New Year's Eve Celebrations For Kids (and Some for Parents Too!)

As St. Louisans ring in 2014 your kids can join the party at these New Year's Eve events designed just for the younger crowd. We've even included one event the whole family can enjoy.

And New Year's Eve will be just the start of the celebration for those of us in St. Louis: 2014 is the year St. Louis will celebrate its 250th anniversary. Many special events and activities are planned to commemorate the milestone throughout the year and we'll be writing about many of them, so stay tuned!

• New Year's Eve Lock In at My Handyworks

• New Year's Eve Party at Kidsplay

Parents, make plans for yourselves this New Year's Eve and your kids can celebrate at Kidsplay. The party begins at 5 p.m. and includes pizza, ice cream, games, prizes, party favors and more, and lasts until 1 a.m. The party is happening at both Kidsplay locations - in Manchester and O'Fallon, Mo.

Reservations are required. Call the Manchester location at 636-227-1800 or O'Fallon at 636-379-9494. More information: www.facebook.com/kidsplayfun

• Noontime New Year's Eve at The Magic House

New Year's revelers of all ages (even those with a bedtime!) are invited to ring in the new year a little bit early with a special Noontime New Year's Eve celebration at The Magic House on December 31 from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. Visitors will participate in a variety of traditional New Year's Eve festivities including a countdown to noon with the dropping of a sparkly New Year's Eve ball.

Any New Year's Eve party wouldn't be complete without a dance floor and dancing tunes! Kids can dance the day away, then pose in a photo booth filled with 2014-themed props. Noontime New Year's Eve activities are free with museum admission and no reservations are required. 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at The Magic House in Kirkwood. More information: www.magichouse.org

• New Year's Eve Lock-In at the St. Peter's Rec Plex

Elementary and middle school age kids can ring in the new year in at the St. Peters Rec Plex Lock-in and enjoy swimming, diving, ice skating, basketball, games and more. Plus, they'll ring in the new year with a midnight balloon drop. Bring your own ice skates or rent them for $3/pair. This all-night event is for ages 8-13 and begins at 7 p.m. on New Year's Eve. Pick-up is at 7 a.m. on New Year's Day. Registration is available at the Rec Plex through Dec. 30. The event is free to Gold Plus members and $50/child for the general public. More information: www.stpetersmo.net

• First Night in Grand Center

Grand Center in downtown St. Louis is hosting a family-friendly, alcohol-free New Year's Eve celebration for all ages with activities held indoors and out. Families can see the tumbling athletes of the St. Louis Elite Flyers, watch an Extreme Ice show (fast-paced ice carving to music), as well as watch and participate in numerous art-inspired activities.

Children and adults alike can create their own art, including Meet Me in St. Louis hats, "give the gift of time" boxes, your own First Night buttons, decorating cupcakes and masks and more. There will also be thousands of Legos to build your own one-of-a-kind designs. Stop into the photo booth for a souvenir photo to commemorate the night.

The mission of First Night is to broaden the appreciation of the arts through an innovative, diverse and high-quality program that is accessible and affordable to all. The opening ceremony begins at 6 p.m. with the New Year's Eve countdown beginning at 11:30 p.m. Fireworks top off the celebration at midnight.

Admission in advance is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12 and free for ages 5 and under. You may purchase admission buttons online through Dec. 30 at midnight or at all Dierbergs and Straubs locations, and some Schnucks locations. Admission at the door is $12 for adults, $6 for ages 6-12 and free for ages 5 and under.

More information: www.grandcenter.org

See our Things to Do Calendar for more family fun happening New Year's Day!

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