I know you’re still running around buying presents and trying to make it through December, but it’s not too soon to start to think about making plans to ring in the New Year–Family Friendly style, that is.
Whether you want to ring in the New Year with your kids or if you’re looking for a fun place for them to spend the evening while you go and have your own adult fun, we’ve found quite a few choices fitting both bills.
Some do require pre-registration and may have limited space, so take a moment out of your crazy busy schedule and make your plans now. It will mean you can ring in 2012 with a bang.
Do you see something missing? If you know the inside scoop on other family NYE fun, share it in our comments section.
Mayerson JCC – New Year’s Eve Bash and Overnight
This sounds not only like a super fun night, but the price is really great. This one is the only one on our list where you get to drop off and pick up–the kids will have a blast while you can head out and have your own more adult style fun. It’s a win win for everyone! Complete details here.
December 31, 2011 7:00 pm – January 01, 2012 8:00 am for Grades K-5 and 6-8 (separate activities for each age group)
Kids will enjoy playing with noisemakers and a special “Bubbly Toast” at midnight. This exciting evening also includes waterpark fun, snacks, games in the gym, a movie, and a yummy breakfast. Bring a swim suit, towel, sleeping bag, pillow, pajamas, toothbrush and toothpaste.
J Member Advantage: $35; $30 for siblings–Public: $45; $40 for siblings. Call 513-716-7500 to register in advance.
Happy Zoo Year
Celebrate with animals who are as wild as your kids at the Cincinnati Zoo’s New Year’s Eve celebration from 5 to 9 p.m. The evening includes Festival of Lights viewing, New Year’s Eve Madcap Puppet Theatre black-light shows at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m., meeting Baby Zoo Year and Father Time, and party favors and costume characters at 8 p.m. The Early Zoo Year countdown at Wings of Wonder Theater begins at 8:55 p.m., with fireworks at 9 p.m. All for the price of regular zoo admission (or free for members)!
Rock Quest New Year’s Eve
This party is for kids ages 7-13 who like to climb some serious walls. In addition to dinner and snacks the party includes lots of climbing, games, crafts and other activities. Festivities start at 7pm and finish at 1am (this is a dump and run for parents who might want to go out for a nice quiet no kid meal). Cost is $45 and registration is required.
Hamilton County Park District Family New Year’s Eve
Families can celebrate with an early ball drop and fun festivities from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Seasongood Nature Center in Woodland Mound. The celebration will be filled with crafts and activities for the kids along with snacks. The evening’s special guests will be magician Phil Dalton and the Boylan Family Band. In addition there will be a live animal program, balloon sculptures and face painting. The highlight of the party will be a special ball drop at 9 p.m. to ring in the New Year celebrated with sparkling juice toast. Adults and children between the ages of 2-12 can register for $4.00 each–this is a change from years past as adults now register as well. Goodie bags will be given to each registered adult and child. Guests not only leave with wonderful memories of Woodland Mound, but are also given a goodie bag which include items such as literature and identification books, compliments of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, coupons for adults and activity books for the kids. Registration is required in advance. Space is limited.
Newport Aquarium Kids’ New Year’s Eve Countdown Party
This one’s for the early birds: Newport Aquarium and WARM98 are hosting their third annual Kids’ New Year’s Eve Countdown Party from 3 to 4:30 p.m. There will be party hats, noise-makers and lots of fun stuff for the kids. Plus, enjoy a special appearance by Scuba Santa who will swim in for the special countdown at the kid-friendly hour of 4:30 p.m. Guests can also enter to win a pair of Newport Aquarium Annual passes that will be given away at the event.
Toyota’s New Year’s Eve Blast
If your kids are a bit older or just like to stay up later, then the festivities on Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati might be for you. Everything will kick off at 8 p.m. with FREE ice skating, DJ music, drinks from the ice bar, and delicious snacks like tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Fox 19 will be live on Fountain Square during its 10 p.m. local news broadcast, and at the stroke of midnight, thousands will count down and cheer in the New Year. After the countdown, fireworks will light up the sky over Fountain Square.
YMCA – Blue Ash Branch – Overnight
New Year’s Eve All Night Fun!
If you are looking for a safe as well as exciting place for your school age children to go while you bring in the New Year, look no further! During the evening we will have our own celebration… “Kid Style”! All you need to provide is sleeping material, we will provide the rest including dinner, snacks, and breakfast! Registration is limited to the first 50! So register today!
Perfect North Slopes – New Year’s Eve on the Slopes
Ring in the new year at Perfect North Slopes. Ski, snowboard or snow tube until 1:00am. Watch ski instructors and ski patrol glide down the darkened slopes in a torchlight parade. At Midnight, see the beautiful fireworks display sponsored by the Dearborn County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Check rates and conditions on their website before heading out.
Happen Inc.’s New Year’s Eve Party (Sold Out)
Join the folks at Happen Inc. in Northside from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to ring in the new year…. Happen style! We will have tons of family activities! Including snacks, games, fun, and surprises! Start rehearsing “Auld Lang Syne”, because we’re going to be dropping the ball at midnight (well… 7:00pm actually. Hey, it’s midnight in London!) Feel free to dress up or dress down in pjs! All are welcome as we dance into the new year!
Boone County Library New Year’s Celebration
This one you need to pay attention to the date – the party starts on FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, but will get you ready to be in a new year mood early by ringing in the new year at the Boone County Library’s Scheben Branch from 2pm-3pm. Watch the ball drop early. A New Year’s celebration complete with dancing, noise makers and food. Please register.
CoCo Key’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve
CoCo Key indoor waterpark in Sharonville is throwing its own family-friendly NYE bash. Rates start at $199.99.
Join CoCo to SPLASH in the New Year! CoCo Key Water Resort Cincinnati will be open til 12:30am on New Years Eve EXCLUSIVELY for our Overnight Guests. Watch the ball drop with CoCo and enjoy a glass of Sparkling Cider!
- Accommodations in Standard Guestroom
- Four (4) water park passes valid for two (2) days of water park access
- Breakfast with CoCo for Four on Sunday Morning in the Ballroom
- One Medium Pizza Hut Pizza and 4 All-Day Refill Fountain Drinks
- Music, Karaoke, Duck Race, Games, Story Time and MUCH More!
Great Wolf Lodge’s Snowball
Bring the whole family to ring in the New Year the Great Wolf Lodge way!
Offer includes:
- Activities for all ages from 7 p.m. until we ring in 2012!
- Enjoy face painting, arts and crafts, a DJ dance party, games, a magic show, spectacular live music from Second Wind and much more
All of that on top of a fun filled day of swimming and sliding – the best part is you never have to leave the comforts of the lodge! Swim as early as 1 p.m., check-in begins at 4 p.m. Access is valid until the waterpark closes on departure day. Rates start at $449.99 on select dates and include waterpark passes for the entire stay.
Roller Skating Rinks
I’m sure there will be roller skating rinks around town participating in fun family friendly skate sessions. Unfortunately, none have any information on their websites at time of this being made live. Here’s a list you can use to check as it gets closer to the 31st:
Laser Adventure
Laser Adventure in Florence is having a New Year’s Eve Party from 9p.m-1a.m. For $20 person, you get 1 piece of pizza, 1 drink, unlimited laser tag and party favors.
No matter where you are on New Year’s Eve, we hope you have a fun filled evening surrounded by friends and family!
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Fountain square is where its at//Ice skating…warm chocolate milk the Christmas tree,,pure Cincinnati..Happy 2012!
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