New Year’s Eve is traditionally the ultimate “grown-up” holiday, but as a dad who has navigated this night for years, I know the reality: kids are the world’s best copycats. When they see us getting excited for the ball drop and the late-night snacks, they want to match that energy. The problem, of course, is that while their enthusiasm is infinite, their patience for sleep deprivation is not. In my house, I’ve learned the hard way that the smaller the kid, the higher the “overtired” price you’ll pay on New Year’s Day.
So, what’s a parent to do when your kids bring “stadium-level” energy to an early bedtime? Over the years, I’ve found that the best move isn’t to fight the excitement, but to redirect it. Instead of a loud, high-energy countdown that winds them up further, I’ve started turning to calming New Year’s Eve TV shows and specials. These picks are designed to make them feel like part of the big celebration while quietly nudging them toward dreamland. It’s the perfect “parental pivot” to keep the holiday spirit alive without the midnight meltdown.
You can find flashy countdowns for kids all over streaming services, so we aren’t going to focus on those today. Instead, I’ve rounded up a collection of New Year’s shows and specials that span decades of fun, providing festive yet genuinely soothing entertainment. You might be surprised by how many cozy options are available for a night that’s usually all about the noise. These are my go-to picks for giving the kids a “party” atmosphere that actually ends with everyone getting a good night’s rest.
Rudolph’s Shiny New Year (1976)
The Rankin-Bass specials from the 1970s hold a special place in Gen X and Millennial hearts, which we have in turn passed down to our kids. While I always loved all the classics like Rudolph and Jack Frost, Rudolph’s Shiny New Year always sticks in my mind because of Baby New Year. When Baby New Year goes missing, it is up to Rudolph and his magic nose, which can transcend time and weather. Rudolph goes on a time-traveling adventure, exploring years past across a chain of islands. Rudolph eventually catches up with Baby New Year just in time to watch him grow into his purpose of ringing in the new year.
Why Rudolph’s Shiny New Year is great for New Year’s Eve: It may just be nostalgia, but there is something reassuring about the Rankin-Bass animation style. Although you could describe this movie as a pursuit, the pace, music, and calm narration make it a fantastic movie to unwind to. It also helps that this special is a fictional history lesson, and if there is one thing that puts kids to sleep, it’s learning history.
The time between Christmas and New Year’s Eve has always felt like a dead space, so we’ve always filled the time with specials like this. If your family enjoys Rankin-Bass films like mine, this is a great one: it features familiar characters that help kids feel calm and confident, knowing there aren’t any surprises. I also think these specials are the kind of timeless media that the whole family can enjoy from one to one hundred.
Bullwinkle’s New Year’s Eve Special (1986)
Rocky and Bullwinkle have been around since 1959, so it is a little surprising that this special didn’t come out until after I was born. Despite its age, it is one of those properties that have stood the test of time and remain as recognizable to children today as to their grandparents. It does help that it has been rebooted a few times, most notably with a live-action movie in 2000. This special is different from most because the features have little to do with New Year’s Eve. Instead, this special was made as a TV special for New Year’s Eve in 1986. Between short Rocky and Bullwinkle and Mr. Peabody cartoons, there are interviews explaining the behind-the-scenes of the Rocky and Bullwinkle show.
Why Bullwinkle’s New Year’s Eve Special is great for New Year’s Eve: While New Year’s doesn’t take center stage, it is mentioned in passing, and there isn’t a constant focus on the clock, which makes it low-stress. Cartoons of that era were also a lot slower in pace without the need for high-energy or serious conflict, so those paired with calm, happy voices – which this special explains where those voices come from – make for a calming New Year’s Eve special. With a run time of nearly two hours, your kids will be hard-pressed to make it to the end without falling asleep.
As a pop culture enthusiast, I love any media that has had an impact on society, and I feel I have passed that on to my son. Rocky and Bullwinkle was before my time, but he knows about them because I’ll often turn on older cartoons like this when it is time to start calming our bodies down for bed. This special will definitely be playing on the living room TV this New Year’s Eve, and thanks to the power of YouTube it is readily available.
Happy New Year, Charlie Brown (1986)
The Peanuts gang is one of the most recognizable properties in the world, thanks to their relatively benign behavior and decades of kid-friendly holiday specials like this one. While the Christmas special is more well-known, Happy New Year, Charlie Brown is just as magical. I can’t disparage the Christmas Special, but there are things that I like about the New Year’s special. It feels more relatable than the Christmas special, with the kids dealing with issues that have affected other kids over the years, such as Charlie worrying about homework when he returns to school and Linus struggling to keep his New Year’s resolution before the new year begins.
Why Happy New Year, Charlie Brown is great for New Year’s Eve: There are some conflicts that arise in this film, and Charlie lets out his iconic AAUGH! a few times, but for the most part, the attitude is mellow. Calm but steady pacing, gentle music, and familiar voices also add to a calming ambiance on an exciting night. At around 25 minutes, it’s a great length for many kids to at least calm down to, if not fall asleep to.
This is another one of those specials that my kids were forced to endure in my childhood. It probably wouldn’t be their favorite on their own, but since it’s become a tradition, it will likely stick with them for the rest of their lives. Over 15 years of watching this special, I can’t tell you how many times my three kids have fallen asleep to it.
Sesame Street Stays Up Late (1993)
Sesame Street has put out a few New Year’s specials over the years, but this is the best of them in my opinion. This one comes to me via my sister, born in 1990, five and a half years after me, so I got to live through her PBS phase. This special has everything a parent could want in a 27-minute video. The cute monsters of Sesame Street explain why people celebrate New Year’s, practice the countdown, and do an early countdown at the end of the show. All with the storytelling we’ve all grown up appreciating from Sesame Street.
Why Sesame Street Stays Up Late is great for New Year’s Eve: It’s the perfect calming New Year’s special because that’s what it was designed to be. It helps children understand why people stay up late and do countdowns through calming voices and fun, but not overly energetic, songs. This may be the perfect special for kids ages 2-6 because it specifically addresses calming down and going to bed early on nights when many adults intentionally stay up late.
My son went through a massive Sesame Street phase, and I remembered this one from when my sister was a kid, so it quickly became my go-to for a few years. I loved watching this with my son because it checked all the boxes, and even if he wasn’t asleep by the end, he was headed that way. This one is definitely for the smaller kids, but it’s well worth it for them.
Arthur’s First Sleepover/Arthur’s New Year’s Eve (1997)
As a human named Arthur, I have a love/hate relationship with the Arthur series. I understand how awesome it is for kids, but I could go the rest of my life without hearing “like the aardvark?” ever again. That being said, I absolutely love this double feature for a New Year’s Eve countdown. Arthur’s First Sleepover doesn’t have anything to do with New Year’s, but it is still perfect for the night because it revolves around people feeling left out. When Arthur and his friends have a sleepover, D.W. wants to join in, but the boys won’t let her. To get even, she pulls a prank to try to scare them. I appreciate how it addresses themes of feeling left out, as that is often part of children’s anxiety about going to bed early on this night. The second episode is all about how Arthur always tries to stay up late on New Year’s Eve but always falls asleep early. He is more determined than ever to stay up after his friends fill him full of tall tales of what happens, but he eventually succumbs to sleep like always. When he wakes up the next morning, he realizes the new year arrives whether he is awake or not, and it’s more about celebrating with family than about a special midnight ritual.
Why Arthur’s First Sleepover/Arthur’s New Year’s Eve is great for New Year’s Eve: Arthur was always meant to be a happy, informative show, so it was designed to help kids stay calm. Fun music, small, quickly resolved conflicts, and gentle, happy endings are perfect for kids seeking calm. This episode is especially valuable because it helps answer some questions kids have about missing out on New Year’s Eve festivities and points out that kids often fabricate their own New Year’s stories to impress friends.
I have always been a fan of the impact PBS Kids has on kids, so my kids had mandatory PBS Kids time as soon as they became sentient. Even at six, I will have my son watch this on New Year’s Eve night this year as a reminder that if he doesn’t make it to midnight, nothing special really happens. While it’s great for winding down on New Year’s Eve, the messages in these two episodes are great for any time of year.
A Very Merry Pooh Year (2002)
This special serves as both a Christmas and a New Year’s special. It starts with Christmas as Pooh misplaces a present for Piglet right as the gang from the Hundred Acre Woods shows up at his house to celebrate Christmas. The first half of the movie focuses on Christmas as the critters celebrate the holiday, but after Christopher Robin explains why and how people celebrate New Year’s, the group is inspired to set their own New Year’s resolutions. They quickly learn that resolutions aren’t as easy as they thought, and that drastic changes make them unhappy. They realize that not everything has to change at once, and that’s okay. The movie ends with Pooh finding Piglet’s misplaced present and the Hundred Acre Woods family singing Auld Lang Syne.
Why A Very Merry Pooh Year is great for New Year’s Eve: This is a fantastic movie for kids to watch to help them unwind on both Christmas and New Year’s Eve because it’s a gentle story with familiar characters. The conflicts in the special are minimal and offer valuable lessons, so kids benefit without the anxiety of major conflicts. At just over an hour long, most kids won’t be able to make it through the whole movie before drifting off.
My kids are getting a little old for Winnie the Pooh, but he and the Hundred Acre Woods will always hold a special place in our hearts. We’ve watched this special too many times to count, but this may be the last New Year’s I snuggle with my six-year-old and watch it. Hopefully, one day, he’ll pass it down to his own children, and the magic can start all over again.
Handy Manny: Have A Handy New Year (2008)
Handy Manny sometimes gets confused with Bob the Builder, but Manny is definitely his own person. The idea of Handy Manny is simple: he and his talking tools solve problems through recognizing the problem, planning a solution, and working together to see it through. In this particular episode, Manny and the tools are preparing for the town’s big New Year’s Eve party, but jobs keep popping up that Manny and the tools must fix before the big countdown. The show culminates in a quiet New Year’s Eve countdown, making it a calming episode that also lets kids join in the fun.
Why Handy Manny: Have A Handy New Year is great for New Year’s Eve: Handy Manny is consistently a calming show, with Manny’s can-do attitude and limited high-stakes conflict. This episode is especially fantastic because all the issues Manny and the tools face are simple, like making signs and putting up decorations. Even the countdown at the end is subdued, providing a fun yet calm ending to the night.
My middle had a Handy Manny phase, which is why I know about this episode. It was short and sweet, but in the few weeks she was into it, I think we watched every Handy Manny episode they had made. I don’t miss it, but if you have a kid in the 2-6 range, they’ll probably love this episode.
Max and Ruby: Max’s New Year (2009)
Max is a mischievous toddler who is often under the care of his slightly older sister. Max’s New Year’s is spectacular because it leverages this dynamic to discuss expectations and excitement for the big night. Ruby wants to make sure everything is perfect for New Year’s Eve night, but Max just wants to play. Ruby worries that Max will ruin all of her plans, but comes to realize that Max’s way of doing things adds more fun to the celebration.
Why Max and Ruby: Max’s New Year is great for New Year’s Eve: Max and Ruby have always been a show about handling conflicts in a calm and respectful manner, so it is no surprise that this extends to the New Year’s episode. There are no big fights or loud countdowns that can agitate kids, and Ruby’s calming voice and demeanor will help them feel safe. Max’s silly mischief is also good for a few giggles before bed.
Max and Ruby was the first show that my oldest daughter got into, and she was obsessed. For this reason, I will always hold a place in my heart for the show that helped my daughter in so many ways. We are far beyond the Max and Ruby days in my house, but maybe someday I’ll be able to watch it again with grandkids.
Phineas And Ferb: Happy New Year! (2012)
Phineas and Ferb aren’t exactly known for being the bastions of calm, but sometimes you have to ease yourself into a calming night. In true Phineas and Ferb fashion, the boys and their friends devise a plan to have a multidimensional ball drop, while Doofenshmirtz makes a time-stopinator so the party will never end. Of course, Candace is still focused on busting her brothers, even making a resolution to bust them in the New Year, which creates a loophole that allows them to get away with this adventure. Perry eventually stops Doofenshmirtz, and everything returns to normal as the group welcomes in the New Year.
Why Phineas And Ferb: Happy New Year! is great for New Year’s Eve: This isn’t the most calming episode, but it is a great way to start the evening. Phineas and Ferb brings a lot more action to the table, but this episode also covers why New Year’s is exciting and special. This episode is also packed full of the humor that makes Phineas and Ferb such a beloved show.
I have watched this show with all of my kids, I’ve probably even watched it by myself, and I will watch it again this New Year’s Eve. My kids range in ages from 6-15, and it will likely be a family afair. As one half of a full episode, this is a great start to the night, but definitely not the only thing we’ll watch.
Austin & Jessie, & Ally’s All-Star New Year’s (2012)
This crossover special between the Disney shows Austin and Ally and Jesse is an amazing way to start the night for older kids. These shows may be a little older now, but my 12-year-old is square in the tween Disney phase. After Austin performs in Times Square, Emma invites him and Ally back to the penthouse because Emma is a huge fan. Jesse tells Austin that she’s a singer and songwriter to pass off a poem Zuri wrote as her own. Austin and Jesse perform the song, but Zuri is upset because Jesse stole her poem. Jesse eventually gives Zuri credit for writing the song, and everyone lives happily ever after.
Why Austin & Jessie, & Ally’s All-Star New Year’s is great for New Year’s Eve: This isn’t as calm and cozy as shows for younger kids, but it’s also not intended for them. This is the perfect special for older kids who may not quite be ready to stay up until midnight but still want to celebrate. It’s a great way to celebrate the day without keeping them up all night.
This one was handpicked by my 12-year-old daughter, and her face lit up when I asked her about it. She has just finished rewatching the entire Jesse series, so she’s somewhat of an expert. I don’t know how much longer I’ll get Austin and Ally instead of Stranger Things and true crime, so I’ll take it while I can.
Pete The Cat: A Groovy New Year (2017)
Shows based on book series are always great for calming, and who doesn’t love Pete the Cat? This episode offers a fun twist on a standard setup for New Year’s Eve episodes. Pete and his friends have everything planned for the big night until the calendar goes missing, jeopardizing the night’s plans. It’s up to Pete and his friends to go on an adventure to find the calendar and save New Year’s Eve.
Why Pete The Cat: A Groovy New Year is great for New Year’s Eve: Pete the Cat is an awesome book series that is also a pretty great TV series meant for preschool-aged kids. Every episode is calming because it focuses on working together to solve problems without major conflict or antagonists. I also appreciate the jazzy music this show uses, which is great for helping me fall asleep on New Year’s Eve.
I have been reading Pete the Cat to all of my kids since they were born, so this one is easy because it’s a character they all grew up with. While the story is great, the music is really what helps to calm kids down. With so many options, we won’t get to all these shows on that night, but this one is high up on the list if only for the music.
Curious George A New Year’s Nap (2018) AKA Sleepy Sheep
Curious George is another property that has entertained kids across generations. From book pages to PBS Kids, George has always been a familiar, calming face. The story follows a New Year’s Eve trope of George wanting to stay up and welcome in the new year. Despite the Man in the Yellow Hat explaining to him how far away midnight is, George is determined to stay up. George eventually falls asleep before midnight and wakes up the next morning, realizing that the new year comes even if you don’t stay up, and it’s better for your body to get more sleep.
Why Curious George A New Year’s Nap is great for New Year’s Eve: This episode hits calm from every angle. Not only do you have soft music and reassuring voices, but the whole episode is about how it’s okay not to stay up. At a 23-minute run time, it’s the perfect episode to drift off to.
Curious George has always been a part of my kids’ lives. We’ve always been a PBS Kids family, and there’s something special about Curious George that my kids have been drawn to. My son has outgrown George this year, but I still vividly remember watching it with him.
Special note about the TV Show’s episode name: This episode was originally titled “Sleepy Sheep” and was retitled for some streaming and online services as “A New Year’s Nap.”
Llama Llama “New Year New Me” (2019)
Llama Llama is another book adaptation that hits the nail on the head on New Year’s Eve and every other night of the year. This episode is wonderful for a few reasons, starting with the idea that it doesn’t follow the standard kids New Year’s story. This story is more about New Year’s resolutions than the night itself. Llama Llama learns about New Year’s resolutions and resolves to be a more grown-up version of himself. With his mother’s help, he understands that he doesn’t need to change everything about himself overnight, and it’s okay to make small changes over time.
Why Llama Llama “New Year New Me” is great for New Year’s Eve: Llama Llama is made to be a reassuring show for kids, so it makes sense that they would have a perfect New Year’s Eve episode. This episode is great for kids to wind down because there isn’t any conflict, only a learning opportunity. Llama Llama does a great job with calm voices, slow pacing, and soothing music, as showcased in this episode.
My youngest was born in 2019, so this show came along just in time for us to watch together. As a big first grader, he’s grown out of Llama Llama on screen and page, but it was great while it lasted. Even though we’ve outgrown it in our family, I can’t recommend this episode enough for parents of preschool-aged kids.
A Frozen New Year’s (2019)
The name may be synonymous with Disney, but this movie doesn’t actually have anything to do with Anna, Elsa, and Olaf. In this nearly one-hour special, Santa and his magical friends have a magical dance party at the North Pole to ring in New Year’s. The entire movie focuses on the lead-up and planning for the dance party before the big event. I especially like this one because it’s a bridge between Christmas and New Year’s with familiar characters like Santa and snowmen.
Why A Frozen New Year’s is great for New Year’s Eve: Although the movie revolves around a dance party, it is cozy and calm. It’s not as much about dancing as it is about the fun of being with friends and family at special times. It’s also helpful that there’s no set timeline for the movie, so kids aren’t reminded of countdowns and can celebrate the holiday at any time of day.
We stumbled upon this movie by accident while searching for New Year’s Eve specials on YouTube, and it worked its way into the rotation a few times. I loved this movie because it felt like a transition from Christmas to the New Year and the changes that come with it, like going back to school and taking down decorations. The lack of a timeline is the movie’s greatest strength because kids never feel they have to wait for an ending.
Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne (2021)
The Peanuts gang is at it again with a New Year’s Eve special for a new generation. This is another transitional film, moving from Lucy’s disappointment that her grandmother cannot visit for Christmas to her planning the ultimate New Year’s party instead. She recruits Charlie Brown to help her plan the party with disastrous results because he is far too focused on a report he has when school returns – an homage to the original Charlie Brown New Year’s special. Lucy’s party doesn’t turn out how she envisioned, and Charlie takes a different angle on his homework assignment, but everything works out in the end.
Why Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne is great for New Year’s Eve: This special is calming for all the reasons we love Peanuts. It has familiar characters, fun music, and soft storytelling. While the animation is updated for this film, it’s still the muted tones of traditional Peanuts. If your kid makes it to the end, this special does an amazing job of winding down the pacing to end in a calm and happy way that sends them off to dreamland.
This is a new addition to our rotation, and it’s a great one. It fits well with Peanuts and offers all the charm of past specials, with animation that 21st-century kids are used to. With a target audience of up to ten, it’s a great way to start the night with my youngest.
