Children love to celebrate as much as anyone, but a meltdown at midnight from overtired kids can really mess with the New Year鈥檚 Eve magic.
So, say bye-bye to ballgowns and bubbly and celebrate the big day on Dec. 31 with your little people in a way that works for your family. Who knows, you might even have more fun!
Get messy
If you want to keep the action close to home, there are plenty of fun options.
Indulge little ones鈥� senses at Happimess 鈥� a kid-friendly creative zone where getting messy is a given. On New Year鈥檚 Eve, there will be glitter, confetti, edible paint, sensory bins and a countdown for the balloon-popping 鈥渇ireworks.鈥澛�
Happimess is open from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. All ages are welcome.听
Bring snacks, drinks and lots of spare clothes. Visit happimess.net for more information.听
Jump for joy this New Year鈥檚 Eve at Airhouse where the whole family can enjoy some energetic, freestyle fun together.听
Toddlers have the trampolines from 9:30 to 11 a.m., after which everyone is welcome. This freestyle trampoline centre is open until 3 p.m., with a New Year countdown at 2:30 p.m. Visit .
For indoor adventure, head to Squishy鈥檚 Family Fun Zone. With a designated toddler area and three levels of play structure for the big kids, it鈥檚 a safe place for little ones to let loose. There鈥檚 also a climbing wall, ample couches, coffee and healthy snacks, in addition to on-site childcare ($12 per hour, book ahead of time). It鈥檚 open 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Visit .听
Find a few moments of peace
For those seeking peace among the partying, a visit to the Queen of Peace Monastery in the Upper 麻豆社国产Valley provides a wonderful opportunity to escape and reflect. Visitors, including children, are welcome to share the space, stay for prayers and song or just take a moment in the chapel. There鈥檚 also a gift shop selling arts, crafts and honey that is made onsite. Visit dominicannunsbc.ca.
Step back in time聽
Bid a final farewell to the holiday season by stepping back in time with the Britannia Mine Museum鈥檚 miniature Victorian village, complete with snow-dusted streets and tiny toyshops. Don鈥檛 forget to stop at the miniature North Pole where you might glimpse a few of Santa鈥檚 industrious elves. Plus, there are daily underground tours, interactive exhibits and gold panning. The mine is open until 2 p.m. on Dec. 31. Visit britanniaminemuseum.ca.
Slip on snowshoes聽
For some snowy, family-friendly adventure this New Year鈥檚 Eve, the Sea to Sky Gondola is a perfect option.
With some of the deepest snow in North America, it鈥檚 a region just waiting to be explored. So, slip on a pair of snowshoes, get out with the family and savour the mountain air and stunning scenery for one last time this year. With five marked trails, organized snowshoe tours and endless backcountry options, the adventures are aplenty.
For old-fashioned, New Year family-fun, head to the Tube Park to experience the exhilaration of sliding down slopes at speed. Climb back up again and repeat until you鈥檙e completely exhausted!聽
The tube park is open from 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and height restrictions apply.
After all the adventure, head indoors to reheat, refuel and reflect on the final sunset of the year with hot chocolate, holiday drinks and a little something from the apr猫s menu that is available from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. until Dec. 31. Family-friendly options include Belgian crepes, chocolate fondue, hearty stews and sharing plates from around the world. For the grown-ups among the group, a selection of celebratory sparkle is available with a bubbly tasting flight. Visit .
Watch the bald eagles fly
Escape the crowds this New Year鈥檚 Eve and head to the water for a memorable eagle-watching journey with the whole family.
The adventure begins at 11:30 a.m. with fresh muffins and warm drinks in the lodge, after which a knowledgeable guide will take you down the river for an hour, seeking out all the best eagle-watching spots before heading back to base to enjoy a hearty bowl of homemade chilli with in-house smoked pulled-pork by the fire. Vegetarian options are also available and reservations are recommended.
New Year鈥檚 Eve is also about sharing good times (and, very often, good food) with loved ones, so hit the mealtime high-note with breakfast or brunch from Fergie鈥檚 Caf茅. Known for its delicious variety of eggs benny and on-site smoked meats, it鈥檚 no wonder it鈥檚 been voted best breakfast in Squamish. With a professional barista behind the bar, there鈥檚 a speciality drink with your name on it, just the way you like it. Visit .听
Explore the backcountry
With over 36 feet of snow, 130 kilometres of Nordic trails and pristine alpine backcountry, Ski Callaghan is an active, fun way to celebrate New Year鈥檚 Eve 鈥� even with little ones.听 聽
The toboggan hills are great for kids of all ages and equipment is free to borrow from the Brandywine Lodge rental shop.听
With hot chocolate and warm meals available just around the corner, it鈥檚 a nice introduction to snow without venturing too far.
For New Year鈥檚 Eve thrills, try the newest Nordic sport, baseboarding. Simply climb aboard the specially designed boards, point your body downhill and let gravity do its thing!
Adventures further afield with the family (and sometimes the pooch) can be done on either skis or snowshoes, and can be a journey of your own design.听
From gentle snowshoe tours and shuttles that head towards deep-powder in the backcountry, there鈥檚 a memorable New Year snow scene for every skill level and budget.
Finally, for a truly magical New Year鈥檚 Eve, try a trip to Journeyman Lodge. Allow a full day to ski in and out to this full-service backcountry chalet.听
Or, better yet, extend the magic with an overnight stay. Deluxe dining awaits inside and, for New Year鈥檚 Eve only, candlelit tobogganing will be taking place outside. Visit .
Homespun celebrations
You don鈥檛 have to go out to make New Year鈥檚 Eve memorable 鈥� celebrating at home can be just as fun.
聽Here are a few ideas:
* Dress up and have a dance party (or dress down and celebrate in pyjamas!) with prizes for the best moves. Don鈥檛 forget to take photos.
* Get together and sing! It鈥檚 proven to be good for your health, feeds your soul and cheers you up
* Dig out family board games and enjoy some uninterrupted time together. For older children, try charades.
* Create a family time capsule to be opened next New Year鈥檚 Eve.
* Celebrate mock-midnight with an early countdown and kid-friendly fizz (such as sparkling apple juice), and go crazy with party bangers, streamers, sparklers, confetti, and balloons 鈥� what鈥檚 a little mess when you鈥檙e creating memories?
* Don鈥檛 forget the party food! Set up a table with your family鈥檚 favourite snacks, desserts, nibbles and drinks. Or try a fondue (see recipe below). 聽
Alternatively, cook something special together for your last meal or the year... or order your favourite takeout and make it a movie night.听
Create a hot chocolate station and allow your kids to customize their cocoa with yummy toppings before bed.
* Create a family wish jar, writing down your hopes for the new year (learning to ride a bike, writing your name or spending more time with Grandma). Open it in 12 months to see which came true or post your resolutions to the fridge as a reminder to turn them into reality.
Whatever you do, don鈥檛 forget to record your New Year鈥檚 Eve moments. You鈥檒l love looking back at them in years to come.
