We found six kid-friendly New Year’s Eve events in and around Dallas–Fort Worth with 2026 dates: six Noon Year’s Eve countdowns, four of them free. They’re spread over six areas, from Fort Worth to Plano. A noon countdown means a balloon drop or bubble-wrap stomp at midday, home in time for nap.
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A real countdown, balloon drop and all, at a time that works for toddlers. These are typical times; each card has the venue’s exact ones.
Countdown at noon
Confirmed for 2026, with times, prices and ticket details from each venue’s own page.
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History · 1600 Gendy St, Fort Worth, TX 76107
With littles: Photos, crafts and New Year’s activities, then a confetti drop in the atrium at noon.
Dallas Arboretum, Children’s Adventure Garden · 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, TX 75218
With littles: The ball drop happens at noon in the Exploration Center Plaza.
McKinney Public Library – John & Judy Gay Library · 6861 W. Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75070
With littles: An all-ages, kid-friendly party with crafts, activities and a countdown to noon.
Cozby Library & Community Commons · 177 N. Heartz Road, Coppell, TX 75019
With littles: Activities and a countdown to noon, planned for families with young children. All ages are welcome.
Bedford Public Library · 2424 Forest Ridge Drive, Bedford, TX 76021
With littles: A kids' party with crafts, music and dancing, ending with a balloon drop at noon. It's in the library's North and South meeting rooms and aimed at babies through age 12.
Harrington Library (Plano Public Library) · Plano
With littles: Babies, toddlers and preschoolers can come in pajamas for hands-on activities and a countdown to 12:00 noon.
Before you go
TicketsIf it’s ticketed, book earlyNoon countdowns can fill up, so book once tickets open.
TimingArrive 30 minutes earlyCoats off, snack in, spot found before the countdown starts.
NoiseBring ear muffs for babiesBubble-wrap stomps and cheering get loud right at noon.Keep planning
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Noon Year’s Eve at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History: Thu, Dec 31, 2026, 10am–12pm; confetti drop at noon (Included with museum admission). Noon Year’s Eve Celebration at the Dallas Arboretum at Dallas Arboretum, Children’s Adventure Garden: Thu, Dec 31, 2026, 10am–1pm; ball drop at noon (See the event page). Noon Years Eve at John & Judy Gay Library at McKinney Public Library – John & Judy Gay Library: Thu, Dec 31, 2026, 10am–noon (Free). Noon Year's Eve at Cozby Library at Cozby Library & Community Commons: Thu, Dec 31, 2026, 11:30am–noon (Free).
Yes: Noon Years Eve at John & Judy Gay Library, Noon Year's Eve at Cozby Library, Noon Year's Eve at Bedford Public Library and Noon Year's Eve at Harrington Library.
A New Year’s countdown for little kids held at noon on Dec. 31 instead of midnight, usually with a balloon drop, bubble-wrap stomp, crafts and music. It’s over before nap, so nobody has to stay up late.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday in December. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Dallas–Fort Worth that weekend, through the holidays.
