12 Best Places In The World To Celebrate New Years With Kids

New Year's Eve looks different when you become a parent. Suddenly, the thought of shivering for hours in a veritable mosh pit while awaiting a giant ball to drop over Times Square seems less than ideal. So, too, does the idea of pulling a champagne-soaked all-nighter while you're accompanied by tantrum-throwing toddlers. That said, having kids doesn't mean New Year's Eve has to be a bust. There are plenty of destinations around the world that offer kid-friendly fun to make ringing in the next annum an experience the whole family can enjoy. 

From dance parties on a beach in Seychelles to camel rides in the desert outside Dubai to counting down to noon at the Louisiana Children's Museum in New Orleans, there's no lack of exciting ways to celebrate New Year's with your favorite nonadults. Here are a few of the best places in the world to celebrate New Year's with kids. P.S. We chose these locations based on the number of kid-friendly attractions and interesting options for family-based New Year's Eve fun. These 12 had more to offer than other places we reviewed. We recommend adding at least one to your bucket list. 

As one of the first places in the world to welcome the New Year, Sydney's impressive fireworks are shown on screens across the globe hours before other cities get dark enough to see a sparkler flicker. While the main pyrotechnics are launched from Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, these areas get packed. That's why Darling Harbour is one of the best places to celebrate New Year's with kids. This quieter venue offers activities that start at a more reasonable time than midnight. Its free fireworks show on Cockle Bay begins at 9 p.m., but another show is at midnight for those whose kids are willing to rally. While you can't see the Opera House from here, little ones will be so thrilled with the entertainment that they won't notice.

Taronga Zoo is another fun place to bid farewell to the year without crowds. Four packages are available, each boasting different views of the Harbour, live entertainment, and access to the zoo. Most packages include food and drinks, and picnicking is encouraged. Bring a blanket. Tickets start at $225 for adults and $115 for kids. Pirrama Park is another family-friendly, less crowded site for fireworks viewing. It boasts enough space to spread out and enjoy views of the west side of the Harbour and bridge. Plus, you'll see some of the well-decorated boats in the Harbour of Light Parade. 

Bet you didn't expect to see a Florida locale at the top of this list of the best places in the world to celebrate New Year's with kids. With so many family-centered things to do on New Year's Eve, Panama City Beach deserves its spot. This underrated, budget-friendly Florida beach hosts a beloved New Year's Eve Beach Ball Drop designed to win the hearts of your little ones while keeping your budget and sanity in check. Technically, there are two parties; the Kids Beach Ball Drop happens first. At 8 p.m., 10,000 inflated beach balls are released to partygoers to welcome the new year, and a few fireworks will be set off. It's dark outside, and there's a countdown, so kids will think they've experienced the fun of staying up until midnight without running the risk of a complete meltdown. There'll still be plenty of time to get them in bed by at least 9. 

Panama City Beach wouldn't live up to its reputation as a party hotspot without loud music and entertainment. If your kids are still raring to go, head to Pier Park for the next round of fun. The concerts begin at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Celebration Tower, and there are enough food vendors, shops, games, and activities to keep everyone happily entertained until the giant, glowing beach ball is lowered from the tower at midnight, accompanied by fireworks, of course.

When it comes to family-friendly celebrations, Orlando is hard to beat. Home to two of the United States' most popular theme parks (Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort), this Floridian gem is a haven for parents looking for exciting ways to occupy kids of all ages, not to mention those searching for a bit of thrill-riding fun for themselves. Walt Disney World is hard to beat when it comes to celebrations. While there are nightly fireworks year-round, you can expect special New Year's Eve displays at Magic Kingdom and Epcot on the big night. The happiest place on earth sets off some of the best NYE fireworks in the world, so stake out your spot early. After a day spent zipping around on rides, watching magical shows, and meeting their favorite Disney characters, your little ones will be more than ready to sit down or settle upon your shoulders to watch the fireworks. 

Universal Orlando Resort's New Year's Eve celebrations won't disappoint either. They, too, offer an impressive fireworks presentation, as well as a countdown to midnight, enough rides to make parents feel nauseous, and plenty of tasty treats on offer from the onsite restaurants. Universal's Holiday Parade featuring Macy's is a big hit with families. Admission is included with your theme park ticket, boasts character appearances, and floats so big and dazzling that you'll be forgiven for thinking you've walked onto a movie set. Well, actually, you kind of have.

New Orleans is one of the best places in the world to celebrate New Year's Eve, which isn't all that shocking considering this buzzing city is best known for its iconic Mardis Gras celebrations. While images of a packed Bourbon Street might make you wonder about the city's family-friendliness, don't let this dissuade you from a late December visit. There are plenty of fun and relatively quiet places to celebrate New Year's with kids in New Orleans, in addition to a bevy of great restaurants and attractions to visit during your trip. Topping the list is the Louisiana Children's Museum. Its child-centered party rages from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., leaving plenty of time to get back for an afternoon snooze. Kids can countdown to noon when confetti and bubbles explode onto the area to celebrate the next annum. 

An exciting Noon Year's Eve Bash awaits visitors to the Children's Museum of St. Tammany as well. Just over 45 minutes from downtown New Orleans, this adorable spot lies across Lake Pontchartrain and is an easy day trip destination. The fun, which includes admission to the museum's attractions and live music, begins at 10 a.m. and ends at noon. 

Instead of celebrating New Year's Eve, Scots like to party for Hogmanay. Essentially, the same holiday, this recognition of the end of the old year and the beginning of the new is a huge deal in Scotland. Expect street parties taking over Edinburgh for three days, fireworks ringing in the air, and live music emerging from pubs and restaurants throughout the city. The family-friendly Torchlight Procession is a beloved event that has taken place on December 29 for over 30 years. 

In addition to fire performers, drummers, pipe bands, and street theater, the lighted torches create a remarkable "river of fire" throughout the Old Town. Entertainment begins at 6 p.m. at The Meadows, and the Procession gets on its way at 7:30, reaching the city center between 8:30 and 9 p.m. A torch costs about $24, and a $9 fee for a Procession wristband. This is a walk, so be prepared for cold and likely wet weather. Dress everyone in comfortable shoes, a coat, and a hat. Unfortunately, strollers aren't allowed, so if you have little ones, you'll have to carry them. 

On December 31, take the kids to Bairns New Year Revels to celebrate the New Year early. Aimed at those aged six and up, this family-friendly party runs from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Assembly Rooms on George Street. It includes live musicians playing songs from a sing-a-long soundtrack and plenty of dancing to Edinburgh's Hogmanay ceilidh band.

The Dominican Republic is a cheap warm-weather destination for December, which means treating your family to a New Year's Eve holiday will be more affordable in this pretty tropical locale than it would in other places like, say, Dubai. Known for its incredible all-inclusive resorts, the DR hosts a slew of kid-centric hotels that boast enough activities to keep children, and therefore their parents, smiling from dawn until dusk, even without a nap. 

Club Med Punta Cana is a great option for families who'd like to sit back, relax, and not worry about receiving an extra bill at the end of their trip. They throw an epic New Year's Eve party annually, and it's included with your stay. The fun begins at 7 p.m. with appetizers and cocktails. A New Year's Eve dinner follows at 8:30, and at 10 p.m., entertainment is provided for kids and adults of all ages. Countdown to midnight together and watch the fireworks explode over the azure waves. 

Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana has a packed calendar of festive events, including the Nickelodeon Holiday Extravaganza, which includes a super fun New Year's Eve gala. Expect a pajama party breakfast, fireworks, dancing, and a bunch of meet and greets with your kids' favorite characters. There are also plenty of opportunities for little ones (and you, if you'd like) to get slimed.