THE JAZZ FEST KIDS AREA is a special place where young festival goers and their families can see performances and enjoy a wide variety of cultural, technological and free-spirited fun in several shaded tents. From art making activities with local artists to interactive games in the family recreation area or just relaxing in the Peace Garden, the Kids Area is a delight for all ages.

At the heart of the Kids Area is The Ochsner Children’s Tent with a vibrant music stage featuring live performances and shows specifically tailored for children sponsored by Ochsner Children’s Hospital. Talented musicians, bands, and entertainers will grace the stage, captivating the young audience with interactive and age-appropriate music programming. From catchy sing-alongs to energetic dance routines, the stage will be a hub of excitement enriched in culture and entertainment.

Step into the Ochsner Children’s Activity Tent for exciting, hands-on activities that connect science, health, and music! Test your grip strength with a special device and compare your results to famous musicians, athletes, and artists. Use a real stethoscope to listen to your own heartbeat and lungs, amplified for everyone to hear. Discover the surprising amount of sugar hidden in everyday foods by guessing and revealing the actual sugar content with model cubes. Also, challenge yourself in a breath control game by keeping a ball floating in the air—just like musicians and athletes train their lungs for performance and endurance! Lastly, be sure to stop by the toddlers’ coloring station or take a moment to participate in painting the oversized community mural!

Visitors to the Cultural Arts Tent can let their creativity loose with inspired arts and craft activities that celebrate Jamaica and the cultural heritage of New Orleans. Hands-on activities and arts demonstrations include tropical paper flowers, Jamaican flags, coconut shell maracas, beaded bracelets, tambourine making, second line hand fans, NOLA street tile printing, an interactive art installation and more.

Meet professional carnival artists who bring to life the various creative processes involved in creating and preserving the traditions of Mardi Gras. Kids can design their own Mardi Gras float, create a custom Mardi Gras medallion, learn the art of paper mâché, make a Luchadora mask with the Lucha Krewe or get your sparkle on with the Glitter Nymph. Or dive into the costume wardrobe to don cool costume creations – for fun, inspiration and maybe a photo op or two.

In the Interactive Technology Tent the Pontchartrain Conservancy brings learning and fun together with eco conscious and STEM activities. Young adventurers can create seed balls for native Louisiana plants, learn about marine life and environmental conservation while having a blast maneuvering through obstacle courses with underwater remote operated vehicles (ROVs), and play an interactive game to discover how long it takes different items of marine debris to degrade.

Stinky Science, a local company founded by two science teachers, is back again to delight young festival goers. Dig into the wonders of a worm farm, illustrate your own silly Monster using stamp art, and test your design skills with the Chomp Shop to prototype a custom cardboard creation. Put on your cultural anthropology hat to discover different ways to repurpose discarded materials into new wearable art and costume creations.

On the 2nd weekend join the Alfa School of Music from Jamaica for a Reggae Riddums Percussion Workshop just for kids. Learn about Jamaican beats – ska & reggae – and play them alongside a professional Jamaican drummer. Step into our Sound Garden to make some noise on a custom-built sound wall with found objects and vintage percussion instruments.

Need to relax? Spend some time in the JF Kids Peace Garden. Designed for natural play, it offers mindful movement, games and activities that use quiet observation and play for a gentle sensory experience as well as a place to sit and rest. The first weekend features certified yoga teachers to engage all ages and abilities in diverse mindfulness-based activities. Other activities in the Peace Garden vary day by day including sound baths, storytelling, and hand pan drumming in our Magi-domes, plus chalk art, weaving, sun prints, and more.

And the fun doesn’t stop there! The Family Recreation Area features a custom sound wall, bespoke ping pong tables, lawn games and activities that keep kids entertained and where families can play together. And every day from 3-5 pm you can swing by the Swamp Disco for a silent disco dance party with dueling DJ’s. Check out the activity schedule at the Kids Info Booth and come pass a good time in the Kids Area!