I know! It’s not even Christmas, how dare I write about New Year’s Eve?!
Well, I’m a planner. It’s around the corner.
New Year’s Eve means something a little different when you have kids. It means you can’t stay up too late with the bubbly because kids never sleep in. Never.
Fortunately, there are plenty of places around Omaha that understand our needs. We want to have fun, but we have these kids that depend on us, so our fun has to be in the daytime. And it has to be kid-friendly.
Fun things to do on New Year’s Eve in Omaha with kids
Noon Year’s Eve
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St.
What: Live music, special crafts and activities. Ring in the “noon year” in your handmade party hats while enjoying the celebratory bubble wrap stomp and the spectacular balloon drop at noon in the Suzanne and Walter Scott Great Hall.
Cost: Museum admission is $9, adults; $7, seniors (62+); $6, children (3-12); FREE for members and children 2 years and under
Ring In The New Year At Omaha Children’s Museum
When: 10 a.m.to 4 p.m.
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St.
What: Enjoy New Year’s Eve themed crafts, science shows, dance party and final countdown into the New Year at 3 p.m.
Cost: Museum admission is $9 for adults and kids; $8 for seniors; FREE for members and children under 2.
Noon Year’s Eve
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, 3701 S. 10th St.
What: Entertainment from Joe Cole’s Magic Show, fun activities and an early countdown to 2015 complete with a beach ball drop at noon.
Cost: Zoo admission in the winter is $13.50 for adults (12 and over); $12.50 for seniors (65+) and military adults (12 and over); $9, children (3-11); $8, military child (3-11); FREE for members and children 2 and younger)
ConAgra Foods Ice Skating Rink
When: 1 to 5 p.m.
Where: ConAgra Foods Campus, 10th and Harney streets (outdoors)
Cost: $5, includes skate rental (admission is still required for patrons who bring their own skates) and benefits Food Bank for the Heartland. Kids under 5 skate FREE.
Family Canvas
When: 3 to 5:30 p.m.
Where: Village Canvas & Cabernet, 6457 Frances St., Suite 180
What: This is a family-friendly paint class where participants paint an upside down snowman. For ages 6+.
Cost: Adults, $35; child (6-14), $25 and includes all supplies
Holiday Lights Festival’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular
When: 7 p.m.
Where: From Gene Leahy Pedestrian Mall
Cost: FREE
And if you still feel like celebrating on New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day fireworks and holiday lights finale
When: Jan. 1, 7:20 p.m. (Holiday Lights Spectacular starts at 7 p.m., fireworks begin immediately after that concludes)
Where: Turner Park at Midtown Crossing, near 33rd and Turner streets
Cost: FREE