Celebrating New Year’s Eve Kids Edition: First Night, Holiday Lights and More – Baristanet

Kids love to celebrate New Year’s Eve just like the grownups do, but not every event is appropriate for them. We’ve rounded up some fun family-friendly events everyone can enjoy to ring in 2022!

First Night Morris 2022 Various Locations

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, First Night Morris returns to Downtown Morristown. It will feature 50+ performances and 40+ on-demand films across 15 venues. This event is a family-friendly, alcohol-free, and substance-free celebration and will offer dance, theatre, music (rock, jazz, blues, classical, etc.), visual arts, world cultures, children’s programs, and so much more. For a schedule and to purchase tickets, visit the website.

Crystal Springs Resort (Sussex County, NJ)

The resort offers a variety of family-friendly dinner events with entertainment. Reservations and a 2-night stay are required for all events. Check out the website for specific details.

iPlay America (110 Schanck Road, Freehold)

Enjoy a night of rides, party favors, a live DJ, giveaways and more from 7:30 PM to 1:00 AM. Watch the ball drop and the confetti cannons fire at midnight. Dining options include Miracle at Game Time Bar & Grill and in-park concessions. Party Passes start at $42.99 in advance and $52.99 at the door (toddlers under 36 inches are free). Reservations aren’t required but are recommended.

Bowlero Brunswick Zone Belleville Lanes (679 Washington Avenue, Belleville)

Book a daytime family party package for some bowling fun. Package includes 2 hours of unlimited bowling (shoes included), a kid-friendly signature menu including chips and salsa, cheese pizza, Caesar salad, chicken tenders, French fries and cookies. Packages are available on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day and are $28.99 per person. Book your package online.

Turtleback Zoo Holiday Lights Spectacular (560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange)

This isn’t exactly a New Year’s Eve celebration, but it’s still a fun holiday activity the whole family can enjoy. Take a winter stroll through the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo this holiday season under the sparkling lights of over 50 winter and animal characters. Admission is free but donations of non-perishable food, new toys, and gently used coats are requested Open from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Six Flags Great Adventure (1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson)

Holiday in the Park continues through January 2, 2022, and is a fun and festive way to spend New Year’s Eve with the family. Feel the warmth and magic of the holiday season as you enjoy these elaborately and whimsically decorated sections of the park — each with their own, unique color palette, décor, scents, and sounds! Don’t miss charming photo opportunities around every corner! Tickets start at $24.99.

Stryxe (300 Main Street, Madison)

Stryxe will host two New Year’s Eve sessions. The early evening session will run from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM and the evening session will run from 9:30 PM to 12:30 PM. Each features reserved lanes, three hours of unlimited bowling and unlimited game play, pizza, drinks, and dessert. Guests 21 and over can enjoy a champagne toast while those between 3 and 20 years of age will receive a Shirley Temple. A NYE ball drop simulation will be projected as well. Cost is $295 per lane with a 21% administrative fee.

Sesame Place (100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, PA)

Ring in the new year with Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster and Count von Count, as their music fills the air, and the sky is covered with colorful bursts of brilliance. Fireworks will begin at 6:00 PM. Spend the day at the park enjoying one of the final days of A Very Furry Christmas Celebration.

Story Pirates (Virtual)

Are you looking for a virtual way to celebrate? DJ Squirm-a-Lot is throwing his annual New Year’s Eve Bash, and he wants to celebrate with the whole world! That’s why he’s inviting everyone to his 2022 Bash on the moon, where he can launch a fireworks show so big everyone will be able to see it back on Earth. Join in for fun, games, special guests from the Story Pirates Podcast, and a big New Year’s Eve party that definitely WON’T be interrupted by DJ Squirm-a-Lot’s old nemesis Yorma the Ice Dragon, who is definitely NOT living on the moon now, and definitely WON’T be mad at having her peace and quiet broken by a New Year’s Eve party.  Sign up for just the party or the 3-day Creator Camp to help plan the event. The New Year’s Eve Party Pass (3:00 PM to 4:00 PM) is $15. The New Year’s Eve 3-Day Creator Camp (12/29-12/31; 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM) is $75. Learn more on the website.


Know of a local, family-friendly event we should include? Email us at tips@baristanet.com.

Click here to sign up for Baristanet’s free daily emails and news alerts.