Kids' New Year's Eve Party Invitations: Wording for Noon Countdowns, Early Parties and Sleepovers

A kids' New Year's Eve party invitation has to tell parents which countdown you're doing: a Noon Year's Eve at 12 p.m., an early countdown around 8, or a real midnight. Then give the drop-off and pickup times, whether parents stay, what to wear or bring, and an RSVP date. Ideas and wording for each format are below.

Featured TwistInvite DesignsNew Year InvitationsBrowse TwistInvite New Year video invitation designs, then add the countdown time, pickup time and RSVP date in the app.

Use the wording as the message you send with your invitation link, or as the script for your 15-second video message. Ready-made designs are on our New Year's Eve invitations page, each with RSVP built in.

What to Include on a Kids' New Year's Eve Invitation

Parents read a kids' invitation for logistics first. December 31, 2026 falls on a Thursday, so many will be juggling work too. Cover:

• The countdown time, stated plainly: "We count down at noon" or "Our midnight is at 8 p.m."
• Drop-off or stay: are parents welcome, expected or free to leave?
• Pickup time, or whether it's a sleepover with a morning pickup.
• Ages the party suits, and whether siblings are welcome.
• Food: lunch, dinner or snacks, plus a request to mention allergies.
• What to wear or bring: pajamas, a sleeping bag, a favorite stuffed animal.
• Address and a phone number to reach you on the night.
• RSVP date, about a week before.

Five Kids' New Year's Party Formats

1. Noon Year's Eve

Best for: ages 2 to 7, daytime, 2 to 3 hours. The countdown happens at 12 p.m., followed by lunch. Little kids get the confetti and noisemakers without staying up, and parents are home by mid-afternoon.

2. Early countdown party

Best for: ages 5 to 10, evening, 6 to 9 p.m. Pick a "midnight" that fits bedtime. Some hosts count down with a time zone where it's already the new year: midnight in London is 7 p.m. on the US East Coast.

3. Pajama and movie countdown

Best for: ages 7 to 12, sleepover. Pajamas, a movie, popcorn and a countdown to real midnight for whoever is still awake. For more sleepover ideas, our Christmas pajama party invitations guide covers the details parents ask about, and most of it carries over to New Year's Eve.

4. Family party with a kids' corner

Best for: mixed ages, parents stay. The kids get an early countdown and a quiet room, and the adults carry on to midnight. If dinner is part of the plan, see our New Year's Eve dinner party invitations for the family dinner wording.

5. Tween countdown party

Best for: ages 10 to 13. Music, games and a real midnight, with a firm pickup at 12:30 a.m. or a sleepover. Tweens care about the playlist; parents care about the pickup time. Put both on the invite.

Noon Year's Eve Invitation Wording

Short version
Noon Year's Eve! Countdown at 12, lunch after. Thu Dec 31, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Can [child] come? RSVP by Dec 23.

Full version
Ring in the New Year at noon!
Join [child] for a Noon Year's Eve party
Thursday, December 31 · 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. · [address]
Balloon drop at 12, pizza after.
Parents are welcome to stay for coffee. Please RSVP by December 23 and tell us about any allergies.

Too little for midnight? Perfect.
We're counting down at noon with confetti, noisemakers and juice-box toasts.
December 31, 11:30 a.m. Little siblings welcome.

Early Countdown Party Wording

Short version
Kids' NYE party: countdown at 8, pickup at 9. Thu Dec 31 at ours. Is [child] in? Let us know by the 22nd.

Full version
Our midnight is at 8 p.m.
[Child] is having a New Year's Eve party for friends ages 5 to 9.
Thursday, December 31 · 6 to 9 p.m. · [address]
Dinner, games, a countdown at 8 and sparkling juice for the toast.
Drop-off is fine. Pickup by 9, please. RSVP by December 22.

We're celebrating the New Year with London (it's midnight there at 7 p.m. our time).
Countdown, confetti and cupcakes, Thursday, December 31, 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Pajama and Sleepover Countdown Wording

Full version
Pajamas, popcorn and a countdown.
[Child]'s New Year's Eve sleepover
Thursday, December 31, 6 p.m. to Friday, January 1, 10 a.m.
Bring a sleeping bag, pillow and pajamas. Pancakes in the morning.
Please RSVP by December 20 and share any allergies or bedtime notes.

Stay up for midnight (or try to).
Movie, snacks and a real countdown at [child]'s place.
Dec 31 from 7 p.m., pickup Jan 1 at 10 a.m.

Not a sleepover kid? Come for the movie and the countdown at 9 p.m. and go home in your pajamas.

Family Party With Kids Wording

Bring the whole family.
New Year's Eve at the [family name]s'
Thursday, December 31 · from 6 p.m.
Kids' countdown at 8:30, grown-ups' toast at midnight.
The playroom has a TV and blankets for anyone who crashes early.

Two countdowns, one party: the kids at 8, the rest of us at 12.
Pajamas welcome after dinner. Please let us know by December 22 how many little ones are coming.

Tween Countdown Party Wording

Countdown party for [child]'s crew.
Thursday, December 31, 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. · [address]
Music, games, snacks and the real midnight.
Pickup at 12:30 sharp. Parents, please RSVP by December 22.

Dress code: sparkle. Playlist: yours (send requests when you RSVP).
New Year's Eve at [child]'s, 8 p.m. until just after midnight.

Countdown Activities to Mention on the Invite

One or two activities on the invitation help kids get excited and help parents decide. Pick from:

• Balloon drop from a sheet or a net at the countdown.
• Noisemakers and paper crowns handed out at the door.
• Sparkling juice toast in plastic flutes.
• Resolution jar: every kid writes or draws one wish for the new year.
• Time capsule: a drawing and a "what I'm into this year" card, opened next December.
• Hourly surprises: a small bag to open each hour until the countdown.

Say It in Your 15-Second Video Message

• From your child: "Come to my Noon Year's party! We count down at twelve and there's pizza!"
• From you: "Hi, it's [your name]. Kids' countdown at 8, pickup at 9. Just RSVP on the invite."
• For a sleepover: "Bring your pajamas and a sleeping bag. We're staying up for midnight, or trying to."

Short Versions for a Text to Parents

• "Noon Year's Eve party for the little ones, Dec 31, 11 a.m. Details and RSVP in the link."
• "Kids' countdown at 8, pickup at 9. Can [child] come?"
• "[Child] would love [friend] at the NYE sleepover. Here's the invite with all the times."
• "Family NYE at ours: kids' countdown 8:30, adults at midnight. Hope you can all come."
• "Quick reminder of the pickup time: 9 p.m. sharp. See you Thursday!"

Tricky Lines for Parents

• Drop-off party: "Drop-off is fine. We'll have three adults on hand."
• Parents should stay: "For the little ones, we ask that a grown-up stays."
• Firm pickup: "Pickup by 9 p.m., please. We're putting our own kids to bed right after."
• No siblings: "We have room for [child]'s class friends only this time."
• Allergies: "Please tell us about any allergies when you reply so we can plan snacks."
• Sleepover rules: "Lights out after the countdown. Phones charge in the kitchen."

When to Send Kids' New Year's Eve Invitations

Families travel over the holidays, so sending before school breaks up gets you clearer answers.

Choosing a Design for a Kids' Party

TwistInvite doesn't have a New Year's design made specifically for children yet, so pick one that matches the party. Starlit Palace New Year suits a fairytale party and has no drinks in the scene. Ballet Slippers New Year fits a dance theme. Watercolor New Year Countdown has the midnight clock but also champagne, so save it for family parties. More New Year's designs are in our New Year's Eve party invitations roundup; for a younger birthday-style party, see kids' party invitation ideas.

How to Send It as a Video Invitation

1. Pick a New Year template in the TwistInvite app, add your event details, and add your own photos, video or audio if you like, such as a photo of your child in a party hat.
2. Hold to record a 15-second voice message. Kids love recording their own: "Come to my Noon Year's party! We count down at twelve!"
3. Share the link by text to each parent or in the class or family group chat, with your wording as the message.
4. Track replies in the app. Parents open the invitation in their browser and answer Going, Can't make it or Maybe without downloading anything or creating an account.

The free plan includes 3 events a month. Premium starts at $2.99 a week. Browse New Year invitation designs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time should a kids' New Year's Eve party start?

It depends on the ages. A Noon Year's Eve for preschoolers usually runs from about 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. An evening party for school-age kids often runs from 6 to 9 p.m. with a countdown at 8. Sleepovers can start around 6 or 7 p.m.

What is a Noon Year's Eve party?

It is a daytime New Year's party with the countdown at 12 p.m. instead of midnight. Young children get the countdown, confetti and toast without staying up late, and families are home by the afternoon.

How do I tell parents when to pick up their kids?

State the pickup time on the invitation itself, next to the start time, and repeat it in a short message the day before. Firm, friendly wording such as asking for pickup by 9 p.m. works best.

Should parents stay at a kids' New Year's Eve party?

For toddlers and preschoolers, most hosts ask a parent to stay. For school-age kids, a drop-off party is common. Either way, say it clearly on the invitation so parents can plan their own evening.

When should I send kids' New Year's Eve party invitations?

About two to four weeks ahead, ideally before school breaks for the holidays, when families make travel plans. Ask for replies about a week before December 31.

Do parents need an app to RSVP?

No. The host creates the invitation in the TwistInvite app. Parents open the link in a browser and reply Going, Can't make it or Maybe without downloading anything or creating an account.