Much like last year and the year before and the year before, New Year's Eve as a parent brings on a whole different meaning.
While the rest of the world is wearing glittery party hats with choice adult drinks in their hands I will be at home with my 2 yr old and 5 yr old trying to hold together a (stupidly) simple yet somewhat creative and fun evening for them without going stir crazy myself.
I don't normally let my kids stay up late because at this young age for kids there's only regret to follow on the morrow when they're still up at the crack of dawn but significantly more ornery and tired.
Last year we made homemade glittery slime out of basic ingredients and it was actually pretty rad. So I think we may copy that this year. We also had a powdered sugar mini donut cake. Again, why not for this year too? Although I think we'll do donuts on a string to make it even funner.
I also have some leftover sparklers from the 4th that we can light. They've been sitting on my son's bookcase for six months for this very occasion and I will be glad to use them up.
Finally, I have a fun little craft project that I found awhile back and not only is it extremely simple and cheap, it's also pretty delightful for the littles as well. Once complete all you need is a bag of mini marshmallows and the harsh expectation of picking up hundreds of mini marshmallows off your floor for the next coming year…
We'll call it… Marshmallow Catapults. Or… Marshmallow slingshots??
Either way, here's what you will need.
Package of small red Solo cups. I used the Walmart brand and they are just as sturdy, just be sure to get the small cups size.
Package of balloons
Marshmallows
Scissors
Serrated knife
First, saw off the end bottom of the cup. I then like to trim off the opening with scissors so it's not so scratchy for little hands.
Cut off the opening end of the balloon and with the large part of the balloon fit it over the rim of the cup.
Ta da!! It should be nice and taut like a little drum. Drop a marshmallow in, pinch the outer part of the “drum” end and pull back! These things shoot pretty satisfyingly far too! Luckily the softness of the marshmallow should prevent too many screams. I don't suggest using anything besides marshmallows because it could leave a mark. Something that my 5 yr old can testify to.
Once my kids are worn out by (hopefully) 8 pm, they can finish with some classic pot and pan banging and then (hopefully) whisk them off to bed so that I can celebrate appropriately by crashing into bed by 10 pm.
