Petits Artistes: 5 New Orleans Arts Activities for Kids

Louisiana Children’s Museum (Photo: Joshua Brasted)

New Orleans is a unique city that plays host to a world of rich culture from its artistic presence to its majestic landscapes. Adults are guaranteed a good time, but there are many great activities geared toward including and inspiring children to take part in the arts scene. Here are five that you can’t miss:

1. NOMA (New Orleans Museum of Art). In addition to its array of artwork, NOMA is a great place to instill the love of art at a young age. There is a variety of family and kid-friendly events suited for artistically-inclined children of all ages. Baby Arts Play, designed for children ages 1–2, features interactive gallery tours that incorporate music, drama, and movement to foster developmental growth. Other interactive for older children events include StoryQuest and Studio Kids.
2. Louisiana Children’s Museum (LCM). Located in the heart of the Arts District, the Children’s Museum focuses on Louisiana culture, science, history, and arts. Check out StarLab, a program that teaches children about constellations, mythology, and more.
3. City Park’s Storyland. This whimsical arena is the playground of dreams where all of the childhood fairy tales come to life. There are over 20 exhibits and life-size sculptures that allow children to jump into their favorite stories. What’s better than a playdate with The Three Little Pigs, Jack and Jill, and Peter Pan?
4. New Orleans Streetcar. An alluring ride on the Streetcar is always a great way for kids to explore the history and architecture of New Orleans. Take a ride through the beautiful Garden District and admire the historic homes.
5. The Music Box is one of the more unusual venues in New Orleans. What started out as a collaboration among Architecture, New Music Technology, Human and Computer Interaction, and Industrial Design graduate students quickly became a fantastic masterpiece of musical architecture. Built like a small music town, every element of its structure is an instrument. Electronic music crated from digitally modified acoustic tones emanate from the doors to the windows. The fully interactive structure thrills kids from 0 to 100 years old.

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