For many parents, New Year's Eve is a whole new experience, one that requires an expensive babysitter or a kid-friendly event that includes less bubbly and ends long before the big ball drops. Luckily, if you're choosing the latter, there are plenty of fun things for the whole family to do in Milwaukee while ringing in 2012. Here's a list of them and happy New Year, everyone.
Betty Brinn Children's Museum
929 E. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 390-KIDS
bbcmkids.org
This annual special event runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and invites families to wear their pajamas, grab their teddy bears and come to the museum for an evening of pizza, party favors, story time and dancing. Each family will make a party hat and take home a time capsule to commemorate 2011. Plus, there will be a countdown, ball drop and juice toast. The cost is $10 for members and $14 for non-members; kids under 1 are free.
Harlem Globetrotters
Bradley Center
1001 N. 4th St., (414) 227-0444
bradleycenter.com
Watch the Harlem Globetrotters take on the Washington Generals at 1 p.m. or 6 p.m. The Globetrotters have played games in Milwaukee on New Year's Eve for three decades, and this year, they have a female player on the team for the first time since 1993. Tickets start at $49.
Milwaukee Wave
US Cellular Arena
400 W. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 908-6000
uscellulararena.org
The Wave indoor soccer team plays the Baltimore Blast at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $19; family 4-packs are available.
Mitchell Park Conservatory (The Domes)
524 S. Layton Blvd., (414) 257-5611
county.milwaukee.gov/MitchellPark
Enjoy The Domes' traditional celebration for families that includes roaming children's entertainers, crafts, balloons, live music and more inside the spectacular glass structures. Food and drink will be available for purchase. The cost is $12 for adults; $5 for kids and free for anyone 5 and under. Advance tickets for $10 are available online.
Pettit Center
500 S. 84th St., (414) 266-0100
thepettit.com
For indoor ice skating, check out the Pettit Center's Olympic-sized rink. Pettit is open from noon to 9 p.m. on New Year's Eve and noon to 8 p.m. on New Year's Day. The cost is $7 for adults and $5 for kids and seniors.
Pump It Up
195 N. Janacek Rd., (262) 780-1010
pumpitupparty.com
Pump It Up, an indoor play space filled with inflatables, is open all day on New Year's Eve. Call to reserve a two-hour time slot from 10 a.m. to noon; noon to 2 p.m.; 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. or 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Parents must accompany kids. The cost is $12 per child and $3 for adults. Every child gets a glow necklace, noisemaker, art project, sparkling juice drink, balloon and snack. Socks are required.
Red Arrow Slice of Ice
920 N. Water St., (414) 289-8791
county.milwaukee.gov/RedArrow
This outdoor, Downtown rink is free for people who bring skates or costs $8 for adults to rent skates and $7 for people 17 and younger. On New Year's Eve, the rink is open from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., and on New Year's Day the hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Winter Fest
Frontier Airline Center
400 W. Wisconsin Ave.
milwaukeewinterfest.com
This 10-day event features entertainment, activities, games, skating, movies, a life-size snow globe photo opportunity and more. On New Year's Eve, Winter Fest hosts Radio Disney's Family Fun New Year's Eve from 6 to 10 p.m. Radio Disney will entertain from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The cost is $15 for adults; $5 for kids.
