For many, New Year's Eve is a time to get glam, dance and raise a toast to the passing of an old year and the dawn of a new one.

But what about your toddler? Or the new baby? Or your grade-schooler who doesn't want to miss the festivities?

There are plenty of reasons to skip the formal, adults-only events in favor of a night with your family, and plenty of ways to make it special for everyone. The following are some ideas for a family-friendly New Year's celebration:

MAKE SOME NOISE

Kids love to make a racket, and Dec. 31 is the perfect time to do it. Don't use firecrackers or sparklers (which are illegal in some states). Instead, find or make other noisemakers.

"We like to go to my mom's and bang together pots and pans outside at midnight," says Jen Delgado of Newark, Del. "Sometimes we do it at 'pretend midnight.' "

Another option is purchasing several yards of large bubble wrap. Unroll it on a hard surface, like a driveway or deck, and have everyone stomp away.

You also can make inexpensive noisemakers. Fill plastic film canisters halfway with dry corn kernels, tape the lid shut, then cover with pretty wrapping paper or shiny stickers.

CELEBRATE EARLY

Ingrid Ziegler recalls how things used to be before the arrival of Melissa, 9, and Jennifer, 7: "We would go to Ocean City, Md., with college friends and have a few nights of fun staying in a condo. There was partying and catching up involved," says the Wilmington, Del., mom. Then, after Melissa was born, Ziegler tried having people over for a small social gathering.

"I thought that, if she was in bed, we could still ring in the New Year with friends," she says. "It was nice, but I was so tired the next few days that I decided it was not worth the tradeoff of exhaustion to stay up to midnight."

One issue with celebrating New Year's Eve is that the main event is supposed to happen at midnight, way past kids' bedtimes. One way to avoid this problem is to celebrate the next day by having a brunch and playing games.

Or you can move the festivities to an earlier time. One trick is to record the previous year's TV broadcast of the New Year's Eve celebration, then watch it early the following year. That way, the children can experience the excitement of watching partygoers in Times Square, Tokyo, San Francisco, Paris and London without the hassle of keeping them up until midnight.

Jill Fella, mom of 2-year-old Alex, shares that she was never much for staying out late doing the party scene. That's still the case.

"Now that we have a little one, the last two New Years have pretty much been spent at home, having a quiet dinner and living vicariously through all the hip 20-somethings partying in Hollywood or New York on television," says Fella, of Wilmington.

CREATE SOME MEMORIES

The New Year is a great time to look back at the year that has just passed, as well as make plans for the future. Children often enjoy making resolutions. They can be simple, like "I want to learn how to ride my bike without training wheels," or require personal discipline, like "I will be kinder to my little sister."

To keep the resolutions together, place them in a scrapbook that you pack with the Christmas decorations, so it won't get lost. The following year, take out the list and go around the room, giving each person a chance to share how they did with their resolutions.

As for memories from the old year, it's fun to make memory boxes, place mats, or another memento.

Gather photographs, ticket stubs, handprints and artwork from 2007 and decorate 8 1/2-by-14 inch sheets of construction paper. Laminate them and use them as place mats. The kids will love reflecting back on their favorite memories from the year.

BE A PARTY ANIMAL

If a night at home just doesn't say "Happy New Year!" to you, consider some family-friendly events. Or talk to families at your child's school or place of worship to find out if they're interested in putting together a group event, either on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day.

"The past couple of years we have had a brunch at our church with friends (on Jan. 1)," Ziegler says. "We all bring things to eat and have a relaxing time."

In addition, businesses such as bowling alleys and skating rinks often sponsor family New Year's Eve parties, with the admission price including party supplies, noisemakers, food and activities.

Whether you stay at home as a family or go out and party, New Year's Eve doesn't have to be boring or all grown up. With the noise, fun and games, it's a naturally kid-friendly holiday.

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FUN WITH THE FAMILY

Try out these activities as part of your New Year's Eve celebration:

• Box of Guesses: Ask family members to make guesses about the upcoming year. Some possible questions: What will be the top news story of the year? Who will win the Super Bowl? Which member of the family will change the most and how?

Have everyone write their predictions and place the lists in a special box. Once all the responses are in, tape the box shut and put it away with the holiday decorations.

Then, on New Year's Eve, break open last year's box to see who was right, who was wrong - and take time to recall funny and interesting stories from the past year.

• Countdown Box: Cover a large box with colorful paper, and fill small bags with party favors, prizes, treats and other surprises. Allow the kids to open one new bag every hour throughout the night until bedtime.

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