FreeNew Orleans · The Big Easy

Free things to do with kids in New Orleans, this week and every week.

Yes, plenty is free with little kids in New Orleans this week: we found 21 free outings, including Boo Carré Halloween Haunt, Krewe of BOO! Halloween Parade and Halloween Fest at Riverwalk, plus 13 library programs. Six free days and events are coming up, including three museum or zoo free days, each with its date. And seven places never charge admission, like New Orleans Public Library, Main Library and New Orleans City Park.

Last checked · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

21free outings this weekincl. 13 library programs6free days and events coming upincl. 3 museum or zoo free days7places that are always freeNew Orleans Public Library, Main Library, New Orleans City Park2free storytime calendarsNew Orleans Public Library, St. Tammany Parish Library

This week

Free things to do with kids in NOLA this week

Every free outing on this week’s NOLA list, rebuilt every Thursday. Library programs may need a quick sign-up.

Mon Oct 1910:30–11:30am

Baby Storytime (Alvar Library)

Alvar Library · 913 Alvar St., New Orleans, LA 70117

Read, sing and play together in a session built for babies and their grown-ups.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–1
Mon Oct 1910:30–11:15am

Baby Storytime (Latter Library)

Milton H. Latter Memorial Library · 5120 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70115

Songs, books and play for babies and caregivers in the Latter mansion on St. Charles.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–1
Mon Oct 195–6pm

Evening Playtime (Central City Library)

Central City Library · 2020 Jackson Ave., Suite 139, New Orleans, LA 70113

After-dinner pretend play with library toys, dress-up clothes and puppets, on this month’s theme. For 2 to 5.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 2–5
Tue Oct 2010:30–11:30am

Storytime (Algiers Regional)

Algiers Regional Library · 3014 Holiday Dr., New Orleans, LA 70131

Read, sing, talk, write and play together, for birth to 5 and their caregivers.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Tue Oct 2010:30–11:30am

Storytime (Smith Library)

Robert E. Smith Library · 6301 Canal Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124

A Tuesday morning storytime for birth to 5 in Lakeview.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Tue Oct 204–5pm

Spooky Bubbles (Latter Library)

Milton H. Latter Memorial Library · 5120 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70115

Bubble play with a spooky Halloween twist.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 2–8
Tue Oct 204–4:30pm

Music & Movement (Children’s Resource Center)

Children’s Resource Center Library · 913 Napoleon Ave., New Orleans, LA 70115

Dance, wiggle and stretch to music while practicing early literacy skills. For 2 to 5.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 2–5
Tue Oct 205–6pm

Evening Storytime (East New Orleans Regional)

East New Orleans Regional Library · 5641 Read Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70127

An evening storytime for working families, for birth to 5.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Wed Oct 2110:30–11:30am

Storytime (Central City Library)

Central City Library · 2020 Jackson Ave., Suite 139, New Orleans, LA 70113

Books, songs and play for birth to 5 on Jackson Avenue.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Wed Oct 213:30–4:30pm

Afternoon Storytime (Main Library)

Main Library · 219 Loyola Ave., New Orleans, LA 70112

An after-nap storytime downtown for birth to 5.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Thu Oct 2210:30–11:30am

Storytime (Hubbell Library)

Cita Dennis Hubbell Library · 725 Pelican Ave., New Orleans, LA 70114

An Algiers Point storytime with reading, singing and play for birth to 5.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Thu Oct 2210:30–11:30am

Storytime (Children’s Resource Center)

Children’s Resource Center Library · 913 Napoleon Ave., New Orleans, LA 70115

Storytime for birth to 5 at the library branch built for children on Napoleon Avenue.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Fri Oct 2310:30–11:30am

Playtime (Alvar Library)

Alvar Library · 913 Alvar St., New Orleans, LA 70117

Child-led play with library toys, dress-up clothes and puppets on this month’s theme. For 2 to 5.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 2–5
Sat Oct 2411am–4pm

Boo Carré Halloween Haunt

French Market District (Dutch Alley) · 900 block of N. Peters St., New Orleans, LA 70116

A kids’ Halloween party in the French Market with live music, children’s activities, a Spooky Second Line and trick-or-treating.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAll ages
Sat Oct 246:30pm

Krewe of BOO! Halloween Parade

Krewe of BOO! parade route (Elysian Fields Ave. to the French Quarter) · Elysian Fields Ave., New Orleans, LA 70117

New Orleans’ official Halloween parade, with spooky Kern Studios floats and throws. Grab a curb spot early with little ones; it rolls at dusk.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAll ages
Sat Oct 244–6pm

Halloween Fest at Riverwalk

The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk · 500 Port of New Orleans Pl., New Orleans, LA 70130

Trick-or-treating through the mall, face painters and balloon artists. Come in costume.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–12
Sat Oct 2410:30–11am

LPO’s Musical Story Hour (Hubbell Library)

Cita Dennis Hubbell Library · 725 Pelican Ave., New Orleans, LA 70114

A Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra musician plays along while a classic picture book is read aloud.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–6
Sat Oct 2410am–noon

Playtime: Let’s Play Kitchen (Main Library)

Main Library · 219 Loyola Ave., New Orleans, LA 70112

Pretend kitchen and dining toys for little cooks to make and serve their favorite dishes. Child-led play for 2 to 5.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 2–5
Sat Oct 2410am–noon

Community Helpers Playtime (Smith Library)

Robert E. Smith Library · 6301 Canal Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124

Dress-up clothes for all kinds of community helpers, for child-led play. Ages 2 to 5.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 2–5
Sat Oct 2410:15–11am

Little Stompers: Big Easy Rascals (East New Orleans Regional)

East New Orleans Regional Library · 5641 Read Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70127

New Orleans music and culture for 12 to 24 months, part of a six-week series. Registration required.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 1–2
Sun Oct 254–6pm

Fall Festival at First Baptist New Orleans

First Baptist New Orleans · 5290 Canal Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124

A free Sunday-afternoon fall festival open to everyone: big inflatables, face painting, cotton candy and snowballs, carnival games with candy prizes, free food and a small pumpkin patch.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–12
Showing all 21 free outings

Mark the calendar

Free days and free events coming up in NOLA

Museum and zoo free days, free festivals and other one-off free events, soonest first. Some free days are only for residents or cardholders, so each one says who gets in free.

Who gets in free:EveryoneResidents onlyCardholders only
Oct24

Boo Carré Halloween Haunt

French Market District (Dutch Alley) · French Quarter

11am–4pm. Free trick-or-treat totes for kids in costume while they last.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
EveryoneFree
Oct24

Krewe of BOO! Halloween Parade

Elysian Fields Ave. to the French Quarter · Marigny / French Quarter

6:30pm. Rolls at dusk; route on the krewe’s page.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
EveryoneFree
Oct25

Fall Festival at First Baptist New Orleans

First Baptist New Orleans · 5290 Canal Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124

4–6pm. Inflatables, face painting, games, free food and a small pumpkin patch.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
EveryoneFree
Nov7
Nov8
Dec5
Dec6

Bank of America Museums on Us weekend

The National WWII Museum · New Orleans

Only the cardholder gets in free, so bring the card and an ID.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Cardholders onlyFree general admission for Bank of America, Merrill and Private Bank cardholders (one per card, with photo ID)
Second Sunday, every other month, 11:30am–4:30pm

Art for All free day at the Louisiana Children’s Museum

Louisiana Children’s Museum · City Park

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
EveryoneFree admission
Any open day

Museums for All at the Louisiana Children’s Museum

Louisiana Children’s Museum · City Park, 15 Henry Thomas Dr.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Cardholders only$4.95 + tax per person, up to 4 people (ages 12 months+), with a Louisiana SNAP EBT card and photo ID

Any day

Places that are always free in NOLA

Parks, gardens, nature centers and museums that don’t charge admission.

New Orleans Public Library, Main Library

CBD, 219 Loyola Ave.The main library downtown, with free children’s programs on the system calendar.Official site ↗Report a problem

New Orleans City Park

Mid-CityA huge park with giant live oaks, Storyland’s fairy-tale play sets, Carousel Gardens rides and the Botanical Garden. Parking is free.Official site ↗Report a problem

Crescent Park

Marigny and Bywater riverfrontA free riverfront park with walking paths and views of the Mississippi and the ships going by.Official site ↗Report a problem

Stanley Ray Playground (City Park)

City Park, near Popp BandstandOne of City Park’s four free playgrounds, built for ages 2–5 with low slides, baby swings and toddler-sized tunnels. Restrooms and Café du Monde are steps away.Official site ↗Report a problem

Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden

City Park, next to NOMAMore than 90 sculptures on about eleven landscaped acres beside the museum.Official site ↗Report a problem
Free to get in, but parking, special exhibits and seasonal extras can cost money. Check each place’s site before you go.

Every week

Free library storytimes

New Orleans Public Library

Free baby storytimes, storytimes and playtimes for ages 2–5 at branches across the city.

Weekly at 15 locations; Monday–Saturday, mostly mornings, plus some evening sessions

BabiesFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

St. Tammany Parish Library

Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include KIDS Family Storytime (Tuesdays 10:30am, Bush Branch) and KIDS Creative Family Storytime (Tuesdays 9:30am, Covington Branch), with more at Abita Springs Branch, Causeway Branch, Folsom Branch and Lacombe Branch and other branches.

Weekly at 12 locations; Tuesday–Friday, mostly mornings

BabiesToddlersPreschoolFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

Keep planning

More for little kids in NOLA

Indoor play in NOLAIndoor playgrounds, toddler times and museums, with pricesThanksgiving weekend in NOLAParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in NOLAKid-friendly countdowns, home by napThis week in NOLADated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

Free things to do with kids in New Orleans: the FAQ

This week we found 21 free outings for ages 0–6, including Boo Carré Halloween Haunt, Krewe of BOO! Halloween Parade, Halloween Fest at Riverwalk and Fall Festival at First Baptist New Orleans. See free this week; the list is rebuilt every Thursday.

Boo Carré Halloween Haunt: Sat Oct 24. Krewe of BOO! Halloween Parade: Sat Oct 24. Fall Festival at First Baptist New Orleans: Sun Oct 25. Bank of America Museums on Us weekend: Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8, Sat Dec 5 and Sun Dec 6. Dates come from each venue’s own page; see free days and free events.

New Orleans Public Library, Main Library, New Orleans City Park, Crescent Park, Stanley Ray Playground (City Park) and Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden and 2 more don’t charge admission. Some charge for parking or special exhibits; the cards say so where the place does.

Yes: New Orleans Public Library, Main Library. See all of them on indoor play places in NOLA.

Yes. New Orleans Public Library and St. Tammany Parish Library run free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Times change by branch, so check the calendar linked below.

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 19, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday for dated events and once a month for free places. How we choose and check.

Littles Weekly

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