The celebratory balloon drop at high noon on Dec. 31 is always a highlight of the Family New Year’s Eve Party at the Vaughan Athletic Center. (Fox Valley Park District photo)

Aurora – Families and children can start their New Year’s Eve activities early with a celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 31 at Aurora’s Vaughan Athletic Center.

The Family New Year’s Eve Party will ring in 2016 with a variety of festivities. Kids and adults can get energetic while climbing and bouncing on giant inflatables, playing interactive games, competing in hula-hoop contests and dancing to the latest tunes with a live DJ.

Popular features also include “Spin the Prize Wheel” and “Active Toddler Zone,” with the traditional New Year’s countdown featuring a colossal balloon drop at noon.

Guests are strongly encouraged to pre-register by noon on Dec. 30 to guarantee admission, party favors, activities and snack. Advance tickets are $7 per person (ages 2 and up). Children under 2 are free. Day-of registration is $10 per person, but the event often sells out; party favors and snacks are not guaranteed for those who register on event day.

For more information, call the Vaughan Athletic Center at (630) 907-9600 and follow updates on the Vaughan Center’s Facebook page.

St. Charles — Ring in the New Year with a special celebration and family concert featuring Jim Gill, musician, performer and child development specialist. Performances at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Space is limited for the free event ($2 for non-district attendees). Visit stcharleslibrary.org/event/new-years-eve-celebration-concert-jim-gill for more information and registration.

DuPage Children’s Museum — The Naperville center hosts its annual Bubble Bash from 9 a.m. to noon and include fun with moon sand, slime, rockets, jet packs, live music by The Boogers and a countdown to noon. Admission is $20 per person for members, $25 for non-members.  Online registration at dupagechildrens.org  will end at noon on Dec.  30. Limited tickets available at the door.

Geneva Public Library — A family friendly Noon Year’s Eve celebration for Geneva residents helps ring in 2016 without having to stay up late. The event, which runs from 11 a.m. to noon, features stories, crafts, music and light refreshments. There’s currently a waiting list for signup. Call (630) 232-0893 for more information.

Elgin New Year’s Party — Harvest Bible Church, 1000 Randall Road, Elgin, 5-7 p.m., Harvest Kids will host an annual party off the West Lobby featuring inflatables for kids of all ages, pizza, drinks and desserts. Admission is $10 per family. Call (847) 398-7005 for registration information.

Oswego Happy ‘Noon’ Year — The Oswegoland Park District hosts a celebration from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Boulder Point, 0 Boulder Hill Pass. Kids of all ages can burn off some energy playing in the gym, or take a rest to make a party favor or grab a snack plus take part in a noon balloon drop. Registration required via oswegolandparkdistrict.org. Admission is $8 for residents, $12 for non-residents.

For those interested in New Year’s Day activities, there are some family activities to get your outdoors and enjoying nature.

Kendall County – The annual New Year’s Day hike will be held at Lyon Farm on Route 71 near Yorkville beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 1. Everyone is invited to join this free event.

Participants should meet in the parking lot.

The hike will last for 90 minutes to two hours. Be prepared to learn about and look for wildlife, edible plants and identification of native plants. Dress appropriately for the weather and for hiking.

Admission is three cans of soup. One can is for the soup pot for lunch and the other two cans will be for the Kendall County Food Pantry. For information, call Al Birdwell at (630) 553-9096.

Morton Arboretum– The annual tree lights display is back with even more lights, sights and sounds that will transform a wintertime walk in the woods into a colorful, inspiring experience like no other. The event runs through Saturday, Jan. 2.

The Morton Arboretum glows with dazzling LED lights and trees that respond to your touch and voice, as Illumination. Enjoy new music from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Doors open at 5 p.m. and last entry is at 8:30 p.m.  Lights are out at 9:30 p.m.  

If you’re looking for a bargain, the Arboretum Store’s semi-annual clearance sale will be held, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31 through Sunday, Jan. 24. The store will be closed on Jan. 11 for inventory.

–New Year’s Eve is also fun for kids and families in Kane County–