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

N.O. Public Libraries go high-tech

by Kelly Leahy

August 06, 2009

While I was recently perusing the New Orleans Public Library website, I was surprised to find that you can now download Audiobooks, eBooks and music from their site onto your computer. Many digital versions can even be listened to on your iPod which is perfect for long car rides.

Some of the parenting-related titles available include The 7 Stages of Motherhood by Ann Pishette Murphy and In Praise of Stay-At-Home Moms by everyone's favorite Dr. Laura Schlessinger.

For the kids there are Aesop's Fables and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.

Also available are many classic and contemporary novels for time away from the kids. Check out 1984 by George Orwell,  Absurdistan by Gary Shteyngart (I enjoyed this book quite a bit),  and Toni Morrison's Beloved.

The only drawbacks are that many of the titles available are only excerpts of the books so look carefully at your selection and Mac users are pretty much out of luck ... grrrrr.

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).

Book nooks for tots: Best story times and reading rooms

by Kelly Leahy

May 22, 2008

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  Read more...