New Year's Eve 2012 Celebrations on Long Island for Kids and Families

Don't let the fact that you're a family gal or guy now stop you from partying like it's 2013! There are lots of of NYE events around the Island for families. Or you can just throw your own family New Year's Eve party. Recently, we had a New Year's Eve dance party for our young kids at home, complete with noisemakers, hats, a countdown to "midnight" (at 8pm), and a sparkling-cider toast. A great time was had by all! If you want to save yourself the work, though, consider one of these parties. Or check out the family-friendly activities going on in New York City.

Countdown to '13
Long Island Children's Museum
Garden City
12–4pm
Free with museum admission
Celebrate the New Year with Lucky Number 13. The activity-filled day will include live music, a dance party, a ball drop and an opportunity to learn about all things lucky. 

Family New Year's Eve Ice Cream Party
Bayville Winter Wonderland 
12:30–2pm
5:30–7pm
$14.95–$21.95 Lunch $17.95-$24.95 Dinner
Celebrate New Year's Eve with the fam at Bayville Winter Wonderland with either a lunch or dinner party. The packages include pizza, burgers, and chicken fingers; a make-your-own sundae; party favors and balloons; holiday characters; a New Year's countdown with champagne for adults and sparkling cider for children; plus admission to Santa's Toy Factory Fun House; the Holiday Express Train Ride; and the Yo Ho Holiday Light Show.

Family New Year's Eve Party
Bayville Winter Wonderland
1–3pm
6–8pm
$16.95–$26.95 Lunch $19.95-$29.95 Dinner
Celebrate New Year's Eve with the fam at Bayville Winter Wonderland with either a lunch or dinner party. The packages include a three-course meal, party favors and balloons, holiday characters, a New Year's countdown with champagne for adults and sparkling cider for children, plus admission to Santa's Toy Factory Fun House, the Holiday Express Train Ride, and the Yo Ho Holiday Light Show. 

Family New Year's Eve Party
United Skates of America 
Seaford
6:30–9:30pm
$20
Celebrate the New Year with a skate party! Price includes admission, skate rental, unlimited pizza and soda, chips and pretzels, 10 game tokens, a light rope necklace, and a countdown to the "New Year." 

Fishes & Wishes Family New Year's Eve Event SOLD OUT
Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center 
Riverhead
6:30–9pm
$39–$85
Your whole family can ring in the New Year with an evening that includes a champagne-and-sparkling-cider greeting, a cocktail hour, dinner buffet, dessert-&-ice-cream bar, a mock-midnight champagne & cider toast, and live DJ and entertainment. 

Kids can enjoy their very own Winter Wonderland, which includes unlimited Submarine Simulator rides, animal encounters, Ray Bay feeding, face painting, crafts, and more. Add $159 to the ticket price and stay the night at the brand-new Hyatt Place East End, which includes a bottle of champagne and Continental breakfast. 

Let's Celebrate the New Year!
Maritime Explorium
Riverhead
1–5pm  
$5
Kids can make their own Times Square–style New Year's Eve ball out of marshmallows and gumdrops. 

New Year's Eve Extreme Bowling
Bowl Long Island
Patchogue
4–8pm
$20–35
Celebrate the New Year with the family with four hours of extreme bowling, included shoe rentals, party favors, a celebratory toast, and a full buffet. 

New Year's Eve Party
Safari Adventure
Riverhead
5–8pm
$10–$16
It's a New Year's Eve dance party for the kiddies! Party includes noisemakers, hats, glow sticks and necklaces. There's a balloon drop at "midnight" and a New Year's cake. 

Noon Year's Eve
Seriously Spoiled
11am–1pm  
$34.95
Let your girl party and get pampered to celebrate the New Year. This girls' spa is offering a pizza dance party with unlimited sparkling pink lemonade, as well as a mini mani with New Year's Eve nail art; hair and makeup, including an Eye Kandy glitter makeover; giveaways; and a countdown to noon with balloons and noisemakers. 

NYE Matinee
300 Long Island
Melville
3–6pm
$21–$25
The family bowling party package includes shoe rental and unlimited bowling, a pizza buffet, party favors, and a sparkling-cider toast.