Staying up till midnight sipping champagne with little ones to ring in the New Year isn't always an option, so we're compiling a list of family-friendly New Year's Eve celebrations.
Here's what we've got so far----feel free to add to the list by adding your suggestions in the comment section below.
Patch reader Jacqui Pastoral-Conclara offered this idea:
"Sharing one more place/event here - the Fort McKinley on the border of San Bruno and SSF is hosting a NYE's "WinterWonderWhite" party for only $35 (inclusive of dinner). Kids welcome, too, for only $20. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-McKinley/397682456939657"
And from Half Moon Bay Patch editor Christa Bigue:
Cameron’s Restaurant and Inn in Half Moon Bay (726-5705) will tune its televisions to Times Square for a kids’ countdown at 9 p.m., complete with a piñata. Grown-ups can dance to the rocking Robin Campbell Band from 9 p.m. until midnight, when you can enjoy complimentary champagne. And there will be party favors and hats all evening.
If you're willing to travel to the South Bay:
Noon Year's Eve at the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose Monday, Dec 31, 2012 10:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. Radio Disney will be on site with fun games, cool music, and awesome prizes. Ball Drop 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. Create your own noisemaker, decorate a party hat, make your New Year's resolution, and participate in CDM's "countdown to noon across time zones" with family hugs, noisy celebration, and the Museum's version of the famous Ball Drop in Times Square. Make an international call to your loved ones anywhere in the world . . . for free . . . courtesy of the folks at Metro PCS. And have your family picture taken (for free), while supplies last.
And here are some ideas for those who plan to stay in for the evening from Joanne LaSpina:
Who needs a clock and a ball? It’s New Year’s Eve somewhere, right? If you’re staying at home with the kids, here are some great ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve:
- Get the kids to make confetti early in the day. Supply old newspapers and magazines for them to rip into tiny pieces so the confetti can fly at the stroke of midnight (or 7 p.m. for that matter). If you want some fast and easy confetti, scoop out your paper shredder.
- Make noisemakers.
- Play games. Pull out those family board games or invent some other activities like writing down everyone’s predictions for the new year or making a family time capsule.
- Watch a movie together. I mean for how many hours can you watch "Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve featuring Ryan Seacrest"? If you’re reserving through Redbox, do it early in the day to get your family's first choice.
- Break out the fancy plastic wineglasses and pour in some sparkling cider or white grape juice. Take turns making toasts for the New Year.
However you choose to spend your New Year’s Eve, here’s wishing you a happy and healthy 2013
Happy New Year--now turn off the lights and go to bed EARLY!
