You need an Apple TV+ subscription. Here are your options:

Direct subscription: $9.99/month through Apple. If you've never subscribed before, you get a 7-day free trial. That's enough time to watch this special plus raid their surprisingly decent kids' library.

Apple One bundle: If your family already uses Apple Music, iCloud storage, or other Apple services, the Apple One bundle ($19.95/month for individual, $25.95 for family) might actually save you money.

Free with device purchase: Buy a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV device and you get 3 months free. This is how Apple got a lot of families hooked initially.

Through your carrier: Some Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T plans include Apple TV+ for free. Check your account—you might already have access and not even know it.

On Apple devices: Open the Apple TV app (the one with the black icon, not to be confused with the physical Apple TV box, because Apple loves confusing naming). It's pre-installed on iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

On non-Apple devices:

Pro tip: If you're setting this up on a new device, you'll need your Apple ID. If you're like most families and share devices but have different Apple IDs, anyone in your Family Sharing group can access the subscription.

Once you're in Apple TV+:

Hit play. That's it.

At 38 minutes, it's the perfect length—long enough to feel substantial, short enough that younger kids won't lose interest. The animation style honors the classic Peanuts look while being updated enough that it doesn't feel dated.

Lucy's storyline about trying to become a better person for the new year is surprisingly thoughtful. It's not preachy, but it does give kids (and honestly, adults) something to think about regarding self-improvement and friendship. The special doesn't shy away from the fact that change is hard and that we often fail at our resolutions—which is refreshingly honest for kids' content.

Ages 3-12 will get the most out of it, though honestly, Peanuts has always been one of those rare properties that works for genuinely all ages. Younger kids enjoy the slapstick and Snoopy's antics. Older kids and adults appreciate the more subtle humor and life observations.

If you're subscribing specifically for this special, you might as well know what else is there for kids:

Actually good shows:

Movies worth checking out:

The library isn't massive like Netflix or Disney+, but the quality-to-quantity ratio is honestly better. Apple seems to actually curate rather than just dump content.

Real talk: If you're only interested in this one 38-minute special, use the free trial, watch it, and cancel. Apple won't be offended (they're a trillion-dollar company, they'll survive).

But if you've got kids under 10 and you're tired of the overstimulating garbage on other platforms, Apple TV+ is actually worth considering. The kids' content is consistently calmer, more thoughtful, and less likely to turn your child into a screen zombie. Plus, there's decent adult content if you want to watch Ted Lasso or Severance after bedtime.

Download for offline viewing: Yes, you can download the special to watch on a plane or in the car. Open the Apple TV app, find the special, and tap the download icon.

Screen time considerations: At 38 minutes, this fits comfortably into most families' screen time budgets. It's also the kind of content that you can feel good about—it's not engineered to hijack attention spans the way algorithmically-driven content is.

Parental controls: Apple TV+ has decent parental controls. You can restrict content by rating, require a password for purchases, and set up Kids profiles that only show age-appropriate content. Learn more about setting up Apple TV+ parental controls.

No ads: One of the best things about Apple TV+ is zero commercials. Your kids won't be begging for toys they saw advertised every 8 minutes.

If you're not ready to commit to Apple TV+ but your kids are suddenly obsessed with Snoopy:

Classic specials: A Charlie Brown Christmas and It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown are also on Apple TV+, but Apple does make them available for free streaming for limited windows around the actual holidays. They're also available to purchase on other platforms.

Books: The original Peanuts comic strips are timeless and available in collections. They're actually funnier and more sophisticated than you might remember.

Other streaming options: PBS Kids sometimes has Peanuts content, and you can buy or rent individual specials on Amazon, YouTube, or other platforms—though honestly, at that point, you're spending almost as much as a month of Apple TV+.

For a wholesome, actually-well-made New Year's special that won't make you want to claw your eyes out, Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne delivers. Getting access requires an Apple TV+ subscription, but between the free trial and the surprisingly decent kids' library, it's worth the minimal effort.

Set it up before New Year's Eve, make some popcorn, and enjoy 38 minutes of content that reminds us why Peanuts has lasted 70+ years—it's kind, it's funny, and it treats kids like they're capable of understanding nuance.

Next steps:

And if your kids fall in love with Lucy, Charlie Brown, and the gang? There are worse obsessions to have. At least you won't be explaining what "Skibidi Toilet" means for the hundredth time.