Here are a few ideas to give your kids an age-appropriate good time on New Year's Eve and ring in 2018 in their own special way!
The Chicago Children's Museum is ringing in the new year at noon with their "Noon Year's Eve" celebration... the party is included with the museum admission price. It all starts at 10:30am, with a dance party at 11:30am and the "countdown" to noon! Info here.
Brookfield Zoo's "Zoo Year's Eve" has a live DJ, party favors, games and more in the Holly Jolly Theater with a countdown later at 8pm in the Hamill Family Play Zoo. The party is included with zoo admission. Info here.
First Night Evanston features lots of entertainment and music on stages around Evanston throughout the afternoon (and into the night for bigger kids and grown-ups). The kids' stage has storytellers, jugglers and more at First United Methodist Church on Church Street from 2-4pm. Entry buttons are $10 for the afternoon and you can find all the info here.
Skate your way (indoors) into 2018 with the New Year's Eve Kids' Countdown and Open Skate at the Ice Arena of Oak Lawn Park District. It starts at 10:45am and goes until 1:30pm with a balloon drop at noon, but they recommend getting there early because it's their most popular event of the year. $9 admission, $5 for kids and seniors and $3 skate rental. Info here.
And if you want more ideas, Chicago Parent Magazine has a list of ideas here. Double check all the websites to make sure the event's haven't sold out yet.
Have fun and Happy New Year!