Whether you want to bundle up and head outside for New Year's Eve or spend a cozy evening with your family, below are 14 Things to Do with Kids on New Year's Eve. (Updated)
And most of these Top 10 Holiday Spots in DC will be open New Years Eve and Day!
Table of Contents:
- DC New Years Eve (2)
- Northern Virginia NYE (4)
- Maryland (2)
- At Home (6)
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Things to Do with Kids on New Year’s Eve in DC:
#1 Noon Yards Eve is in Person This Year!
The popular Noon Yards Eve is back in person for 2025. From 10 AM to 1 PM on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. From their website: More details will be on up on their website soon I hope!
#2 Noon Years Eve Family Pajama Party at Kraken Kourts (Pickle Ball and Roller Skating)
**Waiting to confirm for 2025 but below is the 2023 information.
Bring your family to Kraken Kourts to watch the PickleBALL drop!
$15 per skater gets you admission plus skate rental, party favors, a DJ and a ball drop at
NOON Year's Eve.
Fun for the entire family.
9am-1pm
PickleBall drop at NOON.
All ages welcome. Details here!
Things to Do with Kids on New Year’s Eve in Virginia:
#3 First Night Alexandria, Virginia
Photo credit: First Night Alexandria
First Night Alexandria is celebrating 30 years with tons of activities from Noon until Midnight.
Twilight Fireworks - This year’s celebration will feature a twilight fireworks display at 6 p.m. on Alexandria’s waterfront geared to families who want to enjoy the show with their kids and loved ones. First Night Alexandria will also still host an abbreviated encore display of the New Year’s fireworks at midnight on the waterfront.
Fun Hunt - Add adventure, exploration, and education to the last day of the year! After 5 years, the Fun Hunt returns with new ways to enjoy an afternoon in Old Town Alexandria. Ticketed guests have the opportunity to turn a day of Fun and entertainment into potential prize winnings.
Daytime Block Party – Join us at the George Washington Masonic Memorial from 4:30– 6:30PM for a time of music and special fun just prior to the new Twilight fireworks display. FNA After Hours (Activities from 10:00PM - Midnight)
More info on performances and more here: https://firstnightalexandria.org/
#4 Rocknoceros at Jammin' Java in Vienna, Virginia - Noon Ball Drop with Apple Juice Toast (included!)
Photo credit: Jammin Java
"Raise a glass of apple juice and count down to 12pm with Rocknoceros. Yes, that is 12PM, kids! The ball will drop on the stage at noon for all of us who plan to turn in before midnight."
Date: 2 shows on December 31 at 11 AM and 2 PM.
Cost: $14 and need to reserve soon.
#5 Shipgarten McLean, Virginia
Photo credit: Shipgarten
Step into a world of family-friendly fun at Shipgarten, Tysons Corner top restaurant for families! Join us on Tuesday, December 31st, from 12PM to 6 PM, as we invite you to enjoy a day of excitement as we are having Spiderman and Frozen Host the Kids and Family Festival. Bring the whole family for an unforgettable experience! For your little ones Shipgarten has FREE face painting and arts & crafts, allowing their creativity to shine. The fun doesn’t stop there – we’ve got live music, great drinks, moonbounces, and a full outdoor playground to ensure everyone has a blast. Dogs are more than welcome at Shipgarten, whether on-leash or in our off-leash dog park. Treat your furry friends to Pup Cups and Kongs filled with peanut butter for a delightful family treat.
***Shipgarten opens at 11 AM & the festival runs from 12 PM until 6 PM. Restaurants close at 2 AM***
EVENT SCHEDULE:
12:00-6:00 PM – Face Painting, Moonbounces, and Arts & Crafts
12:00 -3:00 PM – Live Magic Performance by Jake the Great
3:15PM- Super Hero Training with Spiderman & Live Performance by Elsa and Anna
But that’s not all! we offer (2) 155″ TV Walls, 8 TVs, 2 outdoor projectors, and 3 indoor projectors, ensuring you won’t miss any of the big games.
Shipgarten Offers:
- 2 Moon Bounces
- 2 Playground Sets
- Photo Booth with Accessories
- Kids’ Corner with Face Painting, Crafts, and More
- Outdoor Games & Activities
- Giveaways, Competitions & Prizes
- Dog-Friendly Atmosphere
- Bier & Samples
- Great Food
#6 New Year's Eve Around the World at the Children's Science Center in Fairfax, VA.
December 31, 2025 at 10 AM, 1 PM and 3PM
Get ready to welcome 2025 in STEM Style! Join us for a night of fun as we countdown at the Lab!
New Year's Eve Around The World includes:
- Creating your own 2025 headband: Get crafty for the New Year!
- Animation Station: Discover the science of motion as you make your own spinning New Year's Eve animations!
- Celebration Slime Lab: Mix, stretch, and add glitter to your own slime masterpiece for extra New Year’s sparkle.
- “Midnight” Ball Drop & Cider Toast: Count down with us as we drop the ball and toast to 2025 at the end of each session – no need to wait until midnight!
- Bonus-- Members receive $5 off every ticket! Log into your account to receive the discount.
Purchase tickets here and read our review of the Science Center here.
Things to Do with Kids on New Year’s Eve in Maryland:
#7 Port Discovery Children’s Museum in Baltimore Noontime New Year!
"Help Port Discovery ring in 2025 with the annual Noontime New Year Event. Take a family photo in front of our New Year’s Eve backdrop. Make your own confetti cannon or number template. Write or draw your resolution on our Wish Tree. Watch a comedy show and make your own jokes or listen to stories and play musical instruments. Participate in a sensory exploration. And don’t forget to countdown to noon!
This year, we will also offer a sensory friendly countdown."
Included in admission, more details here.
#8 Midnight Noon at the Maryland Science Center
**Waiting to confirm for 2025. Details from last year below
"Count down to New Year at noon!
Everyone’s favorite ball drop before bedtime is back again. Make memories and party, Science Center style, at MSC’S 16th annual Midnight Noon celebration! Enjoy loads of festive activities and games, explore all three floors of hands-on science exhibits, and help us ring in the New Year with a noontime ball drop!
All activities are free with paid admission or membership."
More details here and review of our visit here.
New Year’s Eve Kids Activities At Home
#1 Balloon “Ball Drop” from Chandelier
This is a great idea from @500parks that’s so simple. We tried it last year and it was really fun! We did a countdown to the London New Year (7 PM EST) which makes it easier for young kiddos. I found a detailed tutorial to make one here or I will probably just use a bedsheet! And if you want to add a little pizazz to your party, here are a couple of items specifically for New Year's Eve:
- New Year's Eve Pin the Time to the Clock Game (Like Pin the Tail on the Donkey!)
- Party Hats Crafts Animal and Monster Themed (12 count)
- 2025 NYE Craft - DIY Photo Frame
- Of course, Glowsticks! (144 count)
- 24 Pcs Hats and Noise Makers for New Year Eve Party
- And free to watch on Amazon Prime, Pete the Cat: A Groovy New Year!
#2 Play a Board Game Together
Below are our family's favorites that have stood the test of time (and I don't hate playing...looking at you Chutes and Ladders!)
Ages 3-5
- Sneaky Snacky Squirrel
- Zingo (4+)
- Let's Go Fishin' (have seen a lot at thrift stores, although this a good price I think)
Ages 6-9
- Outfoxed (current fav in the house)
- Connect 4
- Slamwich (or cheaper version without the lunchbox here)
- Mouse Trap (got at a thirft store and still fun/my childhood!)
#3 Take a “Last Day of the Year” or “First Day of the Year” Hike as a family!
Lots of ideas in previous posts including Children's Outdoor Activities in DMV and 20 Northern Virginia Kid-Friendly Hikes.
#4 Family Time Capsule Video
This is inspired by one of my favorite YouTubers, Amon and Christina from Our Rich Journey’s most recent video here. I’m not going to be fancy and fill in with videos throughout the year. We did this last year and will do it again this year. I am sure we will treasure it in the years to come!
- What is an amazing thing you expect to do by 2034?
- Favorite recent memory?
- What made you laugh the hardest recently?
- Favorite Movie?
- Favorite Song?
- Favorite Book?
- What are you best at?
- What made you really proud this year?
- What is something new that you think will be invented by 2034?
- 2025 in one word?
- What advice would you give your future self?
#5 Simple Thing to Do with Kids on New Years Day...“What We are Proud of in 2025” Poster
Put a sheet of paper on your fridge or wall and ask family members to record what they are proud of in 2025. It can be simple or profound. It’s so fun to read everyone’s contributions on New Year’s Eve. We did this last year and it was wonderful to have all our moments on one sheet of paper. Last year, my 4-year-old son said “I’m proud I had a dream about doing an experiment with Dino Dana” his favorite tv show! One that my 7-year-old wrote was, “I’m proud of learning more math.”
#6 Sesame Street Countdown on YouTube (pre-recorded)
Great suggestion from @Chelsey_dc to watch the pre-recorded ball drop (from a seal?) and drink some bubbly juice with your little one!
Whatever you decide to do, I hope you have a wonderful new year with the people you love!
Full List of Things to Do with Kids on New Year’s Eve in DC:
- Noon Yards Eve, Washington DC
- Noon Years Eve Family Pajama Party at Kraken Kourts (Pickle Ball and Roller Skating)
- First Night Alexandria, Virginia
- Rocknoceros at Jammin' Java, Vienna
- Shipgarten McLean, Virginia
- New Years Around the World at Children's Science Center, Fairfax, Virginia
- Port Discovery Children’s Museum Noontime New Year
- Midnight Noon at the Maryland Science Center
- At Home: Balloon “Ball Drop” from Chandelier
- At Home: Play a Board Game Together
- At Home: Take a “Last Day of the Year” or “First Day of the Year” Hike as a family
- At Home: Family Time Capsule Video
- At Home: “What We are Proud of in 2025” Poster
- At Home: Sesame Street Countdown on YouTube (pre-recorded)
