SALT LAKE CITY — As 2014 approaches, parents may be wondering how, exactly, they are going to ring in the new year with their little ones.

For families, a night out at a club or a nice restaurant may not be appropriate. Luckily, there are a host of family-centered activities that will engage your kids and provide a safe environment for fun.

Salt Lake Area

Hogle Zoo Zoolights

For kids whose heads will nod before midnight (or for parents who want to share a New Year’s kiss without prying eyes), Hogle Zoo will be counting down to 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

For the price of zoo admission, families can enjoy the Zoolights exhibit and ring in the new year with the animals before the park closes and bedtime is too far past.

EVE SLC

This event propelled Salt Lake City into the top 10 destinations for New Year’s Eve, according to Travelocity.

The three-day event spreads itself out across downtown Salt Lake, using nine venues, including Clark Planetarium, Gallivan Plaza and The Leonardo. Parents can also return without children for some adult fun with more mature performances and entertainment.

Tickets can be purchased on opening day, Monday, for $15 and be used throughout the event.

Kaysville New Year’s Eve

For families on a budget, Kaysville City is hosting a free New Year’s Eve celebration at Davis High School.

Related:

EVE celebrations begin in Salt Lake

The New Year is just days away, but people have already begun celebrating. The annual three-day EVE celebrations by the Downtown Salt Lake City Alliance started Sunday night.

The event starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. Music, dancing, story hour and bingo will serve as entertainment, and food will be provided.

Fireworks in Little Cottonwood Canyon

Snowbird and Alta resorts will ring in the new year with their annual fireworks shows.

At Snowbird, join the celebrations on the Plaza Deck around 6 p.m. to enjoy bonfires, a torchlight parade — approximately 150 skiers and snowboarders will ride downhill about 10 feet apart with electric torches, lighting up the mountain-side — and fireworks. The event is free to the public.

Similarly, Alta will host their own fire, torchlight parade and fireworks show. This year, Alta is asking each participant of the parade to make a $5 minimum donation for the Utah Food Bank. Tickets can be purchased Dec. 31 until 6 p.m. at the Wildcat Base Ticket Office.

Utah County

Provo City New Year’s Eve Celebration

Join Provo for its celebration at Provo Towne Centre Mall. The event will host food vendors, a hot air balloon glow show, ski and snowboard urban rail jam, magic shows, an animal show, Utah Valley University’s Green Man Group and a lot more before the ball drops at midnight.

Events will take place both inside and out, so dress warm.

Tickets can be purchased at the event for $5 each or at the Provo Recreation Center for $4. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Park City

Canyons Resort

The resort will host a celebration for families that includes sleigh rides, a chance to meet Murdock the Moose and a fireworks show.

For families who want a higher-end experience, a family dinner will be served before the fireworks crackle.

Deer Valley Torchlight Parade

Deer Valley will host a torchlight parade Monday for those who want to celebrate early.

The event is free for Deer Valley guests and begins at 6 p.m.

Southern Utah

New Year’s Eve Family Fest

At the Washington City Community Center, kids can stay indoors and keep warm or play in a massive pile of bubbles in the aqua center to celebrate the new year. A dine-in movie — “Despicable Me 2” — will entertain before the fireworks show at 10 p.m.

Doors open at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets can be purchased online before the event.

Brian Head

Families can dine together before watching the torchlight parade at Brian’s Head. Live music will also accompany the meal.

Any other public events you know of? Tell us in the comment section.

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