Growing up, one of my favorite annual traditions with my family was watching the Time Square ball drop on New Year's Eve. Now that I have my own kids, I have carried on that same tradition, only now instead of watching a ball drop on TV at midnight, it’s a brick drop at 6:00pm in Miniland USA at LEGOLAND® California. Every year on December 31st, LEGOLAND California creates a “time zone just for kids” where they ring in the New Year early, complete with party favors, fireworks and a live concert with kid friendly bands so kids can celebrate before their bedtime, and then parents still have time to whoop it up on their own.

My family and I have attended KNYE for the past few years and we look forward to it every year. This year the special guests include: Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band, Aaron Nigel Smith and the Fundamentals, and my personal fave, Justin Roberts & Not Ready For Nap Time Players, who were just nominated for a Grammy. It’s a high energy, rockin’ party where the adults boogie as much as the kids.

The highlight of the night, the Brick Drop, occurs immediately after the concert, promptly at 6:00pm. A ginormous lighted LEGO brick lowers slowly as the kids countdown from 10 to 1, prompting a kid friendly version of Auld Lang Syne and a spectacular fireworks display. At some point during the concert, be sure to grab the Kids New Year’s Eve party favors, which include a brick hat and matching 3D glasses that make the fireworks turn into LEGO bricks as they light up the sky.

It is truly a magical night and a perfect way to introduce your kids to the fun traditions of New Years Eve at a time of night when they’re not spinning out, melting down, or fast asleep. It will start your 2011 off with a family friendly BANG and will certainly be a night to remember.

Brick regards,
Model Mom Mary