Looking for something fun to do locally with your family for New Year’s Eve? We’ve got a great list of events for you that won’t keep the kids up past their bedtime! Celebrate at museums, theaters, zoo lights, or ice skating. There are plenty of ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve with kids of all ages! Don’t miss out on one of these awesome ways to ring in the new year with your kiddos. Many of these events require advance registration, so please check ahead to make sure you’re ready to party. This article is sponsored by DuPage Children’s Museum.
A Family Countdown to Noon Celebration
Ring in the New Year with a countdown to Noon celebration at Fun Family NYE 2018! Families can spend time together exploring the Museum’s hands-on exhibits, taking part in special activities, listening to live music, creating lasting memories, and more! This annual year-end celebration, now in its 17th year, has become a holiday tradition for families and is an important fundraiser for the Museum.
Enjoy musical performances by Duke Otherwise. With his guitar and tap shoes, Duke Otherwise performs a hilarious, interactive musical program for all ages. Special activities include Wearable Art, Fluorescent Adventure, Sensoryland, Face Painting, LED Photo Booth, and more. Then, choose your countdown! Ring in the New Year with confetti, bubbles, or quiet fun. Buy your tickets today!
New Year’s Eve with Kids in the Western Suburbs
Chicagoland Family Fun Fest at Pheasant Run (St. Charles)
Friday, December 28 – 30, 2018 | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm and Monday, December 31, 2018 | 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Huge inflatables, kiddie Rides, indoor zip line, obstacle courses, playland, balloon twisters, face painters, costume characters, balloon drop at 7:00 pm on New Year’s Eve, games, prizes, giveaways and much more! They offer family packages with rooms included. Daily admission with wristband for rides $35. Kids under 2 are free.
Little Tykes Time New Year’s Celebration at Flying High Gym (Countryside)
Friday, December 28, 2018 | 10:00 am – 11:30 am or 1:30 pm – 3:00pm
Kids in kindergarten and under can come play at the gym and enjoy a balloon drop and countdown. $8/child; book online.
New Year’s Eve at Noon at North Riverside Parks & Recreation
Friday, December 28, 2018 | 11:15 am – 12:30 pm
Kids will play games and do activities before a countdown heralds in 12:00 pm with noisemakers, confetti, treats, and more. Ages 4–9, register in advance.
Noon Year’s Eve (Berwyn)
Saturday, December 29, 2018 | 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Mini New Year’s Eve celebration complete with a countdown, balloon drop, and plenty of fun! No registration required.
Kohl Children’s Museum (Glenview)
Monday, December 31, 2018 | 8:30 am and 12:30pm
Fun Family NYE 2018 (DuPage Children’s Museum, Naperville)
Monday, December 31, 2018 | 9:00 am – 12:00pm
Ring in the New Year with a noon countdown at DuPage Children’s Museum! Families can spend the morning exploring the hands-on exhibits, listening to live music, enjoying a countdown to Noon confetti celebration*, and more. See more information above.
Register at dupagechildrens.org/NYE.
*There will be a quiet countdown and quiet room for our more sensitive visitors to enjoy.
New Years Pajama Party at the Naperville Yard (Naperville)
December 31, 2018 | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Looking for somewhere for your little ones to burn off some steam on New Year’s Eve? Naperville Yard has a five-level climbing structure and inflatables, plus special giveaways and more for NYE. $20 early and $25 regular registration.
New Years Pajama Party (Westmont)
December 31, 2018 | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
A pajama party at the Westmont Yard including inflatables, playroom, giveaways, and more. $20 early and $25 regular registration.
New Year’s Eve Countdown to Noon (Downers Grove)
December 31, 2018 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Celebration with party favors, DJ, photo booth, face painting, snacks, a balloon drop, and more for kids 3-10 years old. Registration deadline is December 20. $12-$18.
Noon Year’s Eve (Oswego)
Monday, December 31, 2018 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Play in the gym, make a party favor, eat a snack, and enjoy the countdown and balloon drop at noon.
Pump It Up Noon Year’s Eve (Glenview)
Monday, December 21, 2018 | Three start times at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 2:00 pm
Count down in “Bounce Square” with a glow necklace, party favors, and noisemakers. Glow balloon release after the countdown. $15/child online, $17/child at the door, parents free.
New Year’s Eve at Noon Party at the Lincoln Park Cultural Center (Chicago)
Monday, December 31, 2018 | 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Family-friendly event with balloons, music, and crafts. Free!
Noon Years Eve Party at the Downers Grove Library (Downers Grove)
December 31, 2018 | 11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Read a story, dance, and toast the new year at the library! Registration required.
New Year’s Eve Skate at Lombard Roller Rink
Monday, December 31, 2017 | 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
This New Year’s Eve skate is open to all ages. $15 admission includes four hours of skating, skate rental, a slice of cheese pizza, and a small drink.
New Year’s Eve Party at Wonder Works Museum (Oak Park)
Monday, December 31, 2018 | 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Kids will play special games, make crafts, play with noisemakers, put on parades parades, sing songs, eat food, and more. $2/members, $10/non-members.
Blue Man Group New Year’s Eve Celebration at Briar Street Theatre (Chicago)
December 31, 2018 | 1:00 pm or 4:00 pm
Pre-show face painting for kids, party hats, noisemakers, a Blue Man Group rendition of Auld Lang Syne, and a countdown experience. Adult tickets from $59–$99; children’s tickets available for ages 3–9, no kids under 3.
Anita Dee New Year’s Eve Family-Friendly Afternoon Cruise (Chicago)
Monday, December 31, 2018 | 1:00 pm departure
All-ages afternoon cruise with live DJs and skyline views, plus cocktails and a complimentary champagne for adults. $25/ticket.
New Year’s Eve at Wheaton Bowl
Monday, December 31, 2018 | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Family bowling packages include bowling for 6, favors, show rental, snacks, and a simulated countdown for the 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm package. Packages starting at $45.99.
New Year’s Eve Family Party at Enchanted Castle (Lombard)
Monday, December 31, 2018 | 4:00 pm or 8:00 pm
This indoor entertainment venue is offering four-hour parties with a New Year’s Eve feast buffet, $10 for gameplay, unlimited rides and attractions, a toast and countdown, karaoke, and more. $28.95/4 pm seating, $32.95/8 pm seating; call to reserve.
Zoo Year’s Eve at Brookfield Zoo
Monday, December 31, 2018 | Countdowns at 8:00 pm
Go to the Holly Jolly Theater for a live DJ starting at 6:00 pm, games, party favors, and prizes, or take kids 6 and under to the Hamill Family Play Zoo to make a noisemaker. Both spots have 8:00 pm countdowns. Free with membership/admission.
New Year’s Eve Bowling Party at Suburbanite Bowl (Westmont)
Monday, December 31, 2018 | All day
Call (630) 968-2200 to reserve a lane: $100/3 hours before 5:00 pm, $150 for 3 hours after 5:00 pm, or $175 for all night long.
Ringin in the New Year 2019 in Downtown Naperville
Monday, December 31, 2018 | 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (and Midnight)
Ring in 2019 by the Carillon for a 6:00 pm countdown (or come at midnight). There will also be balloon artists and free hot chocolate, too. Free!
SciTech Museum (Aurora)
Monday, December 31, 2018 | 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Double J Riding Club (Countryside)
Monday, December 31, 2018
Carol Stream Public Library
Monday, December 31, 2018 | 11:00 am – 12:15 pm
Looking for more New Year’s Eve ideas for kids? Find all the New Year’s Eve events for kids in the southwest suburbs, too!
Annie…thanks for the wonderful website. We all appreciate the hard work you do to help make our families memories too!
Great website. Super helpful
Thanks Holly! I’m glad you find the site helpful.
Thanks a lot for sharing all this information. I’m finding fun events for our little one from here. Happy New Year 😀.
You’re welcome! Happy New Year to you too. I’m glad you find the site so helpful. :)