Kids summer 2013

JULY 2013

RE E H W AT? D WhoDat g

Help is missin s h ie find ol suppl scho

WHAT ARE

YOU HAVING? Gender-reveal parties answer the question

YOU GOTTA

EAT

Healthy foods your kids will like

PICTURE THIS

Winners of the Kids’ Milestones photo contest

BABY BAUBLES

BUSY BEES

Activities for every child You’ve just got to have them

ART | COOKING | BALLET | HIP HOP | KARATE | TAE KWON DO | BIRTHDAY PARTIES | POTTERY | SPORTS LEAGUES SWIM TEAM AND SWIM LESSONS | TODDLER SOCIAL CLUB | BABYSITTING CERTIFICATION | ACT TEST PREP | DRIVERS EDUCATION PARENTS NIGHT OUT | HOLIDAY MINI CAMPS | SCHOOLS DAYS OUT PROGRAMS | THEATER WORKSHOPS | SOCK HOPS

NEW ORLEANS JCC

your kids’ home away from home

FI PROG ND RAMS AND CLAS WWW SES ON .NOJC C.ORG

FROM AFTERSCHOOL CLASSES AND SPORTS LEAGUES TO HOLIDAY MINI CAMPS AND SOCK HOPS, THE JCC IS THE PLACE TO BE FOR LEARNING, ATHLETICS AND FUN ENTERTAINMENT! Between our nursery school, camps, and youth programming, we offer year-round fun for toddlers to teens.

Many activities are open to non-members. Check out the JCC today to learn all we have to offer your family!

Jewish Community Center - Uptown 5342 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70115 504.897.0143

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

www.nojcc.org

CONTENTS Cover photo © Can Stock Photo Inc. / Robhainer

JULY 2013

BABY LOVE Must-have baby items

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FUN, FUN, FUN Activities to keep kids and families happy and busy

WHODAT AND WHODON’T Find the hidden objects Toddlers - Grade 4

4301 St. Charles Avenue

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Tuesday Tours:

CHILDHOOD MILESTONES

October 22, 29 November 12 8:30 - 11:00 am

The winners of Gambit Kids’

Open House:

photo contest

Wednesday, November 6 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Grades 5-12

4521 St. Charles Avenue

FOOD FIGHTS Tips for making healthy foods your kids will eat

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BABY CAKES Gender-reveal parties

Open House:

Wednesday, October 23 5:00 - 7:00 pm For more information or to schedule a private tour, please call the Admission Office at 269-1213.

www.ashrosary.org Sacred Heart is a Catholic, college preparatory, ISAS school for girls. It admits qualified students regardless of race, color, religious preference, national or ethnic origin.

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BABY

W

TRENDING

e’re in the heaviest birthing months of the year — the National Center for Health Statistics reports that September, August, June and July (in that order) are when the most babies are born in America — so we asked some baby retailers for their “must-have” recommendations and top-selling items. Here they are, whether you want them for yourself or a friend’s baby shower.

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The baby blanket that bears a New Orleans street map is 100 percent cotton, dyed using an eco-friendly process and produced by local fashion designer and artist Ellen Macomber, $55 at Zuka Baby.

Top-selling new and must-have items

BY K AT H L EEN A L L A IN A N D K A N D A C E P O W E R G R AV E S

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Sophie la Girafe by Vulli has been a popular teething toy since 1961. It’s designed to stimulate a baby’s senses.

The top of its head and horns soothe gums during early teething, while the legs are good for emerging molars, $23.99 at Zuka Baby.

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The NogginStik promotes development in a variety of ways, starting with visual tracking (the toy’s head changes from blue to red to green). There’s also a rattle in the base, a mirror on the bottom and a textured handle, $29.99 at Magic Box.

if your little girl isn’t as 4 Even light-footed as a cat (yet), she’ll be cute as a kitten in these durable PVC shoes, $48 at Angelique Baby.

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Fathers can tote a diaper bag without sacrificing masculinity with the Scout

by Petunia Pickle Bottom. It’s made of durable felt and has lots of compartments and pockets, a changing mat, reusable box for wipes, clips to hook the bag onto a stroller, a pocket for dad’s cellphone and more, $95.99 at Swap for Kids.

Rockabye Baby! is an instrumental rendition of Coldplay rock songs arranged for babies and their families, $16.98 at Baby Bump Maternity.

Baby gets a frog or lamb blanket and plush friend all in one cuddle-ready package, $13 each at Pippen Lane.

Sea Life Adventure by Manhattan Toy is made of fabric and features a finger puppet in the yellow submarine on the cover and textures, sounds and more inside, $19.99 at Magic Box.

Angelique Baby (5519 Magazine St., 504-899-8992; www. facebook.com/angeliquebaby) | Baby Bump Maternity (2917 Magazine St., Suite 102, 504-304-2737; www.nolababybump. com) | Magic Box (5508 Magazine St., 504-899-0117; www. magicboxneworleans.com) | Pippen Lane (2930 Magazine St., 504-269-0106; www.pippenlane.com) | Swap for Kids (7722 Maple St., 504-218-5996; www.swapforkids.com) | Zuka Baby (2122 Magazine St., 504-596-6540; www.zukababy.com) GAMBIT’S KIDS ISSUE | 7

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FUN FOR ALL

ugust is one of the hottest months of the year, but it ironically also marks the end of summer, vacations and free time.

But in New Orleans there are lots of activities inside and outdoors to keep families entertained all year-round. You can kayak on Bayou St. John, play miniature golf in City Park, climb rock walls indoors, take a swamp tour in Bayou Segnette or any of the dozens of other diversions listed here.

There’s always something to do in New Orleans B Y K A N D A C E P O W E R G R AV E S

ART/ HISTORY/ MUSIC

adult (one per four kids). (504) 975-5355; www.frenchquartourkids.com

Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World

Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve Laura C. Hudson Visitor Center

All ages Tour the float-making business, see Mardi Gras floats up close and learn about the artistry and technology involved in staging a Carnival parade. The guided tour includes the screening of an exclusive Mardi Gras video and a refreshment break with king cake. The facility also includes a restaurant with a view of the Mississippi River. Open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily (last tour starts at 4:30 p.m.). (Closed Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and Mardi Gras.)

Admission $19.95 adults, $15.95 seniors and students with college ID, $12.95 children ages 2-11, free for children 2 and younger. 1380 Port of New Orleans Place, (504) 361-7821; www.mardigrasworld.com

All ages The visitor center in the French Quarter houses exhibits illustrating the importance the Mississippi River and other waterways have played in the formation of Louisiana and its culture. Other exhibits and interactive displays focus on native plants and animals, food, culture and festivals. Ranger-led walking tours of the French Quarter start at 9:30 a.m. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (except Christmas and Mardi Gras). Free admission.

419 Decatur St., (504) 589-2636, ext. 1; www.nps.gov

National World War II Museum The Cabildo, Louisiana State Museum All ages Built in the late 1700s for the municipal government, this National Historic Landmark was the site of the Louisiana Purchase transfer in 1803, housed the Louisiana Supreme Court when it issued the landmark Plessy v. Ferguson decision and at one time served as a prison.

It now houses a comprehensive exhibit about Louisiana’s early history. Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Closed holidays.

Admission $6 adults; $5 seniors, students and active military personnel; free for children 12 and younger. 701 Chartres St., (504) 5686968; www.crt.state.la.us/museum/properties/ cabildo.aspx

French QuarTour Kids Ages 6-17 The company provides hourlong walking tours of the French Quarter designed for kids. The Creole Kids Tour explores 1830s New Orleans, including how children lived, what people wore, chores, etiquette and more. Morning and evening tours are offered daily. Admission is $15 per person (cash only), free for children 5 and younger. Children must be accompanied by an

All ages The museum has lots for children of all ages to love: tanks, planes, guns, love stories, movies, fashions, video-taped stories, the American Sector restaurant, Stage Door Canteen’s song and dance revues and more.

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission $22 adults; $19 seniors 65 and older; $13 children kindergarten-12th grade, students with college ID and active military with ID; children 5 and younger free. 945 Magazine St., (504) 5281944; www.nationalww2museum.org

New Orleans Museum of Art All ages In addition to permanent and changing exhibitions of paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, Faberge eggs and more, the museum hosts programs for children and families including art classes for kids ages 5-12 and Where Y’Art Fridays (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.), featuring performances, art activities and more. The programs are free with regular museum admission. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Museum admission is free on Wednesday. Other days, admission is $10 adults; $8 seniors, active military personnel,

university students with ID; $6 children 7-17; free children 6 and younger. City Park, 1 Collins C. Diboll Circle, (504) 658-4100; www.noma.org

Old U.S. Mint All ages This building began producing coins in 1838 and continued (with some lapses) until 1909. It now houses the Louisiana State Museum’s New Orleans Jazz Club Collections, the Louisiana Historical Center and a performing arts center.

Check the website for events, such as music and yoga classes, music performances and other programs. Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday through Sunday. Closed holidays.

Admission $6 adults; $5 seniors, students and active military personnel; free children 12 and younger. 400 Esplanade Ave., (504) 568-6993; www.crt.state.la.us/museum/properties/usmint

THE NEW CITY PUTT AT CITY PARK HAS TWO MINIATURE GOLF COURSES FEATURING THE CULTURE OF THE CITY AND STATE.

the permanent exhibit Mardi Gras: It’s Carnival Time in Louisiana provides eye candy and fun, tracing New Orleans’ parades and Carnival balls from their beginnings to today. Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

Closed holidays. Admission $6 adults; $5 seniors, students and active military personnel; free children 12 and younger. Admission includes other exhibits in the museum.

Jackson Square, 751 Chartres St., (504) 568-6968; www.crt.state.la.us/museum/ properties/presbytere

The Presbytere, Louisiana State Museum

Preservation Hall

All ages Mardi Gras is always exciting for children, and

All ages This legendary traditional jazz club is kid-friendly PAGE 11

GAMBIT’S KIDS ISSUE | 9

Tap Ballet Pointe Lyrical Jazz Zumba Pre-School Adult Jazz & Tap Floor Gymnastics Youth Adult Performing Company Mom & Tot Hip Hop

Register For Fall Classes

Saturday

August 3, 10 & 17

10am - 3pm

Wednesdays

August 7, 14 & 21

5pm - 7pm Classes begin September 3

Dance Troupe Auditions August 5 & 6 • 6pm

Artistic Director Debby Dillehay is Dance Master Certified

3745 Florida Ave. • Kenner, LA • (504)468-3368 www.debbydillehaydance.com

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— no smoking is allowed and there is no bar — and gives youngsters a rare chance to hear jazz performed as it was in its early years. The setting is intimate, giving the audience a good view of performing musicians. Guests can bring in beverages in plastic cups only. Open 8 p.m. daily, with shows starting at 8:15 p.m., 9:15 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Admission $15, $10 for students with school ID. 726 St. Peter St., (504) 522-2841; www.preservationhall.com

Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden All ages Stroll through the 5-acre garden along walking paths, pedestrian bridges and reflecting pools arranged around 60 sculptures by European, American, Israeli and Japanese artists. A free audio tour is available. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday. Free admission. City Park, 1 Colins C. Diboll Circle; www.noma.org

AMUSEMENTS/ RIDES/ GAMES Carousel Gardens Amusement Park All ages Home to one of only 100 wooden carousels remaining in the U.S., the amusement park is open from March to November. It has a dozen rides including a 40-foot slide, a Ferris wheel, Tilt-A-Whirl and kiddie rides (it is undergoing some renovation this year). Minimum height for rides is 3 feet (taller for some rides).

Season passes are available (the season ends Nov. 10). Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, through Aug. 11 (hours are reduced when schools start). Admission $3, children under 3 feet free; ride tickets are $3 each, or $12 per person for unlimited rides (during park renovations). Check website for dates and times. City Park, 1 Palm Drive, (504) 483-9402; www.neworleanscitypark.com

NOLA Motorsports Pre-teens and older The large complex for riding go-carts, motorcycles and race cars has miles of tracks in a variety of configurations, a 7-acre paddock, state-of-the-art safety features, dining facilities and vehicle rentals. Minors must be accompanied by an adult, and children must be 52 inches tall to ride the go-carts. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call for costs and track availability. 11075 Nicolle Blvd., Avondale, (504) 302-4875; www.nolamotor.com

prices. 1001 Filmore Ave., (504) 483-9398; www.equestfarm.com

INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS/ ATTRACTIONS Audubon Aquarium of the Americas All ages This state-of-the-art attraction on the Mississippi River includes a walk-through arch aquarium and houses a host of exhibits featuring about 600 species of sea creatures, including sharks, fish, penguins, alligators and frogs. There’s also a parakeet exhibit, an interactive Gulf Coast fish exhibit, a petting tank, demonstrations, hands-on activities and play spaces. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission $22.50 adults, $17 seniors, $16 ages 2-12, children under 2 free. 1 Canal St., (504) 581-4629; www.auduboninstitute.org

Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium All ages The world of insects is explored through bigger-than-life displays and interactive exhibits housed in the former U.S. Customs House.

There’s a restaurant featuring treats made with bugs, and an enclosed walk-through butterfly garden. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission $16.50, $13 seniors 65 and older, $12 children ages 2-12, children under 2 free. U.S. Custom House, 423 Canal St., (504) 5814629; www.auduboninstitute.org

Bookoo Bounce Ages 2-11 This 8,300-square-foot indoor playground filled with inflatable equipment, obstacle courses, bouncing rooms, slides and more has lots of options for children ages 2 to 11.

The facility often is booked for special events, so call for walk-in availability. Generally, however, it’s open to the public 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. There’s a concession area and high-definition TVs broadcasting sports events for adults who accompany children.

Admission is $8 for 90 minutes. 5604 Blessey St., Harahan, (504) 835-6424; www.bookoobounce.com

Entergy IMAX Theater

HORSEBACK RIDING

All ages Adjacent to Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, the theater has a five-and-a-half-storyhigh screen and shows films about nature and other topics. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with films starting every hour. Admission $10.50 adults, $9.50 seniors, $8 children ages 2-12, $5 Audubon members, children under 2 free.

1 Canal St., (504) 581-4629; www.auduboninstitute.org

Equest Farm

Louisiana Children’s Museum

Ages 4 and older The equestrian center at City Park offers riding lessons, camps and field trips (it also hosts birthday parties). Horse show riders train at Equest, which also boards privately owned horses. Group rides are available by appointment. Open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Contact the stables for

All ages This fun-filled educational facility features interactive exhibits, including the new Louisiana Hospitality Foundation Kids’ Cafe where children can choose to be a cook, server or guest.

Other attractions at the 30,000-square-foot facility include a bubble station, kids’ grocery store, art area, a little Port of New Orleans

and more. Summer hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.

Sunday, through Aug. 12. The museum closes a half-hour early every day during fall hours.

Admission $8 per person, children under 1 and Louisiana Children’s Museum members free. 420 Julia St., (504) 523-1357; www.lcm.org

The Monkey Room Indoor Playground Toddlers to pre-teens Kids can play full-out on a tube slide, punching bags, three-lane speed slide, ball room, crawl-through bridge, climbing structures, foam rollers and more. There’s also a toddlers-only play area and a snack bar. Children must wear socks to enter the playground.

Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Monday, unless a special event is scheduled (check the calendar on the website). Admission $9 general, $7 toddlers area only, adults free. 1501 Religious St., Suite C, (504) 3012695; www.monkeyroom.net

Palm Tree Playground Toddlers to pre-teens The beach-themed indoor playground offers a fully enclosed, 500-square-foot toddlers’ area with soft play equipment. For older kids there’s a large structure with spiral slides, a mini basketball arena, wave decks, an obstacle course and more. There’s also a cafe with a coffee bar for adults. Call before you go; the playground sometimes is closed for parties, but it’s generally open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission $8 ages 4 and older, $6 ages 3 and younger, adults and babies under 9 months old free.

3011 N. I-10 Service Road, Metairie, (504) 828-8164; www.palmtreeplayground.com

Party Planet Xtreme Ages 5, or 42 inches tall, and up The new interactive and competitive activities complex opened in July in Elmwood with six play zones. It has a vertical wall challenge, arcade games, a rope gauntlet and a glowin-the-dark arena with black-light volleyball, dodgeball and basketball. There’s also a

THERE ARE A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS AT THE LOUISIANA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM.

competition zone with a jump-shot challenge on trampolines, a wrecking ball, air bungies and more. Open noon to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, noon to midnight Friday, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday. Admission $21.99. 5015 Bloomfield St., Jefferson, (504) 309-8622; www.partyplanetxtreme.com

Playmakers Indoor Sports All ages The facility organizes leagues in soccer, lacrosse, flag football and more and the teams play on indoor turf. Playmakers also offers developmental sports programs for children as young as 18 months. Call for a schedule.

Annual memberships are $25 family, $20 adults, $15 youth. 800 Windward Drive, Covington, (985) 898-2809; 6124 Jefferson Hwy., Harahan, (504) 305-6078; www.playmakersindoor.com

R/C Racing Station The indoor racetrack for radio-controlled cars has mostly carpet racing, off-road racing for short-course tracks and a variety of classes.

Hours vary. Call for admission. 1401 Fulton St., Kenner, (504) 305-4551; www.rcracingstation.com

Slidell Rocks Climbing Gym All ages There are 16 “top-rope” climbing walls, a “bouldering” cave and training room, peg board climbing walls and rope climbing for strength-building — all under one roof. You must rent a harness ($2), and shoe and chalk bag rentals are also available. Open 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission $9 for limited areas, $12 access to entire gym.

39543 Hwy. 190 E., Slidell, (985) 646-1411; www.slidellrocks.com PAGE 12

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Ruby Slippers Music Box Music - Over the Rainbow $45

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SWAP BOUTIQUE has every designer label you can think of, in one little shop.

OUTDOOR PARKS & ACTIVITIES Audubon Zoo

™ & © Turner Entertainment Co.

children’s consignment

“WHERE THE UNUSUAL IS COMMONPLACE.” 5101 W. ESPLANADE AVE. METAIRIE, LA 70006 504-885-4956 • 800-222-4956

clothes • bags • accessories

visit us to shop or consign

7716 maple street • 115 metairie road & 5530 magazine street

504.304.6025 swapboutique.com

All ages Children can see (and sometimes touch) animals indigenous to Louisiana as well as exotic breeds from all over the world. The zoo has a miniature railroad that runs through the property, a splash park (admission is extra), innovative natural habitats for the animals, special education programs, the Monkey Hill play area, a dinosaur exhibit and more. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday. Admission $17.50 adults, $13 seniors 65 and older, $12 children ages 2-12, children under 2 free. 6500 Magazine St., (800) 774-7394; www.auduboninstitute.org

Cool Zoo Audubon Zoo Toddlers through pre-teens The splash park inside the zoo offers waterspouts, an alligator water slide, a spider monkey soaker and more. There’s also an area just for toddlers. Admission $8. Splash park tickets are not included in regular zoo admission. Open 10 am. To 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Audubon Zoo, 6500 Magazine St., (504) 581-4629; www. auduboninstitute.org

Bayou Kayaks Ages depend on skills This kayak rental company is operated by avid and experienced kayakers. It launches on Bayou St. John near the corner of Moss Street and Florida Avenue. Kayak rentals are available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Monday through Sept. 31, with sessions starting at 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Rates $10 per hour. Call for rental information. (504) 444-8869; www.bayoukayaks.com

Disc Golf at City Park All ages The 18-hole flying disc golf course is open to the public and built around lagoons and oak groves. Every hole is a par 3. Tee times aren’t normally required (unless there’s a tournament).

Open daily. Free admission. City Park, 1 Palm Drive, (504) 482-4888; www.neworleanscitypark.com

Disc Golf at Lafreniere Park Bayou Segnette Wave Pool All ages There is a wave pool at this state park on the West Bank (about 20 to 30 minutes from downtown New Orleans) and a water play area for younger kids. The park offers lots of other amenities, including playgrounds, picnic areas, fishing (both freshwater and saltwater), a boat launch and a nature trail. Park admission (for the day) $1 per person, adults 62 and older, and children 3 and under are free. Wave pool admission (per day) $10 (visitors 4 feet and taller), $8 children under 4 feet. Tip: The number of people allowed in the wave pool can be limited to 100 people, depending on lifeguard staffing, and admission is first-come, first-served. 7777 Westbank Expressway, Westwego, (504) 7367140; www.bayousegnettestatepark.com

Botanical Gardens City Park All ages Visitors can take walking paths through lush gardens of flowers, trees, indigenous plants and other foliage as well as fountains, sculptures, benches and a pond. There’s also a conservatory with a “Living Fossil” section, a simulated rainforest and other educational features. Watch for special children’s programming. Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission $6 adults, $3 children ages 5-12, children 4 and under free. City Park, 1 Palm Terrace, (504) 483-9386; www.neworleanscitypark.com

City Putt All ages The new miniature golf complex at City Park has two courses and 36 holes of golfing — with cultural lagniappe. The New Orleans course features representations of iconic city places and things, including white-and-blue street tiles on walkays, and signs at each hole detailing historic sites. The Louisiana course features cultural themes and cities around the state.

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Open year-round. Admission $8 for one game on one course, $6 ages 4-12, children under 4 free. City Park members get a $2 discount, and all ages can play a second game on the other course (same visit) for $4 per person. City Park, 1 Palm Drive, (504) 483-9385; www.neworleanscitypark.com

All ages There are 24 holes on the flying disc golf course on the north and east sides of Lafreniere Park.

The course is open to the public. Park gates are open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission free.

Lafreniere Park, 3000 Downs Blvd., Metairie, (504) 895-7512 or (504) 456-1851; www.lafrenierepark.org

Global Wildlife Center All ages More than 4,000 exotic, threatened and endangered animals from around the world roam freely on the wildlife preserve. The preserve is open daily year-round. Tours generally begin at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., but call first, as schedules can change due to private events.

Admission $17 adults, $15 seniors 63 and older, $11 children ages 2-11, children ages 2 and under free. Private tours are available.

26389 Hwy. 40, Folsom, (985) 796-3585; www.globalwildlife.com

Jean Lafitte Swamp and Airboat Tours All ages Tour a swamp in a Cajun-style flat boat or on an airboat and see the Spanish moss and other flora native to south Louisiana swamps, as well as wildlife including alligators, snakes, egrets, deer, mink, nutria and more. Tour times change seasonally and currently are 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. daily. Admission $25 adults, $12 children. Airboat tour times (ages 9 and older only) are 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. daily, and rentals start at $54 per person. 6601 Leo Kerner Lafitte Parkway, Marrero, (504) 6894186; www.jeanlafitteswamptour.com

Kayak-Iti-Yat Age depends on skills The company offers kayaking tours along Bayou St. John to Lake Pontchartrain and guides point out the sights, wildlife, fauna and history of the

Open Enrollment for Jefferson Parish Residents

area. They provide the kayak, safety jacket and wet bag. The four-hour Paddle Pontchartrain tour is $60 per person, and the two-hour Big Easy Bayou Tour is $40 per person. 3840 Bienville St., (985) 778-5034; www.kayakitiyat.com

Grades K-3

Arts Integrated

Lagoon

ENROLL NOW!

All ages The 20-acre lagoon stretches through various areas of the park, and has turtles and several species of fish as well as ducks and geese. Free admission. Park gates are open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Lafreniere Park, 3000 Downs Blvd., Metairie, (504) 838-4389; www.lafrenierepark.org

Longue Vue House and Gardens

Spaces are limited.

All ages Children can roam through the 8 acres of gardens designed by 20th-century landscape architects. The Classical Revival-style mansion is open for tours and reveals life as it was long ago. Special programs are available, so check the website for a calendar. Longue Vue’s Lucy C. Roussel Discovery Garden provides children with a place to dig and learn about gardening and nature. House tours start every hour until 4 p.m. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission to the gardens only $7 adults, $4 students with ID and children 3 and older. Admission to house and gardens $10 adults, $9 seniors 65 and older and military personnel, $5 children 3 and older, free children 2 and younger. 7 Bamboo Road, (504) 488-5488; www.longuevue.com

Opening August 9 To remain competitive in the “ global economy, America needs to

Marsh Island All ages All of Lafreniere Park is a dedicated bird sanctuary and Marsh Island abounds in lots of other Louisiana vegetation and animal life. It’s a favorite spot for feeding resident swans, ducks and geese. An elevated walkway leads to a gazebo.

Admission free. Lafreniere Park, 3000 Downs Blvd., Metairie; www.lafrenierepark.org

Paddlewheeler Creole Queen All ages The Paddlewheeler Creole Queen offers the nostalgia of times past and the comforts of the modern world, featuring a climate-controlled interior with plush decor and outer decks clad with wrought-iron trims. There’s a dance floor, music, private rooms, dining options and more. Several different tours of varying lengths are offered daily, including Chalmette Battlefield, jazz cruise, Mississippi River cruise and a plantation cruise.

Check the website for cruise schedules and ticket prices. Riverwalk Marketplace, 1 Poydras St., (504) 529-4567; www.creolequeen.com

Spray Park Ages 10 and younger The 4,000-square-foot Spray Park opened last year and features more than a dozen in-ground and above-ground water attractions, including three water cannons. There’s a 75-person capacity, and play sessions are 90 minutes.

Open noon to 7 p.m. daily, through Aug. 9, and weekends only Aug. 10 through Sept. 2. Admission $5 per person per play session (exact cash only). Lafreniere Park, 3000 Downs Blvd., Metairie, (504) 838-4389; www.lafrenierepark.org

Steamboat Natchez All ages The Mississippi River steamboat offers daytime

THE CABILDO ON JACKSON SQUARE FEATURES A MARDI GRAS EXHIBIT.

jazz tours leaving from the French Quarter daily for a two-hour cruise around the Port of New Orleans. Most cruises include a calliope concert or jazz music, and Creole lunch fare is available. Boarding is 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets $27.50 adults, $12.25 children ages 6-12, children 5 and younger free. An two-hour evening jazz cruise boards daily at 6 p.m. Admission $43 adults, $21.50 children 6-12, free children 5 and younger. 1 Toulouse St., (504) 586-8777; www.steamboatnatchez.com

Storyland Toddlers to pre-teens Children will see their favorite fairy tales represented in bright sculptures designed for whimsical play, climbing and exploring. There are 25 sculptures, including Captain Hook’s pirate ship from Peter Pan, the three pigs, Pinocchio, Jack and Jill, Little Miss Muffet, Cinderella and more. Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Admission $3. City Park, 1 Palm Drive, (504) 483-9402; www.neworleanscitypark.com

Zephyrs Baseball All ages This family-friendly baseball club’s facility includes a swimming pool, lots of dining choices and there are special activities for children at halftime, fireworks displays and more. Check website for schedule and special promotions.

Admissions starts at $10 adults, $6 children.

6000 Airline Drive, Metairie, (504) 734-5155; www.zephyrsbaseball.com

reinvigorate the kind of creativity and innovation that has made this country great. We must nourish our children’s creative skills...giving our children the science and math skills they need to compete ...and also encourage the ability to think creatively.”

President’s Committee on Arts and the Humanities

504.523.3525

AT K AT E M I D D L E T O N a NEW Jefferson Parish charter school on the Westbank

Academic Excellence with an Artistic Edge Young Audiences Charter School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of educational policies.

GAMBIT’S KIDS ISSUE | 13

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WhoDon’t

WhoDon’t has hidden all of WhoDat’s school supplies! Help WhoDat find them all.

SCISSORS

GLUE

RULER

PENCIL

PEN

CRAYONS

PAINT BRUSH

NOTEBOOK

PENCIL SHARPENER

Solution on page 22.

GAMBIT’S KIDS ISSUE | 15

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MILESTONES

PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS

Gambit Kids asked our readers to send us photos of children experiencing childhood milestones, and we received some very cute pictures. Here are our favorites:

FIRST PLACE Teagan Connors became a beignet fan with her first bite at age 3 at Cafe Du Monde.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY IYANA FERRIS

Kinslee Fisher, 2, explores her family’s heritage with a trip to Bayou Barn in Lafitte.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY COURTNEY KOENIG

Sydnie discovers Mr. Bingle.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY STACIE ARBOURGH

Tristan Robison, 4, catches his first fish at Lakes of Chateau Estates North in Kenner.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY DINANDA CHENEVERT

Parker gets his first taste of beignets at Morning Call.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY MELISSA PARKER

GAMBIT’S KIDS ISSUE | 17

SEE WHAT WONDERS AWAIT Come to a place where elephants fly, teacups spin and fairytales really do come true – the Walt Disney World® Resort, including New Fantasyland® at the Magic Kingdom® Park, and experience Disney storytelling in a magical new way! Here, your family will create memories that will last happily ever after.

Learn more at RevealFantasyland.com

This Magic Your Way Package Includes: • Accommodations for 6 nights at a select Disney Value Resort in a standard room • 7-Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket (one Theme Park per day) • Keepsake luggage tag (one per person)

6-NIGHT | 7-DAY PACKAGE at a select Disney Value Resort

$ 706*

PER ADULT BASED ON ADULT DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

$ 331* Per Junior (Ages 10-17) when staying in room with adult $ 311* Per Child (Ages 3-9) when staying in room with adult For stays most nights from 8/4-11/22/2013 and 11/30-12/12/2013 *The number of rooms allocated for this package may be limited. Tickets must be used within 14 days of first use. Package and package components are nontransferable. All rates in U.S. dollars. ©Disney GS2013-10525

Contact us today!

504-834-7000

BUSINESSES - REGISTER NOW! FAMILIES - SAVE THE DATE! Don’t miss the Premier Baby & Child Expo in the Southeast!

OCTOBER 5, 2013 • 10AM-4PM

PONTCHARTRAIN CENTER • KENNER

New Orleans Baby Fest

18 | GAMBIT’S KIDS ISSUE

@nolababyfest

www.NewOrleansBabyFest.com

nolababyfest@gmail.com • (504) 298-8234

PICKY EATERS Make mealtime with pint-size culinary critics easier

BY MEGAN BRADEN-PERRY PIZZA WITH A CAULIFLOWER CRUST.

inding ways to get kids to eat right is as easy as a few mouse clicks, thanks to Pinterest and the abundance of mommy bloggers. Do you worry about your milk-hating kid getting enough calcium? Is there bargaining at the table when vegetables are involved? Are you the parent of a picky eater whose list of tolerable and intolerable foods reads like a celebrity contract rider? The assortment of healthy-eating techniques parents can use includes: ingredient substitutions, serving items differently, sneaking foods into other foods and other tactics. Here are some tips.

PARENTING TACTICS — Some of these tactics can be adapted for use with other tasks, like picking out clothes and doing chores.

• Present kids with two or three food options and let them make the final decision.

• Introduce new foods to children on several different occasions.

• Have healthy foods available when kids come home hungry or snack out of boredom.

• Involve kids in cooking and teach them to prepare a variety of foods.

• Never make a big deal out of eating foods children are hesitant to try or don’t like.

• Realize that children often make negative associations with foods if they were sick the last time they tried them.

• Teach children portion control by letting them know they can always get second helpings and not forcing them to “clean their plates.”

• Never use “fun” foods to bribe kids into eating “just a few more bites” of “gross” foods.

CAULIFLOWER PIZZA CRUST (Adapted from www.closetcooking.com) Ingredients: 1 cauliflower 1 egg 1/2 cup shredded Italian cheese blend 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning Preheat the oven to 450 F. Break the cauliflower into florets and puree in a food processor. Microwave the mixture for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cooked.

Dump the cooked cauliflower into a clean dishtowel and wring out as much water as possible.

Combine the cauliflower, egg, cheese and Italian seasoning. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Press the mixture into a wax paperlined pizza pan much the way you do with traditional crust. Bake the crust for 25 to 30 minutes, until it is dry to the touch and golden brown all over, with medium- to dark-brown edges. (If you don’t cook the crust long enough before adding toppings, it will fall apart when you try to hold it.)

Add pizza sauce and toppings, and bake for about 20 minutes or until the cheese starts bubbling.

CAULIFLOWER ALFREDO SAUCE (Adapted from Pinchofyum.com) Ingredients: Head of garlic, minced 2 tablespoons olive oil 6 cups cauliflower florets 7 cups non-tomato vegetable broth 1/2 cup milk Granulated onion

Sautee garlic in olive oil until it is soft, but not browned. Put it aside.

Boil cauliflower in vegetable broth until it’s fork-tender, about 10 minutes.

Don’t drain it.

Put the cauliflower in a blender with sauteed garlic, milk and a cup of the broth the cauliflower was boiled in.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

PAGE 20

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FOOD SUBSTITUTIONS — Boost nutrition and cut calories and fat with these easy 1:1 ratio substitutions.

• Replacing sugar with pulverized dates works great in desserts that don’t rely on granulated sugar’s chemical makeup, as do pralines. Dates taste just as sweet and impart only a slight raisin flavor.

• Using avocado instead of butter in baked goods and instead of mayonnaise on sandwiches and in salads (chicken, tuna, egg) doesn’t change the flavor and texture, but drastically decreases calories, fat and cholesterol.

• Plain Greek yogurt tastes just like sour cream.

Use yogurt solo as a garnish or as the base for dips.

• In sweet baked goods, replace butter with mashed bananas to cut calories. The resulting banana flavor will be faint if it is noticeable at all.

• The Betty Crocker standby of replacing oil with unsweetened applesauce in baked goods (excluding cookies) takes nothing away from flavor or texture.

• Use fresh citrus juice instead of salt in dishes like baked fish or tuna salad to cut sodium and add flavor.

• Replacing flour with pureed black beans works well in some dishes.

• Using spaghetti squash instead of spaghetti in pasta dishes cuts carbohydrates and calories without changing flavor.

NUTRITIONAL INFO CHART for 100-gram ingredient substitutions (Sources: Google, MyFitnessPal.com)

FOOD

CALORIES

FAT

PROTEIN

282 387 160 680 59 193 717 900 42 89 27 158 91 364

0.4g 0g 15g 75g 0.4g 20g 81g 100g 0.1g 0.3g 0g 0.9g 0.3g 1g

2.4g 0g 2g 1g 10g 2.1g 0.8g 0g 0.2g 1.1g 1g 6g 6g 10g

DATES SUGAR AVOCADO MAYONNAISE GREEK YOGURT SOUR CREAM BUTTER CORN OIL APPLE SAUCE BANANAS SQUASH SPAGHETTI BLACK BEANS FLOUR

FIBER CARBS CHOLESTEROL 8g 0g 7g 0g 0g 0g 0g 0g 1.1g 2.6g 1g 1.8g 7g 3g

75g 100g 9g 0.6g 3.6g 2.9g 0.1g 0g 11g 23g 6g 31g 16g 73g

0mg 0mg 0mg 42mg 5mg 52mg 215mg 0mg 0mg 0mg 0mg 0mg 0mg 0mg

HW +

BE STRONGER. LIVE LONGER.

G A M B I T ’ S H E A LT H + W E L L N E S S

BABY BOOKS THE LOCALS LOVE

BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.LILSQUIRTS.COM AND VARIOUS RETAILERS IN THE CITY AND STATE

20 | GAMBIT’S KIDS ISSUE

• CONTACT US NOLABABY@LILSQUIRTS.NET

BACK TO SCHOOL AT HAASE’S

School Uniforms, Shoes & Monogramming

HAASE’S

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8119-21 Oak Street • 504-866-9944

FUN PRESENTATION — Try serving food differently to make it appeal to kids.

• Make ice cubes or popsicles from pureed fruit.

• Try serving foods at different temperatures. The child who hates warm peas at dinner might love eating them frozen, and the kid who doesn’t like fresh apples might enjoy them baked or dehydrated.

• Raw vegetables can be fun for kids, and vegetables’ bright colors and crispy textures can make them more appealing than cooked ones.

• Kids love to dip and dunk their food. Serve fruit and veggies with dips made of Greek yogurt, or come up with ways to make a dippable dinner.

• Most kids go crazy for

SLICED, FROZEN BANANAS CAN BE PUREED TO MAKE FAUX FROZEN YOGURT.

pizza and tacos. Some good things, such as bell peppers on pizza or radishes in tacos, are more appealing than vegetables served solo.

SNEAK ATTACK — When all else fails, just sneak hated foods into loved dishes and let kids know later that they ate them.

• Shredded carrots can be added to breakfast breads without changing the flavor.

• Pureed vegetables like carrots, spinach and zucchini can’t be spotted in red gravy.

• Cauliflower is a culinary chameleon, standing in for the base of alfredo sauce and pizza crust (see recipes), and blending seamlessly with mashed potatoes and rice.

• Seasoned, sauteed mushrooms can be used to stretch meat for especially carnivorous kids.

GAMBIT’S KIDS ISSUE | 21

Solution to WhoDat’s search on page 15.

22 | GAMBIT’S KIDS ISSUE

HIS S

itting around the dining table of their French Quarter home, Raney-Mills and Sean Kiely share their story about learning their first child’s gender in the sweet style only beaming couples can — by finishing each other’s sentences.

“Sean’s an engineer and he needs details,” Raney-Mills says. Her due date is Sept. 26.

“Well, I didn’t want to waste my time coming up with a boy’s name if it was a girl, or a girl’s name if it ended up being a boy,” Sean says.

Raney-Mills had heard about a party where guests learned the child’s gender along with the parents-to-be via the presentation of a pink cake for a girl or blue cake for a boy.

“We wanted something ceremonial, but we wanted it to be just us,” she says.

“We wanted it to be private and not in a doctor’s office.”

A few months ago, they visited their obstetrician for an ultrasound and left the doctor with a piece of stationery, an envelope and instructions to write down the baby’s sex, seal the envelope and return it to them. The couple took the sealed envelope to Raney-Mills’ longtime friend Sarabeth Hudson, who had been a bridesmaid in the Kielys’ wedding. It was Hudson’s job to bake the cake and keep the secret.

The Kielys’ tale reflects a strong trend of expectant couples finding out the gender of their babies months before they are born.

On the flip side, not everyone wants to know ahead of time, as was evident last week as the world reveled in anticipation of the birth of Prince William and Duchess Kate’s first child, whose gender was unknown prior to delivery. The excitement hit a crescendo as the couple announced the baby was a boy, third in line to the throne of England.

Various parenting magazines and blogs cite a figure of 50/50 as the percentage of couples who want to know the gender in advance and those who chose to wait until birth. Among those who want to know, “gender-reveal” parties have become very popular. Unlike

OR

the Kielys, many couples choose to invite friends and family to the celebration, and ways to reveal the gender range from colored balloons, filled candies, flowers, boy or girl dolls and more.

Improved technology allows obstetricians to identify the sex of the baby in utero, which is one reason genderreveal parties are popular. Most expectant mothers have an ultrasound imaging test between their 18th and 20th weeks of pregnancy, a point at which the sex often can be determined.

Amniocentesis, a prenatal screening for potential genetic problems, also can identify gender.

The surge in gender-reveal parties began a few years ago, but the celebrations have grown in size and scope. As Evonne Lack wrote in her www.babycenter.com article “8 Hot Tips for Your Gender Reveal Party”: “Cutting into a cake with pink or blue filling is so two years ago. A ‘gender reveal’ extravaganza, on the other hand — complete with games, favors and a Pinterest board? Now you’re talking!”

Sarabeth Hudson says she felt “like a kid that hadn’t done their homework” as she searched for hard-to-find ingredients to bake the cake she wanted to present the Kielys. She selected the recipe from her favorite online recipe site, www.101cookbooks.com.

“A cake is an occasion,” says Hudson, an avid cook and baker. “It’s a very simple cake, but it doesn’t use flour. It calls for marzipan, an almond paste. I couldn’t find it anywhere and was freaking out a little bit. … [The Kielys] had given me the card (from the doctor) and were waiting on the news and I’m running all over looking for almond paste!”

Hudson finally found it at French Quarter bakery/coffeeshop Croissant d’Or. She baked the cake, adorned it with white icing and jasmine flowers, placed it in a glass-domed serving dish and presented it to the Kielys at the intersection of Royal and St. Peter streets.

Sean and his wife walked the few blocks to their home and held a private ceremony in the courtyard. As RaneyMills read aloud from William Blake’s “A Cradle Song,” Sean cut into the cake.

HERS Gender-reveal parties continue to trend

BY FRANK ETHERIDGE

The juice that squirted out “looked kinda pink” Sean says, but a deeper cut revealed — blueberries. A boy.

“It was the happiest I’ve seen him look in his life,” Raney-Mills says. Sean counters with, “Raney-Mills then admitted she wanted a boy the whole time.”

The couple shared a celebratory dinner out together and later ordered blue balloons and flowers to be delivered the next day to their parents, who live out of state.

What will they name their son? That’s yet to be determined, but for now, they’re calling him “Spy Boy.”

RANEY-MILLS KIELY CUTS A CAKE HER FRIEND BAKED TO REVEAL THE GENDER OF KIELY’S UNBORN CHILD. BAKED INSIDE WERE BLUEBERRIES, INDICATING THE BABY IS A BOY.

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