We’re winding down 2019, and you want to celebrate in style and still get the kids down for their nap! We’ve rounded up our top picks for New Year’s fun around town, so no matter how young your kids are, there’s something festive to do as a family. Happy New Year!

Countdown 2 Noon at the Please Touch Museum

4231 Avenue of the Republic
9 am — 3 pm

 

This massive party has not one, but two, ball drops to bring in the New Year (one at noon, the other at 1 pm). There is also confetti decorating, a Mummers strut, a visit from PTM mascot, Squiggles, and much more! Tickets available online.

NOON Year’s Eve Bash at the Franklin Institute

222 North 20th Street

10 am—noon

 

Celebrate New Year’s early with fiery live science shows, “magic milk fireworks,” make-and-take noisemakers, and other surprises. At noon, welcome in the New Year with a massive ball pit explosion! Free with museum admission.

 Fireworks on the Waterfront

Penn’s Landing

6 pm

 

The Rivers Casino New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the waterfront features a kid-friendly early show at 6 pm for families and kids who can’t make it until midnight. There are so many options by the river to view this magnificent display.

 

First off, you can buy tickets to one of the New Year’s Eve Parties on Ice and skate on the RiverRink (or just enjoy the rest of Winterfest with food, music, and other entertainment) as you watch the fireworks.

 

Or you can do a dinner cruise on the Spirit of Philadelphia (the early one starts at 4:30 pm) to enjoy a buffet and on-board DJ entertainment while you watch the fireworks. The Moshulu also provides a prime viewing spot from the water. The Hilton at Penn’s Landing also has a family-friendly buffet and party, as does Dave and Buster’s.

 

There’s also a great party hosted by Independence Seaport Museum, complete with noisemakers, party hats, and a ginger ale toast before the fireworks.

 

And new for this year, Cherry Street Pier is getting in on the action with a special Kid’s Countdown with Fireworks including facepainting, prime fireworks viewing, hot cocoa, dance parties and crafty activities with organizations like PopUp Play, Nimble Crafters, and Clay Studio.

Kids’ New Year’s Eve Countdown at Franklin Square

200 N. Sixth St.
4 — 8 pm
 

 

New Year’s Eve craft-making starts at 4 pm. Then, at 6 pm there’s a countdown to the “Square Drop” from atop SquareBurger and watching the New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront (they’ll be viewable from the Square). Afterwards, the indoor Franklin Square Pavilion will host a kids’ dance party until 8 pm, when you can take in the final “Electrical Spectacle” light show of the year. Best of all, this party is free!

Not Your Parents’ New Year’s Eve Party at One Liberty Observation Deck

1650 Market Street

5–7 pm

 

New for this year, One Liberty Observation Deck is hosting a special kids’ party 57 floors above the city (with views of the 6 pm Penn’s Landing fireworks), including a live DJ, balloon artist, face painter, mask decorating station, coloring table, and much more. Each youth ticket (ages 3-12) comes with a party gift bag with party favors, a mask for decorating, and light snacks.

NEST’s Countdown to Noon

Nest Center City, 1301 Locust St.

10 am—12:30 pm

 

Your littlest party-goers (ages 6 months to 6 years) will get their wiggles out with live music and playtime, make New Year’s themed crafts, and enjoy snacks and other activities. At noon, they’ll go nuts with a celebratory balloon drop! This event is free for Nest members if you sign up by December 27! Otherwise, it’s $10 per family (or $25 per family if you’re not a member).

PlayArts’ Countdown to Noon

1241 N. Front Street

10 am—noon

 

Ring in the new year at noon with a balloon drop, dance party, and noise makers! There will be DJ music, playtime, and champagne for the grownups, too! Buy tickets online.

New Year’s Play Day at Smith Memorial Playground

3500 Reservoir Drive

10 am–4 pm

  

 Smith is open for play all day in the playhouse (playground is weather permitting), plus special crafts like fireworks painting and noisemakers throughout the day, and a countdown to noon at the Giant Wooden Slide.

Countdown Concert at Kith + Kin

3060 W. Jefferson St.

11:30 am-noon (open beginning at 9 am for open play, included in ticket price)

 

Rock out with Roots with Ruark as the playspace is transformed into a dancefloor! Kids will get a special New Year’s goodie bag, and grown-ups are welcome to complimentary champagne.There will also be a photo backdrop for sealing in the memories and a super fun countdown at noon. The concert starts at 11:30 but you can come as early as 9 am for open play (included in the ticket price).

Countdown to Noon at Cub Social

2532 S. 13th St.

9 am–noon

 

Ring in the new year with a jam session, light refreshments (including champagne and sparkling juice), open play, and a noon balloon drop!

NYE Family Swim

Fitness Alive, 1425 Arch Street, B Level

11 am– 1 pm

 

Fitness Alive hosts a special pop-up event with two hours of open unstructured swim time for your whole family. At noon, there will be a countdown and balloon drop. Plus, special takeaway gifts for the kids! Advanced sign up is not required, but strongly encouraged to guarantee your entry.

Almost New Year’s Eve Celebration at Palace Rollerskating

11586 Roosevelt Blvd.
2 — 6 pm

 
There’ll be skating, party favors, music, pizza, and more as you skate in the New Year at this old school Northeast institution. There’s also a later (8 pm) party that night for older kids.

New Year’s Eve Family Bash at North Bowl

909 North Second St.

5 — 8 pm

 

Alex and the Kaleidoscope will be rocking out at NoLibs’ North Bowl for the evening! And that is in addition to bowling, games, face painting, balloon art, food, and more! And to close things out, there will be a mock ball drop for all of the kids who won’t be staying up until midnight.

Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve at Bar Amis

4503 S. Broad St.

5–8 pm

 

Bar Amis is partnering with Weckerly’s to create an ice cream-filled New Year’s Eve party everyone in the family can enjoy! Ticket includes adult buffet, kid’s buffet, kid’s drink station, milk and cookies ‘champagne’ toast, activities, games, photo ops, and more! Book online.

New Year’s Eve Kids Karaoke Party at Red Rooster Inn

7960 Dungan Rd.

Noon—4 pm

 

DJ Jamie O’Donnell will be hosting kids’ karaoke from noon to 4pm. There will also be a countdown and apple juice toast at 1 pm and 3 pm. Call for reservations 215-745-1919.

New Year’s Eve Splash at Adventure Aquarium

1 Riverside Dr., Camden
10 am — 6 pm

 

This special extended-hours event invites your family to visit with your favorite sea creatures, get down at a DJ “Shell-ebration” dance party, and then watch the early fireworks display over the Delaware River.

 

Lead photograph courtesy of Please Touch Museum. Please Touch Museum supports the Philly Family Community.