2017 Holiday Gift Guide
Let Nola Family be your guide this holiday season when shopping for the perfect gifts for the kids in your family.
Our carefully curated selection of toys, clothes and more from some of the area’s best small businesses is sure to please even the most particular of pixies! If you are looking to give the gift of an experience, we have you covered as well!
Home Malone Art Kits
These adorable paint kits from local retailer Home Malone come in a variety of designs, including Mr. Sno-Ball, Fleur de Wreath and Holiday Stocking. The four-piece kit includes a custom PVC-cutout design, a 6-color, washable, non-toxic paint set, a reusable apron and a paint brush. Ages 3 and older. $20.
Fleurty Girl, multiple locations, fleurtygirl.net.
Let It Snow Dress
Little and big girls alike will look festive and flawless in this festive red Let it Snow dress from Two Sprouts! The long-sleeved dress is available in sizes ranging from 6 months to 8 years. $34.
Two Sprouts, 103 Focis St., Metairie, 504.322.3838, twosprouts.com.
Wooden Bowling Pins and Ball
Just like bowling but way cooler! This high-quality wooden Skittles Set from French toymaker Vilac comes in small and large sizes, each with six pins and two balls. Ages 3 and older. $57 for small, $75 for large.
The French Library, 3811 Magazine St., New Orleans, 504.267.3707, thefrenchlibrary.com.
Ybike GLX Cruze Scooter
The perfect scooter for kids who are just starting out. The Ybike GLX Cruze has a three-wheel design, with a wider rear wheel for additional stability and a curved handlebar that helps kids stay balanced. Ages 2-5, up to 44 lbs. $79.99.
Learning Express, 3300 Severn Ave., Suite C, Metairie, 504.883.8697.
ZipBin Dinosaur Bring Along Backpack
This ZipBin Dinosaur Bring Along Backpack from Neat-Oh won the Oppenheimer Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award in 2016. Shaped like a dinosaur’s head, the backpack is the perfect place to play with and store the included Tyrannosaurus Rex and his prehistoric friends. Ages 3 and older. $28.
Little Miss Muffin, 766 Harrison Ave., New Orleans, 504.482.8200; 244 Metairie Road, Metairie, 504.833.6321, littlemissmuffin.com.
Kullerbü by HABA
It looks like a train set, but it’s not! Kullerbü by HABA has interchangeable tracks and accessories that work with balls or cars in an ever-expandable play world for children. Ages 2-8. Sets start at $49.99.
Little Pnuts, 209 Harrison Ave., #C, New Orleans, 504.267.5083, littlepnutstoyshoppe.com.
New Orleans Themed Bloomers and Bibs
Local artist Ellen Macomber has designed these adorable baby bloomers and bibs for the infant set, using maps of New Orleans as the backdrop. The 100-percent organic cotton sateen New Orleans Map Baby Bloomers come in three different colors in sizes 3-6 months, and the 100-percent organic cotton knit Reversible Baby Bib features a map on one side and a chevron pattern of the state of Louisiana on the other. $31 for the bloomers, $26 for the bib.Ellen Macomber – Fine Art and Textiles, 1516 Magazine St., New Orleans, 504.314.9414, ellenmacomber.com.
Fred the Drummer Boy
Fred LeBlanc, the lead singer and drummer of the New Orleans-based band Cowboy Mouth, infuses a bit of himself and his bandmates into the characters of Fred and his friends in his debut children’s book, and shares with his readers the power of friendship, the benefits of positivity, and a joyous love of music. $17.99.
ZukaBaby, 3248 Severn Ave., Metairie, 504.407.2700, zukababy.com.
New Orleans inspired Baby Gown and Hat
This whimsical toile baby gown and hat from Maison Nola feature iconic New Orleans favorite Storyland at New Orleans City Park. Both items are made from super soft 100-percent cotton, and the images of the big blue whale and train are sure to please. $40 for the gown, $18 for the hat.
Maison Nola, maisonnola.com.
Alligator Bank
Kids can start saving now for future jewelry purchases with the Green Alligator Bank from Mignon Faget. The bank, which measures 4 1/2 inches x 12 3/4 inches, is ceramic and comes in the classic Animal Cracker design. $65.
Mignon Faget, multiple locations, mignonfaget.com.
“Vivre Nola” tee
The vintage wash, red “Vivre Nola” tee is printed on a Next Level tri-blend, short-sleeved shirt and comes from local designer Sarah Ott’s collection of NOLA-centric clothing, jewelry and more. It comes in four sizes for kids – XS (4/5) to L (10/12). And shhh, it comes in adult sizes, too! $20.
Sarah Ott, 7808 Maple St., Suite D, New Orleans, 504.208.4240., sarahott.com.
Blabla Doll
Every child loves a Blabla doll, and we do, too! The 100-percent cotton dolls are designed in Atlanta and handmade in Peru, and range in size from 12 to 18 inches, with some larger sizes available. All ages. $46 for small, $58 for large.
Pippen Lane, 2930 Magazine St., New Orleans, 504.269.0106, pippenlane.com. Also available at blablakids.com.
Animal Musicians Second Lining
New Orleans artist Frances Rodriguez has created these limited-edition giclee prints featuring a breezy, ragtag group of animal musicians second lining along the Mississippi River, with their banners waving high, in two sizes. The prints – perfect for the nursery – are individually signed and numbered on heavyweight paper. $110 for the 12”x18” size, $300 for the 24”x36” size.
Frances Rodriguez, francesmakesart.com.
My Magical Sound & Lights Unicorn
What child wouldn’t love to find a My Magical Sound & Lights Unicorn by Gund under the Christmas tree? Pet the majestic plush unicorn to see her wings light up and hear sparkling sounds. Ages 3 and older. $39.99.
Learning Express, 3300 Severn Ave., Suite C, Metairie, 504.883.8697.
New Orleans Bamboo Swaddle Sets
We can’t help but love these New Orleans Bamboo Swaddle Sets, made from extra soft muslin fabric – 70 percent bamboo rayon and 30 percent cotton – to help prevent overheating. The girls’ set features Red Beans and Pink Magnolias, while the boys’ set pictures Crawfish Tails and Streetcars. $36 per set.
ZukaBaby, 3248 Severn Ave., Metairie, 504.407.2700, zukababy.com.
Looking for a great gift but tired of the never-ending toy pile? Try one of these experiences and make memories instead!
Clue Carré Escape Game
A playful twist on the French name for the French Quarter, Clue Carré challenges friends and family alike in the city’s first live escape game. Guests must find the clues, crack the codes and solve the puzzles to escape the room in 60 minutes or less. Ages 8 and older. A gift voucher for two is $56, plus $28 for each additional participant. Or, book an entire room for 7 to ten people starting at $196.
Clue Carré, 830 Union St., Suite 101, New Orleans; 2712 Athania Parkway, Metairie, 504.667.2583, cluecarre.com.
Louisiana Children’s Museum Gift Membership
Consider a gift membership to the Louisiana Children’s Museum that will benefit the entire family, not just the kids. Family-level memberships range from two people ($66.95) to eight ($103), with the option of paying more ($154.50) to receive babysitter benefits and a reciprocal membership to more than 150 children’s museums and 290 science centers across the United States.
Louisiana Children’s Museum, 420 Julia St., New Orleans, 504.523.1357, lcm.org.
New Orleans City Park Season Passes
Kids and adults alike will squeal with delight when presented with season passes to New Orleans City Park that include free admission and unlimited rides at Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and Storyland. The passes are $55 per person or $165 for a family of four.
New Orleans City Park, 1 Palm Drive, New Orleans, 504.482.4888, neworleanscitypark.com.
NOMA Membership
Give the gift of art this holiday season with a family membership to the New Orleans Museum of Art. Members receive free admission to the museum, and to programs such as Baby Artsplay! and Yoga in the Garden, as well as all of the festivals that take place onsite. Families also receive discounts on youth and family programming, including Movies in the Garden, StoryQuest and Studio KIDS! $80.
New Orleans Museum of Art, One Collins C. Diboll Circle, New Orleans, 504.658.4100, noma.org.
Nola Motorsports Park Season Pass
Does your child have a need for speed? If so, Nola Motorsports Park may just be the place to go! In addition to gift cards that can be used for karting, the park offers season passes for its giant inflatable water slides — wet from May through October but dry the rest of the year. The kart, helmet and track are provided for the 10-minute heats, which cost $25 on the weekends. Drivers must be at least 52” tall. The slides are great for the younger set – kids must be at least 42” tall to slide. A Season Pass for the slides is $65.
Nola Motorsports Park, 11075 Nicolle Blvd., Avondale, 504.302.4875, nolamotor.com.
Check out our list of fun things to do around New Orleans this holiday season!