The Best Things to Do with Toddlers and Younger Children in New Orleans

Toddler-Friendly Things to Do in New Orleans

New Orleans is a destination fit for kids and adults alike to explore. From riding the historic streetcar and spotting animals at the zoo to splashing through playgrounds, visiting hands-on museums, and enjoying wide-open parks, the city is full of family-friendly adventures designed for little ones. Whether you're visiting for a weekend or planning a longer stay, these toddler-approved activities make it easy to experience New Orleans at a pace the whole family will enjoy.

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Getting Around with a Toddler | Nature and Animal Exploration | Playgrounds and Outdoor Play | Indoor Attractions | Slow Days and Low-Cost Outings 

Getting Around New Orleans with a Toddler

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Getting around New Orleans with a little one has never been easier! Of course there’s the iconic streetcar, which kids will be eager to ride and is an actual means of public transportation. Hop on the Canal streetcar to travel from the French Quarter to City Park. Or, hop on the St. Charles Avenue streetcar to go from downtown to Audubon Park in Uptown. Children under the age of five ride for free and youth ages 5 through 12^th grade ride for $0.50. Check out our streetcar itinerary by route here for more.

If you’re walking around town, just beware that some of the sidewalks are uneven. A sling or baby carrier way be easier than a stroller. Beyond the occasional bumpy sidewalk, New Orleans is completely flat, with many pedestrian plazas meant for walkers and strollers in the Quarter.

Nature and Animal Exploration 

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When it comes to kid-friendly activities in New Orleans, you can't beat the trifecta of Audubon Aquarium, Audubon Insectarium, and Audubon Zoo. The Audubon Aquarium provides an immersive experience featuring the beauty and diversity of wildlife from around the world. Adventures include special animal encounters with penguins, a 60-foot-long hands-on touch pool with sharks and stingrays, and behind-the-scenes access to the 450,000-gallon Gulf of Mexico exhibit. The Aquarium’s Amazon Gallery houses 60 free-flying colorful birds, and the Amazon Encounter is home to 20 animals, including an armadillo and a Linnaeus’ two-toed sloth. Located in the same facility, you'll also find the Audubon Insectarium, home to all things creepy-crawly (plus a truly gorgeous butterfly garden overlooking the Mississippi River).

Audubon Zoo is an enchanting experience, featuring lions, elephants, white alligators, and endangered wildlife such as orangutans, Amur leopards, and whooping cranes. Must-see exhibits include Jaguar Jungle, Wings of the World, and the award-winning Louisiana Swamp. In the summer, bring bathing suits for Cool Zoo, the only lazy river in NOLA! USA Today 10Best Reader’s Choice Award named it the #7 most popular zoo in the US. Looking for more family-friendly nature? Visit the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center in New Orleans East for scenic nature trails, wildlife viewing areas, and interactive planetarium shows.

Check out our page on family-friendly things to do here.

Playgrounds and Outdoor Play 

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New Orleans has plenty of free, public playgrounds run by the recreation department for the little ones to enjoy. But some of the best playgrounds are located within and run by parks. In City Park, Stanley Ray Playground is a classic playground with slides, swings, and tunnels designed specifically for kids ages two to five. It’s also conveniently located next to the City Park outpost of Café du Monde. City Park also features Storyland, where story book characters like Humpty Dumpty and Little Bo-Peep come to life in a variety of playscapes. 

In the French Quarter, Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park features a marsh-themed playground with alligator, frog, and fish climbing structures, cooling misters, and Mississippi River views. Read here for the best playgrounds in the city and what makes each one unique.

A different kind of play, French Quartour Kids offers interactive tours for every age range. The Pirate Treasure Hunt and Spooky Ghost Hunt are both recommended for children ages four to seven. Enjoy an educational but fun tour designed specially for kids.

Indoor Fun

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Trying to beat the heat or stay out of the rain? New Orleans is bustling with family-friendly indoor attractions just waiting for your visit. The Louisiana Children’s Museum is perfect for little kids. This museum located in City Park features exhibits pertaining to the Southern Louisiana, like the Mighty Mississippi, a 100-foot long water table with locks, dams, drainage systems, ports, tributaries, and all. There are also exhibits dedicated to Louisiana food, music, and animals. The little ones will also love Mardi Gras World, where a tour lets you see the madness behind the magic. Catch artists painting and adorning floats year-round—the kids will truly be mesmerized! Check out our rainy day itinerary for more inspiration.

Slow Days and Low-Cost Outings 

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A slow day in New Orleans doesn’t mean sitting around your hotel room watching Bluey! There are plenty of slow and low-stimulation things that the kids will enjoy without much effort. Head to Woldenberg Park and watch the ships pass by. There are plenty of green spaces to play in; plus, you’ll catch a cool breeze off the Mississippi River. If you want to get on the river, why not take the ferry to Algiers Point? Children under the age of five ride for free and youth ages 5 through 12^th grade ride for $1.

Chilling at a brewery is also popular among families, where the parents can get something to drink while the kiddos play. Family-friendly breweries include Urban South, which features an arcade and a bouncy house for kids on some weekends, plus Port Orleans, NOLA Brewing, and Second Line Brewing. 

Read here for more on family-friendly things to do in NOLA.