Adorable New Year Crafts for Infants

I still remember my son’s very first New Year’s Eve — he was only six months old, wide-eyed and fascinated by the twinkling lights. Of course, he had no idea what was going on, but that didn’t stop me from wanting to make it special. If you’ve ever tried doing crafts with an infant, you know it’s less about “perfect results” and more about the sweet, messy memories. Paint on their toes? Check. Glitter everywhere? Double check. But honestly, that’s what makes it fun, right? New Year crafts for infants aren’t about fancy projects — they’re about little hands discovering colors, textures, and giggles along the way. So, if you’re looking for easy, safe, and meaningful ways to celebrate the New Year with your baby, you’re in the right place. Let’s create something adorable (and maybe a little sparkly) together — no perfection required, just love and laughter.

New Year Crafts for Infants

Celebrate your baby’s first New Year with fun, safe, and simple crafts that spark creativity and bonding. These adorable activities let even the tiniest hands join in the festive fun!

Handprint Fireworks Art

There’s something magical about tiny baby hands splattered with bright paint! I remember doing this one last New Year’s Eve, and honestly, it turned out so cute that I framed it. You just need some non-toxic paint, a black sheet of paper, and your baby’s little hands. Dip their palms into different colors—think red, blue, and gold—and press them down like bursts of fireworks. It’s messy, sure, but that’s half the fun! The prints overlap, mix, and create that perfect “celebration chaos” vibe.
Once the paint dries, I usually add a few glitter dabs or even write “Happy New Year!” with a silver pen. It’s such a simple keepsake that captures the spirit of new beginnings. Every time I look at those colorful handprints, I can’t help but smile—it’s like a tiny firework show frozen in time, made by your baby’s hands.

Footprint Countdown Craft

This one is extra adorable because baby feet make the cutest little stamps! I did this with my niece, and her giggles while we painted her feet gold were priceless. You just need some paper, paint, and a few numbers written out from 10 to 1. Each footprint represents a countdown step. The trick is to use a sponge brush to lightly coat their feet so it’s not too slippery (learned that the hard way!).
After stamping all the footprints in a line, I like to write “Countdown to Midnight” above them. When it’s dry, you can hang it near your party setup or baby’s nursery. It becomes a little timeline of those tiny toes growing each year. To be fair, this one’s both fun and sentimental—it’s like your baby’s own version of the New Year’s countdown!

Baby’s First New Year Crown

I’ll admit—I might’ve gone a little overboard making my baby’s first New Year crown. But can you blame me? Those little crowns with “My First New Year” written in glitter just melt your heart. I used soft felt and elastic, so it was comfy and safe for delicate baby heads. You can cut out star or heart shapes, glue them on, and maybe even add some sparkly numbers like “2025.”
What I love most is that it becomes part of your New Year’s photoshoot. There’s nothing like watching your baby smiling (or chewing) on their tiny crown. In my opinion, it’s one of those crafts that doesn’t just decorate—it marks a milestone. I still have mine tucked away in a memory box, and every time I see it, I remember that sweet first celebration.

Confetti Shaker Bottle

This one’s a total hit in my house! Babies absolutely love shaking things that make sound. I made a confetti shaker bottle using an empty water bottle, some colorful confetti, and a dash of glitter. Honestly, it’s so satisfying to watch the sparkles swirl around. Just make sure you glue the lid tight—trust me, you don’t want confetti all over the floor at midnight!
Sometimes I add a few bells or sequins for that festive jingle. It’s a baby-safe way to let them join in the New Year fun without any loud noises or mess. The look on their face when they see all that glitter move—pure joy. In my opinion, it’s the easiest, happiest craft for little hands to enjoy during the celebrations.

Fingerprint Balloon Painting

Tiny fingerprints turning into colorful balloons—what could be sweeter? I remember sitting with my baby and gently guiding their fingers into paint blobs. Then we dotted them all over a white sheet to make balloon shapes. To finish it off, I drew little strings under each one. It’s such a cheerful piece of art, and every smudge feels perfectly imperfect.
To be fair, it’s not about neatness here—it’s about capturing that joyful mess. I even wrote “Up, up, and away to a New Year!” on mine. You could hang it in your baby’s room as a bright reminder of their early celebrations. It’s the kind of keepsake that grows more special every year.

Soft Felt Star Garland

 

This one adds a cozy, handmade touch to your New Year decor. I made mine one winter afternoon while my baby napped, cutting little stars out of soft felt in gold, cream, and silver. You just stitch or glue them to a ribbon or string—easy peasy. I’ve found that using different textures like felt and velvet gives it such a warm, dreamy look.
When I hung it near our baby’s crib, it looked like a mini galaxy! Honestly, there’s something comforting about those soft stars swaying in the light. It’s also reusable—perfect for birthdays or nursery decor later on. In my opinion, it’s one of those crafts that feels timeless, even though it’s so simple to make.

Baby-Safe Sensory Bottle

This one might be my favorite because it’s both pretty and calming. I filled a clear bottle with water, glitter, and a few tiny plastic stars. When you shake it, everything twirls like a snow globe—it’s mesmerizing! My baby used to stare at it for ages, totally fascinated. Just make sure to glue the lid tight for safety.
Sometimes I change the colors—blue and silver for winter, gold and pink for something festive. To be fair, this is less “crafty” and more about creating a little sensory experience. But it’s still handmade, still personal, and still full of magic. Plus, it keeps curious hands busy during the party!

Tissue Paper Collage

If you’re up for a bit of colorful chaos, this one’s perfect. I tear tissue paper into small bits and let my baby stick them onto a large paper with baby-safe glue. It’s messy, it’s silly, and honestly—it’s art in its purest form. The bright colors and soft textures are such fun for babies to explore.
Once it’s dry, you can cut it into a star or number shape (like “2025”) and hang it up. I’ve done this a few times, and each one turns out completely different. It’s one of those crafts that’s more about the process than the product, but the end result always feels joyful and uniquely your baby’s creation.

Sparkly Cotton Ball Clouds

There’s something whimsical about this one! I used plain cotton balls, rolled them in a bit of glitter, and glued them onto blue paper. It looked like sparkly clouds floating across a New Year’s sky. My little one loved helping by pressing the fluffy cotton down—soft and squishy fun!
In my opinion, it’s a super simple project that gives instant charm. You can even add little paper stars or moon shapes around it. To be fair, it’s the kind of craft that feels dreamy without needing fancy materials. And when it’s done, it makes a lovely wall display that captures that “fresh start” feeling of a new year.

New Year Photo Frame Craft

This one’s a keepsake you’ll treasure forever. I made a little frame using cardboard, wrapping it in foil paper, and decorating it with sparkles and foam stars. Then I added a photo of my baby in their New Year outfit—it instantly became my favorite decoration.
Honestly, it’s so easy to personalize. You can write the year, add a ribbon bow, or stick on confetti. Every time I see ours, I remember how tiny my baby looked that night. In my opinion, no store-bought frame could ever match the warmth of something you make yourself for such a special memory.

Baby Handprint Party Hat

If you want to make your baby part of the New Year party look, this one’s adorable. I used a simple paper cone hat, painted it white, and stamped my baby’s handprints all around. It looked so festive and sweet! You can use gold or silver paint for that sparkly touch.
The best part? It doubles as a keepsake once the night’s over. I’ve kept ours tucked away with the rest of the baby’s “firsts.” To be fair, it’s not about perfection—half the prints will be smudgy, but that’s what makes it so precious.

Sponge Firework Stamps

This one’s pure fun! Cut sponges into starburst shapes, dip them into bright paint, and stamp away on black paper. It’s like fireworks on the page. I remember my little one squealing every time a new color appeared—it was adorable.
Honestly, this is a great way to let babies “paint” without much mess. The sponges are easy for them to hold, and the results look amazing. In my opinion, it’s one of those crafts where both the process and the result feel equally delightful.

Soft Paper Confetti Art

I’ve always loved confetti, but with babies, real confetti is a disaster waiting to happen! So I started making soft paper confetti from tissue paper circles. I let my baby sprinkle them over glue-covered paper, and it created this lovely, colorful mosaic.
To be fair, it’s so easy but looks so festive. You can even cut it into shapes afterward—like hearts or stars—and hang them up. It’s a calm, gentle version of the wild party confetti moment, and babies get to join in without any cleanup stress!

My First New Year Banner

Making this banner felt like such a proud mom moment. I cut out letters that spelled “My First New Year” from shiny paper and glued them onto a ribbon. Then I added little baby handprint cutouts between each word. It looked so personal and charming.
Honestly, seeing it hanging on the wall above the cake table made me a little emotional. In my opinion, it’s a beautiful way to mark your baby’s first milestone celebration. Plus, it doubles as an adorable backdrop for photos!

Colorful Ribbon Wand

Now, this one’s a crowd favorite—especially for little hands that love movement. I tied colorful ribbons to a wooden ring, and my baby couldn’t stop waving it around. It shimmered and danced every time they moved.
To be fair, it’s one of the easiest yet most delightful crafts. You can pick ribbons in your party colors—gold, silver, pink, or blue. It’s baby-safe, interactive, and honestly, a perfect way for them to join the New Year’s cheer without any noise or fuss.

Tips for Parents

Crafting with infants is all about fun, bonding, and creating sweet memories. Keep the experience safe, short, and stress-free with a few helpful tips.

Tips:

• Dress baby in an old onesie or use a bib for easy clean-up.

• Take pictures to capture the messy, fun moments.

• Turn finished crafts into keepsakes or decorations.

• Keep craft time short (10–15 minutes) to match your baby’s attention span.