Celebrate New Year's Eve in Pittsburgh with the Kids

December 31 is a day of celebration. It marks the final day of the calendar year and means a new chapter in our lives is right around the corner. Are you in search for fun and creative New Year's Eve kids activities in Pittsburgh? Learn more about kid-friendly New Year's Eve events in the Steel City and other ways to end 2016 on a high note.

Slumber Party 

One of the most popular New Year's Eve party ideas for kids is a slumber party! Holding a sleepover party allows the kids to ring in the new year with their friends without trying to arrange parent pick-ups after midnight. Help the kids celebrate in style in by decorating your house with New Year's Eve banners, balloons and confetti. 

Mock Countdown 

If your kids can't stay awake until midnight, celebrate New Year's Eve by having a mock countdown at a different time of the day. Follow a different time zone or simply change the clocks so they strike 12 earlier in the evening. Netflix and many children's web sites also offer a special countdown clock just for kids so that you can celebrate "midnight" at any time. These mock countdowns are a relatively new New Year's Eve kids activity, and can be a lot of fun. 

Resolution Tree 

Another set of New Year's Eve crafts for kids that is growing in popularity is transforming your Christmas tree into a Resolution tree. This activity is fun for the whole family and turns the hassle of taking down the decorations into a memory your loved ones will cherish. On New Year's Eve, enlist your family members to help pack away the ornaments on the Christmas tree. Then ask each of them to write their New Year's resolutions on small note cards or paper and hang them on the branches. Suggest resolutions that are family-oriented such as eating healthy and spending more quality time together. For an example on a Resolution tree, check out Feel Good Style's blog. 

Game Night 

Need more New Year's Eve party ideas for kids? How about a game night? Family favorites such as charades and Pictionary will help keep your family entertained while ringing in the New Year. You can also play New Year's Bingo by using this printable game board and bingo cards. Take turns calling out the objects on the cards and keep track of all the fun things on your game board. 

Noisemakers 

Create simple, homemade noisemakers with your kids to celebrate New Year's Eve in Pittsburgh. Use items around the house such as paper plates, glue and confetti to help you craft. For maximum noise, include small bells, rice or beads in the noisemaker. Take a look at an example provided by Teaching Mama. 

Time Capsule 

This simple DIY project  will help you and your family make a lasting memory. Using art supplies, have your kids decorate an old shoe box. Gather photos taken from this year and write down accomplishments, successes and favorite memories together that happened in 2016. Bury or store it in a safe place and wait patiently until next year to open it and relive all the joys that the year brought.

New Year's Eve Family Celebration at Phipps Conservatory 

What's more Pittsburgh New Year' Eve than a trip to Phipps Conservatory? Especially if your children aren't old enough to stay up until midnight, this kid-friendly New Year's Eve activity offers the perfect early countdown event to celebrate 2017. Beginning at 6 p.m. on December 31, Phipps will host a variety of activities for children and will welcome in the New Year at 8:45 p.m. 

New Year's Eve Celebration of Conley Resort 

Conley Resort offers a unique family package for New Year's Eve and Day that includes one night of lodging, dinner buffet, breakfast buffet, use of the pool and water slides, DJ entertainment, hats and noisemakers. Celebrate the New Year with loved ones at this kid-friendly New Year's Eve event not too far from home. 

We at Kennywood would like to wish a Happy New Year to all of our guests and team members. As we close out another successful year, highlighted by the restoration of a beloved attraction, we would like to thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you in 2017 as you make new memories with us!