wide. Use a silver marker, or
colorful markers to write "2002" or "Happy New Year" on it. You may wish
to add a little glue an glitter to your star (but make sure none will fall
off onto the cupcake). Put the toothpick behind the star, and attach with
tape. Make one of these for each of your cupcakes.~
After the cupcakes are cooled, let your child frost them. Gather a
collection of colored edible sprinkles (multi colored, star shaped, silver
balls, etc.) and let your child sprinkle away! Make sure to add the
sprinkles RIGHT after you frost each cupcake so that they will stick
better. Lastly, stick the toothpick with your decorative star into the
top of each cupcake, and you are ready for a party!
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Vasilopita Greek New Year's Cake- Submitted by Cheryl
A coin is baked in the cake and the person who finds the coin in their slice is has good luck for the year.
1 cup butter or margarine, softened, 1 3/4 cups + 1 tablespoon white sugar, 5 eggs,
2 tablespoons water, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 cup slivered almonds, 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
In a large bowl, blend together the butter and sugar. Separate 3 of the
eggs; add the yolks and the 2 remaining whole eggs to the butter mixture.
Stir in the vanilla and water. In another bowl, sift together the baking powder and flour. Add these dry ingredients to the creamed mixture.
Whip the egg whites until they are foamy. Add 1 tablespoon sugar. Continue to whip the whites until they are stiff, but not dry. Pour the batter into a greased 10 x 4 inch tube pan. Wrap a large coin in foil, and place the coin in the batter. Press the coin down; it should be completely hidden. Sprinkle the nuts and seeds on top of the batter.
Bake the cake for about 70 minutes, or until done. Cool on a wire rack.
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New Years Punch- Submitted by Cheryl
6c. fruit juice, 1 can frozen lemonade, 2 cans of water, 2c of frozen sherbet balls
Use a melon baller and have the children help make the sherbet balls. Place
on cookie sheet and set in freezer. Mix juices and water, add sherbet balls.
Enjoy!
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Click on the "Back" Button to go back to
(sung to Ring around the Rosie)
(circle around confetti)
A pocket full of posie
Confetti, confetti,
(Toss up handfuls of confetti)
it all falls down!
(adapted Traditional)
by Jean Warren
Bright confetti
I love to swirl it
Around
I love to toss it
Way up
And watch the colors
Fall down
by Jean Warren
(Sung to "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star)
Yellow and green
The best confetti
I've ever seen
Orange and pink
And blue and brown.
It's the best
Confetti in town
Red confetti
Yellow and green
The best confetti
I've ever seen.
(Sung to Frere Jacques)
Shake them left and right,
Shake them hard and light,
Ring them loud, Ring them soft.
Ring your bells, Ring your bells,
Shake them up and down, Shake them all
around, Ring them loud, Ring them soft.
Happy Birthday new year,
Happy Birthday 2002,
Happy Birthday new year.
(sing to Farmer in the Dell)
It's 2002!
Have a Happy New Year,
It's 2002!
Happy birthday, New Year!
Happy birthday, [2002]
Happy birthday, New Year!
(SUNG TO the tune of "You're A Grand Old Flag')
So let's give a big cheer!
Blow the horn; beat the drum loud and clear.
Oh, the year's brand-new.
With new things to do.
New things we will learn all the year!
It's a brand-new year,
So let's give a big cheer!
Good-bye, Old Year; the New Year is here.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot-
Say hello to a brand-new year!
If you use spray adhesive:
Somebody took it from it's home,
Upstairs, downstairs, by the telephone,
Wake up doggie, Find your bone.
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