Hold the champagne: New Year's Eve events for the whole family
Just because your kids are likely to be snoozing by midnight doesn't mean you can't share some New Year's Eve excitement with them. Parties throughout the Chicago area offer entertainment, snacks, early countdowns and other treats for families celebrating the end of 2009. Have older kids? A drop-off bash lets them celebrate, while you spend the night out worry-free.
Bubble Bash at DuPage Children's Museum
Info: 301 N. Washington St., Naperville, (630) 637-8000, ext. 0, dupagechildrensmuseum.org
Time: 9 a.m. to noon
Price: $15-$20
The eighth annual party at DuPage Children's Museum is expected to bring in about 900 people, though with activities spread over three floors it usually only feels crowded at the noon countdown. Families can take a picture in front of a bubble backdrop, watch music and dance performances from Jeanie B and catch a show featuring amazing feats of bubble making from Geoff Akins. Kids can decorate cookies and make their own crowns, noisemakers and bubble wands to take home.
"We try to make anything that we do be a playful learning experience," said Alison Segebarth, director of marketing and membership. "You don't know that you're learning when you're having fun here."
Family New Year's Eve Party at Pavilion
Info: 1000 Wellington Ave., Elk Grove Village, (847) 437-9494, elkgroveparks.org
Time: 3 to 6 p.m.
Price: $5-$8
The Elk Grove Park District's annual bash has brought out about 500 people in years past, giving kids the chance to countdown to a 6 p.m. balloon drop. The party includes swimming, ice cream sundaes, a DJ, a play area, a carousel and goody bags, which include noisemakers for the countdown.
Gamin' Eve Bash at Gameworks
Info: 601 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg, (847) 490-7020, parkfun.com
Time: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Price: $35
The Schaumburg Park District rents out Gameworks for a lock-in party for 11- to 15-year-olds. The celebration includes unlimited games, soft drinks and a buffet of chips, salsa, mozzarella sticks, chicken tenders, pizza and desserts. For a midnight toast, kids get a glass of sparkling grape juice or cider. Parents must sign their kids in and out.
Navy Pier's Family New Year's Eve Bash
Info: 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, (312) 595-7437, navypier.com
Time: 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Price: Free
Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier offers special New Year's Eve hours and activities. View hundreds of decorated trees and warm up with indoor ice skating. Starting at 6 p.m., you can catch performances from hip-hop dance groups the FootworKINGz and the Full Effect Dance Theatre, rock band the Goblins and the Pink Panthers World Championship Double Dutch jump rope team. The evening ends with an 8:15 p.m. fireworks show.
New Year's Eve at SciTech
Info: 18 W. Benton St., Aurora, (630) 859-3434, scitech.mus.il.us
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Price: Free with regular admission; $8, $7 for seniors, free for kids younger than 4
Along with exploring the hands-on science museum's regular attractions, kids can make their own hats and noisemakers and watch an explosion-packed science demonstration at 2 p.m. Everyone joins in for a countdown to a big confetti shower at 3 p.m.
New Year's Eve Party at Wonder Works
Info: 6445 W. North Ave., Oak Park, (708) 383-4815, wonder-works.org
Time: Noon to 5 p.m.
Price: Free with regular admission; $5, free for kids younger than 1
Kids can countdown the end of every hour from 1 to 4 p.m. and learn about how other countries around the world are celebrating New Year's Eve. Along with the regular museum activities, kids can make their own noisemakers and hats, play carnival-style games and graze on a buffet featuring sparkling cider, fruits and vegetables.
Rockin' and Ringin' in New Year's Eve
Info: Naperville Central High School, 440 W. Aurora Ave., Naperville, (630) 355-4141, downtownnaperville.com
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.
Price: Free
Festivities start at 6 p.m. at Naperville Central High School, though if you want to catch an early dinner, you can take a trolley ride from the downtown area. Radio Disney provides music for kids to dance to and festivities also include prize giveaways and crafts. At 8 p.m., the crowd heads over to the Carillon for a countdown, light show and free refreshments. The sled hill will be open if there's snow.