If you’re grasping for last minute ways to ring in the New Year with your family, here are 10 fun and memorable ideas you and your children are sure to love:

1.  Think local.  Check out your local newspaper (or online version) for family events and entertainment listings, like family-friendly First Night celebrations.

2.  Get active.  Grab your sneakers and head off to a New Year’s Eve running/walking race.  New Year’s Eve (and New Year’s Day) races are popular across the country.  Many offer same day registration and kid friendly courses.

3.  Plan a last-minute party.  Consider a ”kids only” party at noon.  Even if the guest list is limited to your own family members, it’s sure to be a lot of fun!

4.  Get artsy.  Pull out the paper, crayons, and paint.  Create party hats and New Year’s Eve decorations with your children.  Plaster the decorations throughout your house.

5.  Celebrate early.  Dig up a video clip of last year’s ”ball drop” or New Year’s Eve celebration (you’re sure to find an online clip) and play it for your kids sometime before their regular bedtime.  An early celebration means no tired children the next day!

6.  Preserve the past.  Create a time capsule or memory box with your children.  A time capsule or memory box could be as simple as a shoebox.  Put notes, photos, or objects from the past year into the box.  Store it until next New Year’s Eve–and then pull it out for a good time!

7.   Bake.  Cook something sweet or special together, like New Year’s Eve cupcakes and let your children decorate them!

8.  Stay up.  Challenge your children to stay up until midnight.  Plan a midnight celebration–maybe include a special snack or favorite beverage.

9.  Play games.  Make New Year’s Eve a game night.  Pull out the family favorites and laugh the night away.

10.  Dress up.  Encourage everyone to ”dress up” in costumes or fancy clothes and ring in the New Year in style.  The perfect occasion for playing with mom’s “grown-up” make-up, jewelry or shoes!

How do you plan to ring in the New Year?  What are your favorite last-minute family-friendly New Year’s Eve ideas?