Disclosure :: this post is sponsored by Pontchartrain Conservancy whose mission is to drive environmental sustainability and stewardship through scientific research, education, and
advocacy. This work starts with kids! One of the questions that we get asked the most is, “what are the best things to do in New Orleans with kids?” We are so excited to share the New Canal Lighthouse Museum with New Orleans moms as a fun, innovative and educational kid-friendly outing! Whether you are a teacher looking for your school’s next field trip or a mom interested in a hands-on educational outing, we strongly suggest that you check the New Canal Lighthouse out. There are an abundance of activities for kids of all ages, and the best part is that families are able to learn about the coast in a natural environment. This outing in New Orleans is truly unique and one-of-a-kind!
Put the New Canal Lighthouse on Your New Orleans Family’s Must Do List!
If you’re on the hunt for something fun AND educational for your kiddos to do in New Orleans, you need to visit the New Canal Lighthouse and The Pontchartrain Conservancy! I recently had the opportunity to take a tour and brought along my two boys (ages 12 and 9). We could have stayed there for hours just playing and learning; even this mama was entertained!
There are a number of things you can do at the New Canal Lighthouse, so there’s definitely something for children of all ages. “I had so much fun creating mountains and making it 
rain in the sandbox,” said my 9-year-old. My 12-year-old loved the robotics and shared, “I thought the underwater robot was really cool. I liked seeing the barnacles on the poles on the camera.” But wait, there’s more! Here’s details on everything you can do at the New Canal Lighthouse, and it’s an affordable and convenient place to visit with kids in New Orleans.
Lighthouse Tours
The New Canal Lighthouse offers educational tours, during which time you can learn more about the lighthouse, its history, and how Pontchartrain Conservancy is working to restore Louisiana’s coast. Dwight gave us a very thorough tour and was able to answer all of my 9-year-old’s burning questions. The neat part about the New Canal Lighthouse is that it is similar to combining a museum with an immersive hands-on experience in the exact environment that you’re learning about! This outing is equal parts history, fun and hands-on science.
Underwater Robotics Program
This may be the most unique part of the New Canal Lighthouse! New Orleans kids (or adults) can learn about Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) and build their very own! You get to launch your robot in the canal and try your hand at driving it in water, which was a really good lesson in buoyancy and robotics. If you attend as a school group, you can build these as a group, which would be a wonderful, interactive and hands-on lesson for students. Most kids get a kick out of driving just about anything, so add water into the mix and it’s even more awe inspiring.
3D Watershed Sandbox
New Orleans kids can create 3D models of land and water bodies with ‘sand’ (recycled cardboard pieces), then make it “rain” to see where the stormwater goes! Learn about topography, hydrology, and how coastal restoration can protect Louisiana’s coastal cities. My kids could have spent hours on this alone, which is saying something since kids can sometimes be hard to impress as they get older! The technology here was really impressive.
Seed Station
At this station, New Orleans families contribute to starting native Louisiana flowers and trees from seed. Your planted seeds will be raised at their nursery, and when the sees are ready, they will be planted in coastal marshes. You can even take a native seed pot and help grow more Louisiana at home. They also have technology in the works to track any plants you grow and give back to the marsh!
Water Sampling
Bring in a water sample from your favorite spots in the Pontchartrain Basin, or even from your home. Learn how to solve the mystery of what’s in our water through microscopes. While my sons and I were onsite visiting, I personally learned about everything that is still in our filtered tap water, like micro plastics. This was really eye opening and neat to experience. After all, Pontchartrain Conservancy is proud to be your New Orleans area water quality experts.
New Canal Lighthouse :: Know Before You Go
Where :: 8001 Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans, LA 70124
When :: Tuesday – Saturday {10:00am – 4:00pm}
How much :: $10.00 General Admission | $7.50 Seniors, Students & Military {children under 6 years old are FREE}. Group rates are available at $7.50/person for groups of 10 or more. Note :: all areas and facilities on the Lighthouse grounds are accessible, making it a great outing for New Orleans kids of all abilities.
LEARN MORE :: Visit https://scienceforourcoast.org to learn more.
Pontchartrain Conservancy’s mission is to drive environmental sustainability and stewardship through scientific research, education, and advocacy. The Pontchartrain Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization consisting of a board of directors representing Basin parishes and regulatory agencies. The Lake Pontchartrain Basin is a 10,000 square mile watershed encompassing 16 Louisiana parishes. The land use of the region is both rural and urban and is the most densely populated region in Louisiana, including metro New Orleans and the state capital, Baton Rouge. It is one of the largest estuarine systems in the Gulf of Mexico containing over 22 essential habitats. The Basin’s topography ranges from rolling woodlands in the north to coastal marshes in the south, with the 630 square mile Lake Pontchartrain as its centerpiece.
