What’s New This Month

September: Fall hours begin September 2: Open Wednesday–Sunday each week.

Mid September – Mid November: Fall 2025 Artist in Residence Shannon Atwater

Join us as we welcome our Fall 2025 Artist in Residence Shannon Atwater! Shannon brings her skills as a favorite local author and illustrator to LCM this fall as we collaborate on our very own book together! Contribute some ideas, words, or artwork to this collaborative project, learn about the process of creating a book from start to finish, and be a part of this very special project.

Find Shannon at LCM in September on these dates and times:

• Kick off Sunday 9/14 11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Art for All Day) 
• Thursday the 18th 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Saturday the 20th 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Thursday the 25th from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Sunday the 28th from 12:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

September 15- October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month 

The Louisiana Children’s Museum celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month by honoring the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico celebrates their independence on September 16 and Chile celebrates on September 18. 

LCM has a lovely library in Make Your Mark that honors Latinx authors and illustrators, including Alma by Juana Martinez-Neal, Separate is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh, and Mango, Abuela, Y Yo by Meg Medina and Angela Dominquez. These award-winning books will also be featured at story time during Hispanic Heritage Month: Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. We will also learn and/or teach Spanish words and phrases throughout the month.  

September 24 – October 3: Light and Shadow Week

Join us for Shadows in the Studio! What can you observe about the ways that colors mix through light? What stories are you inspired to tell using shadows? Join us in exploring Shadows, Art, and Storytelling in our Studio in the Park during this week in September. Let your curiosity be your guide and learn about the ways we observe and interact with light and color, then share your observations with us! Extend your exploration to the projectors in our Build Big Dreams exhibit, the shadows created by daylight throughout the rest of our museum, and beyond into the world around us.

Saturday, September 27: Worldwide Day of Play                                                              

Worldwide Day of Play is dedicated to bringing opportunities for joyful learning through play with a focus on getting kids and their families up, out, and playing around. Join us as we play games on the lawn and in our big backyard, including corn hole, hopscotch, parachutes, hula hoops, and more!  

Saturday, September 27 , 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.: Hispanic Heritage Foundation presents: Los Animalitos

Celebrate #HispanicHeritageMonth at LCM with Los Animalitos!  Come sing, learn some Spanish animal words through song, and have some fun with us for two engaging interactive performances at 11:30am and 12:00pm. This event is open to the public in our Talk and Play Center, sponsored by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. Bring all your little animal lovers along for the fun. Esperamos verte!

Saturday, September 27, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.:  “La Mesa Española” The Spanish Language Table

“¿Hola, cómo estás?” “¡Tengo hambre!” Visit our Spanish Language Table in the Atrium in the afternoon for a chance to learn or share some words or phrases in Spanish! Bring your knowledge, no matter the level, to the “table” for some sparkling conversation en Español and enjoy some snacks to celebrate and learn more about #HispanicHeritage.

October

Through October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month  

The Louisiana Children’s Museum celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by honoring the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. 

Join us for continued Hispanic Heritage Month programming, including Kid’s Batey: Discover the Spirit of Bomba with Batey Bayou on Family Folklife Day and our Dia de los Muertos celebrations, with Ofrenda by Master Folk Artist Cynthia Ramirez and a presentation in collaboration with Krewe de Mayahuel.

LCM has a lovely library in Make Your Mark that honors Latinx authors and illustrators, including Alma by Juana Martinez-Neal, Separate is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh, and Mango, Abuela, Y Yo by Meg Medina and Angela Dominquez. These award-winning books will also be featured at story time during Hispanic Heritage Month: Wednesdays, Thursdays,  Fridays, and Saturdays at 11:00 and 1:00, and Sundays at 2:00. We will also learn and/or teach Spanish words and phrases throughout the month.   

Mid September – Mid November: Fall 2025 Artist in Residence Shannon Atwater

Join us as we welcome our Fall 2025 Artist in Residence Shannon Atwater! Shannon brings her skills as a favorite local author and illustrator to LCM this fall as we collaborate on our very own book together! Contribute some ideas, words, or artwork to this collaborative project, learn about the process of creating a book from start to finish, and be a part of this very special project. 

Find Shannon at LCM in October on these dates and times: 

• Thursday October 2:  10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 
• Saturday October 4 (Family Folklife Day):  10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Thursday October 9:  10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 
• Friday October 10: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 
• Thursday October 16:  10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 
• Saturday October 18:  1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. 
• Thursday October 23:  10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 
• Sunday October 26 (Fall Celebration):  1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Thursday October 30:  10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

Thursdays, October 2 & 16 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Sensory Friendly Play Time  

At LCM, we are committed to building stronger, more connected communities through active engagement. We welcome all families and children of all backgrounds and circumstances. We offer a playtime for families that provides a low-sensory experience where children with sensory-specific needs can explore the Museum without the noise, crowds, and stimulation of typical open hours. We limit the number of families who can attend, turn down sounds and lights, and provide adaptive equipment such as noise-reducing headphones and weighted vests. When available, specialists will be on hand to help facilitate activities and provide resources. If you would like to participate in this event, please register.

 October 10 & 17 from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Food Science Friday

Join us in Follow That Food for fun kitchen experiments. These projects will teach concepts in various learning areas like science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and art. Guests will get to engage with food in an all-new way! This month, Food Science Fridays will focus on the science of healthy eating and nutrition!

Saturday, October 4: Family Folklife Day  

October is Louisiana Folklife Month! Folklife is the music we sing, the food we cook, the stories we tell, and the everyday ways we stay connected. Its living traditions shared within a group, passed down through generations, and reimagined over time.  

Come celebrate our Fourth Annual  Family Folklife Day at LCM with performances, hands-on activities, and storytelling stations that celebrate the many family traditions that make our communities so vibrant and special. Guests will explore, create, taste, and share ways of life that connect generations through time and place.  

What’s Happening:

• Live performances and cultural demonstrations 
• Family Story Stations and Louisiana Folklife highlights 
• Cajun & Creole foodways tasting and kitchen skills  
• Music, dance, and language exploration 
• Steward’s Ship and fishing activities, storytelling, artmaking, and more across our indoor/outdoor campus 

Kids and their grownups can explore what defines their own “Family Folklife” through activities and programs designed to prompt inter-generational conversations about the stories and traditions in their own family group.  

Programs by featured guests include:

• French music and percussions workshop with singer Sarah Mahoney and Alliance Française of New Orleans
• Mid-Autumn Moon Festival presented by Xavier University Chinese Language Program
• Southeastern Native American History and Stories with United Houma Nation culture bearer and master storyteller Grayhawk Perkins
• Kid’s Batey: Discover the Spirit of Bomba with Batey Bayou
• Fais Do-Do story time and art facilitation with local author, illustrator, and LCM’s Fall 2025 Artist in Residence Shannon Atwater.

Check out the resource guide for ways to Explore Your Own Family Folklife.

Saturday, October 11 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m: Flow & Grow Workshop  

Get ready to move, groove, and glow from the inside out! Flow & Glow is a high-energy, joy-filled Hip Hop dance and mindfulness workshop that helps kids express themselves, connect to their bodies, and shine with confidence. Rooted in the true spirit of Hip Hop — creativity, community, expression, and resilience — this workshop invites children to learn age-appropriate choreography, explore their personal rhythm, and practice mindful movement techniques that help them feel centered and empowered.  

Kids will leave feeling energized and joyful, more in tune with their body and emotions, connected to others through music and movement, and proud of what they’ve created and how they showed up. This workshop is more than just dance — it’s a celebration of self-expression, mindfulness, and being exactly who you are. Whether your child is new to dance or already loves to move, Flow & Glow offers a beautiful blend of fun, focus, and freedom. Join us in the Big Backyard with special guest Shanda Brown from Domango Training for this amazing event!  

Saturday, October 18 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Tulane STEM Day

Join the Tulane Center for K-12 STEM Education for Tulane STEM Day at the Louisiana Children’s Museum! Discover exciting, hands-on STEM activities designed especially for our youngest learners—all while enjoying a fun visit to the museum. Tulane graduate and undergraduate students will be leading engaging activities for all ages, so older siblings are welcome and encouraged to participate too! While you are here, don’t forget to visit the American Chemistry Society table to celebrate the National Chemistry Week with “The Hidden Life of Spices”. 

Saturday, October 18 LCM Closes at 1:00 p.m. for a private event.  

Saturday, Oct 25: LCM Closed: LCM Play Soirée Starts at 7:00 p.m. Get your tickets!  

Sunday, October 26: Halloween Fun!  

Come celebrate some of the fall family traditions that happen this time each year, and some things spooky, mysterious and magical. 

• Spooky stories by the campfire at 1:00 p.m. 
• Pumpkin painting and other gourd-geous games in the Edible Garden from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 
• Artist in Residence Shannon Atwater from 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. 
• Dia de los Muertos Ofrenda Presentation at 1:30 p.m. 
• Monster Mash Dance Party at 2:00 p.m. 

It’s going to be a boo-tiful day! Costumes are encouraged for all guests on Sunday, October 26 and Friday, Oct 31! 

October 15 – November 2: Día de los Muertos Altar in Make Your Mark Gallery

October 26 at 1:30 p.m.: Presentation by Master Folk Artist Cynthia Ramirez and Krewe de Mayahuel 

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday celebrated on November 1 through November 2. Because of its Indigenous and European roots, it is celebrated in various ways all over the world. Here in Louisiana, you may observe La Toussaint, or All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. This is a special time to demonstrate love and respect for deceased family members, and to visit and care for the cemeteries. Families make colorful altars in their homes in honor of their loved ones, and the altars are decorated with flowers, candles, and maybe their loved one’s favorite food. We will host a Day of the Dead altar or Ofrenda and design paper marigolds in honor of those we miss. Many cultures associate the marigold flower with remembrance.  

We celebrate this tradition each year with an Ofrenda created by Master Folk Artist Cynthia Ramirez that will remain until November 2nd and so will our marigold-making and our papel picado art exploration. Papel picado, which means “punched” or “perforated” paper are folk art flags created for different celebrations in Mexico. Día de los Muertos is as much a time to celebrate life as it is a special time to remember. 

On October 26 at 1:30 p.m., we will host a special presentation in the Make Your Mark Gallery by Ramirez, accompanied by members of the Krewe de Mayahuel, featuring Calaveras from their yearly Fiesta and Procession! Come learn more about the tradition, symbolism, and artistry that surround this celebration of life, family, and remembrance.