I’m not even bothering to update this post for 2020. Just stay home folks. I’ll see you in 2021.
(But you can go make a cool noise maker here.)
Looking for something fun to do with the kids in St. Louis on New Year’s Eve 2019? Believe it or not, we have a few options for families wanting to ring in the New Year, sans booze and rowdy college kids.
We’re still pretty sad that First Night is no longer a thing in St. Louis, but let’s face it…a non-booze art festival in the middle of winter around here is hit or miss. It was a fun concept, except for all the ice, snow and general freeze-your-booty off temperatures we usually get in St. Louis in December.
New this year is a big party at Union Station! The St. Louis Aquarium opens on Christmas and all the venues will be open for New Year’s Eve.
But don’t worry, we still have a whole bunch of family friendly New Year’s Eve events for you!
Some are free, others will require an RSVP.
NOON Year’s Eve with the Kids
If you don’t want to stay up late with your kids, you can celebrate a “Noon Year’s Eve” and the stroke of NOON on Dec. 31. If your kids are little enough, they’re not even going to notice.
There’s a Noontime New Year’s Eve at The Magic House and another at the Missouri History Museum. Both will have crafts, party hats you can make and a kid dance party. The History Museum event is free and the Magic House event is included with admission.
Early New Year’s Family Parties
Dave & Busters Family New Year’s Bash from 5 to 8 pm; $37 each, RSVP for tickets. Includes appetizer buffet, $30 game card, balloon artist, and DJ. Balldrop and confetti cannon at 7pm.
Loading Dock Balloon Drop on the Ice from Noon to 10 p.m. Countdown at 8 p.m. Welcome 2020 at Grafton’s indoor ice rink as they drop 2020 balloons on the ice. Free to watch, $10.50 to skate. Skate rentals are $5.
New Years Eve at Union Station from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Countdown at 11 p.m. and Midnight. Ride the Wheel, visit the fishies and have a mega shake at Union Station. You’ll want to order tickets online in advance!
A traditional Ball Drop will happen TWICE over the lake, at both 11 p.m. and Midnight.
The St. Louis Aquarium and ropes course will be open until 10pm, while the Wheel, mini golf and carousel will stay open until midnight. The Mirror Maze, Soda Fountain and Train Shed restaurant will stay open until 1 a.m. Ball drop festivities are free.
St. Louis Fireworks Before Bedtime
If you want to greet 2019 with a fireworks show, then you’re in luck! I’ve found at three spots where you can watch fireworks with the kids then tuck them in bed long before Pitbull drops the Big Orange in Miami.
Westport Plaza: 6pm
Free ten minute fireworks at 6pm. Hover around the parking lot for the show, or wander in and get some tacos at Fuzzy’s. Free.
Holiday in the Park: 7pm
Ride out 2019 on a rollercoaster as Six Flags, then stick around for fireworks at 7pm. hosts a stellar NYE party. Tickets are $20.
Kiener Plaza: 8pm
Part of Winterfest, you can catch a free fireworks show near the Arch at 8pm. Ice skating starts at 4pm, plus there will be photo ops with Rapunzel, Spider-Man and their friends. Free.
Don’t Forget the Confetti
Two of my favorite sources for kid crafts have confetti poppers that you can make right now…or while you’re waiting for midnight. Actually, you can fill them with anything light weight if you don’t want to vacuum confetti off your couch. I’ve made the Red Ted popper and they work great with marshmallows! We’ll be making the Kiwi crate popper soon and post the results on Instagram.
Kiwi Craft Confetti Launcher
Paper Cup Party Popper
Make a Count Down Clock
A few years ago Mitch made a huge cardboard countdown clock for our New Year’s Eve celebration. We took pictures on the hour…for some reason his clock only had an hour hand?? Eh, he was 7. It’s a super cute idea for any kid that likes to watch the clock!
You can also make a clock from paper plates and jazz it up with glitter. Buggy and Buddy has a couple cute variations you can check out here.
Netflix Video Countdown
Netflix has once again come through with 14 special countdown timers for cartoon loving kids…that parents can fire up WHENEVER they want the kids to go to bed. You can use if for a Noon Year Eve, or if your little ones can’t tell time, do a countdown at 9pm. Or 8:37. Whatever. It’s there when you’re ready.
For the last five years, an average of 5 million families have tuned into the Netflix New Year’s Eve countdowns! You can find the 2019 countdowns beginning on December 26, by searching “countdowns” on Netflix.