New Year’s Eve in Des Moines with Kids 2023
If you are a parent, celebrating New Year’s Eve celebrations may look a little different now with kids. Des Moines, Iowa, and several surrounding communities offer fun events and activities to do as a whole family. Check out all the fun planned and gather some ideas to plan your own New Year event to celebrate the end of 2023.
Keep checking back! We will be adding more events and activities as they are announced throughout the month.
Events happening around Des Moines
New Year’s Family Kits
Urbandale Parks & Recreation
Register by December 23
The countdown to 2024 has begun! What better way to ring in the New Year than having fun with the family? The Urbandale Parks and Recreation department is here to help! With our New Year’s Family Kits, you can have fun in the comfort of your own home. For just $30, you will get all the supplies needed to welcome in 2024. Our kits offer masks, hats, noise makers, snacks, and activities for the whole family to be a part of! If your New Year resolves to spend more time with family, then this is perfect for you. Reserve yours now.
It’s Not A New Year’s Eve Party!
Franklin Avenue Library
December 29
10 a.m. to 5 p.m
It’s not a New Year’s Eve Party but come and join us in the children’s area for some crafts and activities to get ready for that special night. All ages are welcome!
New Year’s Eve Bash
Iowa Wild
December 30 at 6 p.m.
Ring in the new year early with the Iowa Wild as they host the Colorado Eagles for our New Year’s Eve Bash, presented by Greater Des Moines Partnership. Don’t miss out on our post-game fireworks show! The Isiserettes will be playing on the concourse for their Coca-Cola Local Concert Series.
Noon Year’s Eve Dance Party
Urbandale Public Library
December 30
11 a.m. to Noon
Not sure you can make it to midnight on New Year’s Eve? Celebrate the day before at the library!
They will have crafts, dancing, balloons, bubbles, and glow sticks to make this a-rockin’ good time for the whole family! At noon they will have the fire department drop a disco ball so you can sharpen our count-down skills! Registration is appreciated but not required. All children under 10 must be supervised by an adult.
NYE Toddler Prom
East Side Public Library
December 30
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Get your fancy clothes out and join the East Side Public Library to celebrate the New Year with a Toddler Prom! Join them for a noon balloon drop, take pictures at our selfie station, and dance to music! Registration is required.
Noon Year’s at Noon
The Playground for Kids
December 30 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Playground for Kids invites you to join them during open play on Saturday, December 30th for our New Year’s balloon drop celebration. They will be extending open play to 12:30 as they will drop over 1,500 balloons in both of their playrooms at NOON! You won’t want to miss it!! *Included with regular admission prices.*
Noon Year’s Eve Children’s Balloon Drop
Holiday Hullabaloo
December 31
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Ring in the New Year with all your favorite Holiday Hullabaloo characters! Everyone will have the opportunity to make their own New Year’s Eve head gear with a little help from the Holiday Hullabaloo Elves. Magician Johnathan May will be on hand to amaze, and there will be plenty of GIANT party games, including Chess, Jenga, Connect 4, and Tic Tac Toe.
Plus, so much more!
- Music
- Lighted dance floor
- Noisemakers
- Confetti drop
- Balloon drop
They will serve kid-friendly NYE drinks and treats, and provide goodie bags for all kiddos in attendance. Visit online for complete activity details!
Noon Year’s Eve at Pump It Up
December 31
10:30 a.m. from 12:30 p.m.
Need a family-friendly New Year’s celebration to bring you into 2024 with style? Look no further than Pump It Up’s Noon Years Eve party! Noon Year’s Eve includes jumping, sliding, racing, and more. At the end, there will be a massive Glow in the Dark Balloon Drop. We will hand out noise makers, and hats and do a big countdown.
Registration is strongly suggested, as this is normally a sold-out event. Everyone will need socks and a waiver to play. You must be 34″ tall to play on the inflatables. $15 if preregistered $20 at the door. Adults are FREE. Register online here.
Noon Year’s Eve at Paws & Pints
December 31
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Noon Year’s Eve Ball Drop Bash! Join them for Chambong specials, tasty bites, and our exclusive Ball Drop at noon, where you could WIN a lifetime membership! Grab your pup, put on your festive gear, and experience the ultimate midday celebration before heading out on the town to ring in 2024.
Kid’s Noon Year’s Eve Party
Pathway Church – Johnston
December 31
10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Bring the kids to celebrate and count down the new year! Come at 10:30 AM to enjoy carnival games, play LASER TAG, make fun crafts, eat yummy snacks, and join the dance party as we bring in the new year (12 hours early)!
Countdown to Noon
Warrior Lanes
December 31
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Countdown to the “noon” year at Warrior Lanes with a special Noon Year’s Eve party! Enjoy glow-in-the-dark bowling, concert lights, and black lights. Prices start at $65 per lane and include 2 hours of bowling, shoe rental, large 1-topping pizza, and soda.
Noon Year’s Eve
Science Center of Iowa
December 31
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Join the Science Center of Iowa for activities, experiences, and an official countdown at noon with their infamous balloon drop to celebrate the new year. Activities are included with general admission. Tickets are limited, so we recommend reserving in advance. Purchase tickets here.
New Year’s at Noon
Des Moines Children’s Museum
December 31
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Celebrate New Year’s at noon instead of midnight! Create a noise maker, have a cotton candy treat, and take part in an apple juice toast when we count down to noon. All regular exhibits will be open. Admission: $10 for ages 1 – 10, free for infants, adults, and members.
2024 NYE Kids Pool Party
Hotel Renovo
December 31 – January 1
Dive into the New Year with Kids Pool Party & Movie Night! Free showings of Beauty and the Beast (7 PM) and The Lion King (9 PM) in Media Salon A. Gift bags with chips and salsa, candy, and popcorn (1 per room). Extended pool hours: 1 AM-11 PM for kids | 11 PM-12 AM Adults only. Complimentary New Year’s Day Breakfast Buffet | 7 AM – 11 AM. Book your room here.
Parent’s Night Out
West Des Moines RecPlex
December 31
4 to 10 p.m.
Join West Des Moines Parks and Recreation for a very special version of Parents’ Night Out to close out the year 2023! These extended hours will allow parents to take a little more time to close out the year while their kids are having the time of their lives with them! They will be having an early balloon drop, fun NYE-themed activities and crafts, a glow-in-the-dark dance party, open playtime, snacks, and of course a pizza party. $35 per person. Register before all spots are filled.
SpareTime
Ring in the New Year with games, lanes, food, and fun! They are welcoming 2024 with epic celebrations all day and night long. Their family-friendly events are unforgettable and fun for both kids and adults. Or, celebrate After Dark at our late-night party! Take a look at all the details.
Other activities to celebrate the end of the year!
Ice Skating
Lace up your skates and close out the year ice skating in one of many spots in the Des Moines area.
BONUS! Happen to have a sitter and looking for a date night idea? Check these things out! This may be a great option for the older kids in your life.
New Year’s with Sam & Adam’s Dueling Pianos
Revel Hotel
December 31
Ring in the New Year with Sam & Adam’s Dueling Pianos at The Rewind Hotel! Special packages are available and include a hotel room, buffet-style dinner from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Entertainment by Sam & Adam’s Dueling Pianos from 9 PM to 12:30 AM, champagne toast celebration at midnight, and complimentary continental breakfast. Book your room!
Silver Bell NYE Soriee
Holiday Hullabaloo
December 31
8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Enjoy Light Horderves, Live Entertainment, Dancing, and Cash Bar, all within the magic of Holiday Hullabaloo. Bring your friends and have a snowball fight in the largest indoor snowball fight arena in the state. Learn more and purchase tickets.
