Dec31Thu
Noon Year's Eve at SCI
Science Center of Iowa · Downtown
- Time
- 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Price
- Science Center admission; reserve tickets ahead
With littles: Activities, shows and a balloon drop to ring in the year 12 hours early. Space is limited.
New Year’s Eve 2026Des Moines · Iowa’s capital
Noon Year’s Eve in Des Moines: countdown at noon, home by nap.
We found one kid-friendly New Year’s Eve event in and around Des Moines with 2026 dates: one Noon Year’s Eve countdown. A noon countdown means a balloon drop or bubble-wrap stomp at midday, home in time for nap. Each listing has the time, price and a link to the official page.
New here?
How a Noon Year’s Eve works
A real countdown, balloon drop and all, at a time that works for toddlers. These are typical times; each card has the venue’s exact ones.
10:30
Doors openCrafts, music and a dance party to warm up.11:45
Get in placeFind a spot near the drop zone. Shoulders work.12:00
Countdown!Balloons drop, bubble wrap pops, everybody cheers.12:30
Home for napMany wrap up around 12:30. You did New Year’s.
Countdown at noon
Noon Year’s Eve in Des Moines, 2026
Confirmed for 2026, with times, prices and ticket details from each venue’s own page.
Before you go
Three things that make it easier
TicketsIf it’s ticketed, book earlyNoon countdowns can fill up, so book once tickets open.
TimingArrive 30 minutes earlyCoats off, snack in, spot found before the countdown starts.
NoiseBring ear muffs for babiesBubble-wrap stomps and cheering get loud right at noon.Keep planning
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Good questions
Noon Year’s Eve in Des Moines: the FAQ
Noon Year's Eve at SCI at Science Center of Iowa: Thu, Dec 31, 2026, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. (Science Center admission).
A New Year’s countdown for little kids held at noon on Dec. 31 instead of midnight, usually with a balloon drop, bubble-wrap stomp, crafts and music. It’s over before nap, so nobody has to stay up late.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 18, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday in December. How we choose and check.
Littles Weekly
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Holiday weekends, planned by Friday.
One short email every Friday morning with the best things to do with little ones in Des Moines that weekend, through the holidays.
