Being Savvy: Activities, things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in New Orleans, LA

Moby, Mozart or Miles

by Kelly Leahy

Finding music in New Orleans is never a problem. Chances are that live music wafts through your windows at any hour of the day. The challenge, if any, is finding a family-friendly venue, at a kid-friendly time. And, let's face it, sometimes it's nice to hear something other than jazz and zydeco. [I feel like I just said something blasphemous. Am I still welcome to live in this city?]Below I've ... Read more >

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99 things you must do with your child in New Orleans before they grow up

by Kelly Leahy

There are easily several hundred activities that ensure a good time for you and your pre-schooler. I'm only reaching for 99. I've listed 30 below and am asking you to list your additional favorites in the comments.Beignets at Cafe Du MondeRide the street carCatch a Zulu CoconutJazz FestChristmas Eve Bonfires on the LeveeBourbon Street early on Mardi Gras DayHost a crawfish boilTouch a sing ray ... Read more >

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Room to Run: Best places to tire out your preschooler

by Kelly Leahy

Fortunately for the parents and childcare givers of New Orleans, there are plenty of places to run your kids ragged. Audubon Park provides a myriad of activities including two play sets, each in close vicinity to a public restroom. The large of the two play sets is aligned with St. Charles, close to Calhoun and tends to fill up quickly with kids of all ages. The second play set, and the one that ... Read more >

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Top 5 Things to Do in New Orleans on a Rainy Day

by Kelly Leahy

We are fast approaching rainy season here in New Orleans and that can mean anything from a gray drizzle all day long to being locked in the house for hours due to street flooding. Nothing's easy about living in the Crescent City but here are some tips to make a rainy day with your pre-schooler something to look forward to rather than dread.1. Go Fish. The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is a ... Read more >

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The littlest Picasso

by Kelly Leahy

In a city where Degas once resided and with a streets named for Greek Muses and French painters, it's no surprise that there is plenty of art enrichment to be found. Though it's difficult to get a preschooler to sit still and do anything for an extended period of time, there are a few ways to encourage them to appreciate art without strapping them to a chair.If you are looking for a great ... Read more >

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How to be a prince(ss) for a day

by Kelly Leahy

Whether it's a birthday, a giant pick-me-up or some other special day, it just feels good to occasionally spoil your kid rotten. In doing so, you also get to spoil yourself by indulging in the same sugary treats and perhaps getting dolled up too. In addition to the spoil factor, pretending to be royalty for a day is great for the imagination. It's truly incredible to hear what preschoolers come ... Read more >

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Book nooks for tots: Best story times and reading rooms

by Kelly Leahy

I have just started to break out of the house to do storytime. The New Orleans Public Library has quite a few offerings. As it is a public facility, it is free and there are plenty of restrooms and spaces for kids. My favorite place to go however, is an Uptown store which you will see listed below.The Children's Bookshop - Teach your kids to "Fight the Stupids" early on. The Children's Bookshop ... Read more >

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History lessons: The French Market

by Kelly Leahy

Teaching actual history to a preschooler who has trouble grasping the concept of "yesterday," might seem a little far fetched. However, that shouldn't prevent you from brushing up on your facts so you incorporate the details into stories and narratives.The French Market provides a chance for you and your tot to shop along the same route as those over two hundred years ago. Opened in 1791, the ... Read more >

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5 best ways to enjoy City Park

by Kelly Leahy

I have underused City Park since moving here and I am slowly making up for lost time. The 1,300 acres are owned by the City of New Orleans. With the first parcel being bought in 1854, it's been available for several generations worth of New Orleans children. Here are five of the best ways to enjoy City Park with your preschooler beyond the playground and feeding ducks in the lagoon.Carousel ... Read more >

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How to cultivate the tiniest green thumb

by Kelly Leahy

Our growing season is very long here in the Crescent City which means there is plenty of time to kill a great number of plants off ... at least that's what I tend to do. This year, however, I am turning over a new leaf (ha ha) and trying to not only start but maintain a couple of window boxes and a container garden with the help of my eldest daughter. It's a lot for me to take on given my record ... Read more >

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