5 Family-Friendly Ways to Spend New Year's Eve or New Year's Day

1. Rollerskate

Let the good times roll New Year's Eve. Choose between a daytime party for the kids or an evening party for the whole family at , 6995 Grand River, Brighton. The 's from 1-7 p.m. Cost is $7 and includes kids' party favors, a prize-filled balloon drop. It doesn't include skate rental, which is $2 for regular skates and $4 for in-line skates. (Or you may use your own skates as long as they won't scratch the floor; check at the desk.) The is $15 per person and includes regular skate rental, pizza, pop, New Year's favors, games and another prize-filled balloon drop.

2. Take a hike

Bundle up (if necessary) and go to your city, county or state park and enjoy a family walk this holiday weekend. Besides the event in , 12950 Grand River, Brighton, which includes prizes and fun (plan to tell a story around a campfire), you could go just about anywhere. , 6360 Chilson Road, Howell; Highland Recreation Area, a state park located at 5200 Highland Road, White Lake; Kensington Metropark, 2240 W. Buno Road, Milford and Indian Springs Metropark, 5200 Indian Trail, White Lake are among the other local options; however, admission is charged.

It's $5 for a daily pass to any Metropark/$25 for an annual pass ($15 for seniors); cost for the annual state "recreation passport" is $10 at any state park. Or you could try a park in the city nearest to you (many city parks, like those in Fenton, Milford or Brighton, have free admission).

3. Dive into the pool

Splash around and just plain enjoy a at in Hartland High School, 10635 Dunham Rd, Hartland; take your pick of two time slots: 12:30-2 p.m. or 2:30-4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31. Cost is $5/person. 

4. Go bowling

Howell Bowl-E-Drome, 907 E. Grand River Ave. in Howell, offers your choice of time slots for on Saturday, Dec. 31: pick from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 1:30-3:30 p.m., 4-6 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Cost is $39.95 per lane for five bowlers for two hours of unlimited bowling, hats and party favors for the kids, shoe rental included, glo lights and family music, and a Kiddie New Years' Toast to wrap up the day. (Addtional bowlers are $3.50 each.)

5. Head to the movies

If you don't want to go out at night New Year's Eve and/or want something to occupy yourself the next day, rent some family-friendly flicks for the weekend, pick up some pop and have pizza delivered from your favorite place. Chill out at home, watch movies and make some memories. If one of the movies is really terrific (like Dolphin Tale), you could be quoting parts of it to each other for years to come.