Though the year is calling for our New Orleans summer vacation, there are still a number of fun things to do in New Orleans with kids that need to be organized. From activities such as sight-seeing in the French Quarter, exploring some of the best food places, sailing the Mississippi River, and having fun at the Mardi Gras Celebration carnival, making friends with locals, there are many things to do in New Orleans with kids that are exciting.

These activities will not only give you a chance to introduce your children to the various parts of our province but they will also help them understand better the lives of people here in New Orleans. It will also teach them what they need to do to get ready for the challenging pace of this fast-paced world.

New Orleans, a multilingual and cross-cultural city is one of America’s oldest cities as its origin dates back to 1718. It is widely known as the cradle of Jazz Music and offers a mix of language and culture like Creole, French, African-American, Caribbean, Irish, Haitian, Vietnamese, and German! It is located in the Southeast of Louisiana.

When planning a trip to the city, be sure to avoid visiting from July to October, because of its reported hurricane disasters, usually during this period. There are other travel tips for first time travelers in this guide.

Traveling with kids can be a handful without the appropriate tips to keep everyone happy and busy, here are travel tips when traveling with toddlers to help you prepare better for your New Orleans family vacation. Continue reading our guide on fun things to do in New Orleans with kids.

List of 15 Remarkable things to do in New Orleans with Kids.

Have you ever considered having your kids go on a trip to New Orleans? Would you like to learn new things with them? Or, perhaps you are planning to visit the city for the first time, and want to do so with your kids. There are so many things you can do in New Orleans that are not only kid-friendly but are also ideal for older kids and adults.

Here is a quick list of 15 amazing fun things to do in New Orleans with kids for you:

Edutain the Kids at Louisiana Children’s Museum 

A new and reimagined children’s museum in the City Park in the Lakeview District. The Louisiana Children’s Museum offers a plethora of opportunities for the kids to be thoroughly entertained yet get tangible and significant knowledge in the process. Imagine playing and learning at the same time, a significant aspect of social learning for kids. Whenever you visit New Orleans with your family, this activity should always be the number one on your list of things to do in New Orleans with kids. 

There’s the Move with the River play area; a centerpiece 100-foot water table that teaches kids all about the Mississippi River, Follow That Food; a simulating set that teaches children all about where their food comes from and how it gets to their dining tables, Dig into Nature; an indoor and outdoor area that allows children to explore nature items like bugs, and small animals, and the Make your Mark play section; here kids get creative with musical instruments, build infrastructures with colorful bricks and tools, and then make crafts in the design studio and the bubble studio. 

Teach the Kids about New Orleans at the Presbytère Museum

Located on Jackson Square, the Presbytère Museum was built in the 1700s and was home to the Capuchin monks. Today, however, it is now part of the Louisiana State Museum and houses two permanent exhibits, making for a quick educational visit. 

Downstairs houses some heartbreaking remnants, display photos and videos, even personal stories and storm news footage of the devastation that came with Hurricane Katrina.

After taking in heavy scenes from Katrina, head upstairs for a lighter subject matter: Mardi Gras. Discover its origins and customs, view the elaborate carnival costumes, and the parade floats. 

Learn some history together at the National WWII Museum

From the industrial efforts on the home front to the combat experience of the American army, the National WWII Museum offers an unforgettable way to experience World War II. 

It is a top destination for history lovers; it’s full of restored and working historical macro artifacts that can be handled alongside museum curators, and multimedia experiences that include personal stories from the people who fought in the war. It’s a good option for families with school-age kids to enjoy. Kids love history, learning some together is among many things to do in New Orleans with kids. Check out this compilation of things to do in New Orleans with family.

Entertain the kids with Live Jazz at Arnaud’s Bistro

It’s almost impossible to visit New Orleans and not listen to live jazz music; the Big Easy is the birthplace of Jazz. It won’t take you too long to spot a group of street performers as you wander the streets of the French Quarter. Where can you listen to Jazz with kids?

Arnaud’s Bistro has a jazz band that plays a few songs every night after which they take song requests from the guests in the room, and the Café Beignet (pronounced BEN-yay) which is not only a tasty place to get that powdery fried goodness, also offers live jazz performance for free to guests of all ages. This is one of the memorable things to do with kids in New Orleans.

Sail the Mississippi River 

The Mississippi is the second-longest river on the North American continent.

The whole sailing trip takes about 2 hours max aboard New Orleans’ only steamboat, Steamboat Natchez. You’ll get some authentic riverboat experience, and of course; jazz music from the Stompers jazz band – you’re in New Orleans!

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Enjoy some Creole cuisine

Creole cuisines have a distinctive blend of French, Spanish, West African, American Indian, Haitian, and Southern U.S influences. Restaurants such as Casual Creole Cuisine offer great dishes to entertain your kids and the entire family. 

You can always make inquiries about the spice levels of various dishes given that these meals often come with a spicy kick, but don’t worry, restaurants are often willing to provide a milder version especially because of the kids. 

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Catch up with the Mardi Gras Celebration

Tuesday-Fat or better still Fat Tuesday, the Mardi Gras Celebration is the carnival celebration that takes place before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Christian Lenten season. 

Enjoy the excitement and pageantry of Mardi Gras, see the amazing artistry of the parade floats up close, dress up like a float rider, join the hour-long tour and finish with a slice of king cake. 

Have some fun at the Carousel Gardens and Storyland Theme Parks

Carousel Gardens contains 16 rides including an antique wooden Carousel from where it gets its name, while Storyland Theme Parks has 20 sculptures from some of the most beloved children’s storybooks. They’ve got everything from ladybug roller coasters zipping through grand oak trees, Ferris wheels, bumper cars, and a massive Captain Hook’s pirate ship for the kids to ramble up and down in – the ideal kids-day-out location. 

Visit the Audubon Insectarium

If you and the kids have got a craving for some wildlife that the French Quarter can’t quite quench, head over to the Central Business District and check out the Audubon Insectarium; one of four museums that make up the city’s Audubon Nature Institute. 

Spend some time with your favorite creepy-crawlies, watching them in their natural habitat at live feedings, get a chance to handle a live millipede (feel its legs move up and down your palms! Ticklish!). What’s more? The Bug Appétit, where bugs are on the menu; they’ve got cricket cookies and spiced bug snacks for those daring kids and parents to munch on. Remember to pack your travel essentials when setting out for New Orleans vacation with your kids. 

Visit Animals at the Audubon Zoo

Named as one of the top ten zoos in the United States, the Audubon Zoo spans up to 50 acres of land and is home to 1,700 animals representing about 350 species.

In addition to seeing the resident animals, the kids love the zoo’s multiple playgrounds, the Cool Zoo splash park, and the Endangered Species Carousel. 

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Go to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas

Still keeping up with the wild side of things, the impressive Audubon Aquarium! We are back at the Mississippi River with the Audubon Aquarium which is home to about 10,000 animals with a representation of 530 species. 

Babies, Toddlers, and the bigger kids love the experience as they get up close and personal to see the sharks, jellyfish, penguins, and the other animals on display. Next door is the Entergy Giant Screen Theater; Your kids can go in there to watch nature shows.

Check out the New Orleans Botanical Garden 

When you’re done exploring all the Audubon institutions in the city, head over to the City Park and reconnect with some grass and fresh air at the New Orleans Botanical Garden.

Kids get to enjoy watching the Koi fish swimming in the Lily Pond outside the garden’s conservatory, also you can have access to the Helis Foundation Enrique Alférez Sculpture Garden as it is included in your admission fee.

Play Miniature Golf at City Putt

While still at City Park, take a stroll into the nearby City Putt Miniature Golf Course and choose between the two 18-hole courses.

It’s a great way for the family to get outside, play together, and have some fun. 

Listen to a fortune teller in Jackson Square

And finally, to cap off your stay, you might as well find out what other interesting thing you are going to do next – that would hopefully surpass your time at the Big Easy, by checking out the fortune tellers at Jackson Square. Ask for their price before committing. They could use tarot cards, palm reading, or other forms of fortune-telling to give you insights into your past, present, or future. 

Explore the French Quarter

French Quater, the oldest neighborhood of the city was founded by French settlers in 1718. However, it is ironic to see that most of the architecture here is Spanish-inspired; due to a series of fires in the late 1800s that saw the city rebuilt by the new Spanish rule of the day.

Here in the Vieux Carré, you can get more out of your experience by going on the 2-hour French Quarter Walking and Storytelling Tour. You can also do some souvenir shopping at the various shops and restaurants that litter the Quarter. There’s the Little Toy Shop on Decatur Street where you can find a litany of delightful old-fashioned toys, the Maskarade where children and adults alike can indulge carnival masks with feathers and sparkling details.

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Conclusion

The city of New Orleans is a great place for a family holiday. With a rich multicultural history and intriguing sites; the city has managed to keep its heritage intact. Be transported to the past and explore the colorful local culture at the same time by taking one of the many fun-filled tours it has to offer. On your way, make sure to stop by famous historic sites and famous neighborhoods. Also, give yourself a chance to get in touch with the local arts and culture.

If you’re a travel lover and even if you’re with kids, there’s no need to worry as the city offers fun, entertainment, and education that is kid-friendly and would be worth your time. Save this list of 15 things to do in New Orleans with kids for your next visit to the city. 

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