Daytime ball drops
Museums and other local venues often host daytime, family-friendly, safe New Year's Eve ball drops where people young and old can count down to the new year without having to stay up until midnight. Check with your local convention and visitor's bureau for possible events.
Fireworks
Start the new year off with a bang and take your teen to a professional fireworks show. Some ballparks and amusement parks put on an amazing fireworks display that can be viewed from both inside and outside of the park, so pack a blanket and enjoy the show.
Organized events
Indoor activities like roller skating, ice skating, bowling and commercial arcades are safe and fun New Year's Eve activities for teens. Check for special deals and events that may prohibit kids — including teens — from leaving until the event is over or until picked up by a parent for peace of mind. Have your teen plan to attend with a group of friends and coordinate amongst the adults who will be in charge of picking them up.
Host a party at home
Hosting a safe New Year's Eve party for teens is the easiest way to ensure your child is playing by the rules. Music, movies and munchies are the perfect combination for a rockin' New Year's Eve party for teens. Let your teen help plan everything from the decor to the food. Try make-your-own pizzas, hearty appetizers or maybe a chocolate fountain for dessert.
Brush up on these tips for teen parties>>
Amusement parks
Theme parks often offer special events and hours during the holidays, such as Disneyland in Anaheim, California, which is open until 2 a.m. on New Year's Eve. Security patrol, monitored activities and an enclosed environment offer teens a safe New Year's Eve option so that parents can rest easy.
Don't forget safe driving rules
There are many options for safe New Year's Eve celebrations for teens, but if your teenager will be on the road this New Year's Eve, review safe road rules, including no drinking and driving or texting while driving.
"End the night right: If you fear that your driver for the evening may have become under the influence during the course of the night, do not — under any circumstances — get in their vehicle," advises Kevin Markham, Ford Global Driver Safety, Dearborn Development Center and Ford Motor Company's Driving Skills for Life program. "Your parents or sibling won't be mad if you call late for a ride; in fact, they should be happy you made the responsible and safe decision."
Read up on safe driving rules for teens>>
With the right choices and parental ground rules you can help make this a safe New Year's your teen won't soon forget!
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