If you are looking for ways to celebrate New Year's Eve with your kids, we've got you covered. There are a lot of things to do on New Years Eve including many fun events taking place and ways that you can celebrate the holiday at home! Adventure outside or stay cuddled up indoors. Watch the ball drop at midnight or call it an early night. Get together with friends or stay home. Whatever you decide to do, we hope you have an unforgettable night! 

As usual, if you know of any fun events not listed, please submit the details here and we’ll get them added. Thanks for helping us all know about the best things to do on New Year Eve!

Jump To: New Years Eve Events | Tips for Celebrating with Kids

Things to do on New Year's Eve with Kids

FREE Holiday at Cleveland Metroparks

Hike along the canal and the Cuyahoga River to see what animals are out on this December afternoon. {Find Out More}
When: Saturday, December 29, 2018; 2:30pm-3:30pm
Where: Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation, CanalWay Center, 4524 E. 49th St., Cuyahoga Heights, OH 44125
Cost: FREE

Kids New Year's Eve Brunch at Merwin's Warf

Ring in 2019 with the kiddos at Merwin's Warf's annual Kid's New Year's event. Event includes a kid-friendly buffet, balloon animals, face-painting, and a New Year's countdown ballon-drop. {Find Out More}
When: Monday, December 31, 2018; 9am-5pm
Where: Washington Reservation, 1785 Merwin Ave., Cleveland, OH
Cost: $18 per adult, $10 per child (ages 4-12), FREE for children ages 3 and younger

Super Noon Year's Eve at Get Air Cleveland

superMOM CLE is hosting their 2nd annual Noon Years Eve Bash at Get Air! All ages are welcome. There is a toddler jumping area, too. Your ticket includes jumping, socks, pizza, drinks, and dessert. {Find Out More}
When: Friday, December 21, 2018; Open jump: 10am-12pm, Party room: 10am-1pm, Balloon drop: 12pm
Where: 7204 Pearl Rd., Middleburg Heights, OH 44130
Cost: $10/person (if purchased by 12/26), $12/ticket (after 12/26), little ones under age 2 are FREE. Purchase tickets here.

FREE Noon's Year Eve Celebration at Cuyahoga County Public Library

Families are welcome to celebrate the New Year early with a giant dance party. Ring in 2019 with music, a ball drop and a countdown at noon. {Find Out More}
When: Saturday, December 29, 2018; 11am-12pm
Where: Berea Branch Library, 7 Berea Commons, Berea, OH, 44017
Cost: FREE (Registration is required.)

FREE New Year's Celebration at Summit County Metroparks

Enjoy a morning filled with fun for the entire family! Crafts, activities, and a toast at noon will help you ring in the New Year! Take a hike while you are here, and then warm up by the campfire. {Find Out More}
When: Monday, December 31, 2018; 10am-1pm
Where: F.S. Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Rd., Akron, OH 44313
Cost: FREE

Zoo Noon Year's Eve at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Bring your little party animals to celebrate with our animals as we ring in the new year at noon with a ball drop! Enjoy music, dancing, crafts, and more. {Find Out More}
When: Monday, December 31, 2018; 10am-1pm
Where: 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, OH 44109
Cost: All activities are included with Zoo admission. VIP experience also available.

Jumpin' Family Noon Year's Eve Event at the Jump Yard

Ring in the New Year with The Jump Yard at a family-friendly Noon Year's Eve event that includes inflatable fun, live DJ, arcade, family karaoke, party favors, a countdown to noon on the big screen, and a sparkling juice toast. {Find Out More}
When: Monday, December 31, 2018; 10am-2pm
Where: 13700 York Rd., North Royalton, OH 44133
Cost: $10 per child, $5 per adult (Get tickets here.)

New Year's at Noon Celebration at Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Can't stay up until midnight? Celebrate early at this family-friendly event. Roar in the new year with special giant dinosaur egg drops and see what surprises await inside! Hands-on activities and crafts scattered throughout the Museum promise to make this a day at the Museum not soon to be forgotten. {Find Out More}
When: Monday, December 31, 2018; 10am-3pm
Where: 1 Wade Oval Dr., Cleveland, OH 44106
Cost: Included with general admission and FREE for members.

FREE New Year's Eve Fun at Akron-Summit County Public Library

FREE Noon Year's Eve at Firestone Park Branch Library
Join in this family-friendly party to ring in 2019 at noon! There will be games, crafts, snacks, and a countdown to ring in the new year. Bring your little ones to celebrate the new year early! {Find Out More}
When: Monday, December 31, 2018; 10:30am-12:15pm
Where: 1486 Aster Ave., Akron, OH 44301
Cost: FREE

FREE Noon Year's Eve at the Main Library
Ring in the new year with stories, crafts, a snack, and of course, a countdown to noon! {Find Out More}
When: Monday, December 31, 2018; 11am-12pm
Where: 60 S. High St., Akron, OH 44326
Cost: FREE

Noon Year's Eve Party at Massillon Public Library

Children in 6th grade and under and their families are invited to a celebration counting down to the New Year without staying up late! Enjoy stories, crafts, music, and dancing followed by a balloon drop at noon!
{Find Out More}
When: Monday, December 31, 2018; 10:30am-12:30pm
Where: 208 Lincoln Way E., Massillon, OH 44646
Cost: FREE

Kids “Noon” Year's Eve at Quaker Steak & Lube Warren/Cortland

Celebrate 2019 with a ball drop, apple juice toast, and more! {Find Out More}
When: Sunday, December 30, 2018; 11am
Where: 2191 Millennium Blvd., Cortland, OH 44410
Cost: Regular menu prices apply.

Family New Year's Eve Family Party at Roseland Lanes

Celebrate New Year's Eve at Roseland Lanes. {Find Out More}
When: Monday, December 31, 2018; Open Bowling: 11am-5:30pm, Parties: 6pm-8:30pm or 9pm-1am
Where: 26383 Broadway Ave., Oakwood Village, Bedford, OH 44146
Cost: Open Bowling: $10 per person (included 2 hours of bowling and shoes); Cosmic Bowl (6pm-8:30pm): $90 per lane (includes up to 6 people, 2 hours of bowling, shoe rentals, party favors, door prizes, and 1 pitcher of soda per lane); New Years Eve Party (9pm-1am): $120 per lane (includes up to 6 people, 4 hours of bowling, shoe rental, party favors, games, contests, door prizes, dancing, and a midnight sparkling toast)

New Year’s Eve Family Celebration at Pump It Up of Hartville

Bring the family to this New Year's Eve event at Pump It Up of Hartville New Year's Eve, which includes a countdown, balloon drop, New Year's Eve toast with sparkling cider, noisemakers, and bouncing! Registration is required. {Find Out More}
When: Monday, December 31, 2018; 12pm-2pm
Where: 1135 W. Maple St., Hartville, OH 44632
Cost: $10 per person

You may also be interested in: Indoor Play Centers across Northeast Ohio

First Night Youngstown

Hands-on activities, face painting, cookie decorating, The Harry Potter Experience, Cirque du Papier, Hugs the clown, magic show, Planetarium show, and much more. A ball drop and fireworks show takes place at 8:45pm and 9:15pm. {Find Out More}
When: Monday, December 31, 2018; 4pm-12:30pm
Where: Youngstown, OH 44503
Cost: Admission buttons: $10 per adult, $5 per senior/military/students ages 13-college with ID, and FREE for children ages 12 and under

Tips to Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Kids

The countdown to the New Year is on, and we all love a good celebration! Your New Year’s Eve may look a little different than it did before you welcomed children into the family. Whether you are planning on keeping your little ones up until midnight for an apple juice “cheers” or you would rather follow their normal bedtime routine, there are plenty of ways to make the day memorable.

Countdown Early!

There are several services online that offer a midnight countdown earlier in the day. With younger children, they probably do not completely understand the concept anyway, but they are sure to comprehend the fun of “3-2-1, Happy New Year!”

Recreate the midnight countdown, but just at noon so that you can put your kids to sleep at their normal bedtime. You can still go all out for the celebration, and they will never know the difference. Then you’ll have the night to either get to bed early yourself or stay up for the festivities.

Grab Inexpensive Party Supplies

Plastic horns and confetti poppers are the perfect addition to any New Year’s celebration. There is just something about balloons that makes everything more fun. You can bet your kids will have a blast with this simple addition.

You might want to hide the horns the next day, but you will have a blast in the moment.

Have a Movie Marathon

If you have children that are a little bit older, you can make your mission to last until midnight. So why not make the most of the countdown?

Find some New Year’s themed treats to make, mix together a few mocktails or pull out the sparkling cider and get into your coziest pajamas. Then pick out a series that you have been wanting to watch together. The Harry Potter Series or a Disney Princess theme are sure to be a hit!

Plan a Family Game Night

Pull out the board games and a deck of cards. Then order in your favorite dish for the entire family. You can let everyone pick their most beloved game and alternate as you wait for the clock to strike midnight.

Throw a batch of cookies in the oven for dessert and you are all set for a night of fun! You can turn on the ball drop and pause your games for the official countdown.

You may be interested in: Family Game Night Ideas: Best Board Games for Kids

Choose an Outdoor Activity

It might be cold on New Year’s Eve, but that’s a perfect reason to get bundled up and get outside! Check out your local area’s winter activities. Ice skating, sledding or skiing would all be ideal ideas of fun for the entire family.

Then, you have a great excuse to make hot chocolate and build a fire before the countdown later that night. Your little ones will be tuckered out from the day of activity and you will be ready for a night in.

You may be interested in: Wintertime Fun Guide with 100+ Things to do across Northeast Ohio

Hopefully these tips spark some ideas that fit your family’s plans and inspire a night that everyone can enjoy!