New Year party games that get everyone excited: a fun collection of ideas from classics to DIY
When it comes to New Year’s, it’s a special time spent with family and relatives.
Osechi dishes and New Year’s money are exciting, but having games everyone can play instantly livens up the gathering.
In this article, we’ll introduce game ideas perfect for the New Year.
From classic New Year’s games and easy DIY activities to popular board games and active play, these are all things people of all ages can enjoy! As the new year begins, why not put down your phones and spend some fun time laughing together?
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New Year’s party games that get everyone excited: A fun collection of ideas from classics to DIY (11–20)
karuta (traditional Japanese playing cards)
Karuta is a classic New Year’s game.
Many of you have probably played “karuta-tori,” where you listen to the reading card and try to find the matching grabbing card.
These days, there are many varieties available, including karuta featuring characters that children love and educational versions that support learning.
Be sure to look for a set that suits your child’s age.
Kite
Let me introduce Kites, a cooperative board game that adults and kids can enjoy over the New Year.
In Kites, players work together to play kite cards before six sand timers run out.
The sand timers represent kites staying in the air, so if even one of the six timers runs out, the game ends.
Flip the indicated color timer, draw back up from the deck, and aim to use all the cards before any timer runs out.
Try enjoying a kite-flying game indoors!
Nanjamonja
Nanjamonja is a game that kids and adults alike can enjoy, and it’s perfect for playing with family over the New Year holidays.
First, players draw cards from the deck one by one and give names to new monsters as they appear.
Remember those names, and when the same monster shows up again, quickly call out its name.
That’s the heart of the game.
The person who says the name first gets to take that card, and the player who collects the most cards in the end wins! Coming up with unique names and testing how well you can remember them are key strategies for mastering the game.
The more people you play with, the livelier it gets—so why not bring it to your family and relatives’ New Year gathering?
Handmade omikuji (fortune slips)
@kids_worker Let's make a handmade omikuji♪Parent-child timeHow to spend the New YearNew Year’s holidaychild#HandmadeToysOmikuji
♬ Katakoto – sloppy dim
How about trying your luck with a handmade omikuji this New Year? You’ll need an empty snack canister, at least six ice cream sticks, colored construction paper, a craft knife, glue, and wood glue.
First, cut the construction paper to a size that will cover the canister and its lid.
Apply glue to the paper that will wrap around the canister and stick it on.
Make sure to align it with the top and bottom edges of the canister and press it on firmly.
Gently pulling the paper taut as you hold it will help you get a smooth finish.
Next, cut a piece of construction paper to the shape of the lid and glue it on.
Once the glue dries, draw a rectangle in the center of the lid measuring 1.5 cm wide and 3 mm tall, and cut it out with the craft knife.
Write your fortune messages on the ice cream sticks, put them into the canister, and you’re done!
Daruma Otoshi
The daruma doll is considered a lucky charm because it always gets back up when it falls.
There’s a custom of drawing in one eye while making a wish, and then drawing in the other eye when the wish comes true.
This is a game where you stack such daruma dolls and tap out one layer at a time.
It’s a simple game, so it’s recommended even for playing together with small children.
rice cake pounding play
Even if you think, “I want to try pounding mochi for New Year’s!” it’s hard to do at home because you may not have the tools, and parts of it can be a bit dangerous for kids.
But if you make some simple tools to simulate mochi pounding, anyone can easily experience it at New Year’s! Prepare two long, narrow strips of thick paper, each about 10 cm wide, and fold them back and forth in an accordion to make spring-like pieces.
Put those into a container to serve as the mortar.
For the mochi, put bubble wrap (or similar) into a plastic bag and place it on top of the “springs.” For the mallet, combine a cardboard tube from plastic wrap with a styrofoam block wrapped in bubble wrap—that’s all you need! You can play with it over and over, so give it a try!
New Year’s games to liven up the party: A fun collection of ideas, from classics to DIY (21–30)
Kendama
Kendama, a traditional Japanese toy, has been steadily regaining popularity among young people in recent years.
It has many different tricks and can be difficult without practice, but that makes it all the more fun—you might even find yourself totally absorbed in it.
To start, try aiming for the basic trick called Tomeken, where you stab the ball onto the spike.