For those looking for some New Year’s Eve celebrations the whole family can enjoy, the state of Iowa is filled with fun and engaging activities for all ages. Ranging from Noon Year’s Eve parties spread across the state to high-energy burning activities at various ice skating spots and gymnasiums, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the new year in Iowa with style. For some inspiration ideas, be sure to check out these 10 family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebrations in Iowa.
For those with young ones that will be in bed to begin the new year, the Noon Year’s Eve celebration at the Des Moines Science Center of Iowa is the ticket for you. Featuring face-painting, magic tricks, and a massive balloon drop at noon, you can really make a full day out of it by exploring the other daily exhibits offered by the Science Center after the celebration.
Bring on the new year by skating the last night away at Brenton Skating Plaza in Des Moines. Featuring a picturesque city landscape backdropped on top of smooth ice, Brenton Skating Plaza is a quintessential capital city activity, and can provide quite the healthy way of finishing off the old year.
For a family-friendly New Year’s Eve that the whole crew can enjoy, the New Year’s Eve Celebration at the state-run Honey Creek Resort delivers on the fun for everyone. Included with all overnight stays, the New Year’s Eve Celebration at Honey Creek begins early with all day access to the indoor Buccaneer Bay Waterpark, and concludes with a celebration party complete with a cash bar, craft table and festive balloon drop.
For those young tots who want to ring in the new year, the Family New Year’s Eve Party that takes place on Dec. 31 at the Waverly Public Library celebrates the upcoming year early in the day to accommodate bedtimes. Taking place from 2:30-4:30 p.m., the Family New Year’s Eve Party features crafts, activities, readings and a symbolic ball drop to celebrate the upcoming end of the year.
Taking place from 9 a.m. to noon, the Family Noon Year’s Eve celebration at the Family Museum of Bettendorf is perfect for those new to New Year’s Eve celebrations. Featuring noisemakers, activities and a ball drop at noon, after the party, Noon Year’s Eve celebrants have a chance to spend a couple of hours touring the museum. A great way to ring out the last noon of the year, the Family Noon Year’s Eve celebration is a great way to begin fun traditions.
Hosted by the Waterloo Center for the Arts, the Noon Year’s Eve Party in Waterloo provides enough stimulation before noon to ensure some good sleep into the new year. Featuring crafts, activities and a ball drop at noon, the real fun from Waterloo’s Noon Year’s Eve Party comes from interacting with all the other party goers.
View this post on Instagram
Included with the daily admission, the Noon Year’s Eve Celebration at the Iowa Children’s Museum is sure to appeal to anyone who can’t make it to midnight. Featuring plenty of hands-on activities, a passionate staff and a ball drop at noon, after the party, patrons are encouraged to check out the many other kid-friendly exhibits offered by the Iowa Children’s Museum.
If you are looking for a high energy and family friendly event this New Year’s Eve, then the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena is right for you. Featuring an all-night skate complete with music, games and concessions, everyone is the right age to enjoy skating at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. Admission is six dollars at the door and rentals will be available, making it really easy to glide into the new year.
For perhaps a new experience on New Year’s Eve, the Omaka Teca Wacipi New Year’s Eve Sobriety Powwow at the West High School Gym in Sioux City can provide some new perspective to take with you into the new year. Featuring drum circles, authentic wardrobes and over 40 different tribes of the area represented, the Omaka Teca Wacipi New Year’s Eve Sobriety Powwow is open and free to all interested members of the public, and is a guaranteed good time for all those that attend.
To burn off the last of your energy for the year, the New Year’s Overnight Celebration at Kids First Gymnastics is guaranteed to give a good sleep to begin the new year. Open only to young girls who are old enough to tumble on the mats, the New Year’s Overnight Celebration comes complete with games, pizza and snacks, and one of the most fun slumber parties in the state.