Kid Friendly New Years Activities on the Treasure Coast 2026

New Year with kids can be a funny thing. They want the excitement, the countdown, the sparkle of it all, but most of them are snoring long before the ball is even close to dropping. If you’re in the Treasure Coast and trying to plan a fun, low stress New Years with kids, this guide has some ideas that work for families looking to keep it low stress. Local events, simple at-home activities, and options that don’t involve trying to keep young kids up until midnight.

Why New Years with Kids Feels Different (and Honestly, Better)

As a mom of five, I have learned after years of doing this with my own crew that New Years doesn’t have to look like the movies or a Pinterest board to memorable. Kids don’t care about fancy dishes or sequined clothes. Kids care about being included. They love a countdown, even if it happens at 8 p.m. instead of midnight. Silly traditions will be remembered long after they are grown. They love having a “special plan” for the night.

The ideas below are a mix of local Treasure Coast fun and some at home activities that are easy to pull together. Everything is family friendly and realistic, because the truth is, moms do not need one more complicated project to finalize their year!

Last/First Day Hikes at Local Parks

If your family is the outdoorsy type, last/first day hikes are a great way to end and start the year. Most Florida state parks participate in one, and the Treasure Coast has some beautiful options. These hikes are typically family-friendly, short, and led by park rangers or volunteers. They give kids a chance to burn energy, spot wildlife, and start the year feeling like they did something special. You can visit the Florida State Park official page for a full statewide list of participating parks.

You can make it more fun by bringing binoculars or starting a “last/first animal we see in this year” tradition.

Last Day Participating Parks

New Years Eve Kayak at Richard E. Becker Preserve (8:00am-11:00am) 

Say your quiet goodbyes to 2025 on the water and set your intentions for the New Year on this paddle of the St. Lucie River. Explore the upper North Fork on this relaxing kayak excursion and discover native plants and animals along our journey. All necessary equipment is provided. You are welcome to bring your own boat, paddle, or PFD if you prefer. $20 per person fee.

First day Participating Parks

Annual New Years Day Hike at D.J. Wilcox Preserve (9:00am-11:00am)

– Looking for fresh air, sunshine, and a good leg stretch after the New Year’s Eve festivities?  This is for you!  Our annual New Year’s Day program is time to visit the outdoors, reflect on the past year, and join fellow hikers in a celebration of Nature in 2026.

Noon Year Celebrations at Local Libraries and Museums

Many Treasure Coast libraries and children’s spaces host Noon Year parties, which are perfect for younger kids. These usually include crafts, bubbles, noise makers, and a countdown to noon instead of midnight.

New Year’s celebration at The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast!

Date: Tuesday, December 30th Time: 10 am to 1 pm

Get ready to ring in the “Noon Year” with our Happy Noon Year event! Enjoy a festive atmosphere filled with laughter, joy, and exciting activities for kids of all ages.

Highlights:

Noon Year “Ball” Drop: Experience the thrill as we count down to noon and celebrate the “Noon Year” with a spectacular countdown surprise!

New Year Crafts: Let your little ones unleash their creativity with special New Year-themed crafts.

New Year Themed Food Activity: Create an edible Ball Drop to keep with the theme of the party.

All these fantastic activities are included with general admission, and Members get to enjoy the festivities for free! Nonmembers have the opportunity to purchase admission in advance for a discounted rate of $5 off per person.

Link for advance admission will be posted soon.

Bring the whole family and make lasting memories at The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast. It’s an event you won’t want to miss!

Noon Year’s Eve at Peter and Julie Cummings Library.

December 31st 11:30-12:15

Ring in the year with your children at the Peter and Julie Cummings Library.

Celebrate the New Year 2025 in an exciting Noon Year’s Eve celebration. Join us in the fun, make a craft, practice some cool dance moves and conclude with a countdown to the New Year at noon, rather than midnight. This event is geared for children and their grown-ups.

This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Martin County Library System, Inc.

New Years Day Beach Sunrise (Every coastal city)

You cannot beat a New Years morning sunrise over the Treasure Coast. It feels peaceful and sets a refreshing tone for the day. Even kids who normally avoid morning wake ups enjoy watching the sky change colors while they snack on muffins.

Great sunrise beach spots include:

• Jensen Beach Park
• Hutchinson Island beaches
• Walton Rocks Beach (great if you have dogs)
• South Beach Park in Vero

Bring hot chocolate, donuts, or breakfast sandwiches to make it feel like an intentional tradition.

Fun and easy Kid Friendly New Years Activities to Do at Home

If going out on New Years Eve sounds like a battle you aren’t willing to fight, staying at home can be just as exciting! My kids have loved these simple at home activities more than some events we’ve attended. Most of these need minimal items to purchase.

Early Countdown Bags Kids Actually Get Excited For

Countdown bags are simple and keep kids entertained in hourly segments leading up to the “family countdown” time you choose.

Here’s how to do it:

• Grab 4 to 6 brown paper lunch bags.
• Label each with a time.
• Add one small activity or snack.

Ideas for what to put in the bags:

• Glow sticks
• Stickers
• A quick craft
• Directions for a creative snack (example: ants on a log)
• A small toy

Kids love knowing a surprise is coming every hour. It keeps them from asking, “Is it time yet?”

A “Mocktail Bar” They Can Build Themselves

Set out a few simple ingredients and let kids mix their own drinks. Help them come up with fun names for their new drinks.

Possible add-ins:

• Sparkling water
• Lemonade
• Orange juice
• Frozen fruit
• A scoop of sherbet
• Fun or fancy cups
• Straws

You’ll be surprised how seriously they take this job. My youngest once created something called “Rainbow Bubbles.” It tasted like pure sugar, but the pride was unmatched.

DIY Balloon Drop Using a Plastic Tablecloth

Tape a disposable tablecloth to the ceiling and fill it with balloons. Pull a string to release them at your countdown time.

Tips to make it work:

• Painter’s tape is usually strongest
• Use lightweight balloons
• Test the pull string before the real countdown

Kids go wild for this. It’s a New Years moment without staying up late.

Family Game Night with a Twist

Pick one simple goal for the night like “play one game each kid chooses.” It cuts down the arguments and helps everyone feel included.

Kid tested favorites:

• Uno
• Trouble
• Candyland
• Connect 4
• Charades (no supplies needed)
• Pictionary with a whiteboard
• Bingo with small prizes
• Sequence (great for teens)

If your kids are older, add a “parent vs kids” round. Mine look forward to trying to beat me each year. And they usually do.

Year in Review Interviews

Kids love talking about themselves. This activity is fast and makes a great keepsake.

Ask simple questions like

• What was your favorite memory this year
• What made you laugh the most
• What did you learn that surprised you
• What are you excited for next year

Write their answers in a notebook or look up a printable template. It’s fun to look back on these each year.

Family Vision Board

Instead of resolutions, try a simple family vision board. Nothing fancy, just goals and things you’re excited about for the new year.

All you need:

• Old magazines
• Scissors
• Glue
• Poster board

Kids can cut pictures that represent things like swimming, art, nature walks, or traveling. It turns into a great conversation about what each person hopes the next year will feel like.

Simple New Years Traditions Kids Love

If you want something easy to repeat each year, these traditions are realistic and create a feeling of celebration without any added pressure.

New Years Pajama Photo

New Years Pajama Photo

Line everyone up on the couch in pajamas and snap a quick picture. No need for matching sets if you don’t want to spend the extra money and add the extra stress of finding sets in all sizes. This becomes a fun timeline of how fast kids grow.

Sparkler “Glow Show” Before Bed

Do a quick sparkler moment early in the night. If preferred, glow sticks work just as well and are safer for younger kids.

A ‘Yes Plate” Night

Let each kid choose one special side with their New Years Eve dinner. It can be something silly like chocolate chips, or their favorite chips. Something that would normally never be offered with their dinner the rest of the year.

Tips for a Stress-Free Kid Friendly New Years

A few mom truth reminders that make the night so much easier the older your kids get.

• You do not have to stay up until midnight.
• You can create your own countdown time.
• Kids don’t need fancy decorations.
• Leaving early is still fun if you made a memory.
• Simple activities beat complicated crafts every time.

I always tell friends that a successful New Year with kids is one where everyone feels included, even if the night ends at 9 p.m.

What New Years tradition does your family love?Do you go out or keep it cozy at home?

Share your favorite traditions in the comments below!

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