SeeCalifornia.com

As the New Year approaches, it’s 75 degrees in Carlsbad, Calif., home to a miniature Times Square at Legoland California. In New York City it is 17 degrees. That’s one good reason (among many) to celebrate New Year’s Eve with the kids in California this year.

We’ve been to Times Square and watched the Ball Drop. It was packed with over a million tourists and pick-pockets, and our group was almost assaulted when we inadvertantly veered off the beaten path to find our car. If the Big Apple’s once-in-a-lifetime adventure leaves you cold, California has many options that are as good as gold.

Celebrate with family street parties and more than a dozen early New Year’s Eve parties just for children.

NYE 4 Kids

• CARLSBAD: Legoland California early New Year’s Countdown with Fireworks
• IRVINE: Pretend City Noon Year’s Confetti Countdown Party
• LA HABRA: New Year’s Eve at The Children’s Museum
• LOS ANGELES: Zimmer Children’s Museum New Year’s Eve Party
• OAKLAND: Around the World NYE: Balloon Drop and Family Celebration at Chabot Space & Science Center
• PASADENA: Kids Space Noon Year’s Eve
• RANCHO CORDOVA / SACRAMENTO: WHO YEAR Celebration at Children’s Museum
• SAN DIEGO: The New Children’s Museum Pajama Jam
• SAN JOSE: Noon Year’s Eve at Children’s Discovery Museum
• SANTA ROSA: Happy New Year, Charlie Brown! at Charles M. Schulz Museum
• SAUSALITO: Bay Area Discovery Museum Noon Year’s Eve
• TEMECULA: New Year’s Eve at Noon at Children’s Museum Pennypickle’s Workshop
• VISALIA: Imagine U New Year’s Eve Party