Let’s ring in the New Year with our kids!
If you are someone who wants to go out or if you prefer to stay home, we’ve got you! The wonderful thing about celebrating the New Year is that there are no rules. There is just the feeling of rejuvenation and celebration. Let’s kick off 2026 with positivity and happiness!
Out & About
For those with youngsters who can’t stay up until midnight, consider celebrating Noon Year’s Eve. This means you count down until 12 pm instead of midnight so that everyone can join in the festivities. This helps avoid meltdowns or major routine changes. There are quite a few daytime events happening in and around Albuquerque.
Extraordinary Noon Year’s Eve Party | December 27 at 11:00 a.m.
Dress up as your favorite superhero, enjoy themed activities, and count down to noon with a balloon drop at Esther Bone Memorial Library in Rio Rancho.
ABQ Public Library Events | December 31
- Decorate a party hat at the Central & Unser branch from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Create the most colorful slime that 2026 will see at the San Pedro branch from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Join a New Year’s Eve party for kids under five years of age at the Taylor Ranch Library from 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Balloon Museum New Year’s Before Dark | December 31 at 10:00 a.m.
Participate in New Year-themed activities at the Balloon Museum to include a photo booth, creation station, storytime with dogs, and food trucks.
Explora Noon Year’s Eve | December 31 at 10:00 a.m.
Come celebrate the New Year at Explora with a balloon drop for the whole family at noon!
Jungle Jam Noon Year’s Eve | December 31 at 10:00 a.m.
A red carpet event with music, dancing, food, a video booth, arts and crafts, and a balloon drop at noon. Rumi, Cinderella, and Spider Man will make appearances, too!
Liv and Mimi’s Play Cafe | December 31 at 11:00 a.m.
Countdown to noon with balloons, bubbles, and an open play session at Liv & Mimi’s.
Albuquerque Museum New Year’s Eve Before Dark | December 31 @ 11:00 a.m.
Enjoy hands-on events, music and dancing, and a countdown to noon at the Albuquerque Museum.
Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve at Sawmill Market | December 31 at 4:00 p.m.
Enjoy music and dancing, grab a bit to eat, and celebrate with a balloon drop at Sawmill Market.
Skidmore’s Holidays Bowl NYE | December 31
Skidmore’s has a whole line-up of fun events. From Noon Year’s Eve for the littles to a New Year’s Eve party with bowling, music, and raffles for the late-night crowd. Check out the details here.
Santa Fe Children’s Museum Noon Year’s Eve Celebration | December 31 at 10:00 a.m.
Celebrate with festive and educational activities, plus a balloon drop at noon.
Kelly Jo’s Design By Wine | December 31 at 6:30 p.m.
Get your creative juices flowing at Kelly Jo’s Design by Wine NYE Blacklight Acrylic Pour Party
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Stay Home
If braving crowds and dressing up doesn’t sound enjoyable, keep the festivities at home. You can make this a celebration of any size for all ages. Host your own Noon Year’s Eve party and invite friends and family. For the older kids, throw a family-friendly New Year’s Eve bash. Or, stay in your pajamas for family game night as you watch the Times Square Ball Drop. Here are some other fun ideas for celebrating at home . . .
- Movie marathon – for a twist, have a popcorn bar where the kids can add their own flavors or candies to their popcorn bowl.
- Activities by the hour (put activities in bags that are opened on the hour until midnight) – activity ideas could be playing a video game, writing down resolutions, singing karaoke, etc.
- Special drinks – make holiday-themed mocktails for the kids with something special for adults if they would like.
- Special foods – set up an ice-cream sundae bar, s’mores bar, chocolate fountain, or kid-friendly charcuterie boards.
- Dance party – this is my mom’s favorite activity . . . she brings out the disco ball and turns the volume up for an at-home family dance party!
- Arts & crafts – DIY party hats, confetti poppers, noise makers, or ribbon wands to celebrate the countdown to midnight (or noon).
- Fireworks – NYE is full of new and sparkly things, which could include sparklers and fireworks for you and your neighbors.
- Wishing tree – write down all of your hopes, dreams, wishes, and goals for the new year and hang them in a homemade tree or one you have in your yard.
- Glow party – throw a family-friendly rave at home by decorating shirts with glow paint and dancing the night away under a black light.
- Puzzle – for a quiet night in, complete a puzzle with the family.
- Snowball fight or Nerf war – my kids could spend all night throwing our reusable snowballs at each other or creating barriers to dodge Nerf gun ammo (Mom Tip: Don’t have snowballs? Use marshmallows instead)!
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Being present and having fun is the best advice I have for saying goodbye to 2025 and celebrating the start of 2026!
Regardless how big or small your celebration is, your family will remember the feeling of excitement and the rush of happiness.
I am wishing you and your family a year filled with memorable moments to be cherished for a lifetime.
