It’s almost time to say goodbye to 2014. Ringing in the new year is exciting, but it’s hard for kids to make it to midnight. Celebrate with the whole family at one of these family friendly New Year’s Eve (or “Noon” Year’s Eve) events.
Pre-New Year’s Eve
Pre-New Year’s Eve Party, Little Beans Play Cafe, 1809 W. Webster, Chicago
- Tuesday, December 30 from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm
- $25 for 1 child, $35 for 2, $45 for 3 children. Purchase tickets online.
- DJ, dinner & “mocktails”, play, games, balloon animals, countdown with balloon drop.
Noon Countdowns
Build It Big Bubble Bash 2014, DuPage Children’s Museum, 301 North Washington Street, Naperville
- 9:00 am-Noon
- $20/member, $25/non-member
- Superhero crafts and experiments, martial arts program, live performance by Mr. Dave and the Superhero Sidekicks, and countdown at noon.
Family New Year’s Eve Party, Vaughn Athletic Center, 2121 W. Indian Trail, Aurora
- 11:00 am-1:00 pm
- $7/person (under 2 free) in advance, $10/person day of event. (Day of event admission does not include snacks or party favors.)
- Inflatables, contests, games, party favors, snacks, and balloon drop at Noon.
- SOLD OUT
- 10:00 am-Noon
- $1/per child, children 2 & under free
- Crafts, games, magic show, and photos, with countdown at noon with the mayor of Harvard.
Let’s Ring in the New Year at Pump It Up, 1095 Pingree Road, Crystal Lake
- 11:30 am-1:30 pm and 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
- $15/child, $6/adult
- Bubbles, jumping, pizza, ice cream, party favors, and a balloon drop
- 11:00 am-1:00 pm with countdown at Noon. Museum closes at 2:00 pm.
- General admission applies: $8/person.
- Crafts, games, and countdown with balloon drop at noon. Author & artist Carrie Steinweg and Michelle Brown will be there promoting their own book and Michelle will be leading an art class.
- 11:00 am-Noon
- General admission applies: $14/person
- Crafts, noisemakers and countdown at noon.
Noon Year’s Eve at KidsWork Children’s Museum, 11 S. White Street, Frankfort
- Countdown at Noon
- General admission applies: $6/person
- Balloon drop, craft, and visit from “Hubert the Lion”
Noon Year’s Eve Bash at Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd, Glenview
- Two sessions: 8:30 am-11:00 am & 12:30 pm-3:00 pm
- $21/person for members, $31/person for non-members. Tickets can be purchased online.
- Wendy Morgan & DB concert (morning), DJ (afternoon), party hats & horns, dancing, kids hair styling & coloring by KidSnips, family photos, and confetti cannons.
Wonder Works New Year’s Eve Party, Wonder Works, 6445 W. North Avenue, Oak Park
- Noon-5:00 pm.
- General admission applies: $6/person.
- Food, games, singing.
Evening Countdowns
Countdown to Fun at the Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main Street, Rockford
- 12:30 pm-4:30 pm
- General admission applies: $8/person.
- Crafts, games, music, art, live entertainment, party hats, confetti, favors, and more. Hourly countdowns to celebrate the New Year around the world.
Fireworks at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago
- Fireworks at midnight
- Free
- Winter WonderFest open until 10:00 pm.
- Noon-6:00 pm
- Free
- Scavenger hunts, deals and giveaways. Countdown will be at 6:00 pm at the Millennium Carillon in Moser Tower.
New Year’s Eve at Liberty Lanes, 115 Lw Besinger Dr, Carpentersville
- $45/lane with reservation, $50/lane walk-in
- 2.5 hours of unlimited bowling, one pizza & pitcher of soda per lane, free shoe rental, toast at “midnight” (6:30 pm).
- 3:30 pm-6:00 pm
- $16/child, $7/adult
- Bouncing fun, rock wall, pizza & drink, indoor petting zoo, countdown with ball drop, hats & noisemakers, raffles & giveaways.
Pinstripes’ New Year’s Eve Celebration, Pinstripes in Northbrook, South Barrington, and Oak Brook
- Balloon drops at 8:00 pm and midnight
- No cover charge, but reservations recommended. Bowling, food, & bocce courts available for purchase.
- Live entertainment and complimentary party favors.
Zoo Year’s Eve at Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield
- Countdown at 8:00 pm.
- General admission and parking fees apply. $15/adult, $10.50/child 3-11, children under 3 free. $10/parking.
- Music, games, party favors, and a countdown at the Holly Jolly Theatre. Crafts and kid-friendly countdown (designed for kids 6 and under) at the Hamill Family Play Zoo.
