New Year Charades Ideas

New Year’s celebrations are full of familiar moments that make great charades prompts. The countdown, fireworks, parties, resolutions, traditions, and time with friends and family all offer plenty of fun moments to act out.

To help you put together your game, we’ve collected New Year’s charades ideas below, covering different activities and moments associated with the celebration. The prompts work well for New Year’s Eve parties, family gatherings, or a game with friends.

If you need more charades ideas beyond the New Year theme, check out our charades ideas generator page for prompts covering a wide range of topics. Need a quick refresher before you start? See our guide on how to play charades or review the charades rules for a simple reminder of how the game works.

List of New Year Charades Ideas

New Year’s Activities

Starting the year with a fun activity is a great way to get everyone involved. These prompts feature familiar things people do to celebrate, prepare, and enjoy the New Year.

• Making a resolution
• Watching fireworks
• Counting down
• Celebrating midnight
• Dancing
• Singing
• Making a toast
• Kissing at midnight
• Taking selfies
• Taking party photos
• Blowing a party horn
• Throwing confetti
• Popping a balloon
• Popping champagne
• Watching the clock
• Writing goals
• Making a wish
• Partying with friends
• Calling family
• Sending greetings
• Watching the ball drop
• Staying up late
• Wearing party hats
• Making a playlist
• Playing party games
• Eating party food
• Giving hugs
• Cheering
• Cleaning up
• Sleeping in

New Year’s Traditions

New Year traditions give people plenty of recognizable moments to act out. Try these familiar customs for a festive round that players can quickly understand and guess.

• Counting down to midnight
• Watching fireworks
• Making a resolution
• Making a midnight toast
• Kissing at midnight
• Singing “Auld Lang Syne”
• Watching the ball drop
• Staying up until midnight
• Making a New Year’s wish
• Wearing party hats
• Blowing party horns
• Throwing confetti
• Popping balloons
• Making a family toast
• Sending New Year’s greetings
• Calling loved ones
• Watching the midnight clock
• Sharing a countdown
• Taking a midnight photo
• Celebrating with friends
• Having a New Year’s feast
• Dressing up for New Year’s Eve
• Opening sparkling drinks
• Making yearly goals
• Starting a new calendar
• Saying goodbye to the old year
• Welcoming the new year
• Watching the first sunrise
• Celebrating until midnight
• Saying “Happy New Year!”

New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve is filled with anticipation, celebrations, and last-minute preparations. The ideas below capture some of the memorable things people do as they get ready for midnight.

• Getting ready for the party
• Dressing up
• Doing your hair
• Applying makeup
• Watching the clock
• Waiting for midnight
• Counting down
• Eating party snacks
• Dancing
• Singing
• Playing games
• Taking selfies
• Taking group photos
• Watching fireworks
• Making a toast
• Blowing a party horn
• Throwing confetti
• Popping balloons
• Checking the time
• Calling friends
• Sending messages
• Watching the countdown
• Cheering at midnight
• Hugging everyone
• Kissing at midnight
• Making a wish
• Watching the ball drop
• Staying awake
• Falling asleep before midnight
• Shouting “Happy New Year!”

New Year’s Day

Once the countdown is over, New Year’s Day brings its own set of familiar activities and traditions. These prompts focus on how people spend the first day of the year.

• Sleeping late
• Waking up late
• Making breakfast
• Drinking coffee
• Recovering from the party
• Opening a new calendar
• Making resolutions
• Starting a new goal
• Going for a walk
• Watching the sunrise
• Calling family
• Sending greetings
• Cleaning the house
• Taking down decorations
• Eating leftovers
• Watching TV
• Exercising
• Reading a book
• Planning the year
• Writing goals
• Starting a diary
• Organizing your room
• Taking a New Year’s photo
• Visiting family
• Having a family meal
• Going outside
• Sleeping on the couch
• Checking your messages
• Making a fresh start
• Saying “Happy New Year!”

New Year’s Party

Music, dancing, food, games, and plenty of excitement can make a New Year’s party a natural source of charades ideas. Use these prompts to recreate some of the fun moments at a festive gathering.

• Dancing
• Singing
• Making a toast
• Playing party games
• Taking selfies
• Taking group photos
• Wearing a party hat
• Blowing a party horn
• Throwing confetti
• Popping balloons
• Eating snacks
• Drinking punch
• Cheering
• Hugging friends
• Meeting new people
• Telling jokes
• Playing charades
• Singing karaoke
• Playing musical chairs
• Checking the clock
• Starting the countdown
• Watching fireworks
• Watching the ball drop
• Making a wish
• Kissing at midnight
• Opening sparkling drinks
• Dancing at midnight
• Shouting “Happy New Year!”
• Cleaning up
• Falling asleep at the party

Countdown to Midnight

The final moments before midnight can be some of the most exciting parts of New Year’s Eve. Act out these countdown-themed prompts and see if your teammates can guess them before the clock strikes twelve.

• Watching the clock
• Checking the time
• Counting down
• Holding up ten fingers
• Watching the seconds
• Getting excited
• Holding your breath
• Raising your glass
• Getting ready to cheer
• Holding hands
• Looking at the clock
• Starting the countdown
• Joining the countdown
• Screaming with excitement
• Dropping confetti
• Blowing party horns
• Popping balloons
• Watching the ball drop
• Hugging everyone
• Kissing someone
• Cheering at midnight
• Shouting “Happy New Year!”
• Celebrating midnight
• Jumping for joy

New Year’s Celebrations

Around the New Year, people celebrate in many different ways, from raising a glass to gathering with friends and watching the clock. These celebration prompts bring those festive moments into your game.

• Watching fireworks
• Dancing
• Singing
• Making a toast
• Throwing confetti
• Popping balloons
• Blowing party horns
• Cheering
• Hugging friends
• Kissing at midnight
• Watching the countdown
• Watching the ball drop
• Wearing a party hat
• Taking selfies
• Taking party photos
• Eating party food
• Drinking sparkling drinks
• Playing games
• Singing karaoke
• Making a wish
• Sharing hugs
• Calling family
• Sending greetings
• Setting off fireworks
• Watching a parade
• Celebrating with friends
• Celebrating with family
• Staying up late
• Welcoming the new year
• Cheering at midnight

Fireworks & Festivities

Few sights are more closely associated with New Year’s celebrations than fireworks lighting up the sky. This category combines fireworks with other lively festive moments that are fun to act out.

• Watching fireworks
• Lighting fireworks
• Launching fireworks
• Looking at the sky
• Pointing at fireworks
• Taking fireworks photos
• Cheering at fireworks
• Jumping at a loud bang
• Watching sparklers
• Holding a sparkler
• Waving a sparkler
• Making a wish
• Throwing confetti
• Blowing party horns
• Popping balloons
• Dancing
• Cheering
• Wearing a party hat
• Watching a light show
• Taking a selfie
• Watching a parade
• Waving a flag
• Ringing a bell
• Making a toast
• Looking through binoculars
• Shielding your eyes
• Being surprised by fireworks
• Celebrating a big explosion
• Shouting with excitement

New Year’s Resolutions

A new year often inspires people to set goals and make changes. These resolution-themed prompts turn familiar ambitions and habits into entertaining charades ideas.

• Start exercising
• Eat healthier
• Drink more water
• Read more books
• Save money
• Learn a language
• Travel more
• Get more sleep
• Wake up early
• Go to the gym
• Quit smoking
• Spend less money
• Learn a new skill
• Start a hobby
• Cook more
• Eat more vegetables
• Spend less time online
• Use your phone less
• Get organized
• Clean your room
• Declutter your house
• Study harder
• Work harder
• Spend time with family
• Make new friends
• Be more positive
• Write in a journal
• Meditate daily
• Take more photos
• Keep a promise

New Year’s Food & Drinks

Celebrations often come with special food, drinks, and midnight treats. The ideas below give you plenty of tasty and recognizable prompts to act out.

• Champagne
• Sparkling cider
• Party punch
• Mocktail
• Cake
• Cupcakes
• Cookies
• Pizza
• Potato chips
• Popcorn
• Cheese platter
• Fruit platter
• Chocolate
• Strawberries
• Grapes
• Appetizers
• Party snacks
• Finger foods
• New Year’s cake
• Ice cream
• Hot chocolate
• Coffee
• Soda
• Sparkling water
• Party dip
• Sandwiches
• Sausages
• Nachos
• Leftovers

New Year’s Decorations

Balloons, banners, confetti, and other decorations help create a festive New Year’s atmosphere. These prompts focus on the objects and decorating activities that can bring a celebration to life.

• Balloons
• Confetti
• Party hats
• Streamers
• Banners
• Balloons with numbers
• Glitter
• Fairy lights
• Paper stars
• Hanging decorations
• Table decorations
• Party flags
• Noisemakers
• Sparklers
• Confetti poppers
• Countdown clock
• New Year’s banner
• Metallic balloons
• Balloon arch
• Hanging stars
• Glitter curtains
• Party backdrop
• Photo booth props
• Celebration signs
• Champagne glasses
• Party plates
• Party napkins
• Table confetti
• Disco ball
• Party candles

New Year’s Outfits & Accessories

A New Year’s celebration can be the perfect excuse to dress up and add a little sparkle. Try acting out these outfits and accessories for a category with plenty of visual possibilities.

• Party dress
• Suit and tie
• High heels
• Bow tie
• Party hat
• Glitter jacket
• Sparkly shoes
• Sunglasses
• Sequined dress
• Bow tie
• Hair glitter
• Glitter makeup
• Party necklace
• Costume jewelry
• Fancy watch
• Handbag
• Sparkly purse
• Crown
• Tuxedo
• Bowler hat
• Feather boa
• Face glitter
• Funny glasses
• Number glasses
• Light-up accessories
• Sparkly scarf
• Dress shoes
• Fancy earrings
• Party mask
• Matching outfits

New Year’s Music & Songs

Music is a big part of many New Year’s celebrations, especially when the party reaches midnight. These prompts feature songs, musical moments, and familiar ways people enjoy music during the festivities.

• Auld Lang Syne
• Celebration
• New Year’s Day
• Party Rock Anthem
• Firework
• 1999
• Raise Your Glass
• Dancing Queen
• Happy
• Don’t Stop Believin’
• We Are the Champions
• Good Times
• Celebration dance
• Party music
• Karaoke
• Singing loudly
• Dancing to music
• Playing the drums
• Playing guitar
• Singing into a microphone
• DJ mixing music
• Turning up the volume
• Changing the song
• Requesting a song
• Starting a dance
• Slow dancing
• Disco dancing
• Line dancing
• Singing together
• Dancing until midnight

New Year’s Movies & TV

New Year’s celebrations often make their way onto the screen, whether through movies, countdown specials, or memorable TV moments. These prompts give movie and television fans plenty to act out.

• Watching TV
• Watching the countdown
• Watching fireworks
• Watching a New Year’s special
• Watching a live concert
• Watching the ball drop
• Watching a parade
• Watching a movie marathon
• Holding the remote
• Changing channels
• Falling asleep during a movie
• Eating popcorn while watching TV
• Watching a comedy
• Watching a concert
• Watching a countdown show
• Watching the news
• Watching a live broadcast
• Watching a celebrity countdown
• Taking a selfie with the TV
• Cheering at the screen
• Singing along
• Dancing along
• Turning up the volume
• Searching for the countdown
• Missing the countdown
• Falling asleep before midnight
• Watching the clock on TV
• Recording the celebration
• Streaming a movie
• Watching TV until midnight

New Year’s Objects

From party hats and balloons to clocks and champagne glasses, New Year’s celebrations involve plenty of recognizable objects. These simple prompts are ideal for quick rounds of charades.

• Party hat
• Balloon
• Confetti
• Party horn
• Champagne glass
• Sparkler
• Firework
• Clock
• Calendar
• Party banner
• Streamer
• Noisemaker
• Confetti popper
• Crown
• Glitter
• Disco ball
• Party mask
• Number glasses
• Countdown sign
• Champagne bottle
• Gift bag
• Camera
• Smartphone
• Selfie stick
• Watch
• Party invitation
• New Year’s card
• Resolution notebook
• Pen
• Alarm clock

New Year’s Greetings & Phrases

Saying goodbye to the old year and welcoming the new one comes with plenty of familiar greetings and expressions. Turn these New Year’s phrases into fun challenges for your teammates to guess.

• Happy New Year
• Cheers!
• See you next year
• New year, new me
• Make a wish
• Midnight kiss
• Countdown
• Cheers to the new year
• Fresh start
• New beginnings
• Best wishes
• Celebrate!
• Here’s to another year
• Welcome, New Year
• Goodbye, old year
• Make a resolution
• Start fresh
• Auld Lang Syne
• Have a great year
• All the best
• Good luck
• Party time
• Midnight
• Ten seconds left
• The new year is here
• Raise your glass
• Let’s celebrate
• See you next year
• Cheers to new beginnings

New Year’s Family Activities

Families can celebrate the New Year in plenty of ways, whether they’re playing games, preparing food, or staying up for the countdown. These prompts are suited to a fun and family-friendly game.

• Watching fireworks
• Playing board games
• Playing charades
• Watching movies
• Making snacks
• Making a toast
• Counting down
• Taking family photos
• Dancing together
• Singing together
• Making resolutions
• Writing family goals
• Playing party games
• Eating dinner
• Making desserts
• Watching the clock
• Staying up late
• Making wishes
• Blowing party horns
• Throwing confetti
• Popping balloons
• Watching the sunrise
• Going for a walk
• Calling relatives
• Sending greetings
• Sharing hugs
• Taking selfies
• Watching a parade
• Cleaning up together
• Having breakfast together

New Year’s With Friends

New Year’s celebrations with friends often involve parties, games, dancing, and plenty of laughter. The ideas below capture some of those familiar moments for a lively group game.

• Going to a party
• Dancing together
• Singing karaoke
• Taking selfies
• Taking group photos
• Making a toast
• Counting down
• Watching fireworks
• Playing games
• Playing charades
• Eating party food
• Sharing snacks
• Wearing party hats
• Blowing party horns
• Throwing confetti
• Popping balloons
• Making resolutions
• Making wishes
• Hugging at midnight
• Kissing at midnight
• Cheering
• Telling jokes
• Playing cards
• Playing board games
• Watching movies
• Singing together
• Dancing until midnight
• Staying up late
• Calling friends
• Saying “Happy New Year!”

New Year’s Around the World

Different places have their own unique ways of welcoming a new year. These prompts draw inspiration from celebrations, customs, and traditions around the world for a more varied game.

• Watching fireworks
• Counting down
• Making a toast
• Eating grapes
• Eating lucky noodles
• Eating lentils
• Eating round fruits
• Making noise
• Ringing bells
• Watching fireworks over a city
• Dancing in the street
• Joining a parade
• Lighting lanterns
• Watching the sunrise
• Making a wish
• Giving lucky gifts
• Wearing new clothes
• Sharing a feast
• Visiting family
• Hugging loved ones
• Kissing at midnight
• Singing traditional songs
• Watching a countdown
• Throwing confetti
• Blowing horns
• Lighting candles
• Making resolutions
• Praying for the new year
• Greeting neighbors
• Celebrating until midnight

Funny New Year’s Charades

New Year’s celebrations can produce plenty of silly and unexpected moments, especially as midnight approaches. These funny prompts add a playful twist to the game and are perfect for keeping everyone laughing.

• Falling asleep before midnight
• Missing the countdown
• Eating all the party food
• Getting tangled in streamers
• Getting hit by confetti
• Popping a balloon by accident
• Blowing a broken party horn
• Wearing a giant party hat
• Dancing badly
• Singing badly
• Forgetting the words
• Making a terrible resolution
• Breaking your resolution immediately
• Going to the gym on January 1
• Eating cake after promising to diet
• Sleeping through New Year’s Eve
• Watching fireworks with your mouth open
• Jumping at a loud firework
• Dropping your drink at midnight
• Missing a midnight kiss
• Kissing the wrong person
• Hugging a stranger
• Counting down too early
• Saying “Happy New Year” too soon
• Wearing two different shoes
• Getting stuck in a party decoration
• Losing your party hat
• Chasing a runaway balloon
• Trying to catch confetti
• Cleaning up after the party