Long Island New Year’s Eve Guide 2025 for Families: Kid-Friendly Events, Fireworks & More

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The Long Island Children's Museum's New Year's Eve party has themed activities, a ball drop, and a confetti-filled dance party. Photo courtesy LICM

Discover family-friendly events, fireworks, early countdowns, and fun ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve 2025–2026 on Long Island with kids of all ages.

No matter how old your kids are, there are plenty of family-friendly New Year's Eve events across Long Island to help you welcome 2026. Our top picks for daytime New Year's Eve celebrations include roller skating, ball drops, and gaming.

At night, head to a downtown area for a Times Square feel as Farmingdale, Lindenhurst, Huntington, and Patchogue light up their Main Streets with celebrations.

Find more fun in our Family Activity Calendar and Holiday Fun Guide. And be sure to subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox.

Westchester and the Hudson Valley's New Year's Eve Guide 2025 for Families

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Celebrate New Year's Eve in daylight hours at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

Looking for kid-friendly New Year's Eve celebrations in Westchester and the Hudson Valley? Look no further, because we have rounded up an assortment of family-friendly New Year's Eve celebrations in the area. Many are FREE and end at a reasonable hour.

Our picks for family-friendly New Year's Eve celebrations include Noon Year's Eve at Legoland Discovery Center, which has a dance party with the Lego characters and a Lego balloon drop, and the FREE New Year's Eve Fireworks at Hunter Mountain, featuring early fireworks and a torchlight parade.

For more fun, bookmark our guide to Christmas vacation activities in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, and keep close tabs on our Family Activities Calendar for more fun things to do. Happy New Year!

Best Sledding Hills in Westchester for Kids

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Westchester has sledding hills for everyone from tots to teens. Photo by Marisa Iallonardo

When the flakes fly, visions of sledding hills fill kids' heads, and all they can think of is bundling up and getting outside for some snow day fun. If your family's plans include sledding, consider heading to one of these popular sledding hills in Westchester County. We've also got a separate post with top picks for sledding hills in the Hudson Valley in case you want to make your wintery adventure a daycation, plus some helpful tips for keeping little ones safe while they sled.

Be sure to check our Guide to Winter Fun in Westchester and our Boredom Busters Guide for more ideas to keep kids busy on cold winter days.

Best Sledding Hills on Long Island for Families

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Sledding and smiles go hand in hand on these Long Island sledding hills.

I've found that sledding hills near me on Long Island are a perfect way to spend a fun-filled snow day with the kids. Below, is a list of some of the best local sledding hills to catch fresh powder and wintertime thrills. 

Before sending kids careening down these Long Island sledding hills, always check the area for rocks, sticks, and other hazards. We recommend wearing helmets and proper snow gear for your sledding adventure, too.

Read ahead for all the sledding details before you bundle up your littles for a snowy family adventure. For even more seasonal activities check out our Long Island Kids Winter Fun Guide, with local skiing and snowboarding destinations, ice skating rinks, and more.

New Jersey's New Year’s Eve Guide 2025 for Families: Kid-Friendly Events, Fireworks & More

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Forget a regular old ball, Hammonton is dropping their Giant Blueberry to ring in 2026! Photo courtesy of Main Street Hammonton

If all-night celebrations are a thing of the past for you and your family, you can still make the most of New Year's Eve with family-friendly festivities throughout New Jersey.

We've rounded up New Year's Eve events the whole family can enjoy together, from indoor theme park adventures to New Year's Eve fireworks and First Night celebrations. 

Looking for pre-New Year's entertainment? Keep busy with these Staycation Ideas, and be sure to check our Family Activity Calendar for more happenings. Happy New Year, New Jersey!

Best Sledding Hills in New Jersey for Families

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Get ready to hit the sledding hills in New Jersey. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

New Jersey sledding hills are cold, slippery, and ridiculously fun. NJ is home to plenty of perfect sledding hills for all ages, and we've compiled this list of 26 great sledding spots throughout the state. So, once the flakes have flown, it's time to break out your sleds, bundle up (helmets recommended!), and venture out to one of these great local sledding hills in New Jersey.

Don't forget the safety check! Take a minute to make sure your chosen sledding hill isn't too steep or bumpy for your child and that there's enough of a "landing" spot so your little sledder can safely glide to a halt. Avoid spots near ponds and trees, and be sure the sledding hill doesn't end in a street or parking lot. Skip rocky hills, too.

For even more winter fun, bookmark our Guide to Winter Activities for New Jersey Families.

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