As crowds began to gather in Times Square for New Year’s Eve Wednesday, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan on the Upper West Side held its annual kid-friendly ball drop and dance party for families.
And like all New Yorkers, the littlest New Yorkers know how to party. They decorate hats — and like adults, they have big hopes for the new year ahead.
What You Need To Know
The Children’s Museum of Manhattan has been holding a kid-friendly ball drop party since 2014, complete with confetti, music, dancing, a countdown and a ball drop for New York City families
Children and families got a chance to decorate festive party hats before the party got started
Parents say the warm and safe event allows kids to get in on the fun of New Year’s Eve
“My friend to feel better from her surgery,” attendee Adriana said.
“To have a bigger doll house for my Barbies,” Scarlett, another attendee, added.
And they make sure they’re dressed for the occasion, especially making sure…
“That it sparkles,” Scarlett said. Even down to the shoes.
And when the clock struck 12 p.m. and the ball dropped, that’s when the party animals came out.
This was Poppy Kotchko’s second year at the museum’s ball drop party.
“My parents actually brought her last year, and she’s talked about nothing else since,” said Mandy Meng, Poppy’s mom.
They all loved it so much her grandparents came all the way from North Carolina to celebrate with the whole family this year.
The DJ kept the party going all afternoon for the kids — and the parents too.
“It’s beautiful to come together with families that maybe you’ve just met or you don’t know,” said Leslie Bushara, chief program officer at the museum. “I think it’s a wonderful expression of what New York is, the diversity of families. It’s really amazing to see.”
And the best part for parents: “She really thinks it’s midnight, so we’re good,” Meng said.