MINNEAPOLIS — Ringing in the new year can look different when you have kids who are old enough to enjoy a party but not quite old enough to stay up until midnight on New Year's Eve. Here is a list of some daytime activities both you and your little ones will enjoy as 2022 comes to an end.
Starting in the morning on New Year's Eve, the City of Eagan is hosting a dance party at 9:00 a.m. with a real countdown to 12:00… noon, that is. There will be games, prizes, snacks and a ball drop. You can register online for $15 a person, which will get you into the party with a swag bag.
In Saint Louis Park, the ROC Ice Arena will be celebrating from 12:15 to 2:15 p.m. with music and refreshments. Ice skate rentals are $3.
Over in St. Paul, the cotton candy cafe Spinning Wylde is throwing a New Year's Eve celebration in their new location at Union Depot in St. Paul. It's free to attend and kiddos can dance away their sugar rush in a hula hoop dance party starting at 6:00 p.m. and ending in a balloon drop at 8 p.m.
Also in St. Paul, Como Park Zoo will be hosting a "Noon Year's Eve" party. There will be crafts, face painting, a selfie station and a biodegradable confetti drop. The events will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. You can make a free reservation online.
In Woodbury, the M Health Fairview Sports center will be filled with inflatables, bounce houses, obstacle courses and games for both a matinee and evening family celebration. The matinee event is from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is recommended for kids ages 3 to 8, accompanied by an adult. The evening event, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., is recommended for families with children under 12.
Woodbury Parks and Recreation put on the events. If you register ahead of time, it costs $12 or $15 at the door, if available.