With Kids: Celebrating New Year’s Eve
Aaaah, the yesteryears of champagne toasts and dancing the night away in uncomfortable shoes and not nearly warm enough clothing. New Year’s Eve may look a bit different with your petite crew in tow but that doesn’t mean there isn’t fun to be had.
We asked our readers to dish some of their favorite NYE traditions with kids. We loved what you came up with and thought we’d share three of our favorites for inspiration for those looking to celebrate at home.
Make a family time capsule to open the next year including a string showing height, hand prints, etc. - Katie
Balloon drop for the kids (order on Amazon, hang from ceiling, and do at 7 p.m.). Fill plastic champagne glasses with sparkling cider and serve meats and cheeses (their fav). - Sara
We love to celebrate “Noon Year’s Eve”! Sparkling apple cider, board games, sparklers. - Kirsten
But if you’re looking to celebrate out of the house, there are some exciting, family-friendly events and parties planned across the North Fork to help you and your besties (aka kids) ring the New Year right.
For the party-goers
The Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead has you covered if you’re looking to celebrate the New Year with Fishes and Wishes — a New Year’s Eve family-style party. This special night out, which runs from 6:30 - 11 p.m., includes a cocktail hour, DJ and dancing, a buffet dinner (including beer and wine, cash bar available), dessert and ice cream bar, an animal meet and greet, crafts, and of course, a mock-midnight toast. Tickets cost $145 per adult, $90 for children ages 3 - 12, and $10 for children 2 and under. Discounts are available for aquarium members. Purchase your tickets here before this party sells out!
If you’re looking for a party but need to call it a night a bit earlier, The All Star, also in Riverhead, is hosting a family-friendly New Year’s celebration in the form of a bowling party. This event, which runs from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m., includes unlimited bowling and shoe rentals, food and soft drinks, a face painter and balloon artist, sparkling cider or champagne “midnight” toast, and party favors. Tickets cost $47.95 per adult and $34.95 per child of bowling age. VIP lane tickets are also available. For more info, and to purchase your tickets visit, theallstar.com/nye-party.
For the skaters
Strap on your skates (ice or roller) and head out! Newly opened Peconic Ice Rinks in Calverton is the place to be if your family is looking to hit the ice. The rink will be open for a New Year’s Eve skate from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. and again from 1:30 - 5:30 p.m. The cost is $14 for adults, $11 for children ages 5 - 12, and free for children under 5. There is also a $6 charge for skate rentals. Make your reservation here.
Or, kick it old-school and head to Greenport’s GDC Roller Skate Rink will be hosting a New Year’s Eve open skate from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. $10 skater admission with free rentals and $5 for spectators. The concession stand will be open serving bites and drinks but outside food and beverages are also permitted, except for alcohol. More details here.
For the youngest
Full disclosure, neither of these events are actually on New Year’s Eve but they’re both packed with New Year’s cheer. On Friday, Dec. 29, from 10 - 11 a.m., bring your crew, suggested ages 1 - 5 years old, to A Bloom Approach in Wading River for a morning of fun featuring a New Year's Eve party for little ones. You can expect sensory play, art, creating, and more. Cost is $30 per child. Register here, You’ll find this session within the Preschool Pals course, a recurring Friday offering.
If you’re searching for a Saturday morning filler for the kids but also looking to get a workout in before the year wraps, you’ll want to bookmark this event. On Saturday, Dec. 30 from 9 - 10:45 a.m. head to Stroller Strong Mamas in Mattituck for a collaboration with Little Moments Little Fam for a morning workout led by Stroller Strong Mamas (9 a.m.) followed by a toddler-and-me session by Little Moments Little Fam (10:15 a.m.) that will blend nature, art, and sensory experiences. The special rate for the NYE celebration is $35 for one adult and one child or $55 for one adult and two kids. Book here.