Your kids may be eager to ring in the new year and watch the spectacular fireworks shows, including the annual NYE show over Dallas’ Reunion Tower, but midnight is way past the kids’ bedtime. If that’s out of the question for your family, there’s another way to take part in the revelry. Below we’ve gathered a few of our favorite parties designed for the whole family to experience that same New Year’s energy during the daytime—plus evening events with special entertainment or activities that will dazzle your littles.
Dallas County NYE Parties for Kids
Family-Friendly NYE at Round Two
Where: Round Two, 821 West Davis Street, Dallas, Texas
When: Wednesday, December 31, 2025; 2–4pm or 5–7pm
Price: $12 admission and activities; free for children 3 and younger
What to know: This retro arcade bar in Bishop Arts hosts its annual kid-friendly NYE party—or make that two parties. Choose from either time slot, from 2–4pm or 5–7pm, and at both there’ll be balloon drops. Your admission gets you pizza and freeplay on all arcade games. Learn more
Noon Year’s Eve at the Arboretum
Where: Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden at Dallas Arboretum, 8528 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas
When: Wednesday, December 31, 2025; 10am–1pm
Price: Included with admission: $22 adults; $18 for children; under 2 free (no additional fee for the children’s garden!)
What to know: The children’s garden makes for a beautiful setting for this kid-friendly NYE party. Once you’re inside the gates, head to plaza outside the Exploration Center, you’ll find a bubble dance party going, as well as S.T.E.M.-focused educational activities. The ball drop happens at noon, so make sure to reserve your timed admission. While you’re there, stay to explore Holiday at the Arboretum exhibits in the main garden. Learn more
Epic Family New Year
Where: Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark, 2970 Epic Place, Grand Prairie, Texas
When: On Wednesday, December 31, 2025 starting at 1pm, through 1am that night
Price: Included with general admission from $56; free for children 3 and younger.
What to know: Going swimming isn’t a typical thing to do on New Year’s Eve, but the climate-controlled Epic Waters makes it possible. You can play for hours leading up to midnight, enjoying all their regular waterpark attraction, as well as special entertainment: daredevil circus acts and, as a nod to their mascot, Waddles, Epic a rubber duck drop. Their cafe will be open as usual, or you can splurge on their all-you-can-eat buffet from 5–8pm. Learn more
Glitter Ball Drop at the Aquarium
Where: Children’s Aquarium Dallas, 1462 First Ave., Dallas, Texas
When: Wednesday, December 31, 2025; 10am–2pm
Price: Included with general admission: $14.95 adults; $9.95 children; under 3 free.
What to know: For your nature-lovers, come touch the stingrays from the touch tank and visit all the fish and sharks and glowing jellyfish at this year-round Fair Park attraction. The glitter balloons drop at 10am, noon and 2pm. Learn more
Day 1 DFW
Where: Irving Convention Center, 500 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving, Texas
When: Thursday, January 1, 2026, from noon–7pm
Price: $15 for adults in advance or $25 at the door; free for children age 17 and younger.
What to know: This 11th annual festival doesn’t waste any time getting the 2026 party started. Teenage DJ Sprinkles will spin the tunes while your kids bounce between all the activities: inflatable slides and obstacle courses, rock climbing walls, and more sports and crafts. Admission is free for kids; proceeds benefit Vogel, a local nonprofit that serves homeless children and their families. Learn more
Tarrant County NYE Parties for Kids
Noon Year’s Eve at FWMSH
Where: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, 1600 Gendy Street, Fort Worth, Texas
When: Wednesday, December 31, 2025; 10am–noon
Price: $16 adults; $12 children; under 3 free
What to know: If “strict bedtimes are sacred” rings true for you, check this out. At this kiddie program at the museum, your littles can still get the New Year’s Eve experience—making party poppers and cheering at the confetti drop—but during the daytime, so that at night, they can still get to bed on time and you, parents, are freer to ring in 2026 however you want. this is all included with general museum admission, so while you’re there, stay to play and explore the Barbie and DC Super Heroes exhibits. Learn more
New Year’s Eve at Sundance Square
Where: Sundance Square Plaza, 420 Main St., Fort Worth, Texas
When: Wednesday, December 31, 2025; starts at 5pm
Price: Free admission
What to know: OK, we’re adding an exception here. If you’ve got older kids who you’re cool with staying up and out later, it’s worth the memories to bring them here and witness the fireworks blast off from the rooftops in downtown Fort Worth. Learn more
Collin County NYE Parties for Kids
Family NYE Party
Where: The HUB, 1289 Johnson Road, Allen, Texas
When: Wednesday, December 31, 2025; 5–9pm
Price: Free admission and open seating; or you can reserve Adirondack chairs or a picnic table
What to know: The Swifties in your family will love this one. A Taylor Swift tribute artist is back for a live concert during this kid-friendly party. The kids can let loose on the center lawn and take advantage of Kids Eat Free meal deals (free kids meal with the purchase of an adult meal) all evening. The Family Ball Drop and confetti launch happens at 9pm sharp, then it’s time to whisk them home and off to bed. Learn more
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Sci-Tech’s Countdown to Noon Party
Where: Sci-Tech Discovery Center inside Frisco Discovery Center, 8004 North Dallas Pkwy., Frisco, Texas
When: Wednesday, December 31, 2025; enter at 10am, 11am or noon
Prices: $15 for nonmembers; $12 for Sci-Tech members. Timed tickets required.
What to know: Enjoy electric ball drops at 11am, noon and 1pm, as well as loads of science-focused crafts and activities. Guests can join the countdown by making light-up sparklers and playing “Auld Lang Syne” on a giant floor piano. Learn more
Jazzberry Jammin’ New Year’s Eve
Where: Crayola Experience Plano at The Shops at Willow Bend, 6121 West Park Blvd, Suite A100, Plano, Texas
When: Wednesday, December 31, 2025; activities from noon–4pm, venue open 10am–5pm
Price: Included with general admission: $26.99 online; or $29.99 at the door; children under 3 free
What to know: This always-colorful attraction (especially now during its Colorful Christmas time) cranks up the fun with countdowns at noon and 2pm; meet and greets with Crayon characters themselves at 1pm and 3pm. Come join in themed crafts, like New Year’s crowns, at the several of its activity stations. Learn more
Denton County NYE Parties for Kids
Grandscape’s New Year’s Bash
Where: The Lawn at Grandscape, 5752 Grandscape Blvd., The Colony, Texas
When: Wednesday, December 31, 2025; 6–10pm
Price: Free admission
What to know: This is an evening party but still one that ends long before midnight. Come snap pics of your kids in front of the 2026 photo ops, let them get a face painting or airbrush tattoo, and let loose on the lawn while a live orchestra and a DJ keep the party going. Even though this party doesn’t have fireworks or a balloon drop, it’s still a great spot for free entertainment with the kids, Especially if this outdoor entertainment complex has become one of your go-to stops. Learn more
New Year’s Noon Celebration
Where: The Shops at Highland Village, 1701 Shoal Creek, Highland Village, Texas
When: Wednesday, December 31, 2025; 11am–1pm
Price: Free admission
What to know: Pay attention to the balloons that fall during the balloon drop. There’s something special hidden inside each of them: a prize—or rather, a little piece of paper that tells you what you won. Meet near the Christmas tree for this DJ dance party with more free games and activities, like face painting costumed characters. Learn more
Know of another family-friendly event event we ought to include? Submit it to us here: dfwchild.com/submit-event.
