Gambit’s Kids by Gambit New Orleans

Achieve Excellence academics • athletics • catholicity Open House

Thursday, October 1, 4-7pm 1400 Moss St., New Orleans, LA 70119 To spend a day at Cabrini, call 504.483.8699

C A B R I N I H I G H

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Cabrini High School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its policies.

OPENING FALL 2016

THE GIBBS FAMILY CENTER FOR INNOVATION + DESIGN St. Martin’s Episcopal School announces the groundbreaking of a cutting-edge facility to meet the needs of our innovative design thinking program. This 5,000 sq. ft. standalone building will operate as a design studio, prototype lab, classroom, production studio, woodworking and build shop, and community partnership workspace. These areas will be equipped with 3-D printers, modeling software, and video and audio equipment to enable the rapid prototyping of ideas, field research, and multimedia presentations. The new facility will enable teachers, students, and community members to explore the design thinking mindset and approach education with a 21st century perspective. Enroll now for the 2016-2017 school year. Call 504.736.9917 or visit us online at stmsaints.com. SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE DATES George Cottage and Lower School Middle and Upper School All School Sat., Oct. 17, 2015, 9:30 a.m. Sat., Nov. 7, 2015, 10:00 a.m. Thurs., Jan. 21, 2016, 9:30 a.m. St. Martin’s Episcopal School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, religion, nationality or ethnic origin.

GAMBIT’S KIDS > > > F A L L . 2 0 1 5

Look what our students did in the 2014-2015 school year:

Area Math Tournament Wins

2011 Graduates Recognized as Benjamin Franklin High School’s Valedictorian & Salutatorian

Highest Ranking MATHCOUNTS Team in New Orleans

4 Graduates from our Class of 2011 Recognized as

City Champions in both Junior and Senior Division Quiz Bowl

100

National Merit Scholars

Students Recognized by Duke TIP

AFFORDABLE EDUCATION

• 10 Minutes from UNO • 14 Minutes from CBD • 15 Minutes from Metairie • 15 Minutes from St. Bernard

Pre K - 8th Grade

BE PART OF A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE

LAKE CASTLE PRIVATE SCHOOL EST. 1963 8400 Hayne Blvd. • (504) 242-6270 • lakecastleneworleans.com LAKE CASTLE IS OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED STUDENTS AND DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, OR DISABILITY.

ART BALLET CHESS DRAMARAMA DRIVERS ED SPORTS LEAGUES: BASKETBALL, T-BALL, FLAG FOOTBALL, SOCCER KARATE TODDLER SOCIAL CLUB KIDS’ NIGHT OUT SOUTHERN REP MUSICAL THEATRE SCHOOL’S OUT DAYS HOLIDAY CAMPS

Year-round youth programming

New Orleans JCC - Uptown 5342 St. Charles Ave. New Orleans, LA 70115 504.897.0143

www.nojcc.org

Goldring-Woldenberg JCC Metairie 3747 W. Esplanade Ave. Metairie, LA 70002 504.887.5158

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DREAM CATCHER

Tips for getting a good night’s sleep

PLAY AND LEARN

Expert tips about toys and play, plus selections from local toy stores

THOUGHTS FOR FOOD Places to dine with kids — and enjoy it

THE PARENT APPS Recommended apps for parents

BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Must-haves beyond notebooks and pencils

FASHIONS FOR STUDENTS

Outfits for kids from grade school to high school

RESOURCES

Where to find the products and people featured in KIDS

WHO DAT & WHO DON’T

The boys take on science, plus a word puzzle, experiment and connect-the-dots

COVER PHOTO BY SARA ESSEX BRADLEY PHOTOGRAPHY Dress from Orient Expressed (The Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal St., 888-856-3948; 3905 Magazine St., 504-899-3060; www.orientexpressed.com)

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SWEET

DREAMS Build healthy slumber habits for kids and teens. B Y L E E C U T R O N E

here are many ways to refer to sleep – catching Zs, sawing logs, getting some shut-eye and others. But often we come up short in obtaining the amount of sleep we need. As kids head back to school and relaxed summers give way to structure, returning to an adequate sleep schedule can be a challenge. Gambit’s KIDS asked local experts for advice about creating healthy sleep habits.

Common sleep problems

“In general, the most common sleep problems are lack of sleep and lack of deep sleep,” says Jenni Evans, assistant director and parent educator at the Parenting Center at Children’s Hospital. For young children, common sleep problems include a lack of routine and trouble falling asleep,” Evans says, “while adolescents and teens may want to stay up later due to a natural shift in their circadian clocks (as well as increased demands on their time). As a result, those groups find it harder to get up in the morning.” How do parents know whether kids and teens are getting enough sleep? “Not feeling good?” Evans says. “Then look first at your sleep schedule.” While she notes the amount of sleep each person needs varies, there are guidelines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 10 hours a day for school-aged children and nine to 10 hours for teenagers, including naps.

Get with the program

It doesn’t matter exactly how you go about resetting off-kilter circadian rhythms, the main thing is that you do it. “It takes a little time to get used to [a changed sleep schedule],” Evans says. “Rather than resetting it every Friday night and Monday morning, it’s better to get into a routine you can maintain.” Evans adds that respecting our circadian rhythms also helps us get

an adequate amount of deep or REM sleep, which is vital to good health and well-being.

Stick to routine

Janice Foulks, director of counseling at Academy of The Sacred Heart, agrees that consistency is vital and advises students to gradually return to their schoolyear bedtime a while before school starts. “We cannot expect a child to adjust to a much earlier bedtime overnight,” she says. “Moving up bedtime a half-hour a night can be helpful in getting back to the routine.” Foulks also stresses the importance of finding the routine and consistency that is best for each child. “Every child has different needs,” she says. According to Dr. Paul Remedios of Napoleon Pediatrics, night-time routines or rituals (dinner, homework, TV, cleaning, brushing teeth, putting on PJs, etc.) provide multiple benefits. In addition to cueing the body and mind to get ready for bed, they provide structure and improve family dynamics.

Snack to snooze

Some foods have been shown to promote sleep. One of the best known is tryptophan, found in foods like turkey. Molly Kimball, a dietician at Ochsner’s Elmwood Fitness Center, says the key to eating tryptophan foods as a nighttime snack is in combining them with carbohydrates.

“Carbohydrates help our bodies convert tryptophan into serotonin, which has a relaxing, calming effect,” she says. While cherry juice recently has been touted in the news as conducive to sleep, Kimball cautions against juices because they’re high in sugar. She suggests kiwi instead. “There’s been research published that shows kiwi contains a compound that helps us fall asleep and stay asleep,” Kimball says. Her other recommended nighttime snacks include iced passionflower tea (a fruity herbal tea that can reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality) and containers of frozen no-sugar-added Greek yogurt combined with carbs like whole grain crackers. She also suggests teaching kids to reach for healthy snacks at times during the day when their energy level is low. Turning to sugary or caffeinated snacks for a boost will lead to a crash, Evans says. She suggests rejuvenating with rest or meditation time coupled with gentle physical exercise such as yoga or a walk.

Exercise

A 2011 study published in the journal Mental Health and Physical Activity concluded that “people sleep significantly better and feel more alert during the day if they get at least 150 minutes of exercise a week.” The study, which followed 2,600 men and women between 18 and 85 years old, also demonstrated “a link between regular physical activity

and perceptions of sleepiness during the day.”

Create the environment

Making a bedroom conducive to healthy sleep habits includes a range of comfort factors: temperature (not too warm or too cold), lighting (dark for sleep), scents and sounds (fragrances like lavender are considered relaxing, while soft sounds from white noise or sound machines can be soothing). There is plenty of evidence that computer and television screens in bedrooms can be detrimental to sleep habits. “The blue light emitted by the screens can be stimulating,” Foulks says. “There is a lot of discussion that the bedroom should be for sleep only,” Remedios says. “You want to limit TV and computer time and also studying in the bedroom. If you’re overstimulated, you won’t get the restorative sleep you need.” Evans recommends stopping computer use about an hour before going to bed. (Foulks recommends 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the age and needs of the child.) For students who study in their bedrooms, Evans recommends they use a chair or desk rather than studying on their bed. “Sleep associations can be very helpful,” she says. “Save the bed for sleep.”

Manage stress

Stress, whether brought on by an illness in the family or something

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as simple as a big math test, can interfere with sleep. Dealing with that stress before bedtime goes a long way toward achieving a healthy sleep schedule. Evans suggests taking time out of the day to address stressors. “(Set aside) time to take a ride or walk and give kids time to talk about their issues,” she says. For busy teens who have difficulty balancing the demands of high school (including sports, extracurricular activities and homework), Remedios emphasizes the importance of good time management and setting priorities. “You have to be smart about budgeting your time, asking yourself how many things you want to do and can do, and

which ones make more of an impact on you,” he says. “If your health or sleep or homework is suffering, something is eventually going to take a hit.” Foulks recommends mindfulness as a way of dealing with stress. Every day, the school has what it calls an espacio, a quiet time for reflection. “It helps students center themselves,” she says. “Subtle changes can make a big difference for a child.” “We all have ups and downs,” Foulks says, “but if a child is saying ‘I’m so tired,’ we want to ask what we can do about that. Sleep is so important to helping them to be their best at school.”

DO’S FOR SLEEPING WELL 420 JULIA STREET | NEW ORLEANS, LA 70130 504-523-1357 | www.lcm.org @LouisianaKids

LouisianaChildrensMuseum

PRE-K – 12TH GRADE ADMISSION OPEN HOUSE TOURS 8:30 – 10:00am October 8 & 22 8:30 – 10:00am November 5 8:30 – 10:00am January 14 & 21 2343 Prytania Street (504) 561-1224 McGeheeSchool.com Louise S. McGehee School is open to all qualified girls regardless of race, religion, national or ethnic origin.

GAMBIT’S KIDS > > > F A L L . 2 0 1 5

• Stick to a schedule. Going to bed at a set time will make it easier to awaken at a set time. • Make the bedroom a comfortable environment for sleep. Blocking out light, maintaining a temperature that is neither too warm nor too cold, and relaxing and sounds pleasant fragrances can help ease you into sleep. • Take time to wind down at least an hour before going to bed. • Include physical activity in your day. • Manage stress by doing things like taking a walk with someone who can help with issues, so stress doesn’t affect your sleep. • Listen to what your body is telling you. If you’re tired or irritable, ask yourself whether you’re getting enough sleep and adjust your schedule accordingly. • Eat a protein-combined-with-carbs snack before bedtime if you’re hungry. • Limit screen time — computers, smartphones, television — before bed. The blue light emitted by these technologies has been found to have a stimulating effect.

SLUMBER

DON’TS

• Don’t ignore your body’s clock. Find a way to handle your schedule that allows for enough sleep. • Don’t use your bed for homework, watching TV, texting or using other technology to make the bedroom a more restful environment. Encourage kids and teens to use a desk or chair instead of their beds for studying. • Don’t eat a heavy meal close to bedtime because your body has to work to digest it. • Don’t go to bed hungry. • Don’t take a multi-vitamin before bed (B vitamins can be stimulating). Take them in the morning with breakfast. • Don’t ingest caffeine or chocolate late in the day (for most, no caffeine after 2 p.m.). Remember that in addition to having a jolt of sugar, which is not beneficial at bedtime, chocolate also has caffeine. • Don’t use bedtime for reminders and criticisms. It should be a pleasant, inclusive time for parents and kids to read or share memories. — LEE CUTRONE

Your passport to success

AWARDED “THE BEST KEPT SECRET AWARD” FROM THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT • International Baccalaurate Program School • Diverse, engaging and multi-cultural education • Open to all Louisiana residents • Language focus on Arabic, Mandarin, French, Spanish and Vietnamese

“TO EDUCATE A DIVERSE LEARNING COMMUNITY THROUGH THE IB PROGRAM, WORLD LANGUAGES, AND INTERCULTURAL APPRECIATION TO SUCCEED IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY.”

OPEN HOUSE

ents for prospective stud

p.m. October 20th at 5:00 m. April 19th at 5:00 p.

.org Please RSVP at enrollnola

Grades 9-12 727 Carondelet St., New Orleans, LA 70130 • (504) 613-5702 The International High School (IHS) of New Orleans does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, disability, national or ethnic origin.

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TOY STORY What comprises a good toy? CUE KIDS offers tips from the experts. BY K ANDACE POWER GR AVES

oys are much more than diversions and entertainment for children. Good toys, which can be as simple as a set of plastic nesting bowls for young children, help a child develop skills in areas ranging from hand-eye coordination to social skills. In “Selecting Appropriate Toys for Young Children: The Pediatrician’s Role,” published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, researchers said, “Play is essential for learning in children. Toys are the tools of play. … Toys should be safe, affordable and developmentally appropriate.” The report was developed as an aid for pediatricians fielding questions from parents about toys and childhood development. “A young child’s growth and development can be supported and enhanced through play,” the report continued. “Toys bring parents or caregivers and children together in play. Early brain development is enhanced through these relationships.” Playtime also allows parents to monitor a child’s skills and help them develop them more fully, according to the report. That all sounds complicated and quite a responsibility, but buying toys shouldn’t require research or a degree in early childhood development. Gambit’s KIDS has compiled some tips and guidelines from experts, and recommendations from local toy stores for good toys for the fall.

A good toy ...

• Avoid negatives — Children live what they learn, and computer or video games that depict violence in an interactive way can lead to acts of violence by the child. Parents also should consider whether a toy promotes negative racial, ethnic, cultural or gender stereotypes. Limit video game, computer game and television time combined to 1 to 2 hours a day, less or none for children 5 and younger. • Don’t buy into the hype — There is no scientific evidence that any particular toy is “necessary” or sufficient for optimal learning.

Toys for the ages

Birth-6 months old — Bright colors, toys with sounds, things they can put in their mouths, toys they can reach for, shake, squeeze, toys with textures, unbreakable mirrors (they love faces) and board or vinyl books stimulate their nascent senses.

tled or small parts or accessories that could become lodged in a young child’s throat. Make sure toys have only nontoxic lead-free paint, are shatterproof and easy to clean. Electric toys should be labeled “UL Approved.” Note: Just because a product is on the market or costs a lot doesn’t mean it is safe.

7 months-1 year old — Baby dolls, puppets, water toys and toy vehicles with wheels stimulate kids to pretend and mimic the world around them. Skill development toys include stacking and nesting items; soft blocks and wooden cubes for building; and large balls and push and pull toys for muscle development.

Guidelines for selecting toys

• Age-appropriate — Toys should match a child’s stage of development and his or her abilities and promote safe physical activity.

• Safe — Toys for young children should be well-made, with no splinters, moving parts that can pinch, parts that can be disman-

• Feeds imagination — Children use play to work out real-life problems, and using their imaginations and pretending are tools in building important social and cognitive skills. Avoid toys that discourage children from using their imaginations.

1 year old — Board books with photographs of real objects; recordings with simple songs and rhymes; toys for “pretend” play including toy phones, dolls, push carts; art supplies such as large paper, non-toxic washable markers and crayons; dress-up accessories; puppets, stuffed toys, realistic-looking plastic and wood vehicles; cardboard, wood and plastic blocks for building; and puzzles, balls and toys with dials, switches, knobs, lids, etc.

• Is safe • Is interactive • Can be played with multiple ways • Engages imagination and creativity • Promotes development of fine motor skills • Exercises muscle groups • Is age- and skill level-appropriate • Promotes physical activity • Can be used in pretend play Compiled from recommendations of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the American Academy of Pediatrics

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for developing muscles large and small. 2 years old — Wood puzzles with four to 12 pieces, sorting toys and toys with buttons, buckles, snaps and zippers develop problem-solving skills; small but sturdy vehicles, childsize furniture, play food, dressup clothes, blocks, dolls, stuffed animals and puppets are good for pretending and building; creativity is honed with large washable markers, crayons, finger paint, large paintbrushes and nontoxic paint, blunt-tip toddler scissors, chalkboard and chalk and rhythm instruments; picture books; CDs and DVDs with a variety of music; balls, ride-on equipment, pint-sized climbing structures, tunnels and hammering toys build their muscles. 3-6 years old — Puzzles with 12 to 20 pieces, snap-together blocks and things that can be sorted by color, shape, length and collections of things (colored blocks, bowls and lids, shells, etc.) build problem-solving skills; blocks, construction sets, toy vehicles, kid furniture, toy food, puppets, water and sand toys and dolls with accessories such as extra clothes, a stroller, doll bed, etc. promote pretending and building skills; art supplies, chalkboard and chalk, modeling clay, collage materials and musical instruments feed creativity; picture books with more words and photos; CDs and DVDs with a range of music types; different-sized balls for kicking, throwing and catching; ride-on toys, climbing structures, wagons, plastic bat and ball, toy construction tools help build muscles; and interactive computer games, used wisely, can expand a range of concepts and skills in children.

Pull-toys The Walk-A-Long Puppy pull-toy by Hape is for children 1 year and older, and it raises and lowers its head as it’s pulled, $24.99 at Le Jouet. Wooden toys My First Railway Train by Brio, $34.99 at Magic Box Toys, has three pieces that connect with magnets. Other pieces of the train and a track are sold separately. For children 18 months and older. Vehicles The colorful Roadmax earth mover by Bruder, $36.99 at Le Jouet, has multiple functions to keep children 2 and older busy. Stacking toys This stacking game by Haba, $29.99 at Little Pnuts Toy Shoppe, gives kids 2 to 6 years old cards that show a formation and they stack wooden elephant blocks to match.

Games Story Lines by Hape, $19.99 at Little Pnuts Toy Shoppe, helps children 4 and older learn how to determine a story line using logical thinking, visual detail perception and chronological story telling.

is for Families! Studio KIDS! Art Classes

Mechanical toys Children ages 8 and older can assemble this easy-to-build robot, which will move around on the floor and change direction when it bumps into something. $16.99 at Le Jouet.

Baby Arts Play! Family Art Workshops StoryQuest Holiday Camps Friday Nights at NOMA

Art supplies The art box by Djeco, $29.99 at Little Pnuts Toy Shoppe, is for kids ages 6 to 10 and includes www.noma.org/learn stencils, markers, an art instruction book and teaches art techniques such as shading and mixing colors. NOMA Education Gambit Ad.indd 1

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Imagination stimulators There are more than 90 colored triangle pieces in Mudpuppy’s Mosaic Animals, $19.99 at Magic Box Toys, which children 8 and older can use to make a variety of animals — or anything else they imagine.

Puzzles The Very Books puzzle by Mudpuppy, $19.99 at Magic Box Toys, features six cubes with images for different puzzles on each side based on popular children’s books by Eric Carle, so children 1 and older can put together six puzzles. Chalk and letters An updated version of a classic first produced in 1972, the School Days Desk by Fisher-Price, $29.99 at Magic Box Toys, has stencils, letters, chalk and an eraser that store inside the desk. It teaches kids 3 and older how to write letters, spell words and form sentences.

Playing with math Secret Code 13+4, $23.99 at Little Pnuts Toy Shoppe, requires arithmetic, concentration and strategy to crack tricky codes, for ages 8 to adult. Games of strategy Children 8 and older will learn observation, logical thinking and strategy playing Pyramix by Gamewright, $23.99 at Little Pnuts Toy Shoppe Shoppe.

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WHERE TO EAT WITH THE KIDS

Restaurants that serve good food and have an atmosphere you’ll all enjoy

BY HELEN FREUND | PHOTOS BY CHERYL GERBER

Julian Woods Haney prepares to dig into Mama Leavy’s pancakes at Live Oak Cafe.

ew Orleans is a town where dining out practically is considered a birthright. Towing the kids along to your favorite bistro, however, isn’t always a treat: close quarters can make for irritated table neighbors, fussy eaters may dampen appetites and, once the check comes, when you’re paying for three or four (or more) diners, things can get expensive quickly. Here’s a list of places that won’t break the bank, where parents can enjoy a meal out and the kids stay entertained. For a unique take on breakfast or lunch, Messina’s at the Terminal can’t be beat. Ask to sit in the Flight Deck room, which overlooks the tarmac at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport. Watch the planes take off and land from one of the many tables that hug the floorto-ceiling windows. No matter where you sit, you’re pretty much guaranteed a good view. Most items on the kids’ menu are less than $6 and include chicken tenders or burgers with fries, a PB&J with chips and fried shrimp or catfish. Adults can kick up their game with a bellini or two and chef Leon West’s “famous” crab cakes: two Louisiana blue crab cakes topped with lump crabmeat and a cream sauce. A great spot for early birds, the Live Oak

Cafe hosts a daily breakfast, brunch and lunch with live music ranging from piano solos to jazz quartets and string bands. Following a remodel last year, the larger space now includes a pastry and coffee counter, a place for musicians to play live and a bigger kitchen where the chefs bake fresh pastries and churn out a host of dishes, including smoked salmon Benedict and eggs Florentine, both served on house-made biscuits. Kids will love the child-sized version of the popular Mama Leavy’s breakfast pancakes ($6.50), which includes one scrambled egg and a choice of bacon or sausage. Nearby Willie Mae’s Grocery and Deli provides a casual neighborhood spot for fans

of Willie Mae’s famous fried chicken. The restaurant sits on the corner of St. Charles Avenue and Cherokee Street and serves a menu that mirrors that of the Treme flagship restaurant, Willie Mae’s Scotch House. Even if the kids aren’t chicken aficionados, they’ll enjoy watching the streetcars roll by on St. Charles Avenue. Other standbys at Willie Mae’s include fried catfish, chicken-fried pork chop and red and white butter beans. Kids can get fried chicken nuggets, wings or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for under $8. Lakeview’s The Backyard is a place where both kids and grownups can go a little wild. The play structure in the back keeps little ones entertained for hours, and it’s fenced in, so adults can enjoy one of the restaurant’s heavy-poured margaritas and relax while the kids play nearby. The children’s menu includes spiral-cut hot dogs, Angus beef grilled burgers, and sloppy joes. For $7.50 a plate, kids get a F A L L . 2 0 1 5 < < < GAMBIT’S KIDS

Awarded Best Elementary School - 2015 -Gretna Civic Association

Preschool through 8th Grade

all core; never common

Openings in select grades for 2015/2016 School Year

Elmwood Park Academy 1517 Carol Sue Ave. Gretna • 504-392-0217 www.elmwoodparkacademy.org

GAMBIT’S KIDS > > > F A L L . 2 0 1 5

meat of their choice, tater tots or sweet potato fries, a side of fruit and a drink. Sushi is popular with adults, but not a lot of kids get excited about the prospect of raw fish. Enter hibachi, the Japanese restaurant trend of cooking teppanyaki-style, where chefs put on a show for guests by slicing and tossing meats and vegetables on a searing gas-heated flattop. A dinner out at Miyako Japanese Seafood & Steakhouse therefore, can do double-time, supplying both dinner and a show. For kids under 10, meals come with a house soup or salad, rice and ice cream. Brisbi’s, which sits on elevated stilts overlooking Lake Pontchartrain, provides a lake full of things to watch and a menu to please parents as well as younger diners. Kid’s meals include platters with fried catfish, shrimp or chicken and a spaghetti and meatballs option. Parents can order raw oysters, tuna tartare tacos and the catch of the day, taken straight from Lake Pontchartrain and served with a brown butter and lemon-scented meuniere sauce. When hankering for a burger fix, both Cowbell in the Riverbend and Company Burger on Freret Street offer good options that step up the patty game while remaining casual and affordable. The laid-back, playful atmosphere at Cowbell includes communal seating both inside and outside the funky building. Burgers are the standard here, but kids also can choose from a number of pint-sized specials including the “kiddie mac ‘n’ cheese” or the Mr. Noodles curly pasta with butter. For

Julian Campo tests out the play structure at The Backyard. grownups, there’s a full bar with potent margaritas and several rotating drink specials. At Company Burger the tummy-busting burgers and tater tots are a hit with kids and grownups. Creamy milkshakes and malts are a sweet treat, and there’s a full bar. A television showing sports adds to the vibe here, which can get lively but never becomes raucous. A couple of shaded outdoor tables provide a nice place for families to sit on cooler days. Even though the Bywater darling Pizza Delicious provides delivery to area residents, the airy warehouse space provides a fun and casual night out that won’t break the bank. Diners place their order up front before grabbing a seat at one of the tables or, weather permitting, a spot in the shaded backyard. The New York-style cheese, pepperoni and Margherita pies are popular with picky eaters, but daily specials and add-ons make sure diners find what they want. A daily special vegan pie always is featured. After dinner, head across the street for an icy treat at Piety Street Sno-Balls, where standard flavors of cherry, grape and strawberry meet all-natural varieties, including bracingly fresh watermelon and kaffir lime. Grownups can cap the evening with the Vietnamese coffee version, topped with creamy condensed milk.

APPS

OF YOUR EYE

8 downloads to make parenting easier BY K ANDACE POWER GR AVES Baby Pack & Go 99¢ www.itunes.apple.com

COMPATIBLE WITH IPHONE, IPAD

The app has extensive packing lists and travel checklists as well as other organizational tools for parents and caregivers. DadLabs $3 www.macworld.com

COMPATIBLE WITH IPHONE, IPOD

Experienced dads film edgy and often funny videos with tips and advice concerning children, parenting, wives and more. Videos are automatically sent to your device daily, and users have access to a library of more than 400 past videos. FBI Child ID Free www.itunes.apple.com

COMPATIBLE WITH IPHONE AND IPAD

The app stores photos and other information about your child that helps authorities should the child goes missing. It also includes a guide about what to do should your child get lost. There’s a feature to email vital information directly to authorities on the scene. Family Matters $1.99 www.itunes.apple.com

COMPATIBLE WITH IPHONE, IPAD, IPOD TOUCH

The app offers questions and activities simple and complex to engage all family members. There is a wide variety of activities organized by categories including “in a line,” road trip, restaurant, general and more. It is designed to start conversations by presenting questions and activities that are fun and provoke thought. ICE Standard with Smart911 Free www.itunes.apple.com COMPATIBLE WITH IPHONE, IPAD

Developed by the nonprofit

About the Kids Foundation with help from emergency medical personnel, law enforcement and emergency room personnel, the app stores your health information and in-case-of-emergency phone numbers on the lock screen of your phone, so EMTs can access it quickly. In Smart-911-enabled communities, the app sends emergency information to operators when you call 911. iHomeopathy 99¢-$3.99 www.itunes.apple.com COMPATIBLE WITH IPHONE, IPAD, IPOD TOUCH

Named a “Best App” by several publications, including Parents magazine and Today’s Parent, this app was created by a doctor and is an easy-to-use first-aid and natural health guide with treatments for common illnesses, injuries, bug bites and other ailments. WebMD Baby Free www.w.itunes.apple.com

COMPATIBLE WITH IPOD, IPAD, IPHONE

The app is easy to use and has a wealth of health information approved by doctors — from symptoms of illnesses, emergencies, care tips and current health news. It includes weekly packages of information geared to the baby’s specific age and developmental stage for the first two years. Zoodles Kid Mode Free$59.99 for a premium annual subscription www.zoodles.com

COMPATIBLE WITH PC, MAC, ANDROID

The app for smartphones or tablets gives kids access to a wide array of age-appropriate games, videos and books, while allowing parents to lock out other content. Apps for iPhone and iPad are in development.

imagine... discover... create...

1538 Philip Street (504) 523-9911 LittleGate.com

Little Gate is open to all qualified girls and boys regardless of race, religion, national or ethnic origin.

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FOR GOD, FOR LEARNIN EARNING G, FOR LIFE

MOUNT CARM ARMEL AR EL ACADE CADEMY M MY

7027 Milne Boulevard | New Orleans, LA 70124-2395 Administrative Office: 504.288.7626 e-mail: admissions@mcacubs.org

www.mcacubs.com

OPEN HOUSE THURSDAY, OCTOBER OBER 8 • 3-7 PM

Mount Carmel Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies.

MCA Ad Gambit Open House 2015.indd 1

URSULINE OPEN HOUSE

HIGH SCHOOL: Oct. 29 | 4-6 p.m. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Nov. 16 | 3-4:30 p.m.

8/13/15 3:52 PM

Pre-K and Kindergarten Fall Open House Wednesday, October 21 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Parents are invited to attend an informal and informative session. Come learn about our academic program and explore the warm and nurturing environment we provide for young students.

Early Childhood Campus 120 S. New Hampshire Street Covington, LA 70433 Accepting applications for 2016-2017 School Year

URSULINE

ACADEMY

UAnola.org | 504.866.5292 All qualified students admitted regardless of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin.

GAMBIT’S KIDS > > > F A L L . 2 0 1 5

For more information contact Pam Perry 985-871-9902 ext. 208 or pam@christepiscopalschool.org

www.christepiscopalschool.org Admission to Christ Episcopal School is open to all qualified students, regardless of race, creed, or ethnic background.

STUDY AIDS Back-to-school supplies for inside the classroom and out BY K ANDACE POWER GR AVES & C ALLIE KIT TREDGE

The outdoor backpack by Kavu, $50 at Massey’s

Professional Outfitters,

sticks to the basics with a roomy interior and a front pocket.

Feed your student’s creative side with an inspiring zippered pencil bag by Blue Q, $6 at Plum.

The vintage-inspired projector for your smartphone is made from cardboard and projects your phone screen onto a wall. It also amplifies the sound, $38 at Plum.

Even fussy eaters will dive into lunch when it’s packed in a fun metal lunchbox, $17-$18 at FunRock’n. This handmade leather wallet resembles alligator skin but is cow’s leather, $25 at Adorn & Conquer.

Turn up the fun with earbuds that resemble volume knobs from a vintage stereo, $12.99 at Le Jouet. See mistakes vanish with colorful erasers by Kate Spade, $14 at Scriptura.

Keep money, ID and personal information in a safe place: a leather wallet or document holder by Vera Pelle, $34-$64 at Hazelnut.

“Look at da flick of da wrist” with this handmade watch with a leather band and a face made from Colombian woods by Mistura, $240 at Adorn & Conquer. F A L L . 2 0 1 5 < < < GAMBIT’S KIDS

Fine apparel consignment ages 0-14

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FOR KIDS

swapforkids.com 7722 MAPLE STREET 18

GAMBIT’S KIDS > > > F A L L . 2 0 1 5

COLONIAL

BOWLING CENTER

BACK TO SCHOOL IN FASHION Smart apparel for students of all ages BY C ALLIE KIT TREDGE

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL A green “BeignYay” T-shirt, $14 at Storyville, tops blue shorts with bicycles on them by Joules, $48 at Angelique Kids.

A sunflower print knit top by Mimi & Maggie, $44, and black denim stone-washed skirt by Splendid, $52, both at Angelique Kids, are sure to be a hit on the playground.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

A structured navy and gray striped dress, $64, makes an easy transition into cool weather with the addition of a denim knit zip-front jacket, $68, both by Splendid at Mignon New Orleans.

A fire-red polo shirt by Southern Tide, $99.50 at Perlis, fires up print shorts, $26.50 at Angelique Kids. topped with.

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HIGH SCHOOL PAGE 19

A printed dress by Solemio, $64 at Cella’s Boutique, is a no-brainer for extracurricular activities.

SHOPPIN

BY MISS Y WILKI NS

BUCKLED

dy takes Stylish, stur ate on kids’ ultimle. summer stap

Metallic gold sandals, $34 at Mignon.

“Somebody in New Orleans Loves Me” onesie, $20 at Fun Rock’n. “Little Macaron onesies, $22 ” Pippen Lane at

LORIO

FRINGED by PePe, sandals Girls’ Lane. $132 at Pippen

LACED UP sandals, auge

Camoufl for Kids. $24.99 at Swap

“You Are My Sunshine” onesie, $18 at Dirty Coast.

SPORT Y

Boys’ sport sandal by New Balance, $29.95 at Haase’s.

STRUC TURED sandals. Gray leather Lane. Lane. $54 at Pippen

NEXT ISSUE:

AD SPACE BY:

SEPT

“Playtime” onesie, $18 at Dirty Coast.

“Louisiana Native” $20 at Fun Rock’n. onesie,

15 4

TO ADVERTISE CALL YOUR GAMBIT ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE at (504) 486-5900 or Advertising Director Sandy Stein at (504) 483-3150 or email sandys@gambitweekly.com

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Little babies mak statements with e big one-piece outfi these ts.

KIDS

Witty

SHOPPIN

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onesies

Saasnondal STY BY CHRI

GAMBIT’S KIDS > > > F A L L . 2 0 1 5

A patterned-stripe shirt by Hawk’s Bay, $22.50 at Buffalo Exchange, makes a cool statement when worn with blue or brown Chino pants by Bonobos, $88, at Perlis.

RESOURCES A LIST OF RETAILERS AND PROFESSIONALS FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE OF GAMBIT’S KIDS.

Sweet dreams PAGES 7-8

Academy of the Sacred Heart (4521 St. Charles Ave., 504-891-1943; www.ashrosary.org) Elmwood Fitness Center (citywide; www.elmwoodfitness.com) Napoleon Pediatrics (2633 Napoleon Ave., Suite 707, 504-897-4242; 3040 33rd St., Metairie, 504-219-0880; www.chmpc.org/ napoleon-pediatrics.html) The Parenting Center at Children’s Hospital (938 Calhoun St., 504-896-9591; www.chnola.org/parentingcenter)

Toy story/ Play and learn PAGES 10-11

Le Jouet (1700 Airline Drive, Metairie, 504-837-0533; www.lejouet.com) Little Pnuts Toy Shoppe (209 Harrison Ave., Suite C, 504-267-5083; www.littlepnuts.com) Magic Box Toys (5508 Magazine St., 504-899-0117; www.magicboxneworleans.com)

Where to eat with the kids PAGES 13-14

The Backyard (244 W. Harrison Ave., 504-309-8767; www.thebackyardnola.com) Brisbi’s (7400 Lakeshore Drive, 504-304-4125; www.brisbisrestaurant.com) Company Burger (4600 Freret St., 504-267-0320; www.thecompanyburger.com) Cowbell (8801 Oak St., 504-866-4222; www.cowbell-nola.com) Live Oak Cafe (8140 Oak St., 504-265-0050; www.liveoakcafenola.com) Messina’s at the Terminal (6001 Stars and Stripes Blvd., 504-2415300; www.messinasterminal.com) Miyako Japanese Seafood & Steakhouse (1403 St. Charles Ave., 504-410-9997; www.japanesebistro.com) Piety Street Sno-Balls (612 Piety St., 504-782-2569) Pizza Delicious (617 Piety St., 504-676-8482; www.pizzadelicious.com)

Willie Mae’s Grocery and Deli (7457 St. Charles Ave., 504-417-5424; www.williemaesnola.com)

Study aids PAGE 17

Adorn & Conquer (The Rink, 2727 Prytania St., Suite 6, 504-702-8036; www.adornandconquer.com) FunRock’n (1125 Decatur St., 504-524-1122; 3109 Magazine St., 504-895-4102; www.facebook.com/funrockn.popcity) Hazelnut (5515 Magazine St., 504-891-2424; www.hazelnutneworleans.com) Le Jouet (1700 Airline Drive, Metairie, 504-837-0533; www.lejouet.com) Massey’s Professional Outfitters (509 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-6480292; 816 N. Highway 190, Covington, 985-809-7544; 3131 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 504-885-1144; www.masseysoutfitters.com) Plum (5430 Magazine St., 504-897-3388; www.plumneworleans.com) Scriptura (Lakeside Shopping Center Annex, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 137, Metairie, 504-219-1113; 5423 Magazine St., 504-897-1555; www.scriptura.com)

Back to school in fashion PAGES 19-20

Angelique Kids (5519 Magazine St., 504-899-8992; www.angeliquekids.com) Buffalo Exchange (3312 Magazine St., 504-891-7443; www.buffaloexchange.com) Cella’s Boutique (3013 Magazine St., 504-592-7510; 514 St. Peter St., 504-529-5110; www. facebook.com/cellasboutique) Mignon New Orleans (The Rink, 2727 Prytania St., 504-891-2374; www.mignonnola.com) Perlis (Jax Brewery, 600 Decatur St., Suite 104, 504-523-6681; 1281 N. Causeway Blvd., Suite 6, Mandeville, 985-6741711; 6070 Magazine St., 504-895-8661; www.perlis.com) Storyville (3029 Magazine St., 504-304-6209; www.storyvilleapparel.com)

EDUSCSAUTEION I

with

OPEN HOUSEAR CALEND ISSUE DATE

SEPTEMBER 29 SPACE RESERVATION

SEPTEMBER 18 Advertisers get a FREE listing in the Open House advertiser directory PLUS AD RATE SPECIAL FOR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

CALL YOUR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AT (504) 486-5900 OR SANDY STEIN AT EXT. 3150 OR EMAIL SANDYS@GAMBITWEEKLY.COM F A L L . 2 0 1 5 < < < GAMBIT’S KIDS

GAMBIT’S KIDS > > > F A L L . 2 0 1 5

WhoDat

WhoDon’t

ILLUSTR ATION BY LYN VICKNAI R

DON’ T BE A WH DON’O T!

WHO DAT KNOWS, SAFETY FIRST!

WORD FIND! [WORDS RUN UP, DOWN, BACKWARD, FORWARD AND DIAGONALLY]

D T M A A O I S Y V

EXPLORING GAS

W I T H B A L LO O N S , B A K I N G S O D A & V I N E G A R WHAT YOU NEED:

• • • • •

BAKING SODA VINEGAR PLASTIC BOTTLE BALLOON FUNNELS

BAKING SODA VINEGAR

THE SCIENCE BEHIND IT

WHAT TO DO:

1. Use the funnel to pour the vinegar into your bottle. You only need to fill it about 1/3 of the way. 2. Using another (dry) funnel, pour baking soda into your balloon. Fill the balloon about 1/2 way full. 3. Cover the top of the bottle with your balloon. Make sure you don’t let the baking soda spill into the bottle just yet! 4. When you’re ready, lift your balloon and let the baking soda fall into the vinegar. 5. Watch as the mixture fizzes, bubbles and expands your balloon!

Baking soda and the vinegar create an ACID-BASE reaction. When combined or mixed, they create a gas,called carbon dioxide. Gases need room to spread, so the carbon dioxide fills the bottle and then moves into the balloon inflating it.

E Q Y G D X E B D D

I B O K G C J T V Q

M T G W M L A V Q G

Y R O T A R O B A L

W J L G G W N G G H

• BIOLOGY • EXPERIMENT • GOGGLES

I G I Y T E F A S J

G C B E M Z N P I V

E X P E R I M E N T

S C I E N C E T V G

M M G F D C M M Y Q

• LABORATORY • SAFETY • SCIENCE

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Honeybees pollinate crops, such as apples, pears, watermelon and pumpkins. Without honeybees, these crops wouldn’t grow.

F A L L . 2 0 1 5 < < < GAMBIT’S KIDS