As a parent of two, I’ve learned that hard way that New Year’s Eve is no excuse for keeping the kids up past bedtime. Lucky for us locals, the St. Pete-Tampa area has plenty of kid-centric celebrations to help you toast to 2025 while still getting the kids to bed on time. Here’s a roundup of the best daytime parties and early evening New Year’s Eve outings in the area!
Follow along on instagram at @SunshineCitywithKids for more family friendly events, activities, and experiences in St. Pete and beyond!
- New Year’s At Noon at Great Explorations Children’s Museum
Kick off 2025 with family fun at Great Explorations Children’s Museum, where kids can make party hats, noise makers, and wish bottles before the big noon countdown. Enjoy confetti explosions, interactive games, and a disco dance party. Tickets are $12 for members and $18 for non-members. - Downtown Countdown at Glazer Children’s Museum
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with themed crafts, balloon drops on the hour, and a global countdown experience at Glazer Children’s Museum. This event runs from 9:30am-3pm and is included with regular museum admission, giving families a full day of festive fun before the evening. - NYE at the St. Pete Pier
Head to the St. Pete Pier for the area’s largest fireworks display, live DJ performances, food vendors, and games starting at 8pm. The event is free, and you can enjoy the festivities until 12:30am—perfect for families looking to experience the excitement with or without the late-night. - Noon Year’s Eve at Playgrounds of Tampa
Celebrate at Playgrounds of Tampa with inflatables, crafts, and a balloon drop at noon. This family-friendly event, held from 9am-2pm, offers a great way to jumpstart your New Year with fun and a raffle for the kids. Admission is $16.95 for children ages 3+. - Pint Sized New Year’s Eve Party at Central Park Performing Arts Center
Join the Pint-Sized New Year’s Eve Party for little ones (ages 7 and under) at the Central Park Performing Arts Center in Largo. With music, games, crafts, snacks, and a countdown celebration, this fun event runs from 10:30am-12pm. Registration is required by December 27. - Noon Year’s Eve Celebration at Armature Works
Head to Armature Works for a noon countdown celebration with a daytime smoke fireworks display, crafts, and bounce houses. This free event runs from 11am-3pm, and while most activities are free, face painting and certain attractions require a small fee.
- Noon Year’s Eve Countdown at Sky Zone Clearwater
Jump into the New Year at Sky Zone Clearwater with a noon countdown, trampoline fun, and a confetti drop. The event runs from 10am-6pm, and for just $25, kids can jump all day, making it an active and festive way to ring in 2025. - Family Friendly New Year’s Eve Skate at Astro Skate Pinellas Park
Celebrate with roller skating fun at Astro Skate, where parents skate free with a paid child admission. The event runs from 8:30pm-12:30am, offering a family-friendly atmosphere with music and skating for just $10 per child. - New Year’s Eve at Busch Gardens
Experience the thrills of Busch Gardens during the day, with holiday shows, lights, and rides, followed by a fireworks show to ring in the New Year. Perfect for families looking to enjoy the park’s festive atmosphere and thrilling attractions into the night. - ZooTampa’s New Year Celebration
Celebrate every hour at ZooTampa’s New Year Celebration with countdowns, festive foods, live music, and kid-friendly activities. From 10am-4pm, kids can enjoy hourly countdowns and fun giveaways, making this a great day of animal adventures and New Year’s cheer.
So, whether you’re counting down to noon or skating into the new year, you’re sure to find a celebration here that will keep you and kids entertained. Here’s to a sparkling start to 2025—no babysitter required!
Be sure to follow @SunshineCitywithKids for more family and kid friendly things to see and do in the St. Pete and Tampa Bay area.
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