What’s New This Month

August

August 4 – September 13: Studio in the Park Textile Exploration 

Louisiana is home to many special weaving traditions, like the creation of split-cane baskets by Chitimacha basket weavers or spinning Acadian Brown Cotton (or Coton Jaune) to weave cloth on looms. Do you have any weavers, quilters, or other people who create with fibers in your family?  

This August, in our Studio in the Park, we will explore the art of textiles and the threads of community connections with various projects throughout August. Through weaving, lacing, stitching, and sewing, practice your fine motor skills, creativity, and appreciation for the handwork, skill, and care passed down through generations. 

LCM CLOSED Monday, August 31 – Friday, September 4 

End of Summer Reset Week 

The Louisiana Children’s Museum looks forward to our week of reset. We will be closed August 31 – September 4 and will not reopen again until Saturday, September 5. This week will offer us time to refurbish and renew our facilities after a very robust summer season. It is also a time for professional development and community building for our staff. We are looking forward to a full week together. Please note that we will be open for Labor Day on Monday, September 7. Our fall hours begin Sept 8, which means we will be open Wednesday-Sunday each week after Labor Day.   

September

Saturday, September 5: 40 Birthday Bash 

 Celebrate four decades of play, imagination, and learning with an epic 80s-inspired birthday party that honors the museum’s past while creating memories for the future. Step back into the 1980s for one unforgettable birthday party featuring nostalgic activities, birthday cake, face painting, music, time capsules, and memories from four decades of Louisiana Children’s Museum. Join us for a FREE DAY of community festivities at LCM’s 40th Birthday Bash sponsored by the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans! 

Monday, September 7: Open for Labor Day

Labor Day just got 100% foamier! Send off summer with the ultimate sudsy celebration. Get ready for nonstop fun, music, and foam. With something colorful, bubbly, and creative coming to the museum. Join us for the Sudsy Science Lab, where young scientists and artists will experiment with foam, color, and simple tools to create something totally their own. What will happen when you mix, swirl, and experiment? You’ll have to come find out! 

Beginning September 10 Throwback Thursdays (repeats each week) 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. 

Join us for an afternoon story time that celebrates the books that arrived on the scene at the same time as the Louisiana Children’s Museum!  Throughout the fall, we will share books published in the mid- to late-1980’s that have become instant classics followed by an extension activity. NOTE: Throwback Thursdays happens outside the paywall and is free to the public. 

September 12, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Teeth, Tails & Tides: A Gulf Shark Discovery   

Dive into the fascinating world of Gulf sharks through hands-on exploration, real shark teeth, models, games, and interactive activities. Shark explorers will discover the incredible adaptations that help sharks survive, learn about species found in Gulf waters, and uncover the important role these animals play in healthy marine ecosystems. Perfect for curious ocean lovers of all ages!

Thursday, September 10, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Take Care Thursday: The Feelings Lab

Join us for an interactive space where children can explore tools to understand their feelings and support their bodies. Through movement, sensory play, and quiet moments, children are invited to notice what they need and discover ways to feel safe, focused, and ready to play. Rooted in neuroscience, this space empowers children to build emotional awareness and regulation skills and guides parents to find the regulation tools most suited for their child.  NOTE: Take Care Tuesdays happens outside the paywall and is free to the public. 

Saturday, September 12, 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.: Take Care Saturdays (Second Saturday of every month)

Join us for an interactive space where children and their adults can explore tools to better understand and support their inner life. Through movement, sensory play, breath work, and art activities, you are invited to notice what you need to feel safe, grounded, and connected. Rooted in neuroscience, this space empowers both children and adults to build emotional awareness and regulation skills. NOTE: Take Care Saturday happens outside the paywall and is free to the public. 

Sunday, September 13, 1:00 p.m.: Grandparents’ Day Storytime

Join us as we celebrate Grandparents’ Day! Throughout the morning, visit our arts table to design and build a lovely necklace or bracelet to give to the special grandparent or grandparent figure in your life. We will also have books perfect for reading together and a special story time in our Talk & Play Center at 1:00 p.m.  

Thursday, September 17, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Take Care Thursdays: Be a Body Detective

Join us for a parent-centric art activity exploring interoception; the sense that helps us feel what is going on inside our bodies. Caregivers are invited to trace their child’s body on butcher paper and make body maps. We will talk about where in our bodies we might feel sensations and feelings. As we add to our body maps, we will learn that all feelings are okay, and we will find strategies to meet children’s emotional needs. Participants will leave with a better understanding of children’s behaviors and resources on how to support them. NOTE: Take Care Tuesdays happens outside the paywall and is free to the public

Thursday, September 17, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.: Sensory- Friendly Playtime 

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.

September 15 – October 15 is 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. The date 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.  

In addition to our collection in the Talk & Play Center, 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 and others will be featured at story time with some Spanish vocabulary during Hispanic Heritage Month on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 11:00, 1:00, & 3:00 and Sundays at 1:00 & 3:00.

Saturday, September 19 1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.: Hispanic Heritage Month Bilingual Storytime in the Talk & Play Center

Tuesday, September 17: LCM Celebrates International Dot Day!

Celebrate creativity, courage, and collaboration, inspired by the book The Dot by Peter Reynolds. We are closed September 15, so we will celebrate on Thursday, Sept 17! The Dot is the story of a caring teacher who encourages a reluctant student to be brave and “make her mark”. The student starts with a small dot on a piece of paper, but this small dot becomes so much more!  We will celebrate with story times featuring The Dot, special art activities in our Studio in the Park, and a game that features polka dots! We will also have a “Dabble and Dot” art activity in Play With Me on Saturday, Sept 19 10:00 am- 11:00 am. We invite guests to wear their festive polka dots this week, too!  

Saturday, September 19 1:30 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 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. 

 “Hola, ¿cómo estás?” “¡Tengo hambre!” Visita nuestra mesa de conversación en español en el Atrium para aprender o compartir palabras y frases en español. Trae tus conocimientos —sin importar tu nivel— a la “mesa” para disfrutar de una animada conversación en español y de algunas botanas mientras celebramos y aprendemos más sobre la #HerenciaHispana. 

Thursday, September 24, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Take Care Thursdays: Family Fitness

Join us for fun and nostalgic recess games and exercises to build strength and connection. We will offer several stations for you to explore with your child: hopscotch, jump rope, jumpsies, sack race, potato and spoon race, and more. NOTE: Take Care Tuesdays happens outside the paywall and is free to the public. 

Saturday, Sept 26:  MUSEUM OPEN from at 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

We will host IGNITE: New Orleans public high schools unite to showcase their programs and help students discover the best fit for their future. 

Saturday, September 26 Museum opens at 12:30 p.m.: Worldwide Day of Play  

This day 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!   

 For more information, visit this website:  https://childrensmuseums.org/dayofplay/     

Saturday, September 26 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: LCM’s Family Folklife Presents: “Playtime Show & Tell”   

Stop by our Family Folklife Storytelling Station with your playmates on Worldwide Day of Play! All ages are invited to share stories about favorite ways to play and hear how others have played across generations and communities. Come ready to teach us a hand-clap game, share a favorite dance, or tell us about a game you loved growing up. Try being an “interviewer” or “storyteller” as you practice conversation and add your voice to our community collection, celebrating childhood’s most widely spoken language: the Language of Play! 

The Louisiana Children’s Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 72-0929068).

Your ticket purchases, membership and donations directly support our mission to connect children with the world around them through play, exploration, and conversation.