New Year’s Eve Fun For Families

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There are plenty of family-friendly ways to usher in the New Year. Below, are our top ten options. Whether you plan to stay up late or retire early, and whether you plan to plunk down some cash or participate in a free event, enjoy our picks for how to ring in 2014!

New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Prospect Park
Prospect Park is one of the best places to celebrate the New Year. The festivities kick off around 11pm with hot chocolate and live entertainment. The ideal viewing spots are anywhere in Grand Army Plaza, inside the Park on the West Drive, and along Prospect Park West between Grand Army Plaza and 9th Street. All ages. 

New Year’s Eve at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan
CMOM is offering a day filled with Dr. Seuss-inspired crafting. Children can meet-and-greet the Grinch himself, while making noisemakers for the holiday. Don’t forget to add your wishes for 2014 to a community mural.  All ages. 10am-4pm.

Times Square
For those willing to brave the mayhem that is Times Square on New Year’s Eve, there are several venues within the vicinity of the famous live ball drop that are worth checking out for their family-friendly happenings. Dave & Buster’s is throwing a party for the teen set and beyond (ages 14+). Madame Tussauds has booked a live DJ. A lineup of PG-13 movies is playing at the AMC Theater Times Square, while Ripley’s Times Square has everything from stilt walkers to fire breathers on hand.

New Year’s Eve Party Ride
Grassroots environmental group Time’s Up is sponsoring a free bike ride from Greenwich Village’s Washington Square Park to Belvedere Castle in Central Park. At the ride’s end, enjoy an outdoor party complete with music, dancing, and fireworks. Meet under the Arch at Washington Square Park, Fifth Avenue and Washington Square North, 10pm. Ages 10+ for children on their own bike; all ages if on a parent’s bike. 

New Year’s Eve at the Big Apple Circus
Take in this troupe’s ongoing act–think acrobats, trapeze artists, jugglers, and clowns–but prepare for a special treat at show’s end. There will be a countdown to midnight. Kids will sip sparkling cider, while their parents imbibe champagne.  Ages 1+.  Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center, West 62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues.

New Year’s Eve Family Fireworks Gala Aboard the Cornucopia Destiny
If you’re looking for an alternative to the Times Square scene, head to the water. A live DJ will spin family-friendly tunes, while a multi-course buffet tempts an all-ages crowd. Expect to dance the night away and gaze at unobstructed views of the fireworks.  Board 8pm, depart 9pm, return 1am.  Pier 81, West 41st Street and West Side Highway.  

Patrick and the Rock-a-Silly Band at the Staten Island Children’s Museum
Want to rock out with some daytime fun? Check out the Staten Island Children’s Museum where children’s musician Patrick Rafferty and his Rock-a-Silly Band will entertain the young masses. 1pm to 3pm. Free with admission.

New Year’s Eve Concert for Peace at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine
Join the legendary singer Judy Collins for this annual performance of spirituals and classical works by the likes of Handel and Mozart. Ages 6+. 7pm. Limited number of free tickets. Reserved seats $30 each. 

Emerald Nuts Midnight Run
Runners complete a four-mile run at midnight starting at the Central Park Bandshell where fireworks, music, and dancing can also be enjoyed by family members of any age starting at 10pm.  Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park, 72nd Street at Fifth Avenue.  

New Year’s Eve Family Cruise–South Street Seaport
This cruise has everyone covered. For the kids, there are Wii games, party favors, and noisemakers.  For the adults, there are stunning city views of famous sights, from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Chrysler Building. Watch the ball drop at Times Square from a plasma TV. Boards 9:05pm. 

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Saf-T-Swim

<p>For over 35 years, Saf-T-Swim Swim School has been teaching lifesaving swimming skills throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, and now Little Neck. The school is proud to be Long Island's #1 swim school and a leader in water safety education. With swim programs for infants as young as 4 months, beginners, and advanced swimmers, Saf-T-Swim offers swimming programs for every age and skill level. Discover why generations of Long Islanders have trusted Saf-T-Swim time and time again with equipping their little ones the essential skill of swimming.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

Joe's Music & Dance Academy

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Private and group music lessons & dance classes for Guitar, Bass, Voice, Violin, Viola, Cello, Upright Bass, Drums, Piano, all woodwind & brass instruments, Choir, Preschool Dance, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Step, African and Modern Dance and more. Helping thousands of students begin and continue on their musical journey since 1998!</span></p>

New York Society of Play Summer Camp and Classes

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Summer Game Camp</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">There are many who do not feel safe sending their children back out into the world with summer camp, this year. To serve those parents and keep the children connected and stimulated during this challenging time, we are offering NYSP Digital Summer Camp. The name of the game with NYSP Summer Camp is community. We have made a large effort to make our camp feel like a living space, with features including –</p> <p dir="ltr">- Role-Playing games familiar and new, led by our master storytellers!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Enriching electives such as Chess, World Building, Character Acting, Crafts, Drawing, and more!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Discussion and media screening rooms during lunch!</p> <p dir="ltr">- A digital campus!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Moderated chat hours!</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Join us for a summer of games, friends, and more!</p> <p dir="ltr">Mon - Fri 10am - 2:30pm</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Roleplay Expeditions: Dungeons & Dragons</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">No experience is required to join one of our Dungeons & Dragons games. Our game masters have pre-made character sheets, so you'll be able to start playing the game right away! We adapt the rules of traditional Dungeons & Dragons to make them more approachable to children of various ages. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons & Dragons workshop! </p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Public games meet once per week, with different groups every time. Private games meet 1 to 2 times per week with the same group of kids. Since the players and the storyteller in the group are consistent, this enables us to tell epic tales of adventure together!</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Dungeons & Dragons Junior</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">No experience is required to join one of our drop-in Dungeons & Dragons games. Our Dungeons & Dragons Jr. game provides a D&D storytelling experience without character sheets. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons & Dragons workshop! A great way to introduce young children to D&D so they can eventually move onto the main game.</p>