Pre-parenthood, I never would have imagined how satisfying an early-in-the-day New Year’s Eve celebration with an all-ages crew could be. But I am converted—you get to share all the excitement and energy only kids could bring to the party and then enjoy going to bed at a reasonable time, no babysitter required! The best thing? You are ready to face the next morning. We’ve rounded up great ideas to help you and your crew say goodbye to 2024 and welcome 2025 as a family, with celebratory events for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Family activities for New Year’s Eve: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024
New Year’s Eve Countdown at KidsQuest
Date and time: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: $18
The fun starts early and continues all day at Kidquest’s New Year’s celebration featuring activities such as face painting and story time. You have four chances to ring in the new year at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. or 4 p.m.
Fossil Finders: It’s About Time — New Year’s Party
Date and time: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Cost: Included with admission ($22 adult; $14 ages 4-17; ages 3 and younger are free); or membership
Party like it’s 66 million years ago and celebrate the new year with dino-mazing crafts and activities at the Burke Museum. Create a 3D Dimetrodon to take home, make discoveries in the dig pit and join the Noon Year’s Eve countdown and dino dance party.
Noon Year’s Eve Party: Gingerbread Lane
Date and time: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: Included with admission ($18.95; ages 17 months and younger are free); or membership
Welcome the new year with delights along Gingerbread Lane at Hands On Children’s Museum’s Noon Year’s Eve countdown party! Enjoy a ball drop and a bubble dance party every hour. Then, launch a hot cocoa catapult, meet gingerbread fellow, John Dough, skate in your socks, watch wacky science experiments, and get crafty.
Noon Year’s Eve Ball
Date and time: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: $18 non-members; $10 members
It’s a Noon Year’s Eve Ball so dress to impress and head to Seattle Children's Museum to celebrate the end of the year with an epic countdown and ball drop at noon and 2 p.m. The celebration continues with fun engineering marvels including catapults, ball pits, and marble runs.
Noon Year's Eve Balloon Drop
Date and time: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 11 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Cost: $35 non-members; $30 members
Make some noise! This party for kids ages 6 month to 10 years at the My Gym Bellevue location promises to be epic with dancing, games, gymnastics and, of course, a festive balloon-drop countdown to noon. Preregister.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations at local libraries
Date and time: Tuesday, Dec. 31, times vary
Cost: Free
Looking for budget-friendly festive fun? Bring the fam for a grand time marveling at a magic show, making crafts, listening to stories, dancing and counting down to noon at a free New Year’s celebration hosted by local libraries in Covington, Burien and Bothell.
Rockin’ Rockfish Noon Year’s Eve at Seattle Aquarium
Date and time: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 11:30 a.m. –1 p.m.
Cost: Free to stream on the Aquarium’s YouTube channel; included with admission for in-person livestream at the Seattle Aquarium
Join this virtual celebration for a rockin’ good time right in your living room on the Aquarium’s YouTube channel or join the watch party in person at the Seattle Aquarium to meet some of the cast and take in exhibits. Dance to music by Mikey the Rad Scientist, learn about the aquarium’s resident animals and more.
New Year's Celebration
Date and time: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 1–1:45 p.m.
Cost: $25
My Gym in Kent is also ringing in the new year with fun activities just for kids ages 10 and younger. Bubbles, games, gymnastics and a dance party are on tap to get everyone moving.
New Year's Eve Extravaganza at Imagine
Date and time: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 5–7 p.m.
Cost: $35 non-members; $25 members
Party goers are encouraged to come dressed in pajamas for this end-of-the-year bash with a live performance by Harmonica Pocket, circus play zone, nacho bar, dance party, and a ball drop with confetti cannons at 7 p.m.
Forum Social House Candyland New Year’s Eve
Date and time: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 5–8 p.m.
Cost: $25; ages 5 and younger are free
This whole-family New Year’s Eve celebration includes dancing, mini golf, party favors and a countdown celebration at a bedtime-friendly hour of 7 p.m.
Tacoma Light Trail Kick-Off
Date and time: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 5:30–10 p.m.
Cost: Free
The Tacoma Light Trail’s festivities on New Year’s Eve open with a light parade led by a fire-breathing dragon. The celebration continues with live outdoor entertainment at Tollefson Plaza including circus arts, craft stations, dance performances, and more. The light displays stay up 5–9 p.m. nightly, through Jan. 12. Check the events schedule or follow on social media for all of the happenings.
Skate your way into the new year
Date and time: Tuesday–Wednesday, Dec. 31–Jan. 1, times vary
Cost: Varies by location
Close out 2024 or ring in 2025 with a family ice-skating outing. Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink, Oly on Ice, Tulalip Lights and Ice and Snohomish Valley Ice Rink are all open for skating on Tuesday, Dec. 31, and Wednesday, Jan. 1. Hours and prices vary, check locations for specific times.
New Year’s at the Needle
Date and time: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 10 p.m.
Cost: Free
The New Year’s show at the Space Needle, which always promises to dazzle, will be back. Expect to witness hundreds of drones take to the sky and a spectacular fireworks show for this year's pyrotechnic showstopper. Watch in person from the grounds of the Seattle Center or cozy up with the family at home and watch on King 5.
Family activities for New Year’s Day: Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025
Polar bear plunges
Date and time: Wednesday, Jan. 1, times vary
Cost: Varies by location, some are free
For a truly invigorating start to 2025, might we suggest one of the region’s several polar bear plunges? Pick your poison — a brisk dip in Puget Sound or a lake. Even if you can’t stomach a plunge yourself, it’s fun to watch others show their courage. But bring your towel just in case you get caught up in the moment.
First Day Hikes
Date and time: Wednesday, Jan. 1, times vary
Cost: Free
Kick off 2025 with a healthy dose of nature. Several Washington State Parks offer staff-led group hikes and snowshoe hikes on New Year’s Day. (Bonus: Jan. 1 is a state parks free-entry day, too.)
Washington State Parks free-entry day
Date and time: Wednesday, Jan. 1, times vary
Cost: Free
Bundle up and start the new year strolling through an old favorite or new-to-you state park. Jan. 1 is the first of 12 days in 2025 when the Discover Pass parking permit requirement is waived.
