Celebrating New Year's Eve was an adults-only event until I had kids. When I became a parent I had no desire to leave my kids at home with a babysitter, so we made New Year's Eve family-friendly and always have a great time!
Kid-Friendly New Year's Eve Events in San Diego
Glow BIG Noon Year Celebration. Family-friendly entertainment, games, bounce houses, thousands of dollars in giveaways, creative crafts, delectable dessert bites, a Live DJ, dancing, multiple balloon drops and more. Dec. 31, 10 am–1 pm. $25–$40. AleSmith Brewing, 9990 AleSmith St. www.noonyear.com
Kids’ New Year’s Eve at Legoland. Live music, entertainment and a special New Year’s countdown at 6:45 p.m. Included with admission. Dec. 31. One LEGOLAND Dr., Carlsbad. www.legoland.com
Rockin' 2025 New Year's Eve Party at Corvette Diner. Dance into the New Year at Corvette Diner. Join us for an unforgettable night with the diner’s DJ spinning the hottest tunes and balloon artists adding to the fun. Count down to the Big Apple’s ball drop at 9 pm, followed by our own balloon drop and toast to ring in the New Year. 2965 Historic Decatur Rd. www.dinersd.com/happenings
Mega 2025 Noon Year Celebration. Bring a swimsuit and join the fun at Plunge San Diego's annual MEGA Noon Year Celebration event. Enjoy balloon drops, live D.J., games, giveaways and more. Dec. 31, 10:30 am- 1 pm. Plunge San Diego, 3115, Ocean Front Walk. www.tickettailor.com/events/plungesandiego1/1431099
New Year's Eve Grape Drop. Enjoy face painters, carnival games, giant slide, ice skating, live music and dancing, drone light show and Grape Drop. Dec. 31, 6-10 pm. Old Town Civic Center, 41000 Main St., Temecula. www.visittemeculavalley.com/event/new-years-eve-grape-drop/629
More ways to ring in the New Year with kids:
1. Get Dressed Up
Why wear holiday clothes only once? They don’t last with growing kids. Put special outfits on, along with added bling for the evening. Our sons have worn suit coats and bowties; our daughters have been bedazzled with sequins, boas, and lace with their dresses.
Tired of holiday clothes? Decide on a theme. Perhaps related to your dinner cuisine or a favorite movie. It doesn’t matter since it is your party. One year we ate Italian food and wore Halloween costumes. Be sure to take pictures!
2. Make a Special Meal Together
We’ve created New Year's Eve dinner two ways: 1. We choose a cuisine (e.g. Indian, Mexican, Chinese) and cook a multi-course meal in that style, including appetizers, vegetables, meats, desserts, etc., and 2. We ask our children what they want for each course and then put it to a vote. There are six of us, so we always have at least six options during the meal.
3. Have a Progressive Feast
We love a movable meal. Each course is served in a particular room of the house. Some years we get the china out; other years we mix it up. My kids love to picnic all over the house, so we have beach blankets set up in various rooms. Candles are a must. They add ambiance and specialness to the last evening of the year. They are lit throughout the house.
My kids help shop, prepare and cook since they are older. Younger kids can assist by setting tables or getting out ingredients. Be sure to go over recipes ahead of time. Some ingredients may be challenging to find.
4. Bubbles and Glow for Everyone!
My husband and I celebrate the New Year with a glass or two of champagne. Our kids get glasses of sparkling apple or grape juice in champagne flutes.
Glow stick necklaces, along with whatever else you decide to dress up in, are fun. We buy glow sticks in bulk, something we began doing when our kids were very young. They still love them, fashioning necklaces, crowns and bracelets out of them. We also fill balloons and hang them in each room we are dining in.
5. Play Games
We are passionate about cards and board games. Any night home is an excuse to play games. Consider getting a new game or two to play or teaching the kids how to play Bridge or Euchre if they are old enough.
6. Dance and Sing
Create a playlist of party songs to listen to or go with music that resonates with the chosen theme. One year we listened to NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys; that music unearthed a lot of memories and reminiscing.
7. Cheat on the Time Zone
Do you have younger kids? Why not celebrate New Year's as it happens in another time zone? This is something I did when my kids were young. Staying up through midnight was difficult for them (and us).
Ringing in the New Year with kids can be lots of fun! You also generate a new family tradition in the process of creating a memorable evening, one sure to be passed down by your kids to theirs.
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Judy M. Miller is a freelance writer living with her husband and four children. She looks forward to celebrating another New Year with her family.
