Family Friendly Baton Rouge Archives - Page 18 of 21

East Baton Rouge Parish Library Free Events For Children and Teens

August 26, 2016 by Baton Rouge Family Fun

We have heard from many parents that kids and teens are getting restless from being out of school for so long. We also know that having projects to do and feeling a sense of normalcy in the midst of the recovery process is beneficial for kids. Thanks to the East Baton Rouge Parish Library, there are plenty of programs and activities to keep your young ones busy during the flood cleanup until school re-opens September 6.

The Library’s online Digital Library also is available 24 / 7 online (www.ebrpl.com/DigitalLibrary) or you can call for help at (225) 231-3750 or text a librarian a question at (225) 361-8476. At the Digital Library, patrons have access to downloadable e-books, music, e-magazines, e-audiobooks, streaming music and video, online classes, language learning, educational and other games, as well as databases containing resources and information on every topic may be accessed remotely by any East Baton Rouge Parish Library patron. All you need is your Library card, and it’s free.

There’s always fun to be had at with the East Baton Rouge Parish Library

Here’s some events for children and teens happening at 13 of our 14 branch Libraries at this time (Greenwell Springs Road Regional Branch Library remains closed). Dates and times may be subject to change due to limited hours of operation, and many activities require *registration, so it’s best to call the hosting branch Library to confirm the program’s still occurring and if registration is required. Visit www.ebrpl.com for phone numbers and branch addresses.

East Baton Rouge Parish Library Events For Children and Teens

Movie Days
Main Library at Goodwood

Movies will be shown 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. each day until school begins, except Sundays.

*Build a Nest Story/Craft

Baker Branch Library, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 27

Join us in the Baker Children’s Room for the Build a Nest STEM Story/Craft. Children can listen to Mama Built a Little Nest by Jennifer Ward, engage in discussion questions, and build their own bird nest to take home. Ages 6-11. Children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, so register early.

*Game Day

Jones Creek Regional Branch Library, 2:30 p.m. Saturday, August 27

Come play games with us! Children are invited to join us for a variety of gaming opportunities, including favorites such as Connect Four, Jumbling Towers, Uno, cards and puzzles, and Kinect games on the Xbox 360 including special headsets for gaming headset reviews. Ages 6-11. Registration is required.

Arduino/Robotics Club

Main Library at Goodwood, 2:30 p.m. Saturday, August 27

Learn about programming and robotics using Arduino kits. You can make LED displays, fun gadgets, robots, wearable lights and more!

*Butterfly Story/Craft

Pride-Chaneyville Branch Library, 2:30 p.m. Saturday, August 27

Listen to the book From Caterpillar to Butterfly by Deborah Heiligman then create a colorful summer caterpillar craft! For ages 4-8. Please register.

*Teddy Bear Story/Craft

Fairwood Branch Library, 3 p.m. Saturday, August 27

Bring your favorite teddy bear or stuffed animal to the library for a fun storytime featuring the classic story The Three Bears. After the storytime, children will make a cute dress-a-bear paper craft. For ages 3-6. Space is limited, so please register.

Story Lab for Fall Writing Studio

Main Library at Goodwood, 3 p.m. Sunday, August 28

Open to middle and high School Students. To register, send an email at newsouthstorylab@gmail.com.

Documentary and Independent Film Group: I Am Ali

Delmont Gardens Branch Library, 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 30

Watch the film I am Ali.

*Snap Circuits

Zachary Branch Library, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 30

Use your genius brain to create various snap circuits after listening to a chapter from the non-fiction book Before the World was Ready: Stories of Daring Genius in Science by Claire Eamer. Ages 8-11. Limited to 8 participants. Please register.

Rainbow Loom Madness

Eden Park Branch Library, 3 p.m. Wednesday, August 31

Make keychains, decorations, accessories and more with brightly-colored rubber bands. Learn new patterns, teach other teens your best designs and have fun!

*Pre-school Storytime

Carver Branch Library, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 1

For children 3-5 years old. Sessions last approximately 30 minutes. Call to register, (225) 389-7460.

*Pete the Cat Story/Craft

Delmont Gardens Branch Library, 4 p.m. Thursday, September 1
We’ll read Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin and make a Pete the Cat figure craft using paper towels. Children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult or mature adolescent. Limited to 10 children, ages 6-8. Registration required.

*Tech Time at the Library

Bluebonnet Regional Branch Library, 4:30 p.m. Thursday, September 1

Learn who discovered electricity and make projects using the Library’s new Snap Circuit Kits. Ages 8 to 11. Registration is required as space is limited. Call (225) 763-2260 for more information.

Ukulele for Beginners

Eden Park Branch Library, 4:30 p.m. Thursday, September 1

Come learn to play the ukulele, the Hawaiian guitar with a unique sound! Two experienced instructors will guide the new learner in picking out some popular tunes. Beginners and experienced players are welcome. Ukuleles are provided but you can bring your own. Space is limited. Registration encouraged but not required. Sign up at the reference desk to reserve your place.

*Grandma’s House Story/Craft

Bluebonnet Regional Branch Library, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 3

In celebration of Grandparent’s Day, listen to Grandma’s House by Alice Melvin and make a popsicle stick house frame craft. Ages 5 to 8. Registration is required.

Robot Story/Craft

Fairwood Branch Library, 2 p.m. Saturday, September 3

Listen to scenes from Frank Einstein and the Antimotor Motor by Jon Scieszka. In the story, Frank invents two robots full of personality! You’ll then get to create your own robot with Legos. For children ages 8-11. Registration is required. Registration begins August 7.

Ladybug Story/Craft

Central Branch Library, 2:30 p.m. Saturday, September 3

Do you love ladybugs? Join us as we listen to a cute story about a ladybug who wants to go places, but never learned to fly in Isobel Finn’s book, The Very Lazy Ladybug. After the story, We’ll make twirling ladybug crafts out of paper and yarn! please register. Ages 3 to 6.

Anime Matinee

Main Library at Goodwood, 2:30 p.m. Saturday, September 3

Teens are invited to enjoy an afternoon of Anime movies and Ramen noodles.

Story Lab for Fall Writing Studio

Main Library at Goodwood, 3 p.m. Sunday, September 4

Open to middle and high School Students. To register, send an email at newsouthstorylab@gmail.com.

For more information, call (225) 231-3710 or visit us online at www.ebrpl.com.

Baton Rouge Summer Fun Printable & Giveaway

June 3, 2016 by Baton Rouge Family Fun

A summer bucket list doesn’t have to stress you out in the quest for a perfect summer. Our summer of fun list will provide ideas on those days when you need help trying to find something to do, use it as a reminder of the many Things To Do In Baton Rouge and beyond.

Feel free to copy, print, and or download our Baton Rouge Summer Bucket List for a summer of fun!

Click here for printable PDF Baton Rouge Summer Fun Printable

Water Fun Guide for Baton Rouge & Beyond – Splash pads, pools and water parks.

May 24, 2016 by Baton Rouge Family Fun

Make the most of the hot-n-humid days of summer with our Water Fun Guide for Baton Rouge kids & beyond! Here you’ll find a collection of area water parks, splash pads, and public pools and all the information you’ll need for a summer of water fun!

Water Fun Guide for Baton Rouge Kids – Splash pads, pools and water parks

Liberty Lagoon –

Plunge 75 feet down an enclosed tube into the Gator Bowl. Speed down 205 feet of the enclosed slide through spins and turns before landing in a 3-foot-6-inch lagoon. Play at the water playground for interactive fun with three slides for the little ones, mesh to climb on, spray nozzles, large dumping bucket of water and water sprays throughout for lots of water fun! Or take it easy on the lazy river, there is so much to do at Liberty Lagoon, your kids won’t know where to start! No outside food allowed.

Ages 1 and younger—FREE (Admission fee WILL be charged if age is questionable)
Under 48″ tall—$9.o9
48″ and taller—$11.10
Lazy River tubes (limited quantities available)—$1 plus tax each per day (all day use)
Public lockers (limited quantities available)—$4 plus tax each per day (all day use)

Greenwood Community Park
At BREC’s Greenwood Community Park, you can not only enjoy a splash pad, includes a golf course, a community playground, tennis courts, Raising Cane’s Dog Park and ExxonMobil Cypress Bayou Lake Trail. You can also fish, kayak or canoe in the 18-acre lake at the park. All splash pads are open daily from 8a.m. – 8p.m. The Greenwood splash pad is activated with two yellow poles in the splash pad area and will engage the system. Spray features will run for approximately 2-3 minutes and turn off. Pushing the button will re-engage the system. To learn more about our splash pads, visit brec.org/aquatics.

City-Brooks Community Park
154.53 Acres – This park is located in the southwestern part of East Baton Rouge Parish by LSU. City-Brooks Community Park serves a larger geographic area than a neighborhood park and is designed to engage the entire family for a whole day, includes a splashpad. City-Brooks Community Park splash pad can be activated with a green push button on the three foot brown pole next to the spray feature area at the edge of the brick near the landscaping.

Forest Community Park
BREC’s Forest Community Park’s splash pad can be operated from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. all summer long. Be sure to also enjoy Forest Community Park’s trails, playground, Raising Cane’s Dog Park and bank fishing. The splash pad is an interactive water play area with no standing water. The splash pad is activated with the green push button on the light blue pole in the splash pad area. Spray features will run for approximately 2-3 minutes and turn OFF. Pushing the button will re-engage the system.

Repentance Park – Downtown Water Fountains
Play in the fountains at the Shaw Center for the Arts and at North Boulevard Town Square!

Blue Bayou Water Park
Located on 80 acres at I-10 and Highland Road in Baton Rouge, LA right next to Blue Bayou Water Park, Dixie Landin’ is an Amusement Park designed for the entire family!

Dixie Landin’ contains 29 rides, including 4 Roller Coasters, 10 games and much, much more. We have retail shops for you to pick up souvenir t-shirts, hats, cups and many more items to bring home. Dixie also has a large variety of food items.
Blue Bayou Water Park has over 20 water attractions like the High Water Slide, a triple 7 story serpentine slide. And there’s nothing like the twin 8 story speed slide, the Ragin’ Cajun! See our 6 story Mad Moccasin water slide which twists and turns in complete darkness. Ride CONJA’, the world’s largest in-line water slide; and try out Racers, The tallest and fastest water racer in the world!

Guests 48″ and taller – $36.99
Guests under 48″ – $29.99
Senior Citizens – $29.99 (Those guests 60 years of age and up)
Under 35″ – Free

Bring a Coca-Cola can to get $5 off your daily admission.

Oak Grove Community Park – Prairieville
Located at Hwy 42 and Hwy 73in Prairieville, this splash park offers visitors a chance to enjoy splash fountains and a recreational park and playground with Beach Volleyball.

Jambalaya Park – Gonzales
Cool down at Jambalaya Park’s spray park in nearby Gonzales. The City of Gonzales is happy to offer a Spray Park for your enjoyment, includes a pool. Admission to the park is free to the public. Open Tuesday – Sunday: 8am – 9pm Pool is $5 per person. Closed on Mondays for cleaning.

Denham Springs North ParK Aqua Pards
The largest of the parks in the Denham park system with over 110 acres and is the site for athletic programs operated by the parks department. The park’s multi-purpose Fitness & Aquatics Facility has a fitness center, indoor swimming pool and the Aqua Pards splash park. ($5 in-district/$8 out-of-district) – Kids under 30″ are free.

BREC Pools

Brooks Pool – This park is located in the southwestern part of East Baton Rouge Parish by LSU. City-Brooks Community Park serves a larger geographic area than a neighborhood park and is designed to engage the entire family for a whole day. Higher levels of maintenance, security, and recreational opportunities are offered at community parks.

Howell Pool – This park is located in the mid-west part of East Baton Rouge Parish. Howell Community Park serves a larger geographic area than a neighborhood park and is designed to engage the entire family for a whole day. Higher levels of maintenance, security, and recreational opportunities are offered at community parks.This is one of BREC’s oldest parks. It is one of BREC’s busiest parks, due in large part to the number of facilities available.

Anna T. Jordan Pool – Anna T. Jordan Community Park serves a larger geographic area than a neighborhood park and is designed to engage the entire family for a whole day. Higher levels of maintenance, security, and recreational opportunities are offered at community parks.

Pools are open daily from 2-5 p.m.
Pool hours are subject to change based on low participation, operations and/or weather.
Fee: $1.25 per person, per day

Beyond the Baton Rouge Area

New Orleans
Make a trip to NOLA for the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans! Their Cool Zoo is a splash park with jumping water spouts, an alligator water slide and even water-spitting snakes. Parents don’t have to worry about little ones getting in the way of the older kids, as there is a separate area designated for toddlers.

State parks also offer opportunities for water fun. The water playgrounds at Tickfaw State Park in Livingston and Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville are close enough for a day trip or a great weekend trip and worth the drive. 19 of Louisiana’s 22 state parks offer opportunities for water recreation, from pools and beaches to water parks and splash pads.

Land-O-Pines Family Campground in Covington

Swim in sandy-banked shallow clear rivers at Land-O-Pines Campground. You can also enjoy their pools and water slides along with many other activities.

Splash Kingdom Family Waterpark

You might want to head up to Shreveport for a weekend of fun and visit Splash Kingdom Family Waterpark (formerly Water Town USA) reopened in 2010 with new owners and renovated attractions. This 20-acre waterpark has wave pool, lazy river, kiddie pool and more than a dozen water slides. The park also has a large picnic area and catering for groups.

White Sands Lake Day Beach in Enon, LA {1 hour 30 minutes from Baton Rouge}

White Sands Lake Day Beach is a family-oriented, recreational facility offering a full day of FUN in the SUN in the cool, clear, spring-fed lake that contains a water park complete with inflatable water slides, trampolines, the blob bag, teeter-totters, floating mats, and more! White Sands Lake is located in Enon, LA, which is just north of Folsom in Washington Parish. (See directions page for location map). Enjoy the sandy, white beach playing volleyball or just relax under one of our shaded cabanas. All cabanas include a BBQ grill, or you are welcome to bring your own shade and grill. White Sands Lake is also a great place to have a birthday party, family reunion, church or youth group gathering, etc. (See party package page).

Be sure to “Join” our community event page on Facebook for FREE and Affordable Baton Rouge events and activities all summer long!

Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set – Giveaway

May 18, 2016 by Tiany Davis

Just in time for summer, by now you’re all probably familiar with the hottest new toy to hit Louisiana, the Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set. Envisioned and born here in Louisiana by New Orleans businessman, Steven Forster, the Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set has sold more than 5,000 play sets, and they’re on back order for the next eight weeks. I think it’s safe to say the Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set is on fire!

News segments, articles and online media coverage of Steven Forster and the Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set have flooded the interwebs and with good reason. It’s not just adorable but it passes on a tradition that Louisianans hold dear, the earlier we can pass it on the better!

The Lil Bit brainstorm came about in 2014 at a friend’s crawfish boil when Forster’s three young sons, ages three, five and eight, wanted in on the boil action. The host of the crawfish boil provided the boys with a stew pot and a wooden spoon and a light went off for Forster.

“I’ve been watching my boys play with this set for over a year. They were my little test group, so when daddy was bringing prototypes home to try to find which size pot, play with the crawfish, if those claws break off, they were my control group,” said Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set creator Steven Forster.

“It’s such a huge part of being from the South, everything revolves around food and drink around here, so to see our kids try to take on that tradition and watching them play with it and pretend to be grownups, where they’re boiling crawfish. It’s all based on tradition,” said Steven’s wife Kellie.

Baton Rouge’s own, Giggles, has been pre-selling the Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set with great success! Emily Guidroz, owner of Giggles Toys & Candy, was thrilled when Stephen reached out to her about the Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set. “We are always looking for new and unique toys and gifts for children. As soon as I saw it I knew it would be hit! It is such a creative idea and is perfect for all of the bayou babies in our town!” As of today, Giggles has pre-sold more than 100 crawfish sets. It’s a tradition soaked in family, friends and cayenne pepper that we pass down from generation to generation. Now you can share this tradition with your little chef as you boil side by side, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

GIVEAWAY:

We have partnered with Giggles Toys & Candies and Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set to giveaway not one but TWO Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Sets! Simply log in to the Rafflecopter giveaway widget below and enter with multiple entries to have a chance at winning a Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set! Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set includes a 2.5 gallon kettle, a sieve, eight crawfish, two potatoes, one ear of corn, a toy box of seasoning and a wooden stirring paddle. Retails for $34.95 at Giggles!

a Rafflecopter giveawayLearn more about Lil Bit Crawfish Boil Set on their website lilboil.com and Facebook. Check out Giggles on their website and on Facebook and be sure to visit the store on Perkins Road between Bluebonnet and Siegen at The Settlement at Willow Grove.

Sources: lilboil.com, WGNO, Nola.com

Disclosure: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated BRM via a cash payment, gift, or giveaway. Opinions expressed herein are that of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of the sponsor.

Peanut Butter Cup Mini Golf Tournament

May 16, 2016 by Baton Rouge Family Fun

Come celebrate “Halfoween” with 10/31 Consortium at the 6th Annual Peanut Butter Cup Mini Golf Tournament!

Peanut Butter Cup Mini Golf Tournament

This is no ordinary mini golf game as living obstacles will appear on this enchanted golf course! Players are also encouraged to dress in costume. Teams of 4 or less will compete in 18 holes of mini golf for the coveted peanut butter cup filled trophy. The best adult score will receive The Orange Jacket and the best child (12 and under) score will receive a trophy.

What: 6th Annual Peanut Butter Cup Mini Golf Tournament
When: Friday, May 20th, 6:30pm
Where: All Star Lanes Baton Rouge, 9829 Airline Hwy, Baton Rouge

Registration fees includes 18 holes of miniature golf, a $5 arcade game card, 2 passes for bowling (valid on a return visit), and a private 10/31 Consortium barbecue with hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad, and soft drinks, and goodie bags.

**FEES:
$31 for Members
$40 for Non Members
$15 for kids 12 and under
Free for kids 2 and under

The dress is casual, costume or golf-tastic. Golfers may bring their own putters and caddies. Caddies and spectators may attend for $20 and includes access to private barbeque.

Cash or check will be accepted at check-in. Credit cards will only be accepted via Eventbrite.

Hole sponsorships are also available for $200. Sponsorships include 2 signs at your hole, a complimentary team of 4, promo items in goodie bags, and online recognition (website, e-newsletter, and social media).

As always, please bring non-perishable food donations for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank to be entered into the door prize drawings.

You must be a 2016 PAID member of 10/31 Consortium in order to get the member rate. Contact info@1031Consortium.com with questions.

About 10/31 Consortium

10/31 Consortium is a Baton Rouge based club for Halloween enthusiasts. We hold many Halloween themed events throughout the year leading up to our largest event, the Baton Rouge Halloween Parade and corresponding ball, the Ghostly Gala. Through the fun of Halloween, we strive to be a positive source of hope and creativity for the children of Baton Rouge. We are a 501c4 non profit and Halloween club benefiting Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, and the Big Buddy Program.

Family Fit Day with Healthy BR

April 21, 2016 by Baton Rouge Family Fun

Nurturing healthy, happy kids in the age of digital technology can be a bit of a struggle at times. Today’s kids would spend hours on end in front of screens if we let them. Thanks to Healthy BR, we have been given a fun opportunity to get outdoors with the whole family and the community. On May 21st from 7:30am to 12:30pm Healthy BR will host their third annual Family Fit Day, a combination health fair and field day with something for every member of the family.

FREE open streets initiative centered around BREC City-Brooks Park to create temporary paved parks for running, walking, bicycling, dancing, playing, and socializing on May 21st from 7:30AM-12:30PM and You’re Invited!!

During the event local organizations will offer fitness classes, speakers, healthy cooking demonstrations, kids activities, bike safety classes, runs, bike rides and much more, anyone who’s planning to attend should visit an online sport shop to get ready for it . Fitness classes and fitness events include a Varsity Sports run, Tai Chi, the Mayor’s Bike Ride, yoga, HIIT, karate, hip hop dancing, kid fit events, dance aerobics, circuit training, Zumba, cardio kickboxing, and a hula hoop contest. BREC will be bringing their ever-popular Hamster Balls to Family Fit Day this year for people to use in the City-Brooks Community Park, they will also have inflatables, tennis activities, foot golf, land boarding, kids’ relays and much more!

The goal of this initiative is to provide a fun, citywide event for all ages to encourage sustained physical activity, increase community engagement, and build support for active, healthy families in Baton Rouge.

Baton Rouge joins over 90 other cities hosting Open Streets initiatives in the United States and Canada. The streets are open to all abilities to encourage everyone in Baton Rouge who wants to improve their mental, physical, and emotional health to come out, bring their families, and even pets too, is important to promote health and supplements for people to want to stay healthy and lose weight like https://healthyusa.co/nutrisystem-lean-13-how-to-transform-your-body-in-30-days/ that also give you energy and strength.

We hope to see lots of Baton Rouge Moms and their families at Family Fit Day; you can RSVP on the Facebook event here!

Learn more about HealthyBR and connect with them on their new website and on Facebook and Instagram.

GIVEAWAY:

TWO winners will win a Family Fit Day Prize Pack – Tumbler, T-shirt and $20 Red Stick Farmers Market Gift Card Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveawayGive back to the community you call home and volunteer: sign up here.

Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra Features Pixar in Concert

April 15, 2016 by Baton Rouge Family Fun

Pixar Animation Studios has redefined our expectations for animated films, with incredible visuals, compelling storylines, timeless humor, emotional/tugs at your heart strings and music that truly takes these films to soaring places…. to infinity and beyond even. 😉

Some of our favorite Disney Pixar friends will be making their Baton Rouge debut with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra for Pixar in Concert! BRSO Family Pops! welcomes children of all ages to experience this fun-filled adventure through music and imagery featuring thirteen of Pixar’s most beloved films presented with a live symphony orchestra!

Together with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra and Associate Conductor David Torns, you can enjoy this remarkable cinematic journey through such beloved films as ‘Toy Story, Cars, Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc., A Bugs Life, Up, The Incredibles, and more, all projected in high-definition on a movie screen above your Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra!

Before the concert and between the two performances enjoy the Kids Fair on the Baton Rouge River Center Theatre Plaza!

Be greeted and take pictures with your favorite Pixar characters including: Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl from Toy Story ; Mike Wazowski from Monsters Inc. ; and Merida from Brave.

Activities include:
Finding Nemo Bouncy House
Merida Archery Station
Face painting
Sound Discovery Station

Kid-friendly concessions:
Hot dogs
Cheese pizza
Nachos
Sliders
Popcorn
Dippin’ Dots
Cotton Candy
And More!!

Tickets for this once-in-a lifetime performance begin at just $25 ($12.50 children 12 and under)

Don’t miss this special opportunity to share great music with your family!

When: Saturday, April 23, 2016 ~ 3PM & 7:30PM
Tickets: www.brso.org (225) 383-0500

Cirque du Soleil OVO – Family Four Pack Giveaway

March 28, 2016 by Tiany Davis

Cirque du Soleil returns to Baton Rouge next month with OVO, its newest touring show in arenas. The production will be presented at the Baton Rouge River Center April 14-17 for 6 performances only, as part of a global tour in arenas around North America.

Thrilling more than 4.5 million people worldwide since the show premiered in Montreal in 2009 as a Big Top show, OVO will embark on a new journey, performing the same captivating production, but now in arenas, giving more people the opportunity to enjoy a Cirque du Soleil show in their own town.

Cirque du Soleil OVO

OVO, meaning “egg” in Portuguese, is a headlong rush into a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement.

When a mysterious egg appears in their midst, the insects are awestruck and intensely curious about this iconic object that represents the enigma and cycles of their lives. It is love at first sight when a gawky, quirky insect arrives in this bustling community and a fabulous ladybug catches his eye – and the feeling is mutual.

Described by many as the most family-friendly performance by Cirque, OVO will be a treat for the whole family. Your family will discover fascinating acrobatics and gymnastic accompanied by a plethora of bugs, including, ants, flies, caterpillars, spiders, ladybugs, and frogs.

Cirque du Soleil OVO Tickets

Tickets starting at 35$ (subject to change). Child tickets starting at $25 and can be purchased at www.cirquedusoleil.com/ovo .

For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit https://www.cirquedusoleil.com.

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Playful Side of Healthy Habits – Ages & Stages

March 25, 2016 by Baton Rouge Family Fun

As Parents, we try to teach our children of all ages that it’s important to lead an active life. Here are a few ideas you can try with your children to get them moving!

The Playful Side of Healthy Habits

Infancy: 0-15 months

– Tummy Time: starting tummy time early will strengthen the muscles your child will use for – crawling, standing, & climbing. A good way to keep yourself update on health and fitness guides is by visiting Bargainsherpa which will give you needed information.
– Tracking: Use a toy that interests your child to get an even more excited response
– Add movements to nursery rhymes you are already singing
– With your child on his hands and knees, give their feet resistance so they rock back and forth When your child can support their weight, hold their fingers and walk with them.

Toddlers: 12-36 months
– Encourage running & jumping
– Expose them to age-appropriate climbing structures
– Have a dance party & shake off your sillies!
– Increase the complexity of the nursery rhyme movements

Preschoolers: 3-5 years
– Continue to encourage running, dancing, jumping, & climbing – Add skipping, galloping, & shuffling
– Practice hand-eye coordination with throwing and catching
– Kick a ball back and forth
– Encourage an active imagination

From reaching and grasping to rolling, climbing, jumping & kicking, Gymboree Play & Music provides age-appropriate classes for your newborn to 5-year-old. Our specially-designed wooden equipment and bright foam & air objects, as well as our variety of props and trained teachers, create an environment to stimulate your child’s physical, cognitive, & social development. With you by their side, the action, fun, and learning never ends!

Gymboree Play & Music also offers Music and Arts classes. Gymboree’s Music classes, for children 6-months to 5-years old, offer an active approach to musical learning through games, singing, instrument play, & creating. Gymboree’s Arts classes, for children 18-months to 5-years old, offer an opportunity for your child’s creativity to blossom through painting, drawing, sculpting, story time, movement activities, & songs.

Navy Week sails into Baton Rouge

March 23, 2016 by Tiany Davis

From Phoenix to Baton Rouge, America’s Navy will come home to 15 cities across the country in 2016 as part of the Navy Week program. Navy Week will “sail” into Baton Rouge on its last stop, Oct. 31-Nov. 6.

“Navy Weeks are designed to help Americans understand that their Navy protects and defends America on the world’s oceans, that their Navy is deployed around the world around the clock, and is ready to defend America at all times,” said John Wallach, NAVCO’s deputy director. “Because the Navy is concentrated primarily on both coasts, we’re challenged to communicate our mission away from fleet concentration areas. The Navy Week program helps us do that.” Navy Week offers a glimpse into how the men and women of the United States Navy serve the American people. What’s it like to be deployed at sea for six months? How does the Navy contribute to world peace and security? What new technologies is the Navy currently developing? These questions and many more will be answered at Baton Rouge Navy Week.

Baton Rouge Navy Week

Baton Rouge Navy Week will coincide with the Greater Baton Rouge State Fair and will focus a variety of events, equipment and personnel for a week-long series of engagements with the public, key influencers and organizations representing all sectors of the community.

“During a Navy Week, 75-100 outreach events are coordinated with corporate, civic, government, education, media, veterans, community service and diversity organizations in the city,” said Lt. Cmdr. Brett Dawson, NAVCO’s event planning department head. “We bring in as much of the Navy as we can. The Blue Angels, the Navy Parachute Team, bands, divers, Seabees, EOD teams, crews of ships and submarines that are named after a city or state or have a tie to the area, hometown Sailors, medical personnel, environmental displays, USS Constitution Sailors and equipment, and Navy recruiting assets all have participated in the Navy Week program.”

Navy Week cities are chosen based on a variety of factors, including Gallup data on Navy knowledge and awareness, Navy recruiting data, demographic information, namesake ties of ships and submarines, past outreach history in the market and geography, to ensure events are dispersed across the country.

Navy Week will be a great opportunity for the Baton Rouge community to get involved and show support for America’s armed forces. We will post a full schedule of events as soon as it becomes available. Navy Weeks in the past have include the Blue Angels, Navy Leap Frog parachute team demos, Navy Band performances, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) dive tanks, flight simulators and SEAL fitness challenges.

Last year’s Navy Week program helped commemorate the Navy Reserve Centennial. There were 12 Navy Weeks across America that reached nearly 100 million Americans through more than 1,500 individual outreach events.

For more information on the Navy Week program, visit http://www.outreach.navy.mil.

The Baton Rouge event page is not yet updated with a schedule but can be found here—> http://www.outreach.navy.mil/Navy-Weeks/Baton-Rouge

Sources & photos: outreach.navy.mil