New Year’s Eve is a fun night for families to celebrate together, but young kids often struggle to stay awake until midnight. Here are some ideas for ringing in the new year (a little early) with your kids.
Noon Year’s Eve
Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus hosts a festive New Year’s Eve event for little ones and their families. Families are welcome to celebrate with ball drops every hour, rainbow confetti, bubble wrap fireworks, art projects, and more.
Date: December 31
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: 2121 Children’s Museum Dr., Denver
Cost: Free under age one, $13 age one, $15 age two to 59, $13 age 60+
Website: mychildsmuseum.org
NYE at Mount Vernon Country Club
Ring in the new year with the whole family at Mount Vernon Country Club. The event is open to the public and features separate areas for adults and kids. Parents can enjoy a speakeasy-themed event, which includes appetizers, four-course dinner, cash bar, live music, dancing, and a champagne toast at midnight. A separate Kids Klub event for ages four to 14, includes pizza, snacks, beverages, a Wii dance off, games, and movies.
Date: December 31
Time: 6 p.m. to midnight
Location: 24933 Club House Cir., Golden
Cost: $85 adults, $25 child
Website: mountvernoncc.com
Family Day Out: NYE Celebration
Spend some time in the kitchen cooking with your family at Uncorked Kitchen’s NYE celebration. Make a variety of breakfast dishes including: winter vegetable frittata, cinnamon apple crepes, bacon and squash hash with pan fried egg, beignets with chocolate dipping sauce, and sparkling cider mocktails.
Date: December 31
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: 8171 S. Chester St., Suite A, Centennial
Cost: $100 per pair, ages six and older
Website: uncorkedkitchen.com
New Year’s Eve Family Dance
Dress up and take part in a family-friendly New Year’s Eve dance at YMCA of the Rockies Snow Mountain Ranch. Enjoy a DJ, snacks, and drinks, and watch the ball drop at 10 p.m.
Date: December 31
TIme: 8:30 p.m.
Location: Longhouse Building, 1101 County Rd. 53, Granby
Cost: Free for guests of YMCA
Website: snowmountainranch.org
Ring in 2017 at Bowlmor AMF
Celebrate the new year with a daytime family party package. Packages include two hours of unlimited bowling (including shoes), a kid-friendly buffet, and sparkling cider and champagne toasts.
Date: December 31 and January 1
Time: Times vary
Location: Multiple locations
Cost: Varies by location
Website: events.bowlmoramf.com/nye#daytime
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
The sky over downtown Denver comes to life with two magnificent fireworks displays on New Year’s Eve. There’s an early show at 9 p.m. for families, which is just as spectacular as the midnight show.
Date: December 31
Time: 9 p.m. and midnight
Location: Downtown Denver, 16th Street Mall
Cost: Free
Website: downtowndenver.com
Zoo Year’s Eve
Young animal enthusiasts can ring in the new year at Denver Zoo. As part of Zoo Lights, families can enjoy 70 acres of illuminated animal sculptures and exciting animal encounters, along with fun activities for the entire family and a special countdown at 9 p.m.
Date: December 31
Time: 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Location: 2300 Steele St., Denver
Cost: $10 age three to 11, $15 age 12 to 64, $12 age 65+
Website: denverzoo.org?
Noon Year’s Eve at the Rink at Belmar
Be part of an early New Year’s Eve countdown at noon rather than midnight. Guests are invited to wear ?festive attire and take a few laps around the rink to ring in the new year. Party hats and noise makers will be available.
Date: December 31
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: 464 S. Teller St., Lakewood
Cost: Regular admission, check website
Website: belmarcolorado.com
WOW!’s New Year’s Eve Parties
Celebrate the new year before bedtime, with crafts, face painting, music, refreshments, and a countdown. Reservation required online.
Date: December 31
Time: 10 a.m. to noon; 1 to 3 p.m.
Location: WOW! Children’s Museum, 110 N. Harrison Ave., Lafayette
Cost: $10 nonmember child, $6 member child, $5 adult
Website: wowchildrensmuseum.org
