I’m a first time parent to a walking toddler that loves to say “No!” and likes to do things on her own. Gone are the luxurious days of travel where she fits on my lap and I could sooth her with a bottle and could sleep through a flight. Total flight time of about 3 hours. Being the planner I am I made busy bags to keep her well BUSY.
This round we are traveling to my Husbands home of New Orleans (NOLA) a place where the smell of chicory coffee, beignets, and fried food linger in the air and the sound of music fills the streets. A true melting pot of food music and culture that only people who have been to NOLA can describe. A place where you can wander the streets living while Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler (Letting the good times roll). 2018 was the tricentennial of New Orleans!
Busy Bags are bags that contain activities for your child’s age group and interest and engaging.
Window Clings- They stick to everything on the plain the windows, the seats, and the tray table. Lena loved placing them and pulling them off.
Magnet boards- Little story boards with a back drop and themed magnets. Lena had dinosaurs this trip and we could make up stories with the characters and make sounds.
Lacing Cards- Practicing fine motor skills.
Stickers and Coloring books
Felt Book and Felt figures- Story time and exploring the sounds of ocean animals in this Mermaid Felt book.
Flash Cards- Elmo characters. Because my baby LIVES for Elmo.
Finger puppets- Lena loved putting them on and off her fingers and toes.
Dry Erase board and markers- This was the game changer. She literally played with this for 35-40 minutes.
I placed all items in sandwich bags and straight into the diaper bag. All items were purchased at the Target dollar bin area or at the Dollar Tree. In all I spent about 25 dollars.
Quick tips for family travel in New Orleans:
Find cute coffee shops– We went to District donuts, Café Du monde, French Marketplace
Find Restaurants that provide a family feel– We went to Parkway Tavern, St. Roch marketplace, DAT DAWG
Activities for families- Walk the French Marketplace, The River Walk where you will see the Mississippi river in all its greatness and the big steam boats, Jackson Square French Quarter has tons of live performers/art and horse tours, City Park has multiple activities but we did Storyland which was toddler approved, We wandered Magazine street and walked he Treme and took pictures of cute houses. We also toured the St. Roch Cemetery and tried to find the oldest grave. Lastly, the Audubon zoo, aquarium, and park.
Great post! Thank you!