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New Year's Parties for Kids
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Adults aren't the only ones who can celebrate the New Year. There are events all over Chicagoland on Dec. 31 - from afternoon events for younger kids to late- and over-nighters for tweens. Wherever you live, there's a party for your kids to ring in the new year!
Note: Some of these events sell out. Call before you go to make sure tickets are still available.
Kohl Children’s Museum’s New Years Eve
Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago | GlenviewDecember 31
Celebrate New Year's Eve on Saturday, Dec. 31. There will be a morning session from 9 - 11:30 a.m. and an afternoon session from 12:30 - 3 p.m. Activities include: Children's Concerts with Mindy Hester & the Time Outs, Party Hat Making, Countdown to "midnight" and confetti drop. Please note that due to the popularity of the New Year's Eve Bash, this event typically sells out. No cancellations or refunds after purchase.
Radio Disney's Noon Year's EveFREE
Allstate Arena | RosemontDecember 31, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Kids have the opportunity to have all the fun of New
Year's Eve before their bedtime in the Allstate Arena's Skyline
Room. The afternoon features interactive games, prizes and fun
partying to songs from Radio Disney's "Top 50 Countdown of 2011."
Sponsored by The Chicago Wolves.
Family New Year’s Eve Party
Glenview Ice Center | GlenviewDecember 31, 5-7 p.m.
Skate in the New Year with music, fun and games, and a kid-friendly toast at "midnight" (7 p.m.). Visit glenviewicecenter.org for information.
New Years Eve Party
Party Fantasy | MundeleinDecember 31, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Includes a countdown to noon with balloon drop!, face painting and cotton candy, plus giant inflatables, rock-climbing, go karts, video game arcade and more. While the kids play, parents can relax in the Fantasy Cafe where the menu includes everything from coffee and juice to freshly made pizzas and salads.
Countdown with CoCo New Year's Eve Celebration
CoCo Key Water Resort Rockford | RockfordDecember 31 - January 1
dmission for four to indoor water park fun with special New Years activities for the whole family including party buffet, piñata parties, special games and prizes, party favors, dancing, CoCo's Countdown with balloon drop, and more.
New Year’s Eve Bash at Kidz KingdomFREE
Wheaton Community Center | WheatonDecember 31, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Make a craft, play games, eat pizza for lunch and ring in the "new year" at noon. For more information call (630) 871-6713.
Berghoff Family Friendly New Year's Eve Party
Theater on the Lake | ChicagoDecember 31, 5-7 p.m.
Join the Berghoff for the food, fun and festivities. Enjoy a buffet dinner, Berghoff Soda Station, fun activities for the kids and goodie bags. Plus a live performance by Environmental Encroachment Magic Circus Band. Discount parking available. For tickets contact Amelia at BCRGNewYear@berghoffgroup.com. RSVP Required.
Family-Friendly New Year's Eve
SciTech Hands-On Museum | AuroraDecember 31, 1-4 p.m.
Celebrate New Year's Eve as a family with a science show, activities, DJ and music, dancing, sing-a-long and popcorn. Mock countdown at 2 p.m. and noisemakers galore.
New Year's Eve Party
Wonder Works | Oak ParkDecember 31, Noon-5 p.m.
Celebrate saying goodbye to 2011 while welcoming in 2012 with singing, games, and merriment for all. Wonder Works will snacks and juice and host games and singing of "Auld Lang Syne" with countries around the world.
New Year's Eve Party
Pump It Up Chicago | ChicagoDecember 31, 1-4 p.m.
Early afternoon event features play time, pizza, sparkling beverages, gifts and a countdown with a balloon drop.
Youth New Year's 2012 Celebration All Nighter
Joliet Park District Multi-Purpose Center | JolietDecember 31 - January 1, 7 p.m.-7 a.m.
Kids stay up all night enjoying tunes, playing sports, tumbling, doing art, watching movies, doing fun competitions and enjoying inflatable bounce houses. Includes a midnight snack and breakfast in the morning. The all-night adventure is completely supervised. Kids may bring a sleeping bag and pillow they'd like. Preregistration required.
Children's Noon New Year's Eve Party
Joliet Park District Multi-Purpose Center | JolietDecember 31, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Bring in the New Year with games, tumbling, making treats, singing and dancing.
Itsy Bitsy New Year's Eve Countdown
Schaumburg Park District | SchaumburgDecember 31, 10 a.m.-noon
Celebrate the holiday with your young ones. The gym is filled with an inflatable for climbing, riding toys and areas to play a variety of activities. All activities will be unstructured and parents must supervise their children. Ring in the New Year at noon with a balloon drop. Registration ends Dec. 23.
Noon Year's Eve Celebration
Pump It Up Orland Park | Orland ParkDecember 31, Noon-4 p.m.
Ring in the New Year with family and friends. Includes NYE accessories giveaway and a "toast" towards the end of the event. No reservations required; first come, first served.
Zoo Year's Eve Celebration
Brookfield Zoo | BrookfieldDecember 31, 6 p.m.
Celebration includes festive music, games, and prizes. An early countdown for families will take place at 8 p.m. For more information, call or visit the Web site.
Family Friendly New Year's Eve Celebration
Deep River Waterpark | MerrillvilleDecember 31, 5-10 p.m.
This event features on and off the ice family fun, with a countdown and sparkling juice toast at 8 p.m. Skating, a disc jockey, and kids' crafts are included.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day LEGO-tatsic Celebrations
LEGOLAND Discovery Center | SchaumburgDecember 31 - January 1, 10 a.m.
Kid-friendly countdown includes multiple balloon drop countdowns, confetti, sparkling grape juice, and party music. Celebrate with commemorative New Year photo opportunities, LEGO Creative Challenges, playing in the new LEGO City Construction Site Play Zone and much more.
Ring It In At Rink Side
Rink Side Family Entertainment Center | GurneeDecember 31
Pizza, salad and soda buffet, ice skating and skate rental game card with 25 credits, one free round of Glow Golf or Laser Tag Prizes, giveaway hats and noisemakers, countdown and balloon drop.
Countdown to Fun!
Discovery Center Museum | RockfordDecember 31, 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Crafts, games, music and art . Ring in the New Year with music from Kantorei, the singing boys of Rockford, plus party hats, confetti, favors and more.
