It’s almost time to ring in 2014! I love New Year’s Eve, but a midnight celebration might be difficult with little kids. Try out a “Noon” Year’s Eve or early evening countdown to include kids on the fun. As always, it’s a good idea to visit the website and/or call to verify information before you go.
Noon Countdowns
Build It Big Bubble Bash 2013, DuPage Children’s Museum, 301 North Washington Street, Naperville
- 9:00 am-Noon
- $25/member, $30/non-member
- Three floors of bubble fun, live performances by Mr. Sharp and the Sharp Cookies, 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.
- Inflatables, contests, games, party favors, snacks, and balloon drop at Noon.
- 10:00 am-Noon
- $8/resident, $12/non-resident
- For ages 1-6. Inflatables, riding toys, and a balloon drop at noon.
- 10:00 am-Noon
- $1/person, children 2 & under free
- Face painting, crafts, games, music, and more.
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: $7/person.
- Crafts, games, and countdown at noon. Face painting available for an additional fee.
- 10:00 am-Noon
- General admission applies: $14/person
- 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 at Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd, Glenview
- 8:30 am-11:00 am – Geared toward pre-schoolers; 12:30 pm-3:00 pm – Geared toward early elementary aged children.
- $24/person. Members can purchase tickets in advance for $14/person. Tickets can be purchased online.
- Jeanie B concert (morning), DJ (afternoon), party hats & horns, dancing, kids hair styling & coloring by KidSnips, parachute play, Imagination Playground block play, and confetti cannons.
Ring in the New Year with Make-A-Messterpiece, 2050 Tower Drive, Glenview
- 1:00 pm-2:30 pm
- $12/person. Tickets are available online.
- Live DJ, balloon drop, cupcake decorating, photo booth, noisemaker for each child, face painting, DIY party hat
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
Pre-New Year’s Eve Party, Little Beans Play Cafe, 1809 W. Webster, Chicago
- Monday, 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.
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 6:30 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
- 4:30 pm-7:00 pm
- $45/lane with reservation, $50/lane walk-in
- 2.5 hours of unlimited bowling, one pizza & pitcher of soda per lane, free shoe rental, sparkling grape juice toast at “midnight” (6:30 pm).
- 3:30 pm-6:00 pm
- $14/child, $6/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
- 5:00 pm-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 8:00 pm. Designed for kids 6 and under.
Every year I think I will plan on doing some awesome activity with out girls for NYE, but we always end up doing nothing. This year I have some amazing folks coming over for a big post-holiday feast and am hoping I will be able to get my kids calmed down enough to be asleep by midnight! 😀