5 Free Things to Do With Your Kids After School
My kids are dismissed from school at 3:30. Typically, their little four and five year old bodies are simultaneously hangry, mentally exhausted, and physically bursting with energy. If I don’t have a plan (and snacks), things tend to escalate quickly. Although bringing the kids straight home is always an option, I find that when we spend too much of our evening at home my kids tend to rot in front of the tv as I get swept away in trying to clean my house or handle other tasks. Instead, I try to take my kids on brief, fun, after school excursions. After much trial and error, here are my top five free afterschool destinations:
Programming at the New Orleans Public Library
There is always something going on at the libraries. My kids have participated in numerous art classes and story times, along with fun activities like bingo, lego challenges, and building an electrical circuit. Check out their website for a calendar of events.
The Kids’ Castle at Lakeside Shopping Center
This indoor play area is a dream. First, it is kept very clean, and they have fun handwashing stations near the entrance. My kids (ages 4 and 5) love the castle, which includes slides and other obstacles. There is also a large play area with soft structures kids can climb on, that is suitable for younger children. I find that my kids can play independently here, so I am often able to pull out my laptop and get some work done while they play. Another great thing about it – it’s completely free! Just sign up for a time slot (or two) on Eventbrite and be sure to bring socks for you and your children.
Big Lake at City Park
Big Lake has been a favorite of my kids since they were small. They absolutely love feeding the ducks and walking along the boardwalk to look for turtles and other creatures in the lake. Sometimes I’ll bring their bikes or scooters so that we can go all the way around the lake. I find that the traffic is mostly people walking or other families on bicycles, so it feels like a safe path for my kids to run around or practice riding.
Cabrini Playground
This is my kids’ favorite playground. Although parking can occasionally be tricky since it is on the edge of the French Quarter, I typically can find a spot within the block. It is never crowded, and there is a great mini picnic table for my kids to enjoy their snacks before they play. There is a lot of equipment, but also plenty of space to run and play. Warning: it is adjacent to a dog park, but there is a fence all the way around the playground area to keep animals out.
Couturie Forest
I finally took my kids to Couturie Forest for the first time, and I can’t believe I waited so long! They had so much fun exploring the trails and running around in the open field. We saw a turtle, a blue heron, and a great Egret within our first five minutes at the park, and there is even a small “mountain” with a lookout point at the top. We ended up being there for an hour longer than I had anticipated, because we were all having so much fun.
