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, one popular destination offers a chaperoned overnight party for the kids, so that parents can have an actual date night out.
Family NYE Party
Where: The HUB, 1289 Johnson Road, Allen, Texas
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024; 5–9pm
Price: Free admission and open seating; $20 to reserve Adirondack chairs, or $100 for 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 on the center lawn during this kid-friendly party. The kids can get dolled up with face painting and glitter tattoos and take advantage of Kids Eat Free meal deals 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
Noon Year’s Eve
Where: Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden at Dallas Arboretum, 8528 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024; 10am–2pm
Price: Included with admission: $3 to children’s garden, plus main garden admission: $22 adults; $13 for children; under 2 free.
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, but your admission is good from 9am–5pm, so stay all day to explore the children’s garden (before it closes for its annual maintenance) and the Holiday at the Arboretum exhibits. Learn more
Family Funkytown
Where: Round Two, 821 West Davis Street, Dallas, Texas
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024; 2–4pm or 5–7pm
Price: $11 admission and activities; free for children 3 and younger
What to know: This retro arcade bar in West Dallas hosts its second-ever 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 a balloon drop. Your admission gets you pizza, a giant glow stick, and freeplay on all arcade games. Learn more
Noon Year’s Eve at FWMSH
Where: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, 1600 Gendy Street, Fort Worth, Texas
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024; 10am–noon
Price: Included with general admission: $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 2025 however you want.
While you’re there, don’t forget to playing in the Wild Kratts: Creature Power exhibit during its last week open. The museum open through 5pm but the Omni Theater is open even later. Learn more
Sci-Tech’s Countdown to Noon Party
Where: Sci-Tech Discovery Center inside Frisco Discovery Center, 8004 North Dallas Pkwy., Frisco, Texas
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024; 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 coding their own clock, metal-stamping a noisemaker, and making your own light-up sparklers. Learn more
Epic Family New Year
Where: Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark, 2970 Epic Place, Grand Prairie, Texas
When: From 1pm on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 to 1am on Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Price: $44, includes parking.
What to know: Meet up with mermaids, watch fire dancers and lots more live entertainment at this indoor waterpark. They’re doing it big for NYE, hosting everything from rubber duck drops (a nod to their mascot, Waddles), offering kids’ crafts, and giving away prizes. Their cafe will be open as usual, but if luau foods sound tempting to you, then you can splurge on tickets for their Hawaiian-inspired buffet available from 5–8pm. Learn more
New Year’s Noon Celebration
Where: The Shops at Highland Village, 1701 Shoal Creek, Highland Village, Texas
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024; 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 and a 360-degree photo booth. 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: Sunday, December 31, 2023; open 10am–5pm
Price: Included with general admission, starting at $26.99 online; children under 3 free
What to know: This always-colorful attraction (especially now during its Colorful Christmas time) cranks up the fun with confetti countdowns and meet the Crayon characters themselves at noon and 2pm. Come join in special New Year’s Eve-themed crafts at the several of its activity stations, including the new Meltdown attraction with melted wax. Learn more
Day 1 DFW
Where: Irving Convention Center, 500 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving, Texas
When: Wednesday, January 1, 2025, from noon–7pm
Price: $15 for adults; free for children age 17 and younger. VIP tickets are $25 for kids.
What to know: Though we might rather enter hibernation on New Year’s Day, alas—our kids keep us awake. For everyone else ready to get the 2025 party started, check out this 10th annual fest benefiting Vogel Alcove, a local nonprofit that serves homeless children and their families. Expect a whole day of kids’ activities and entertainers, topped off with a drone show at 7pm. Learn more
Top photo of the Noon Year’s Eve Celebration, photo courtesy of Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
