New Year's Eve "Name in Lights" Activity for Kids!

[Darla - The Preschool Toolbox]

New Year's Eve can be a fun time for kids, too!   It is often difficult for young children to understand that we will have a new MONTH and a NEW YEAR!  It helps to go over the names of the calendar months starting with the month of January.  If you have a 2012 calendar, say the names of the months as you turn the old calendar pages.   Remind the children that after December, the names of the months begin again with JANUARY.  When the calendar names begin again, the calendar YEAR goes up by one.  Some children may not be able to understand 2012 to 2013, but many young children have been exposed to TEEN NUMBERS.  Ask the children what number would come AFTER the number 12?  Show the children a simple number line and count up with them:

1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15

The old year of 2012 will become the NEW YEAR of 2013 on January 1st!

Invite the children to celebrate the coming of the New Year in some way.  It doesn't have to be an elaborate party (nor do the children have to stay up until midnight).  Each year, we ask family members to write down the things that they would like to do, improve on, or ways that they might help others in the New Year.  We put the entire list in a place where all family members can view them daily.  As each child/adult makes progress toward individual "goals," we can then celebrate with a small gift or a handmade note of encouragement.

MY NAME IN LIGHTS - a New Year's Eve Activity for Kids 

Materials needed:  One New Years Name in Lights printable file for each child, markers, glue sticks, scissors, and yarn or string.

Print the file (linked above in blue) for each child.  Let the children use markers or crayons to label ONE oval with each letter in their name.  Have the children cut out the lettered ovals and the same number of black strips (KYLE would need to cut 4 black strips - one for each letter in his name.)  Assist younger children with cutting when necessary.

 The children can glue one end of the black strip to each of the lettered "lights."   Cut a string or yarn piece that is long enough to make a necklace or a chain for each of the children.  Have the children fold the black strips OVER the string and then glue the opposite end to the back side of the lettered ovals (see photo above).  Assist younger children with folding and attaching the individual lights to their string.

We wish you love, peace, joy, and hope for 2013!

For a Circle-Themed New Year's Party for Kids, visit us at:  The Preschool Toolbox Blog!