Mon 12/31
So the kids are excited about the new year and really really REALLY want to stay up to welcome it? But you don’t think that’s a good idea. Distract them (and tire them out so they crash early) by taking them to one of the family-friendly daytime New Year’s Eve activities around town.
For instance, there’s Noon Year’s Eve at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. From 10am-1pm there’ll be music, dancing, crafts and other activities free with zoo admission ($14.95 for adults, $10.95 for ages 2-11). If you want a special experience, from 10:30am-12:30pm at Stillwater Place, there’s a VIP experience with brunch, meet-and-greets with characters and various other family-oriented activities. Tickets are $25. At noon, everyone will welcome the new year.
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is also having a family-friendly “New Year’s at Noon,” only they’ll be doing it not just at noon, but also 1pm and 2pm where, in the Murch Auditorium, they’ll be dropping …. a giant dinosaur egg with surprises inside! There’ll also be crafts and other hands-on activities throughout the museum. It’s free with admission — $17 for adults, $14 for ages 3-18.
The Cleveland Metroparks are hosting a Kids’ New Year’s event at Merwin’s Wharf in the Flats. The kid-friendly buffet (seatings are at 9am and noon) is enhanced with balloon animals, face-painting and a New Year’s countdown/ball drop. It’s $18 for adults, $10 ages 4-12. Reservations are highly recommended.
Here are a couple of things for Akron-area families:
The Seiberling Nature Realm and Visitors Center of the Summit Metro Parks will be celebrating from 10am-1pm with activities for the more outdoorsy families, including hiking, crafts, a campfire and, of course, at noon, a toast to the new year. It’s free and no reservations are necessary.
The Akron Zoo also hosts a special day from 10am-2pm called Zoo Year’s Eve, featuring craft tables to make your own New Year’s hats and noisemakers, dance music by DJ Kenny Kidd, a resolution wall inside Komodo Kingdom, upclose animal encounters and a ball drop ceremony at noon with complimentary sparkling cider in place of champagne. Tickets are $7. Afterward, the zoo will be open until its regular closing time of 4pm to enjoy the animals.
3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, OH 44109-3132
Cleveland, OH 44106
Cleveland, OH 44113
Akron, OH 44313
Akron, OH 44320