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Top New Year’s Eve Activities for Families in NYC, Long Island, & Westchester

Top New Year’s Eve Activities for Families in NYC, Long Island, & Westchester

There are plenty of ways to have fun with your kids on New Year’s Eve in New York to ring in 2022!


It's time to say goodbye to 2021 with your family and ring in 2022 with these New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day activities in NYC, Westchester, and Long Island! And if you want to celebrate at home, check out these 10 ways to celebrate NYE with your family or watch the ball drop in Times Square on TV.  

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Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve 2021 NYC Events

FREE Mozart for Munchkins: New Years Celebration

WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 29, 11:30am 
WHERE: Hudson Yards, 20 Hudson Yards, Chelsea
AGE: All
WHAT: Ring in the new year with live music to keep you moving through 2022.
WANT TO GO? RSVPs are encouraged.

FREE New Year's Family Storytime and Craft

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 30, 11:30am-12pm
WHERE: New York Public Library: Bloomingdale Branch, 150 W. 100th St., Upper West Side
AGE: 18 months to 5 years
WHAT: Enjoy songs, rhymes, and stories, followed by a New Year's Craft!
WANT TO GO? There is a limit of 9 families. Tickets will be distributed at 11am on the day of the event.

New Year's Eve Fireworks Cruise 2021

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 31, 9:30pm
WHERE: Event Cruises NYC, Pier 36, 299 South St., Downtown
AGE: All
WHAT: Board a New Year's Eve fireworks cruise for end-of-year memories with your loved ones. Take photos with the Statue of Liberty as your background, enjoy champagne, and ring in 2022 under the New York New Year's Eve fireworks.
WANT TO GO? Tickets start at $179. Advanced registration required.

FREE New Year's Day Super Hike

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, 10am-12pm
WHERE: Inwood Hill Park, 218th Street and Indian Road, Inwood
AGE: All
WHAT: If your New Year’s resolution is to get healthy, join the Urban Park Rangers on a lengthy hike. Urban Park Ranger hiking guides will introduce you to the hidden gems of New York City. Explore nature, discover the city's urban forests, and unplug from the world to clear your head.
WANT TO GO? Dress warmly, put on your hiking shoes, and head to the park.

Family-Friendly Things to Do in Brooklyn on New Year’s Eve

New York Aquarium Family Camp: New Year's Eve SEAabration

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 31, 9:30-11am
WHERE: New York Aquarium, 602 Surf Ave., Coney Island
AGE: All
WHAT: Bring your crew to Family Camp at the aquarium and enjoy a morning of fun activities and unique animal experiences.
WANT TO GO? $30; $24 members. Advanced registration required.

Noon Year’s Eve Dance Party

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 31, 11:30am-1pm
WHERE: Staten Island Children's Museum, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Building M, Staten Island
AGE: All
WHAT: This special Noon Year’s Eve Dance Party will be complete with party favors and a special countdown! Get your groove on to celebrate the coming new year.
WANT TO GO? Included with $8 admission. Advanced registration required.

FREE First Day Hike

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, 12pm
WHERE: Shirley Chisholm State Park, 1750 Pennsylvania Ave., Brooklyn City Line
AGE: All
WHAT: Start the year off right by joining the SCSP education team for its 3rd Annual First Day Hike! Rain or shine, the hike will be on gravel trails with slight inclines.
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required. Participants should wear close-toed shoes. No pets allowed. Moderate walk, approximately 2 miles.

FREE New Year's Day Hike

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, 11am-12:30pm
WHERE: Prospect Park, Parkside Avenue and South Lake Drive, Prospect Park
AGE: All
WHAT: If your New Year’s resolution is to get healthy, join the Urban Park Rangers on a lengthy hike. Urban Park Ranger hiking guides will introduce you to the hidden gems of New York City. Explore nature, discover the  city's urban forests, and unplug from the world to clear your head.
WANT TO GO? Dress warmly, put on your hiking shoes, and head to the park. 

New Years in Queens: Events for Families

FREE New Year's Day Hike

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, 11am-1pm
WHERE: Forest Park, The Overlook at 80-30 Park Lane, Kew Gardens
AGE: All
WHAT: Urban Park Ranger hiking guides will introduce you to the hidden gems of New York City. Explore nature, discover our city's urban forests, and unplug from the world to clear your head. Join the Urban Park Rangers on this healthy hike of Forest Park.
WANT TO GO? Dress warmly, put on your hiking shoes, and head to the park. 

Kid-Friendly New Year’s Eve 2021 in Westchester

FREE New Year's Eve Glasses

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 30, 4:30-5:30pm
WHERE: Mt. Kisco Public Library, 100 E. Main St., Mount Kisco
AGE: All
WHAT: Get ready to count down to the New Year with festive 2022 glasses.
WANT TO GO? 914-666-8041.mountkiscolibrary.org

FREE Noon Year's Eve Pajama Party

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 31, 11:30am-12:15pm
WHERE: Dobbs Ferry Public Library, 55 Main St., Dobbs Ferry
AGE: 4 and older
WHAT: Don your fanciest pajamas and head on over to count down to mid…day at the library! Attendees will read stories, make party hats, and get ready for 2022.
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required. 

FREE New Year's Day Hike

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, 11am-12:30pm
WHERE: Van Cortlandt Nature Center in Van Cortlandt Park, 246th Street and Broadway, Bronx
AGE: All
WHAT: If your New Year’s resolution is to get healthy, join the Urban Park Rangers on a lengthy hike. Urban Park Ranger hiking guides will introduce you to the hidden gems of New York City. Explore nature, discover the city's urban forests, and unplug from the world to clear your head.
WANT TO GO? Dress warmly, put on your hiking shoes, and head to the park. 



FREE First Day Hike

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, 10:30am
WHERE: Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, 2957 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights
AGE: All
WHAT: Ramble through FDR State Park with your guides Walt and Jane Daniels, for a fun- and fact-filled First Day Hike. Easy 2-mile hike. 
WANT TO GO? No leashed pets. Dress in warm layers with hats and gloves. Meet in the north end of the pool parking lot.

New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day Activities on Long Island for Kids

New Year's Eve Blast Off

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 30, 6-8pm
WHERE: Planet Play, 418 Bedford Ave., Bellmore
AGE: 3-12
WHAT: Blast into NYE with 2 hours of play, $11 arcade card, balloon drop, character appearances, Bingo, glow party and more!
WANT TO GO? $40 per child plus 1 adult; $10 additional adult. Advanced registration required.

FREE New Year's Green Screen Photo Fun

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 30, 11am-4pm
WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood
AGE: All
WHAT: Get ready to ring in 2022 with some green screen photo fun! Drop by the Children's Department with your family to take photos in front of pre-selected festive backgrounds!
WANT TO GO? Green clothing is not recommended.

Fishes & Wishes: Family Friendly New Year's Eve Party

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 31, 6:30-11pm
WHERE: Long Island Aquarium, 431 E. Main St., Riverhead
AGE: All
WHAT: Bring the kids and join the aquarium for this annual celebration! The evening includes a cocktail hour, dessert and ice cream bar, crafts, DJ and dancing, mock midnight toast, and buffet dinner (includes beer & wine)
WANT TO GO? $130 ($117 members); $75 children ages 3-12 ($67.50 members); free for children ages 2 and younger. Advanced registration required.

FREE Early NYE Family Friendly Celebration

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 31, 7-9pm
WHERE: Farmingdale Village Green, 361 Main St., Farmingdale
AGE: All
WHAT: Farmingdale Village is hosting an early, family-friendly New Year's celebration. Ring in 2022 with a ball lighting with live music on the Village Green, weather permitting. Live music by Farmingdale's own Electric Dudes at the gazebo. Bring family, friends, noise makers, pots, and pans. The festivities conclude with the countdown and NYE ball lighting at 8:45pm. Dine and celebrate locally throughout the Village before and after the festivities. 
WANT TO GO? 516-249-0093. farmingdalevillage.com

New Years Eve Kids Bash 2021

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 31, 6-8pm
WHERE: The Color Palette Lindenhurst, 51 W. Hoffman Ave., Lindenhurst
AGE: 5-12
WHAT: Bring in 2022 with style! Painting, piñata, slime, pizza, and more! Parents get a 10-percent discount at local restaurants.
WANT TO GO? $28. Advanced registration required.

Family New Year's Eve Party

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 31, 2-8pm
WHERE: Bayville Adventure Park, 8 Bayville Ave., Bayville
AGE: All
WHAT: Your New Year's celebration includes Santa's Toy Factory Funhouse, the Bayville Holiday Express Train Ride, Holiday Miniature Golf and Lights. Choose from an ice cream party, lunch party or dinner party.
WANT TO GO? Tickets start at $26.95 and $18.95 for children younger than 12. Advanced registration required.

FREE First Day Hike

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, 10am-3pm
WHERE: Jones Beach State Park, Field 10, 2400 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh
AGE: All
WHAT: Help bring in the new year with a free guided Seal Walk! Educators will be in the Field 10 Parking Lot directing folks where to look for seals. Dress for the weather, bring binoculars if you have them, and be prepared to walk along the beach.
WANT TO GO? Meet at Field 10, Energy & Nature Center. For inquiries, please email: [email protected]

FREE First Day Hike

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, 12pm
WHERE: Hallock State Park Preserve, 6062 Sound Ave., Riverhead
AGE: All
WHAT: Join biologists from the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society for the 5th Annual Hallock State Park Preserve First Day Beach Hike, Cold-Stun Sea Turtle Monitoring, and Beach Clean-up. Meet at the Visitor Center for a brief presentation on the four species of sea turtles that frequent Long Island waters and discussion of how we can help them when they become cold-stunned and stranded on local beaches. We will then proceed to the upper parking lot for a 2-mile beach hike on the preserve's beach front, where you will look for turtles and pick up any trash found before it can wash back into Long Island Sound and cause harm to marine life. Refreshments will be available. 
WANT TO GO? Pre-registration is strongly recommended as group size is limited. Call or email [email protected] for more information and to register.

Third Annual Winter Ball

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, 12pm and 2:30pm
WHERE: The Garden City Hotel, 45 7th St., Garden City
AGE: 12 months to 12 years
WHAT: Your little one will step into the fairytale of their dreams surrounded by 7 of their favorite princesses! The Snow sisters and their royal friends are so excited to welcome you to this Third Annual Winter Ball and ring in the New Year with their most esteemed guests. Join the princesses for dancing, crafts, games, story-time, and incredibly Instagramable magic moments! 
WANT TO GO? Tickets start at $47 per child and $12 per adult. Advanced registration required.

Main image by Photographee.eu/shutterstock.com

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Shara Levine

Author:

Shara Levine, originally from Brooklyn, is the Events Manager for NYMetroParents. As a lifelong New Yorker, and mom of four raising her kids on Long Island, Shara knows her hometown well and brings her love of all things fun to NYMetroParents by sharing the best in kid friendly events, festival, concerts, and performances in NYC, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, Westchester, and Rockland. When not helping parents plan their family's day out, Shara enjoys making random Seinfeld references and going on late-night Target runs. 

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