Baylin Bengathody (pictured above)
First-grader, Chatham, New Jersey

Who’s on the other end of your walkie-talkie?
My friend. We’re using it to say where we are so we don’t get lost or anything.

I like the cheetahs on your pajamas.
They’re jaguars.

Do you learn a lot about animals in school?
Not that much, but I already know a lot. Just ask me some specific questions and I’ll answer.

Do you know what the biggest cat is?
A tiger!

Maxwell Villanueva-Rayko

Kindergartner, Wilton, Connecticut 

Olive Stemper

Kindergartner, West Fairlee, Vermont

I heard it’s cold in Vermont right now.

There’s some snow. I like playing in it. But winter is not my favorite season; I like all of them.

Vivaan Varma

Fourth-grader, Bronxville

Edith Colbert-Haburchak

Third-grader, Windsor Terrace

Sadie Whitworth

Kindergartner, Upper East Side

Tell me about this stuffie you’re holding.

It’s a jaguar, and it helps me sleep.

Aidan Wei

Fourth-grader, Upper East Side

Gabriel McGovern

Fourth-grader, Park Slope

Harry Angelo

Third-grader, West Village

 

Are you looking forward to seeing anything in particular?

I’m looking forward to when it’s lights-out and to sleep.

Patrick Benson

First-grader, Upper East Side

Rose Whitworth

Third-grader, Upper East Side

Harrison Fane

Third-grader, Upper East Side

What did you pack for your sleepover?

I brought a pillow of my own. My main focus is just to have a good sleep. But I’m probably going to be up and looking at stuff. Usually on weekdays, I go to bed at 7:30 and wake up at 5:30 a.m. My neighbors have a big beef with me because then I usually play piano at six.

Astro Mueller

Third-grader, Chelsea

Savannah Nanitelamio

Fifth-grader, Harlem

Hawke Howell

First-grader, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida

Where in the museum are you headed?

I was wanting to see some live animals, but besides that I wanted to see some experiments. And snakes. I’ve only seen two black racers that were getting married in my pool and also one moccasin.

Nate Conlisk

First-grader, Old Greenwich, Connecticut

Bash Wei

Second-grader, Upper East Side

Lily Vorobeychik

Second-grader, Greenwich, Connecticut

Have you been to a sleepover before?

I’ve done seven sleepovers so far, so this is my eighth. I’m 8 years old, too!

Valentina Gribben

Second-grader, Greenpoint

Photographs by Frankie Alduino

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If you prefer to read in print, you can also find this article in the December 15, 2025, issue of
New York Magazine.

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If you prefer to read in print, you can also find this article in the December 15, 2025, issue of
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