10 Fun Activities and Games for a New Year Party with Your Girl Scout Troop

Create a memorable moment with a balloon drop! Before the party, fill a net or plastic tablecloth with inflated balloons and hang it just out of reach. At whatever time your group wants to make it the honorable midnight, release the balloons for a burst of fun. You can even play a video of the iconic New Year’s ball drop for excitement!

Here is a video of a balloon drop kit that would be great for a larger event with your troop or service unit.

No New Year celebration is complete without fun party supplies like confetti, noise makers, and party hats. You can make the celebration extra special by having the girls create their own party hats and noisemakers! Here are a couple of ideas:

• Bottle Noise Makers: You will need empty water bottles for each girl with the labels removed. Fill the bottles with jingle bells, buttons, ribbons, beads, confetti, or anything else you can think of to go inside the bottle. Replace the cap and decorate using markers, stickers, sequins, etc.

• Bracelet Noise Makers: Each girl will need a pipe cleaner or bracelet wire. Have a variety of beads and jingle bells to place on the wire. As you know you can get beads to write out the year so you can keep is as a reminder of the party. This noise maker is nice because you can make noise without actual holding anything.

Break the ice with conversation starter cards! Let each girl draw a card and answer the question. You can take turns or pass the cards around so everyone gets a chance to share. It's a great way to spark laughter and meaningful conversation.

If your troop has many younger girls, countdown bags are a fun and exciting way to count down the hours. Fill paper bags with small toys, candies, or treats and label them for each time slot (10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00). The excitement builds as the bags reveal their surprises at each interval!

Get creative with a Wishing Wall (or Well) where everyone writes down their hopes, dreams, or resolutions for the new year. Use sticky notes or paper, pens, and markers for a colorful display. You can either place the wishes on a wall or have a ceremonial moment where each girl shares her wish and adds it to a ‘wishing well.’ Keep the wishes as a fun reminder to look back on throughout the year.

Create a dance floor for the girls to let loose and groove to fun music. Play their favorite songs or New Year party hits, and throw in some dance challenges or a freeze dance game for extra fun. The girls can show off their best moves while counting down to the big moment.

Have the girls create a New Year memory book by filling in pages with things they’re grateful for, their favorite moments of the year, or their New Year’s resolutions. Let them get creative with drawings, stickers, and fun embellishments. These books will make for great keepsakes and a fun way to reflect on the party.

Give each girl a “New Year, Something New” fun patch to commemorate the event. It could symbolize a new experience they want to try or a goal for the upcoming year. This could be added to a Girl Scout vest, jacket, or book bag as a keepsake from the celebration.