Free Midnight Clock Template New Year’s Craft For Kids

Celebrate 2026 with these free midnight clock templates-a fun New Year's craft for kids that doubles as a cute little countdown to midnight activity!

You'll get three printable PDF options to match your time (and your kids' attention spans): a colorful, ready-to-go clock, a blank version kids can decorate, and an interactive countdown clock with movable hands.

This is the kind of New Year’s Eve activity that keeps kids busy while you're prepping snacks, setting up the party table, or just trying to make it to midnight with your sanity intact. Whether your kids love coloring, cutting, gluing, or building something that moves, these clock templates make the holiday feel extra special without a giant mess. The colored version is perfect for a quick 5-minute craft, while the movable countdown clock is ideal if you want a longer activity (and it's a sneaky-fun way to practice telling time too!).

Jump to:

• Who This Craft Is For (Ages + Difficulty)
• How Long Does This Craft Take?
• Why This Is a Great New Year's Craft for Kids
• Materials You'll Need for this New Year’s Eve Craft for Kids
• General Instructions
• Printing Tips
• Directions for the Colored + Coloring Page Versions
• Countdown Clock With Movable Hands
• No Brad Fastener or Hole Punch for This New Year’s Craft for Kids?
• Fun Ways to Use the Clock Templates
• More New Year's Fun

Who This Craft Is For (Ages + Difficulty)

These midnight clock templates are a great fit for a wide range of kids, because you can choose the version that matches their skill level (and your time!).

• Ages 3-5 (Preschool): Best with the colored clock (quick and easy) or the coloring clock with help cutting.
• Ages 6-8 (Early Elementary): The coloring clock is perfect, and many kids can handle the movable hand version with a little adult help.
• Ages 9+ (Big Kids): The countdown clock with movable hands is the most fun because they can actually "set" the time and do a real countdown to midnight.

Difficulty level: Easy overall, with the movable-hands clock being the most "hands-on" version.

How Long Does This Craft Take?

Need an activity that fits into your New Year's Eve schedule? Here's a quick guide:

• Colored clock template: about 5 minutes
• Coloring clock template: about 10-20 minutes (depending on how detailed the kids get)
• Countdown clock with movable hands: about 15-30 minutes (cutting + assembling)

Why This Is a Great New Year's Craft for Kids

These New Year clock templates aren't just cute-they're packed with kid-friendly perks:

• Encourages creativity: The blank template lets kids design their own clock with colors, patterns, stickers, and sparkly extras.
• Builds fine motor skills: Cutting, coloring, gluing, and assembling parts help strengthen hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
• Introduces time-telling: The movable countdown clock helps kids understand how clocks work and what it means to count down to midnight.
• Screen-free fun: A hands-on activity that keeps kids engaged without a tablet in sight.

Materials You'll Need for this New Year’s Eve Craft for Kids

• Cardstock or printer paper (cardstock recommended for durability)
• Printer + ink
• Scissors
• Glue
• Crayons, markers, or paint (for the blank version)
• Brad fastener (optional, for movable hands)
• Hole punch (optional, for the countdown clock)

General Instructions

1. Choose your template: Pick the colored clock, the coloring-page version, or the countdown clock with movable hands.
2. Download and print: Click the "Get it here" button below your chosen version. Print on cardstock for best results.
3. Cut out the pieces: Carefully cut out all template elements.

Printing Tips

To make sure your clock prints clearly and at the right size, here are a few quick printing pointers:

• Print on US Letter (8.5 x 11) paper.
• Cardstock is best if you want the clock to hold up through lots of "midnight practice."
• Select "Fit to Page" and choose the highest quality print setting.

Directions for the Colored + Coloring Page Versions

1) Assemble the Clock

• Glue the clock face to the center of the background circle.
• Attach the banner across the middle of the clock face.

2) Add Fun Decorations

Make it your own! Kids can decorate the clock in tons of easy ways, like:

• Write "2026" and their name inside the clock face
• Add doodles, stars, fireworks, or confetti swirls
• Glue sequins or paper confetti around the gold circle
• Add rhinestones for sparkle
• Use stickers (hearts, stars, smiley faces-anything goes!)

Tip: Want extra glam? Add a little gold or silver glitter for a "midnight sparkle" effect.

Countdown Clock With Movable Hands

1) Prepare the Pieces

Print and cut out the gold circle background, clock face, and clock hands. (Cardstock works best here!)

2) Punch the Holes

• Use a hole punch to make holes in the clock hands.
• Punch a hole in the center of the background circle and clock face at the marked circle (a sharpened pencil or small tool works if you don't have a punch).

3) Assemble the Clock

• Layer the clock face over the gold background, lining up the center holes.
• Place the clock hands on top and align the holes again.
• Insert the brad fastener through all pieces and fold it open on the back.
  Now your clock hands can move freely-perfect for counting down to midnight!

No Brad Fastener or Hole Punch for This New Year’s Craft for Kids?

If you don't have the "official" supplies, you can still make it work with stuff you probably already have:

Brad fastener substitutes:

• A twist tie
• A pipe cleaner (trim the ends and twist in the back)
• A small paperclip (thread it through and bend it flat)

No hole punch? Try this instead:

• Use a sharpened pencil tip to carefully poke a hole
• A skewer or push pin
• A thumbtack on a piece of cardboard underneath to protect your table

Fun Ways to Use the Clock Templates

• Sibling challenge: See who can design the most festive clock-fireworks, confetti, stars, or even a theme like "disco ball midnight!"
• Countdown helper: Set the hands to the current time and move them closer to midnight throughout the night.
• "Midnight at Noon" party: Perfect for younger kids-do the countdown earlier in the day and still let them "hit midnight."
• Photo prop: Have kids hold up their finished clocks for a fun New Year's Eve picture.
• Party station: Set out crayons, stickers, and glitter glue and let kids decorate while adults prep snacks.
• Classroom activity: Use the movable-hands clock for a mini lesson on telling time and what "counting down" means.

More New Year's Fun

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