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

5 Ways Escape the Heat this Summer

by Kelly Leahy

June 30, 2009

Not everyone is lucky enough to avoid the New Orleans heat for a few days in the summer. When the weather get unbearable and the city's dragging you down. Why not play tourist and fall in love all over again? Here are five fun family activities that will help pass the long summer days.

1. An early morning carriage ride around the Quarter with Royal Carriages will help you to brush up on your history. Your preschooler will like the novelty of a mule driven carriage. Last time I was down there, the tour guides were asking $12 a person. The website for Royal Carriages has coupons for $5 off which is a pretty good deal for a personalized journey starting from Jackson Square. 
2. When summer is at its hottest, duck into the Musée Conti Historical Wax Museum. It's sure to be cool in there to guarantee that the historical was figures don't melt. Half priced coupons are frequently available at tourist kiosks.The museum offers the history of New Orleans in wax at $7 for adults and $4.95 for kids.
3. It's touristy, hokey and full of parrotheads but Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville is the most kid-friendly restaurant that I have found in the Quarter -- and the food's not half bad either. There is a generous kid's menu with something for every picky palate.  When you are seated, ask the server about obtaining a "Local's Card" which entitles you to a 20% discount on meals and souvenirs. Plenty of iced drinks for all ages.
   
4. Hit the nearest snowball (snoball, sno-ball, or however you want to spell it) stand for an icy treat to keep you and the kids cool. Whether you are a fan of Plum Street Snoball or Hansen's Sno-Bliz, this icy treat will not doubt be a hit. My favorite place for small children is Queen of the Ball on Oak Street (newly redeveloped, check it out!). Among the many flavors offered is a dye-free strawberry guaranteed not to stain clothes.
5. Finally, head to the theater. Crescent City Lights Youth Theater offers productions throughout the summer. Kids ages 7 to 17 are cast in productions. Their last show, Wanna Play? followed several talented locals through the ups and downs of early adolescence. The production was full of music and got rave reviews from the audiences. Their next play, Everything About School opens on July 31st.

5 Special Spots That Will Wow a Preschooler

by Kelly Leahy

June 23, 2009

Whether it's to make a birthday extra special or to simply get out of the house for a few hours, here are five local spots that are guaranteed to make their eyes pop out of their heads.

1. The Algiers Ferry, Canal Street. Crossing the Mississippi on a big boat is right up there on a preschooler's idea of a good time. The fact that it's free for pedestrians and only a dollar if you drive makes it a good choice for parents as well.
2. Angelo Brocato's, 214 N. Carrollton Avenue. This Italian ice cream and pastry shop has been pleasing kids and grown-ups alike since 1905. Their offerings of gelato, spumoni, cannoli and cookies are unparalelled in the city.
3. Audubon Insectarium, Custom House, Canal St. Preschoolers will have a great time not only looking into terrariums filled with bugs but also holding and even eating the six-legged wonders (and worms too). Tickets are $5 for members through the summer!
4. Whether it's Jackson Square, Wednesday in the Square or one of the various venues around town, preschoolers love music. There are plenty of events going on that are kid friendly and even unconventional spots (D.B.A., for one -- or so I've heard) welcome kids to their shows.
5. Le Jouet, 1700 Airline Drive. This family owned and operated toy store is stuffed the rafters with toys, bikes and goodlies for kids of all ages.  Children are welcome to explore the playhouses outside or try out the mini kitchens indoors. Of course, it's unlikely that you'll be able to walk away without buying something, there's always penny candy at the register.

Best Spots for Indoor Play

by Kelly Leahy

January 20, 2009

We are lucky in that winters here are usually mild enough to keep us from getting cases of cabin fever (that comes in July). There are days however, some recent, that keep us shivering and away from our favorite outdoor spots. For days like these, I'm recapping favorite indoor spots around the city to let your toddler run wild. The Monkey Room features plenty of climbing equipment for toddlers  Read more...

Zulu is 100 Years Old

by Kelly Leahy

January 15, 2009

2009 marks Zulu's 100th year. This is a great time for you to show off your coconut collection to your preschooler and get them prepped for Mardi Gras morning. There is currently a 3,000 square foot exhibit commemorating Zulu at the Louisiana State Museum in Jackson Square called, " From Tramps to Kings: 100 Years of Zulu ." Relics, pictures and costumes are staged for viewing. Adults are $6  Read more...

Seeing Stars

by Kelly Leahy

October 15, 2008

My three-year-old has been into the solar system for quite some time now. It's her father's fault. He's even made up a song entitled, "The Sun" to get her to sleep at night. Because of this I've been looking into local planetariums. The closest planetarium is the Kenner Planetarium Megadome Cinema in Rivertown. Various planet themed shows are scheduled Tuesday through Saturday during the day.  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...

A preschooler's view of Baton Rouge in pictures

by Kelly Leahy

August 21, 2008

The Husband has some business to attend to in Baton Rouge this week. After debating back and forth what would be more difficult -- a week at home, alone with two little ones or a week alone in a hotel room with two little ones, I opted for home. However, that did not stop me and the kids from spending one night in the historic Hilton Baton Rouge Capital Center . The hotel is located Downtown  Read more...

This weekend's best bet: FETCH! Louisiana Children's Museum

by Kelly Leahy

August 15, 2008

Saturdays at the Louisiana Children's Museum offer up a scavenger hunt for the kids. Each week has a different theme. This Saturday's theme is energy which is very appropriate given how much we've been running the air conditioner lately. From 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. kids are invited to build an "enviro battery" ( potatoes ?), a hot air balloon and static powered neon lights. There will also  Read more...

This weekends best picks

by Kelly Leahy

July 18, 2008

The Bywater Art Market makes its monthly appearance on Saturday. Not only is this a great place to pick some reasonably priced artwork for yourself but also gifts for others -- especially if you like to start your Christmas shopping early. There is usually live music for little ears and many food options including kid-friendly juices and kettle corn. What I like best about city's art markets are  Read more...

Audubon Insectarium: A review

by Kelly Leahy

June 18, 2008

Can I share a secret with you? I honestly had no big desire to go to the new Audubon Insectarium . I didn't want to pay admission and I figured that the museum would be swamped with visitors for the first few months. I also don't like bugs. I don't like bugs a lot . But when it came time to think of something to do for Father's Day, I ponied up and bought tickets online because I knew that my  Read more...

Budding Art Critic: How to make the NOMA a place your child loves

by Kelly Leahy

June 02, 2008

The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) is located on the edge of City Park in an impressive Greek Revival building. The museum might be a little imposing and the docents can be stuffy but here are some surefire ways to make a visit a hit with your pre-schooler. Plan ahead. Take a look at the website and print out some pictures of NOMA's permanent collection to hunt for in the museum. Our  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...