Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Kid-Friendly Ways And Places To Celebrate The New Year In North Carolina

Author Phil Harris
There are a handful of places around the Charlotte area that totally have kids in mind with their New Year's Eve celebrations and you don’t even have to wait until December 31st! (Photo by Pahis/iStock via Getty Images)

If you’re looking for fun ways to ring in 2024 with your family, including the youngest members, there are some great kid-friendly ideas floating around. Here are a few that The EveryMom has shared:

  • Create a “Year in Review” slideshow about your family.
  • Set New Year’s resolutions together.
  • Create a family bucket list for 2024.
  • Celebrate with food and drinks like holiday appetizers, desserts, and kid-friendly mocktails.
  • Have a kid centered countdown and recreate the Times Square ball drop.

You can see some more all ages ideas for New Year’s Eve here. Now, if you’re thinking about venturing out for your celebration, there are a handful of places in North Carolina that totally have kids in mind. And you don’t even have to wait until December 31st!

Kid-Friendly New Year’s Eve Celebrations

Northlake Mall is throwing its annual Noon Year’s Eve party on Thursday, December 28th. The kid-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration features singing, dancing, face-painting, balloon twisting, snacks, crafts, and a balloon drop at noon. Sign up for your spot here.

The Union County Public Library will host two Noon Year’s Eve parties. The first one is on Friday, December 29th at the Main Library, 316 East Windsor Street in Monroe. The celebration goes from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and includes K through 5 crafts and a countdown to 2024. The Union West Regional Library at 123 Unionville Indian Trail Road will host its Noon Year’s Eve party on Saturday, December 30th from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Discovery Place Kids in Huntersville and Rockingham are holding their Noon Year’s Eve celebrations on Sunday, December 31st from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Each family will receive a winter-themed book, bookmark, and a noisemaker. There will also be special activities and a countdown to noon featuring a balloon drop. Space is limited. Get ticket info here.

Sea Life Aquarium Charlotte-Concord at Concord Mills has a Noon Year’s Eve Shellabration (Get it?) on Sunday, December 31st from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The party will feature crafts, sparkling juice, live mermaids, and a balloon drop at noon. More details here.

Instead of dropping a ball midnight, the City of Lincolnton uses an apple for their family-friendly New Year’s Eve countdown. Lincolnton’s Apple Drop New Year’s Eve Street Party starts at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 31st at the court house with music, games, and food trucks. The blessing of the city with the Cherryville Traditional New Year Shooters will be at 6:30 p.m. The kids’ countdown happens at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free but you’re encouraged to bring food donations for the pantries at Christian Ministries and Lincoln County Animal Services.

What kid wouldn’t want to ring in the new year at Carowinds? The family-friendly fun of New Year’s Eve at WinterFest begin at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 31st. The amusement park will hold multiple early-evening countdowns for children, as well as the real thing at midnight with fireworks. Tickets start at $32.99.

If your kids can stay awake until midnight, then bring them with you to CLT NYE in Uptown on Sunday, December 31st. The free, family-friendly celebration offers a DJ, live music, the lighting of the Queen City crown, and massive fireworks at midnight. The event starts at 8:00 p.m. at the intersection of Tryon Street and Levine Avenue of the Arts.

Phil Harris is 50% of "Phil & Mel in the Afternoon" on K104.7. He has been with the station since 2013 and on the air in Charlotte since 2000. Before coming to the Queen City, Phil worked for radio stations in Pittsburgh, Austin, and Seattle. In addition to the weekly "Throwback Threesome" music video feature, Phil writes about things that matter to Charlotte sports fans and pet owners. He happens to be both.

Embrace the Unconventional with These 5 Non-Cliché Resolutions

‘Tis the season when many of us craft our New Year’s resolutions, including aspirations such as adopting healthier habits, reducing social media consumption, abstaining from alcohol, and embracing more home-cooked meals. While these goals are admirable, the recurring nature of such resolutions and the common struggle to stick to them is a familiar tale. Whether one opts for one resolution or a collection of them, why not inject a dose of originality by steering clear of clichés?

Why do some people have New Year’s resolutions?

The advent of the New Year presents a blank canvas. It’s an opportunity to rectify past missteps. New Year’s resolutions embody the optimism that the upcoming year will be brighter, symbolizing a departure from the past. Dennis Buttimer, M.Ed., CEAP, RYT, a facilitator at Thomas F. Chapman Family Cancer Wellness at Piedmont, shared his take on the motivation behind making these resolutions. He stated, “I think most people desire a second chance to enhance the quality of their lives,” as shared on Piedmont.org. He mentioned that we are employing a concept known as “self-efficacy.” This concept entails that, by setting a goal and actively pursuing it, we gain a sense of control over the events unfolding in our lives.

How some say New Year’s resolutions started.

While the tradition of formulating New Year’s resolutions has been around for quite some time, it has evolved. According to the History Channel, the ancient Babylonians, credited with pioneering this practice some 4,000 years ago, observed a different commencement of the year in mid-March, coinciding with the planting of crops. Their 12-day religious festival, Akitu, involved the coronation of a new king or the reaffirmation of loyalty to the reigning one. Interestingly, the Babylonians made pledges to the gods, promising to settle debts and return borrowed items. Fulfilling these commitments was believed to garner favor from the pagan deities for the ensuing year.

Back to the present day: if you want to embrace the tradition of New Year’s Resolutions but want to steer clear of the usual ones that people typically lean towards, check out our compilation of non-cliché New Year’s resolutions below.

  • Monthly Foodie Fun

    Spice up your palate by trying a new food each month. Whether it’s exotic fruits, international cuisines, or local foods. This resolution will take your taste buds on an adventure.

    Nice white cream. Cute girl trying fresh cake while sits in the room with beautiful fireplace.

    standret/ Getty Images

  • Gratitude in Writing

    Sending handwritten letters to say thank you is a great way to add a personal touch to your New Year. It’s a chance to swap out emails and texts and give someone something tangible. A tangible note carries a special warmth that words on a screen can’t replicate.

    Student hand writing letter at home in the night

    Pheelings Media/ Getty Images

  • Digital Detox Night

    Unplug and unwind by turning off your phone for one night every week. Enjoy some screen-free time and soak in the real world. It’s a resolution you can treat like a mini digital vacation.

    Woman hand using smartphone to switch off or shut down online and social connection. Business, financial, trade stock maket and social network concept.

    Suwaree Tangbovornpichet/ Getty Images

  • Silent Travels

    Travel somewhere special and savor the experience without the pressure to post. Take a trip without turning it into a social media spectacle. Keep it on the down-low, soak in the adventure, and let your experiences be yours alone. No hashtags needed.

    Happy black woman, desert holiday road trip and man driving jeep with body outside car window view of South Africa landscape. Couple on a travel adventure, summer vacation and explore nature together

    PeopleImages/ Getty Images

  • Celebrate Yourself

    Instead of fixating on future goals, try crafting a reverse bucket list. Jot down and cheer for all the quirky and unexpected things you’ve already accomplished. It’s like a highlight reel of your incredible moments.

    Beautiful African woman throwing confetti and smiling against yellow background

    g-stockstudio/ Getty Images

Sign me up for the K104.7 email newsletter!

Your favorite station is giving you exclusive access to some great content. Become a K 104.7 VIP Member and get exclusive access to music news, contests, quizzes, and MORE!

*
*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Author Phil Harris
Category:
Tags:
,,

More Phil Harris and Melany Myers

Load More