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

Best Bet: Satchmo!

by Kelly Leahy

July 30, 2009

This weekend brings the Ninth Annual Satchmo SummerFest back to the French Quarter. Four days of revelry in the music of New Orleans' favorite son are ahead. Head on down to the U.S. Mint at Decatur and Esplanade for live music at over three stages and good food.

There is a special area on the second floor of the Mint for kids featuring  ‘Armstrong on Film for kids.' There your preschooler can be introduced to the likes of Betty Boop and Hello Dolly. In addition to the films there will be a coconut decorating with the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club's Junior Zulus and a  Second line Umbrella Creation Station.

Armstrong is the not the only action in town this weekend. There is also White Linen Night where you can trot your kids around Julia street and introduce them to the best art New Orleans has to offer. Even the Louisiana Children's Museum will be getting in on the action with an auction and a special showing of Terrance Osborne's relief art.

Get out this weekend and get some culture!

Best Bet: Party in the Park

by Kelly Leahy

June 18, 2009

Tucked away a few blocks off South Carrollton Avenue in Mid-City is St. Patrick Park. It's open year round to baseball games, birthday parties and movie nights. This Saturday the St. Patrick Park Booster Club is throwing a party to benefit this Mid-City jewel.

Party in the Park opens with the Red Hot Brass Band and 3:30 pm and continues with Egg Yolk Jubilee (yeah!) and Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes who close the show at 9 pm.

This event will be following the tried and true New Orleans festival formula including family fun, food, games an prizes. To kick things up a notch, there will also be a water slide and a limbo contest!

I really like the idea of supporting this park in a neighborhood that is still struggling to rebuild. Plenty of street parking available.

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.

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.

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...

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...

This weekend's best pick: Grab bag

by Kelly Leahy

October 24, 2008

Well, I guessing that you have not taken the family across the pond to watch the Saints game. If you are still stateside, there is plenty to do this weekend. Oktoberfest is still going on. Good times to be had by all. Kid centered music is offered once again that the Jazz National Historic Park with the New Wave Jazz band . Sesame Street Live presents " When Elmo Grows Up " at the New Orleans  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...

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...

Three Days in and Around New Orleans: Day One

by Kelly Leahy

July 08, 2008

Over the next three days we will be highlighting the best that New Orleans has to offer families with preschoolers who chose the Crescent City as a destination. It's unfortunate that the first thing that pops into one's head about New Orleans is not "kid friendly." There are a great number of activities that make our fair city perfect for family fun. Here is a sample itinerary for activities  Read more...