New Year's Eve starts early for kids

Families and children started their New Year's Eve activities early with a two-hour celebration Thursday at the Vaughan Athletic Center in Aurora.

Organizers said 600 people preregistered and 150 more came on the day of the eighth annual event.

The Family New Year's Eve party allowed kids to ring in 2016 with a variety of activities including climbing and bouncing on giant inflatables, interactive games, hula hoop contests and dancing. Popular features were "Spin the Prize Wheel" and "Active Toddler Zone," with the traditional New Year's countdown featuring a colossal balloon drop at noon. More than 1,200 balloons and beach balls were dropped after a short countdown.

Spiderman, a Stormtrooper (from "Star Wars"), and Cinderella were on the scene to mingle and have their picture taken with the kids and parents.