New Orleans is better with little kids than its party reputation suggests: a children’s museum and fairy-tale playground in City Park, a big Uptown zoo, a riverfront aquarium and free storytimes all over town.
Not this week’s events, just the reliable stuff. Where to eat with a toddler, where to burn off energy when it rains, where to splash, what’s worth the admission, and where to spend a night without going far.
Places where a dropped fork is no big deal and nobody minds a little noise.
The historic beignet and café au lait stand, now at 5101 Canal Blvd. where the Canal streetcar ends at City Park Ave., open daily 7am–midnight.
Hot dogs and sausages with every topping imaginable, plus outdoor seating at several locations.
A New Orleans brunch spot with pancakes, eggs and Southern breakfast plates, open for breakfast and lunch.
For rainy mornings, cold afternoons and anyone who needs to run in circles for an hour.
Eight and a half acres in City Park with indoor play galleries, outdoor gardens and a café. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays in the fall.
Museums for All: $4.95 per person (up to 4) with a Louisiana SNAP EBT card and photo ID · Free admission on the second Sunday every other month (Art for All) · Timed-entry tickets recommended
A big aquarium at the foot of Canal Street, with the Insectarium now under the same roof.
Prices vary by date; closed Mardi Gras, Thanksgiving and Christmas
The main library downtown, with free children’s programs on the system calendar.
Pools, fountains, zoos and theme parks: the big all-day outings.
A huge park with giant live oaks, Storyland’s fairy-tale play sets, Carousel Gardens rides and the Botanical Garden. Parking is free.
A free riverfront park with walking paths and views of the Mississippi and the ships going by.
Storyland is a fairy-tale playground from the 1950s where kids climb aboard Captain Hook’s pirate ship and play school in the Schoolhouse. Next door, Carousel Gardens has 17 rides, including a carousel and a train little ones under 36 inches can ride with a paid adult. A daily ticket covers unlimited rides and Storyland.
A 10-acre garden with more than 2,000 plant varieties, a Japanese Garden and the Historic New Orleans Train Garden, with New Orleans buildings made from botanical materials and replica streetcars and trains. The Conservatory is closed for renovation.
One 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.
More than 90 sculptures on about eleven landscaped acres beside the museum.
“New Orleans’ backyard under the oaks,” with playgrounds, open early to late every day.
Museums, animals and farm days that hold a little one’s attention.
A big zoo in Audubon Park with the Louisiana Swamp exhibit, a carousel and seasonal events.
Prices vary by date; carousel rides $6.50
The New Orleans Museum of Art, where everyone 19 and under gets in free.
These don’t change week to week. Last checked . Hours and prices change, so check the place’s own site before you go. Know a spot we missed? Tell us at hello@littlesweekly.com.
Where a family can go in NOLA without paying for admission. For free days, free events and this week’s free outings, see every free thing to do in NOLA.
CBD, 219 Loyola Ave.New Orleans Public Library, Main LibraryThe main library downtown, with free children’s programs on the system calendar.FreeIndoor
Mid-CityNew Orleans City ParkA huge park with giant live oaks, Storyland’s fairy-tale play sets, Carousel Gardens rides and the Botanical Garden.FreeMarigny and Bywater riverfrontCrescent ParkA free riverfront park with walking paths and views of the Mississippi and the ships going by.FreeCity Park, near Popp BandstandStanley Ray Playground (City Park)One of City Park’s four free playgrounds, built for ages 2–5 with low slides, baby swings and toddler-sized tunnels.FreeCity Park, next to NOMASydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture GardenMore than 90 sculptures on about eleven landscaped acres beside the museum.FreeNew OrleansAudubon Park“New Orleans’ backyard under the oaks,” with playgrounds, open early to late every day.FreeFree or cheap for babies and toddlers, and easy with a stroller.
Recurring and free. Times change by branch, so check the calendar.
Weekly at 15 locations; Monday–Saturday, mostly mornings, plus some evening sessionsFree baby storytimes, storytimes and playtimes for ages 2–5 at branches across the city.
Schedule ↗Weekly at 12 locations; Tuesday–Friday, mostly morningsFree 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.
Schedule ↗Baby storytimes, places where babies get in free, and where to change and feed. For rainy days, see indoor play places; for zero-cost ideas, see free things to do.
Mondays at 10:30am · Alvar LibraryRead, sing, and play together in a format designed for babies and their caregivers.
Storytime calendar ↗Mondays at 10:30am · Milton H. Latter Memorial LibraryRead, sing, and play together in a format designed for babies and their caregivers.
Storytime calendar ↗
Under 12 months free
Admission page ↗Under 2 free
Admission page ↗Under 2 free
Admission page ↗19 and under free
Admission page ↗Santa visits and Christmas lights only run part of the year, so they have their own pages with this season’s dates and prices.
The guide is the evergreen list. Here’s what’s happening in New Orleans right now.
Yes. Babies under 12 months play free, and the museum has indoor galleries and outdoor gardens. Book a timed ticket for weekends.
City Park’s grounds, Crescent Park and library storytimes are free, and parking in City Park is free.
The Louisiana Children’s Museum, the Audubon Aquarium and the public library branches are all indoors.
New Orleans Public Library: Weekly at 15 locations; Monday–Saturday, mostly mornings, plus some evening sessions. St. Tammany Parish Library: Weekly at 12 locations; Tuesday–Friday, mostly mornings. Library storytimes don’t need a ticket, but times change by branch, so check the calendar first. See library storytimes, and this week’s dated sessions are on the NOLA weekly list.
Every one of the 15 places is somewhere we’d take a baby, toddler or preschooler, with a note on who it suits and when to skip it. Prices, hours and menus come from each place’s own site, and 7 of them have checked admission or menu prices. The guide was last checked Oct 18, 2026. How we choose and check.
Under 2 free; kids: $25–$35; adults: $30–$40 (prices vary by date; carousel rides $6.50). We checked this on its official site on Oct 18, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.
Under 12 months free; kids 12 months+: $22.95 + tax; adults: $22.95 + tax (timed-entry tickets recommended). Free entry: Free admission on the second Sunday every other month (Art for All). Deals: Museums for All: $4.95 per person (up to 4) with a Louisiana SNAP EBT card and photo ID. We checked this on its official site on Oct 18, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.
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