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

5 spots to get some work done while your kids run amuck

by Kelly Leahy

August 04, 2009

My kids are still a little too young to take anywhere without constant supervision. Yet, I do long for the day when I can arrive at a kid friendly spot with a book or laptop in hand and let them loose. When that day comes, here is where you will find me:

1. The Monkey Room. Envisioned by local parents, this indoor gymnasium offers something for everyone. There is a ginormous play structure for those 3 -12 and a smaller one next door for the toddler set. This spot not only offers healthy snacks and drinks form their snack bar but also free wifi so you can work away while your children climb around like, well, monkeys.
2. You can usually piggyback on someone's wifi over at Audubon Park while the kids explore the playgrounds. The only trouble is that such a picturesque spot might be conducive to daydreaming.
3. Take advantage of our libraries! With summer reading programs, story times and public computers, there is plenty to entertain your little one while you check off a few "to dos." Everything you need to know is listed on their website.
4. There has been a lot of activity at Harrell Playground recently. This newly rebuilt facility is at the corner of Leonidas and Claiborne and is completely fenced in. There is a track, brand new play set and a POOL. Your kids will love it and you'll love the options.
5. There was a time when the only way I could get my eldest to nap was in the backseat of the car. This was also when I was most productive at getting my work done. Quite often I would be parked in the driveway but there were other days that I would find more picturesque spots with free WiFi like the Fly, the lakefront and even Frenchmen Street. I am also not above balancing my checkbook during our wait at the pediatrician's office or while the kids gaze out the windows and chat with folks on the streetcar (the ferry might pose a few too many threats on the other hand -- water and all).

National Parks in Our Very Own City

by Kelly Leahy

June 15, 2009

The first time I walked into the New Orleans Jazz National Park on N. Peter's Street in the French Quarter I was taken back by the park ranger in his traditional khaki uniform. He looked like he should be engaged in a tête à tête with Smokey the Bear under the trees rather than listening to a middle school jazz ensemble. But what I came to realize is that this National Park is a wonderful free resource for great music, tours and information about our fair city.

Every Saturday this month, kids are invited to jam with the Storyville Stompers from 11 am until 12 pm. There are other performances scheduled mid-week by other local musicians including the rangers themselves.

For a more in depth look at the history of jazz in New Orleans, take a self-guided audio tour. You can pick up brochures at the visitor's center or download them online.

A guided walking tour of the French Quarter's history is offered at the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve on Decator. The tour is free and open to the first 25 people that show up. The post itself has a lovely courtyard where you can get brochures and information about the city. The tours take place daily at 9:30 am at last about an hour. It is strongly recommended that you show up when the gates open at 9 am to secure a spot. I have never taken this tour but will put it on my "things to do" that next time we have visitors in town. You can find reviews at yelp.com.

If your preschooler is big on astronomy the Barataria Preserve in Marrero is offering free constellation lessons beginning June 27th. It's free but space limited so call 504-589-2330 ext. 10 for reservations.

The National Parks services are available in cities across the country so be sure to look into them during your next trip out of town.

This Weekend's Best Bet: Markey Park Little Hands Playground

by Kelly Leahy

January 02, 2009

While the rest of the country slips into hibernation, New Orleans' celebrations have just begun. While we take a brief breather between festivities (has anyone else been hearing fireworks for 36 hours straight?), we might as well make the most of this mild winter weather and explore the new Markey Park Little Hands Playground . Thanks to NORD, Allstate (grrr), Injury Free Coalition for Kids,  Read more...

Urban Strollering

by Kelly Leahy

December 17, 2008

Like most of my baby shopping, I relied heavily on the Amazon reviews to choose a stroller. I settled on a Maclaren Triumph . The stroller has done me well over the rough terrain of the sidewalks of New Orleans. The Maclaren is no mall stroller. There is little basket space for shopping (not so good for the farmer's market). However, it is lightweight enough to hop easily the over broken,  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...

The art of getting away without leaving town

by Kelly Leahy

July 16, 2008

I actively seek out quiet places in New Orleans; little trips I can take with a sleeping toddler in the backseat or places that feel so foreign that I could swear that I'm light years away from Orleans Parish. Going to these places serves a number of purposes but most importantily it enables me to introduce my children to new experiences and, quite frankly, reminds me of what life is like  Read more...

This weekend's best pick: Streetcar party!

by Kelly Leahy

June 27, 2008

There is only one thing going on this weekend as far as I'm concerned. It's not the Three Stooges showing at St. Patrick Park nor is it Reggae on the River . The only thing worth doing this weekend is hiking down (or up) to South Carrollton to celebrate the RETURN OF THE STREETCAR ! Technically the streetcars completed those final few blocks a couple of days ago but the neighborhood and the  Read more...

Room to Run: Best places to tire out your preschooler

by Kelly Leahy

May 28, 2008

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  Read more...

5 best ways to enjoy City Park

by Kelly Leahy

May 20, 2008

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...

Counting in da 'Hood

by Kelly Leahy

February 03, 2008

This month at Savvy Source we are looking at math skills. What better way to practice numbers than by counting objects while out and about? Here are a few things to look out for. Birds on the wire. Look up and count birds resting on telephone wires. If you are lucky, you'll be able to spot some Quaker Parrots . Go to the Fly and count the ships as they pass (this could take a while) or  Read more...

Looking in the mirror: A list of reflections

by Kelly Leahy

January 13, 2008

Tuesday is list day where we will all be covering the same topics nationally . Today's subject is the best places to find your reflection around town. Here we go. Fountain, Audubon Park. I was going to recommend the reflective canals in the city parks but the last thing I would want would be for someone to fall in. The fountain by the main entrance of Audubon Park has reflective qualites and  Read more...