Here are notable events and developments from December 31, 2025 — covering world news, politics, and major celebrations around the globe:
Major December 31, 2025 Headlines & Events
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,407
New Year’s 2026: Celebrations around the world
New Year’s Eve celebrations welcome 2026 around the world. See the photos.
IIHF International Ice Hockey Federation
Washington Monument to be illuminated on New Year’s Eve to mark country’s 250th
🌍 Global News & Ongoing Crises
- Israel-Gaza aid groups banned: Israel announced it will bar 20+ international humanitarian organizations (like MSF, Oxfam, NRC) from operating in Gaza starting early 2026, affecting medical care and essential services there. Havana Times
- Russia-Ukraine conflict: Russian forces reportedly shot down Ukrainian drones near Moscow on New Year’s Eve as the war continues into 2026. Al Jazeera
🎆 New Year’s Eve & World Celebrations
- New Year’s celebrations worldwide: Cities across continents rang in 2026 with fireworks, concerts, countdowns, and traditional festivities. ABC News
- Sydney NYE: Massive fireworks over Sydney Harbour — including a moment of silence for recent victims in Bondi — saw heavy police deployment and dozens of arrests. News.com.au
- Times Square Ball Drop: In New York City, thousands gathered for the annual countdown and iconic ball drop event. ABC11 Raleigh-Durham
- World Junior Hockey: In sports on Dec 31, Czech Republic defeated Latvia at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. IIHF International Ice Hockey Federation
🇺🇸 Anniversary Celebration
- U.S. Semiquincentennial (250th) kickoff: The Washington Monument was illuminated like a giant candle in a special display as part of the U.S. 250th anniversary festivities. The Washington Post
🎉 Local & Cultural Events on December 31, 2025
Here’s a sampling of scheduled cultural and entertainment events that took place on that date:
🎤 Annual New Year Events
- 76th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen: Japan’s long-running year-end music special aired from NHK Hall featuring performances and celebrity hosts — a key cultural tradition. Wikipedia
📍 City-Level Festivities Around the World
- Lahore (Pakistan): Concerts, DJ nights, movie screenings, and themed parties marked NYE celebrations in venues across the city. Suno News
- Doha (Qatar): Countdown events, gala dinners, and themed NYE parties with music and dining. AllEvents
- Festival Hall (Japan): Concert event featuring music group ulfuls occurred on Dec 31. フェスティバルホール
🏒 Sports & Entertainment
- NHL Game: Calgary Flames vs. Philadelphia Flyers played at the Scotiabank Saddledome on December 31, 2025. Scotiabank Saddledome
- Combat Sports: In Japan, the Rizin Fighting Federation held its annual end-of-year mixed martial arts event at Saitama Super Arena. Wikipedia
📰 Other Relevant Global Developments Mentioned on Dec 31
(Highlights from international briefs on this date)
- Mass protests in Iran expanded to university campuses amid economic pressure. Havana Times
- Russia conducted overnight drone strikes in Odesa, Ukraine. Havana Times
- Ongoing political tensions and U.S. sanctions involving Iran and Venezuela were noted in international reports. Havana Times
If you want a summary of events by region (e.g., specific country or city) or a timeline of key developments, just let me know!
- Terrific Twig Vase
After assisting your child in gathering some twigs from your backyard, start making this adorable vase. The finest aspect? It’s a simple, mess-free activity that doesn’t even require adhesive.
2Fork Flower
Here’s a Fork Flower craft—a fun, easy activity that kids love and it uses everyday materials 🌸
🌼 Fork Flower Craft (Easy & Kid-Friendly)
🧺 Materials
- Plastic or metal fork
- Paint (washable or acrylic)
- Paper or cardstock
- Paint tray/plate
- Green marker or paint (for stem)
- Optional: buttons, glitter, leaves, recycled paper
✂️ How to Make
- Dip the fork into paint (coat the back of the prongs evenly).
- Press the fork onto the paper to create petal shapes.
- Rotate slightly and stamp again to form a full flower.
- Add a stem and leaves using green paint or a marker.
- Let it dry, then decorate with a button or dot of paint in the center.
🌱 Eco-Friendly Twist (Great for Earth Day)
- Use recycled paper or cardboard.
- Reuse old plastic forks instead of throwing them away.
- Talk with kids about reusing materials while crafting.
🎨 Variations
- 🌻 Sunflowers: Yellow petals + brown center
- 🌷 Tulips: Stamp once and add details
- 🌼 Bouquet Art: Make many flowers on one page
- 🖼️ Greeting Cards: Fold paper and decorate the front
👶 Age Group
Perfect for preschoolers to early elementary kids.
If you want, I can also share:
- Fork flower printable templates
- A classroom activity plan
- Or ideas to combine this with an Earth Day lesson 🌍
3. Nature Bracelet
Wrap a piece of masking tape around your child’s wrist and encourage him to gather and adhere vibrant leaves, flowers, and other natural objects to it to help him make a unique bracelet.
4. Wind Sock
Here’s a Wind Sock craft—simple, colorful, and perfect for kids, classrooms, or Earth Day activities 🌬️🎨
🌈 Windsock Craft for Kids
🧺 Materials
- Paper towel roll or construction paper
- Colored paper / tissue paper / crepe streamers
- Glue or tape
- Scissors
- Hole punch
- String or yarn
- Markers, stickers, paint (optional)
✂️ How to Make
- Create the tube
- Use a paper towel roll or roll construction paper into a tube and tape it.
- Decorate the outside
- Let kids color, paint, or add stickers.
- Add streamers
- Cut long strips of paper or tissue.
- Glue or tape them inside one end of the tube.
- Attach the hanger
- Punch two holes at the top on opposite sides.
- Tie string or yarn through the holes.
- Hang it up
- Hang outdoors or near a window and watch it move in the wind!
🌍 Earth Day / Eco-Friendly Ideas
- Use recycled paper, magazines, or newspaper.
- Talk about wind energy and how wind moves objects.
- Decorate with Earth colors (blue & green) or nature themes.
🎨 Fun Variations
- 🐟 Fish Windsock (add fins and eyes)
- 🌈 Rainbow Windsock
- 🌎 Earth Day Windsock (clouds, sun, trees)
- 🐞 Insect Windsock (butterflies, ladybugs)
👶 Best Age Group
Great for preschool, kindergarten, and early elementary.
If you’d like, I can also provide:
- A printable windsock template
- A classroom bulletin board idea
- Or a science + craft mini lesson about wind 🌬️
5۔ Eggshell Mosaics
Make a lovely fridge decoration by painting and crushing leftover eggshells to create a picture with a springtime theme.
6. Newspaper Leaf Prints
Here’s a Newspaper Leaf Prints craft—an easy, nature-inspired activity that’s perfect for kids and great for Earth Day 🌿📰
🍃 Newspaper Leaf Prints (Eco Craft for Kids)
🧺 Materials
- Old newspaper
- Leaves (different shapes and sizes work best)
- Washable paint or tempera paint
- Paintbrush or sponge
- White paper or recycled cardstock
- Paper towels
✂️ How to Make
- Collect leaves
Go on a short nature walk and pick fallen leaves. - Prepare the leaf
Place a leaf vein-side up on the newspaper. - Paint the leaf
Lightly brush paint over the leaf (don’t oversoak). - Make the print
Press paper on top of the painted leaf.
Gently rub with your hand. - Reveal the print
Peel the paper away carefully to see the leaf design. - Dry & display
Let artwork dry completely.
🌍 Earth Day Learning Connection
- Discuss leaf veins and plant parts.
- Talk about reusing newspapers instead of throwing them away.
- Compare prints from different tree leaves.
🎨 Creative Variations
- 🍂 Fall colors (red, orange, yellow)
- 🌈 Rainbow leaf prints
- 🖼️ Leaf collage wall
- ✉️ Greeting cards or bookmarks
- 🌿 Leaf print journal pages
👶 Best Age Group
Perfect for preschool through elementary.
If you want, I can also share:
- A leaf identification activity
- A printable observation sheet
- Or a science + art lesson plan to go with this craft 🍃
7. Potpourri Pinecones
These pinecones smell nice enough to eat thanks to the addition of nutmeg, cinnamon, and other spices. For an even more unique appearance, add a little glitter.
8. Painted Nature Pictures
Here’s a Painted Nature Pictures activity—creative, calming, and perfect for kids while connecting art with the outdoors 🎨🌿
🌳 Painted Nature Pictures (Art from Nature)
🧺 Materials
- Natural items (leaves, flowers, twigs, grass, stones)
- Washable paint or tempera paint
- Paintbrushes or sponges
- Paper, cardboard, or canvas
- Old newspaper or tray
- Apron or old shirt
✂️ How to Make
- Go on a nature walk
Collect fallen leaves, petals, and twigs (no picking live plants). - Prepare the paints
Pour small amounts of paint onto a tray. - Paint the natural items
Dip or brush paint onto one side of the item. - Stamp or drag
Press, roll, or drag items onto paper to make patterns. - Add details
Use brushes or fingers to finish the picture. - Dry & display
Let artwork dry completely.
🌍 Earth Day Learning Connection
- Talk about textures and shapes in nature.
- Discuss respecting nature by using fallen materials.
- Link to reusing cardboard or scrap paper.
🎨 Fun Picture Ideas
- 🌸 Flower garden scene
- 🌲 Forest landscape
- 🐦 Birds and trees
- 🌞 Sunrise or sunset
- 🌍 Earth-themed artwork (blue & green textures)
👶 Best Age Group
Great for preschool to elementary kids.
👩🏫 Classroom Extension
- Create a nature art gallery.
- Label artworks with the natural items used.
- Combine with a science lesson on plants and habitats.
If you’d like, I can also provide:
- A step-by-step printable
- A lesson plan with objectives
- Or Earth Day–themed painting prompts 🌱