Free NOLA Resources & Play for Local Families

Written By Taylor Cotten

COMMUNITY CENTERS AND ACCESS PROGRAMS

1. WE PLAY Center

https://www.mytraininggrounds.org/we-play

Mission: “Our WE PLAY Center is designed to offer a safe place to play while engaging in activities that promote brain development. "WE PLAY" centers are neighborhood-based spaces filled with age-appropriate toys and activities where caregivers and children ages birth through age 3 can have quality playtime. These places allow parents to socialize with each other while receiving support for the joys and challenges of raising children.” 

Address:

  • Mid / Central City: Sojourner Truth Neighborhood Center

    • 2200 Lafitte Ave., New Orleans, LA 70119

    • Phone: (504) 240-8379

  • New Orleans East: East New Orleans Regional Library

    • 5641 Read Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70127

    • Phone:  (504) 240-8186

*Check website for updated hours! They offer playtimes for kids 0-3 and additional times for kids 3-5 years.

2. Audubon Community Connect

https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/audubon-community-connect

  • Audubon Nature Institute has expanded its commitment to educating our community about the wonders of nature through a new initiative called Audubon Community Connect. This initiative increases accessibility to Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium, and Audubon Insectarium for Orleans Parish residents.

    • Orleans Parish Appreciation Days

    • Audubon SNAP Program

    • New Orleans Culture Pass Program: See below.

3. New Orleans Public Library (NOPL)

https://nolalibrary.org/new-to-the-library-need-a-card/

  • Explore new worlds, skills, and environments through books at the New Orleans Public Library! Shared reading promotes early language and literacy skills including joint attention, increasing attention span and engagement, and early vocabulary.

  • NOPL also offers many adult education classes and engagement programs. Find them  here.

  • Residents of Orleans and Jefferson Parishes can get reciprocal memberships — if you hold a card in Orleans Parish, you can get one in Jefferson Parish (and vice versa) with the same privileges. The exception is Jefferson Parish residents can't use their cards to check out Culture Passes in New Orleans. 

4. New Orleans Culture Pass Program

https://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/tkflex.cfm?curOrg=NOPL

  • Those with a New Orleans public library card and an Orleans Parish ID can reserve free tickets to several participating partners around the city, including all Audubon Nature Centers (zoo, aquarium, insectarium), New Orleans Museum of Art, and the National WWII Museum. Check availability and reserve tickets at the link. Free and fun events for both children and adults.

5. Louisiana Children’s Museum (LCM)

https://lcm.org/tickets/art-for-all/

  • Free tickets to LCM are available on select days through the Helis Foundation. See dates and find out how to reserve tickets (on Eventbrite) at the link above. 

PLAYGROUNDS

1. A Comprehensive List of Playgrounds:

https://neworleansmom.com/guides-to-new-orleans/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-best-playgrounds-in-new-orleans/

  • This website lists New Orleans playgrounds by area. It also lists playgrounds by other categories, including most shaded / covered, best playgrounds for swinging, best playgrounds for small toddlers, and best playgrounds for children with disabilities. Find one close to you and watch your child build foundational language, cognitive, and physical skills by interacting with the equipment and other children.

2. Anthony’s Missing Pieces Playground

https://unlimitedplay.org/playground/kenner-inclusive-playground/

  • Address: Inside Miguez Park - 67 Baron Ln. Kenner, LA 70065

  • Open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • “A universally accessible playground project“

  • “This fully handicap-accessible park has over 8,000 square feet of safety surface that add to the comfort of the playground, as well as transfer stations and ramps throughout.

3. Kids Castle at Lakeside Mall

https://www.lakesideshopping.com/kidscastle

  • Address: 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie, LA 70002

  • Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10 AM – 8 PM; Sunday: 12 PM – 6 PM

  • A free, indoor, padded playground for physical fun and practicing social and communication skills.

  • *You must sign up for a timeslot online prior to arriving/entering.

Community Health & Wellness, Care Coordination

(Explore these programs and enroll or apply at these links)

1. LSU Health Sciences Early Head Start Child Care Partnership

https://www.hdc.lsuhsc.edu/earlyheadstart/

  • “EHS-CCP is a coordinated continuum of education, health and family services delivered through the LSUHSC Human Development Center and our partners in the Greater New Orleans area. Through our partnerships we aim to carry out the mission of the Human Development Center of building capacity and inspiring change in both the classroom and homestead. Our program serves families with children aged six weeks to three years old who fall below the federal poverty line.”

  • ASD evaluations can be provided here; however, family must meet certain requirements. 

2. ThriveKids Student Wellness Program through Children’s Hospital

https://www.chnola.org/community/thrivekids-student-wellness/care-coordination/

  • This is a voluntary, free program that allows for coordinated care between families, educators, therapists, and mental health professionals. This type of coordination can create invaluable continuity of care for things such as making medical appointments, medication management, and facilitating communication between all members of your child’s care team.

3. NOLA Baby Cafe

  • Free, drop-in breastfeeding support.

  • Instagram: @nolababycafe

  • Information flyer HERE

4. The Little Village NOLA

  • Free OT, SLP and PT support at playgroups around town.

  • Instagram: @thelittlevillagenola

Additional Resources

1. MacaroniKidNola

Follow @macaronikidnola to get weekly updates on ALL of the free opportunities around town every single week!

new-orleans.macaronikid.com/subscribe

New Orleans Play Resources that Cost $

1. NOLA Kidsground 

https://www.nolakidsground.com/openplaytickets

  • $14.20/ticket

  • 1.5 hours of play 

  • Advanced tickets are required for children 10 and under (adults do not need tickets).  Babies who are not crawling are free with paid sibling admission or as a party guest. Each ticket is valid for a specific 90-minute timed-entry play time.  Socks are required for children and adults. Outside food and drinks are not allowed

2. Create & Play Club

https://www.createandplayclub.com

3. Bubblegum Tree Playhouse

https://www.bubblegumtreeplayhouse.com

  • Drop-in classes & play memberships offered.

4. PowHER NOLA

https://www.powhernola.com

  • A workout community for moms!

CREDIT: Camille Tucker, SLP, LLC & Fun In Function, LLC

Taylor Cotten
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