Home / Local Stories  / Play: Things to do with your kids  / Seasonal Things To Do  / Holiday Fun  / Good Riddance, 2020: Celebrate New Year’s with Kids in Philly (and Online)

Good Riddance, 2020: Celebrate New Year’s with Kids in Philly (and Online)

Ring in 2021 and look ahead to a brighter New Year.

Remember December 31, 2019 when we gathered together to celebrate and look forward to the year ahead while showered in confetti and hope? We even wore actual pants, and lipstick because masks wouldn’t ruin it! Were we ever so young?

2020 is almost over, and thank goodness for that. While we can’t have our usual parties, we’ve got virtual parties for every hour—plus a couple special in-person ideas—to greet a brighter 2021.

Virtual

Please Touch Museum’s Countdown from Home

December 31, anytime!

Our favorite NYE party for tots goes virtual. The morning of New Year’s Eve, PTM will post a Countdown from Home video on their homepage featuring music from Trinidelphia and a special Countdown to 2021 with Squiggles from Hamilton Hall! Your family can decide what time to celebrate the New Year– play the Countdown from Home video just before noon, at bedtime, or anytime in between!

Plus, visit their NYE page for at-home activities to get ready, like snack recipes and make-your-own noisemaker crafts.

Courtesy: Please Touch Museum

Kith + Kin’s New Year’s Eve Concert with Mister John’s Music

December 31, 11:15 am—noon

Kith + Kin is teaming up with Mister John’s Music for a special virtual NYE extravaganza! Find your favorite party spot in your home, bring your noisemakers; then sing, dance, and make noise, all before nap time! Turn your camera on to show off your moves and see your friends all over the city jam out too, or keep it off for a private affair. The concert will begin at 11:15 am with Miss Lilly, ending with a countdown at noon! Tickets available online.

Franklin Institute’s Final 2020 Countdown

December 31, noon

Say goodbye to 2020 with a bang. We’re talking ball explosions, fire, and smoke! Tune in on the Franklin Institute’s Facebook page.

Cook with Kitchen Wizards

December 31, 3:30—5 pm

Kids ages 7-12 will prepare water chestnuts wrapped in bacon, pizza dip, and Shirley Temples. Then, raise a toast to 2021 at the end of the class. You can feast on the snacks with the rest of your family during the evening as you watch the ball drop! Tickets available online.

PopUpPlay’s Family Countdown Party

December 31, 4—5 pm

Join PopUpPlay to make resolutions, create cool crafts, play some games, and countdown to the new year a little early. They’re out of party kits but will send you a list of recommended party supplies to party with them online with ticket purchase.

Music Monkey Jungle’s New Year’s Eve (and New Year’s Day) Dance Party

December 31, 4:30 pm and January 1, 2 pm

Say goodbye to 2020 and ring in 2021 with songs, dances and games with Music Monkey Jungle. Tune in on YouTube.

Franklin Square’s Virtual New Year’s Eve Family Celebration

December 31, 5—6 pm

While Winter in Franklin Square remains open for mini golf, carousel rides, and the nightly light show, they are also doing a virtual party on their Facebook page, concluding with a virtual Square Drop at 6 pm. During the broadcast, families can create crafts with items from home, watch a showing of the Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show, and participate in fun dance lessons. Crafts include noisemakers, confetti poppers, party hats, and print-at-home coloring pages.

To prepare for the party, watch videos on Historic Philadelphia’s website for directions on making party hats, noisemakers, and confetti poppers at home. Plus, play the Franklin Square New Year’s Spotify playlist!

New Year’s Eve Kids’ Yoga

December 31, 8 pm

Yogi Beans hosts a free yoga party to ring in the new year. Kids ages 3-8 (though all ages are welcome) will wiggle out their sillies, meditate on what they learned this year, and have a good time. Pre-register online.

Kimmel Center’s Virtual Resolution Wall

Every year, the Kimmel Center hosts a fabulous, free New Year’s Day party. And while they can’t hold it this year, one aspect of it is continuing on: the Resolution Wall. While it usually takes place in the Broad Street entrance, this year you can set your intention online, and see your resolution displayed on the digital sign at the corner of Broad and Spruce Streets. Just be sure to use hashtag #KimmelResolution2021 when you post on the Kimmel Center’s Facebook page.

In Person

Courtesy: A Dash of Magic / Aversa PR

Kids’ Countdown to New Year’s Eve with Cinderella at the Igloos at Germantown Garden

December 31; 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm

1029 Germantown Ave.

Countdown to midnight with Cinderella! This socially-distanced positive and magical dining experience will include 90 minutes at a private, exclusive, and heated igloo just for you and your immediate family members a photo opportunity with Cinderella, and a grand entrance. Each reservation will also receive a private Cinderella visit per each igloo, a souvenir, princess-themed activity sheets, and a special holiday dessert. Tickets available online; food and drink are pay-as-you-go. A portion of each ticket will go to charity, and provide a free princess appearance for children in need through the Salvation Army.

Special NYE Skating Sessions at BlueCross RiverRink Winterfest

$25 per person includes skating admission, skate rental, fun favors, music, and celebratory countdowns every hour. Food, drink, and amusements are pay-as-you go. To ensure social distancing, all visitors must have a confirmed ice skating, cabin, or firepit rental reservation to enter Winterfest on New Year’s Eve Day. Due to Covid restrictions, the traditional New Year’s fireworks are canceled this year.

Contributing Writer

POST A COMMENT