🌴 Last Minute NYE Plans For Kids

Happy (almost) New Years Palmetto Parents!

Spending time researching, writing and connecting with all of you has been a highlight of my year, and I am not just saying that to be nice!

We had such a great Christmas last week. My eldest son‘s favorite gift was his ‘grillz’. My daughter loved her sparkly cowgirl boots best. Our baby (16 Months) is obsessed with his new slide and his trampoline. We had many Christmas adventures like Sleigh Rides with Santa’s elves, Christmas Lights, and lots of time hanging out at home with no plans!

I hope you enjoyed your time with families and friends and are ready to take on the New Year. If not, we gotcha covered!

This week we have details on all things Folly Beach this New Years, where to see the fireworks, and a Flip Flop Drop. We take a deep dive into Bert’s on Folly for all the beach food essentials. Then we head over to Mount Pleasant (South Carolina, not Iowa!) and share where to catch a kid friendly balloon drop at 5:30pm on New Years Eve. I also share my year in review and leave you with some thoughtful questions on how to create your own!

If you’re looking for something festive and fun to do this weekend, a trip to Folly Beach feels like pure Charleston magic. We even spotted Santa surfing, and yes, there is photo proof. Between the ocean views, the holiday energy, and the laid back beach vibe, it’s one of those outings that feels special without needing a full plan.

While you’re there, make sure to stop by the beautifully decorated Christmas tree on Folly Beach. It’s done so well and makes the perfect backdrop for photos, especially with kids who still love a little holiday sparkle mixed with sand and sea air.

Folly Beach also goes big for New Year’s Eve. On Wednesday, December 31, head toward Center Street for the annual family friendly fireworks show starting at 9pm. Viewing is available all along the beach and throughout Center Street. At 10pm, Center Street will close to auto traffic so everyone can gather safely for the famous Folly Beach Flip Flop Drop. At midnight, the giant sparkly flip flops descend to mark the start of the New Year in true Folly style.

The fun continues on New Year’s Day with the Bill Murray Polar Plunge on Thursday, January 1. This event takes place beachside at the Tides Hotel and is a hilarious and cold weather favorite. Festivities begin with a costume contest at 11am, followed by the plunge into the Atlantic. The event pays homage to one of Charleston’s funniest residents, Bill Murray, and attendees are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite Bill Murray character and be ready to “freeze your bills off.” Commemorative long sleeved T-shirts will be available for purchase on site.

Even though it’s called a polar plunge, the water is relatively warm (at least compared to the Midwest!) Whether you’re watching, plunging, or just soaking up the energy, Folly Beach is a fun and memorable way to wrap up the holidays and kick off the New Year with your family.

The festival opens at 5:30 p.m., giving families plenty of time to drive through the dazzling light displays, stroll the park, and soak in the holiday atmosphere. From twinkling tunnels to classic Christmas scenes, this is one of those Lowcountry experiences that feels magical year after year, especially for kids seeing it with fresh eyes.

At 8:00 p.m., the night sky lights up with a New Year’s Eve fireworks show, making this a perfect early countdown option for families who want to celebrate without staying out too late. Fireworks run until 8:30 p.m. and provide a festive, memorable way to say goodbye to the holiday season and welcome the New Year together. This event takes place on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park, located at 871 Riverland Drive, Charleston, SC 29412, with the festival opening at 5:30 p.m. and fireworks scheduled from 8:00–8:30 p.m.

The idea of taking the kids to a late night fireworks show or shuffling them downtown to watch a giant pair of flip flops drop sounds really cool. But sometimes planning fun activities for your kids can quickly turn into a nightmare. The only thing that keeps me going when my lovely plans turn into scream or complain fests is knowing there’s an end to the day and a bedtime routine waiting for us.

So instead of planning an after bedtime excursion for both you and your kids to enjoy, which might be awesome but might also be overwhelming, stick to your normal routine and come hang out with us at Hobcaw Brewing. They’re hosting a family friendly New Year’s Eve celebration with a special kid friendly balloon drop at 6pm and a free sparkling cider toast at 5:30pm, making it easy to celebrate early and still get everyone home on time.

Families can enjoy bowl games on the big screens while parents sip $6 glasses of champagne. Food will be covered with Mastro’s Wood Fired Pizza available from 1 to 6pm and the Donut Daddy food truck serving sweet treats from 2 to 6pm. There will also be a 2026 photo booth set up to capture the moment as you ring in the New Year together. Hobcaw Brewing is located at 📍496 Long Point Road in Mount Pleasant (South Carolina, not Iowa 😂).

Bert’s is one of those true local staples that’s so well known it doesn’t even need a sign. The rough, beach weathered, exterior is part of the beach town charm that keeps Folly feeling old school in the best way. It’s been around for years, and Bert Hastings’ famous motto, “We may doze, but we never close,” really says it all. Whether you’re visiting or a native, a stop or two at Bert’s is a must.

Located just two blocks from one of Folly’s public beach entrances, it’s the perfect place to grab what you need before heading to the sand. We stopped in on our way home from an afternoon and we grabbed sandwiches and drinks for the trek home. We were in and out in about 15 minutes. Easy, quick, and exactly what you want before or after a beach day.

As the only grocery store on Folly Beach proper, Bert’s Market has been serving the community for more than two decades. Inside, you’ll find just about everything. There’s a full service deli, a quick hot food bar with their famous seventy five cent hot dogs, conventional and organic groceries, meats, frozen foods, household goods, CBD items, tobacco products, and even musical supplies like strings, picks, and sticks for local musicians.

The sandwiches are always a win. Everything is made with antibiotic free meats and cheeses with no added nitrates, organic produce, and all the love they can muster. We loved the cheesecake, jalapeño poppers, and the cold cut wrap, which might honestly be one of the best on the island. They also have a seriously impressive Wall of Wine with over 200 selections at a variety of price points, plus a Beer Cave stocked with over 100 local and micro brews alongside the classic staples.

There is one public bathroom available, and if the store is buzzing, you could be waiting longer than your kids would like to wait. Like anywhere busy and eclectic, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on them and be mindful of your surroundings as Bert’s is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year!

I love going into this store because you never know who or what you might see. Last week we saw a black lambo sitting in front of the store. We are still waiting to hear back on who it belongs to!

Bert’s is part grocery store, part Folly Beach experience, and part time capsule. Grab your food, soak up the vibes, and head to the beach. We love Bert’s!

I started this year with a baby and I’m ending it with a much bigger baby who’s quickly becoming a toddler. Here’s what really defined our year.

His reflux medicine and the humidifier, both daily staples that made a hard season more manageable.
The blanket he chose himself, still unnamed. My big two named theirs Beeta and Gagi, so the jury is still out on baby number three’s blanket name.
Mr. Duck, his chosen stuffed animal and constant companion.

The day he walked for the first time. His little laugh that is grown into a big belly laugh that fills the whole house. Watching him only give kisses to his big brother and big sister (not Mom and Dad). Watching (and letting) him enjoy dirt! For the fist year of his life, letting him near the grass meant skin irritation and break outs. He couldn’t handle grass! Now, I let him walk around barefoot and get as dirty as he wants with no skin reactions!

This year, I accepted that this season of motherhood (x3) is incredibly hard and that it’s okay if I’m not enjoying most of it right now. Some seasons aren’t meant to be savored, they’re meant to be survived. I’ve learned that showing up, even exhausted, is enough.

I also know this. When I sleep eight hours a night for a few days in a row, the joy of motherhood comes rushing back. Right now, six hours on a good night has been my reality for years, and that matters. Joy isn’t gone, it’s just resting. Sleep will come back. This season will pass and yours will too.

If you’re in the thick of it, you’re not failing. You’re doing something deeply demanding, and you’re doing it well.

• What did I rely on most this year?
• What moment showed me my child is growing and so am I?
• What did this season teach me about myself as a parent?
• What do I need more of in the year ahead?

See you next year!

Love, Jenna