Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in new orleans, LA

Best Bet: FQ Triple Play

June 12, 2009

Is there any popular local food that does not have its own festival within Metro New Orleans? This weekend we honor the creole tomato, a hybrid that grows best in these parts (some say St. Bernard offers the best soil). The creole tomato is also the state vegetable plant of Louisiana. Who knew? In addition to this festive fruit, the French Market presents the Louisiana Seafood Festival and the Louisiana Cajun Zydeco Music Festival (no food there, just good music).

The three festivals run from 11 am to 7 pm on June 13th and 14th down at the river and encompasses the area from the French Market up to Dutch Alley, just before Jackson Square. There will be plenty of food and you can gawk at your favorite local chefs at the Performance Pavilion as they practice their craft. Food booths include Dunbar's (yum), GW Fins (yum), Nola and others.

I personally have never been to the Creole Tomato Festival thought I mean to go every year, something always comes up. This year we will have guests in town and it's likely that we will find ourselves in the Quarter.

Some tips for a sucessful adventure:

1. Bring plenty of water for the wee ones. It's getting hotter out there.
2. Have your preschooler try a new food whether its a creole tomato or a bite of alligator.
3. If there's any question, bring the stroller. You could find yourself a ways away from your car and carrying a stroller beats carrying a tired kid. 
4. Just because there's a festival going on does not mean that you won't have time for beignets. Just sayin'.

Best Bet: Enjoy the Fest

by Kelly Leahy

April 30, 2009

This is the last weekend for Jazz Fest 2009. I must say that I had some trepidation the first time that I went with small children but we had a blast. The covered kid's tent is a great place to catch your breath as well as some innovative acts geared for your preschooler.

There are puppet shows, tribal dance music and even kid performers throughout the weekend. Outside of the tent there are games and plenty of activities to plow through. For more detail be sure to check out the cubes. I also wanted to mention that if you haven't been to the Jazz Fest homepage, there is a new feature this year that allows you to customize your music schedule so you don't miss a beat (ha ha). 

Planning ahead: Make New Orleans Home is proposing screening films at the Fly starting May 7th. I love this idea. Go to this website and vote on the first film.

Best Bet: Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival

by Kelly Leahy

April 03, 2009

The world famous (?) Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival begins today at 4 pm and runs through the entire weekend. Located about one hour from the city, this annual affair is a must-see for strawberry lovers (and it's even fun for those who aren't).

For one fabulous weekend the small town of Ponchatoula comes alive with games, rides and live music. The event is taking extra care this year to cater to children with upgraded rides and "wholesome" activities. There are plenty of musical guests scheduled including New Orleans' own Bag of Donuts and Molly Ringwalds. There is also a chance to meet 2009's Strawberry Festival royalty as they go on parade.

Oh, the berries! You can not only take home inexpensive flats of the best known strawberries in the state but you can taste the local delicacy every way imaginable. Only that the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival have I seen strawberries dipped in chocolate and then FRIED. I should have never expected less.

Directions to the festival can be found on the website. Though most of the action is located at  Memorial Park, there are treasures to be found all around the town especially if you like antiques. Once you get into town, find parking wherever you can and follow the crowds.

Guest Post: Andy Hymel

by Kelly Leahy

March 02, 2009

Andy Hymel was kind enough to volunteer a guest post today. He is the master behind Andy Hymel's School of Music in Gretna. I am excited to have someone write about the importance of music when it comes to young children. Andy has been teaching music for over a quarter of a century. A graduate of Loyola University with a degree in Jazz Performance, Hymel offers classes for preschoolers up to baby boomers.

Best Bet: Dogs and Kings

by Kelly Leahy

February 27, 2009

Well, the beads have been caught and probably disposed of by now. This weekend will be quiet around town but there is still plenty to do. 

• Street performers remain en masse in the French Quarter to draw out the last of the Carnival dollars from the tourists. Take a trip downtown, grab some beignets and dance in Jackson Square with your preschooler.
• If you are looking for a new pup (or just like hanging out with them) the LA/SPCA is holding an adoption event on Saturday at Canine Connection (3440 Magazine Street) from 11:00-3:00. 
• Palmer Park hosts once more the Art Market of New Orleans this Saturday.
• If you haven't caught it yet, From Tramps to Kings: 100 Years of Zulu is still on exhibit at the Presbytere.

 Hey if all else fails, there's always Motley Crue at the Arena on Saturday.

This Weekend's Best Bet: Tết Fest

by Kelly Leahy

January 30, 2009

A friend tipped me off to a festival in New Orleans East this weekend. The Vietnamese New Year or Tết kicks off this evening at Mary Queen of Vietnam Church (14001 Dwyer Blvd.). This three day celebration features food, games, dragons and performances. To catch it from the beginning, head on over to the Church tonight at 6:30 pm for the opening ceremonies. Tết is the biggest holiday  Read more...

This weekend's best bet: A Night at the Opera

by Kelly Leahy

January 16, 2009

The Mahalia Jackson Theatre reopened last week and as part of the celebrations, Plácido Domingo will be in the Crescent City performing with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. The event is nearly sold out but tickets are still available. In addition to singing tenor for the evening, the artist will be in town for the dedicaiton of the The Plácido Domingo Stage within the theater. If  Read more...

Farewell 2008 -- 10 best posts of the year

by Kelly Leahy

December 30, 2008

Boy, what a year it's been. With my second child born towards the end of 2007, 2008 was about keeping my sanity, surviving the preschool application process for my eldest and treasuring every moment (even the mind numbing tantrums). The year culminated in a live television interview yesterday on ABC's Good Morning New Orleans . Since this year has been all about keeping my head above water, I  Read more...

This Weekend's Best Bet: Festivals Galore

by Kelly Leahy

December 05, 2008

There is no reason why you can't finish up your holiday shopping this weekend. There a a gazillion open air markets going on in and around the city (I've counted). The best thing about art markets (other than the simple fact that you don't have to step foot in the mall) is that you are supporting locals. The second best thing is that the kids love it! Algiers' Point Art & Fine Craft Market  Read more...

Celebration in the Oaks Reopens Today

by Kelly Leahy

November 28, 2008

If you are looking for an activity this evening that does not involve shopping or football, head on over to Celebration in the Oaks at City Park. The holiday season is not complete without a walk through the transformed gardens and amusement areas of City Park. Trees encased in lights glow in the dark and light shows choreographed to music with capture your preschooler's attention. This year a  Read more...

This weekend's best bet: Ramp Art Festival

by Kelly Leahy

November 21, 2008

The second annual North Ramp Art Festival is taking place this Saturday along the promenade in front of Louis Armstrong park on Rampart Street (I bet you saw that coming). There will be over 20 local artists and food vendors selling their wares. As with any good festival there will also be music including the Treme Brass Band and Walter "Wolfman" Washington. There is also a Children's Area with  Read more...

5 Ghostly Halloween Delights

by Kelly Leahy

October 21, 2008

Walking up and down Frenchman Street at midnight might have been OK in my pre-child days but somehow it doesn't seem as appealing with two small kids. Here are five things to do with your preschooler this Halloween. Trick or Treat in Storyland , City Park Thursday, Oct. 30 & Friday, Oct. 31 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm $5, babies under 1, free Bring your little ghouls to City Park for a romp through  Read more...

This weekend's best bet: Ghosts & BBQ

by Kelly Leahy

October 16, 2008

Why wait until Halloween to parade your preschooler around in costume? After all, you might as well get as much use out of the thing as you can. City Park is presenting Ghosts in the Oaks this year starting tonight. For $15 ($12 for members) you will have access to Storyland and City Park Amusements (rides y'all!) from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM. Entry includes unlimited rides, crafts and  Read more...

This weekend's best bet: VOTE

by Kelly Leahy

October 03, 2008

Yesterday I wrote a brief bit on the importance of voting so I'm not going to keep harping on it. If you are unsure of your polling location, you can find it here . Vote early and vote often. Ok, once you have voted, you might be wondering just what you should do for the remainder of the weekend. Need I remind you that it's October? It's hard to NOT find something to do. Oktoberfest is still  Read more...

Oktoberfest Fun

by Kelly Leahy

October 01, 2008

Last Saturday we headed on over to the Deutches Haus for Oktoberfest . This was my first Oktoberfest experience in New Orleans and I banked on the fact that it was family friendly when I piled my two kids in the car. I was not disappointed. Doors opened to the general public at 6:00 pm and that's what time we handed over our $10 entry fee ($5 for adults, the kids were free). The yard was  Read more...

This weekends best bet: Scarecrows and Brats

by Kelly Leahy

September 26, 2008

Fall has arrived! With it comes festivals galore. This weekend brings with it a couple of offerings for you and your preschooler. Oktoberfest starts tomorrow evening at Deutsches House. Grab a table, a bier and some knackwurst. Hand over a giant Bavarian pretzel to the little one and enjoy the music. Friday 3pm to 1am and Saturday 6pm until 1am. If you are looking for a new addition to your  Read more...

This weekend's best bet: Family Fiesta!

by Kelly Leahy

September 19, 2008

Sunday marks the last day of The Baroque World of Fernando Botero at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Lucky for us, the museum is celebrating the final day of this Latin American artist's stint with a Family Fiesta. Like all events at NOMA, this is free to Louisiana residents. It starts at 1:00 PM this Sunday. Fernando Botero was born in 1932 and is a successful painter, sculptor, and  Read more...

New Orleans' Own Kiddie Rockers: Imagination Movers

by Kelly Leahy

September 11, 2008

"Oh, and there was this band here at the Gentilly Stage yesterday that was just awful. Your husband knew who they were." "The Imagination Movers ?" "Yes, that's them." This was an actual conversation that I had at Jazz Fest this year while working one of the many beer tents. Apparently the Imagination Movers did not go over so well with the grown-ups. However, if you get the Disney Channel,  Read more...

This weekends best bets: Satchmo and White Linen

by Kelly Leahy

July 31, 2008

So many fun things to do this weekend! In a city where residents normally hide inside during the months of July and August, there are two excellent events happening Saturday and Sunday. The first is the Satchmo SummerFest which I mentioned yesterday. The second is White Linen Night . Satchmo SummerFest is full of live music on four different stages including a children's stage. Highlights  Read more...

Get to know Satchmo

by Kelly Leahy

July 30, 2008

Satchmo SummerFest is coming up this weekend. The action begins at the old US Mint starting Thursday the 31st and ends on Sunday the 3rd. This annual event coincides with the anniversary of Louis Armstrong's birth on August 4th. Here in New Orleans we like to give our cultural icons four days worth of song, drink and reverence. What are the best ways to introduce your preschooler to ol' Louis  Read more...

Correction and apology about the Stompers

by Kelly Leahy

July 27, 2008

I excitedly headed down the the Quarter today with my husband and two kids on tow only to find that the Storyville Stompers were in fact NOT PLAYING TODAY. My source was wrong. When I spoke with the park ranger (funny seeing an olive clad ranger downtown, let me tell you) he said that the Storyville Stompers will be appearing every Saturday in August. It was not a total loss. The family was  Read more...

This weekend's best bet: Storyville Stompers

by Kelly Leahy

July 25, 2008

You may have seen them at Jazz Fest or just playing around town. There's something about the Storyville Stompers that just makes you want to dance along to the music. This weekend they are putting on a free show for kids. To make it even better, bringing along your own instruments is encouraged. So pull out that snare drum that you've been hiding from Junior and head on down to the Quarter  Read more...

Essential Summer Music

by Kelly Leahy

July 01, 2008

This summer, for the second year in a row, my daughters and I are spending quite a bit of time on the road. I've barely touched last year's playlists which already include my eldest's ecclectic tastes in music. What we have is a mishmash of New Orleans favorites, kid performers and random pop and rock songs. Nevertheless, this playlist says "summer vacation" to me whenever I give it a listen.  Read more...

Preschool Classes Abound

by Kelly Leahy

June 17, 2008

Tuesday is list day here at Savvy Source. Today we are looking at what classes New Orleans has too offer preschoolers. This type of thing is helpful to keep in mind during the summer when regular preschool goes on hiatus or at least takes a couple of weeks off. 1. Ecole Bilingue offers four two week sessions for children ages three to eleven. Classes are taught in both French and English so  Read more...

Moby, Mozart or Miles

by Kelly Leahy

May 30, 2008

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...

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

by Kelly Leahy

May 27, 2008

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...