Museums are always the best option for fun and educational places. These offer all kinds of activities for kids and cover parents’ interests.
Home to the world-famous Mardi Gras carnival, New Orleans is a captivating city filled with many cultural activities and plenty of exciting things to do. What better place than a museum to learn all about this popular tradition that fascinates locals and tourists alike?
New Orleans museums for kids are filled with a diverse range of interactive displays and exhibits! So, if your child is interested in learning about the history of Mardi Gras or jazz and blues, there is no better place to take them.
We’ve gathered an extensive list of the best museums for kids in New Orleans. Most of these feature events and programs and are open to hosting birthday parties! Check them out!
TOP 23 Museums for Kids in New Orleans
1
City Park, 15 Henry Thomas Drive, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA
Louisiana Children's Museum
This is the TOP museum for kids in New Orleans! From exploring colorful galleries to outdoor activities, there’s always something exciting going on. Kids can have fun with art, music, and design; let their imaginations run wild with poetry and storytelling; and learn cool science and problem-solving skills with hands-on activities. There are lots of fun things for families to do together!2
945 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
The National WW2 Museum
Among the best museums for kids in New Orleans, this one offers lots of displays for families! Discover all about World War II and how it impacted the world. The exhibit rooms have cool displays and multimedia shows to make the trip both fun and informative.3
Louisiana State University, 119 Foster Hall, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
Louisiana Museum of Natural Science
The Louisiana Museum of Natural Science teaches people of all ages about nature through programs and exhibits. The museum studies animals, fossils, DNA, and science education. It’s an excellent place for families to explore and learn about Earth, and although it is not a free museum for kids, on certain days of the year (like Memorial Day), it offers free admission.4
113 North Cypress Street, Hammond, LA, USA
Louisiana Children’s Discovery Center
The Louisiana Children’s Discovery Center is a great choice when it comes to fun museums for kids in New Orleans (especially for toddlers to 10-year-olds). It’s a great spot for hands-on learning and play, with interactive exhibits like a vet clinic, rock climbing wall, theater, bubble station, shrimp boat, hot air balloon, and more!5
900 Camp Street, New Orleans, LA, USA
Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans
The Contemporary Arts Center is dedicated to showcasing exhibitions from pioneering artists. Regarding museums for kids in New Orleans, here you will find many programs for families, such as Inter[SECTOR], Artist Residencies, Artist Resources, and others intended for a youth audience.6
100 South River Road, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
Louisiana Art & Science Museum
The Louisiana Art & Science Museum is probably one of the favorite museums for kids in New Orleans. From dinosaurs’ interactive exhibits to Planetarium shows and even a Laser Taylor Swift Singalong (check the calendar!), they have tons of fun and educational options that everyone in the family will definitely enjoy!7
1900 Dalrymple Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA
Knock Knock Children’s Museum
Looking for fun museums for kids in New Orleans? The Knock Knock Children’s Museum is perfect! It offers 18 interactive learning areas in a 26,000 square foot facility, giving children plenty of opportunities to learn and have fun. The little ones will have fun while learning through play!8
318 North Rampart Street, New Orleans, LA, USA
Mardi Gras Museum
The Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes and Culture features entertainer Carl Mack’s private collection of Mardi Gras costumes and explores the history of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Visitors can enjoy the interactive Costume Closet, where they can try on and take photos of Mardi Gras costumes. Kids will learn all about the most important local celebration!9
1531 St Philip St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Backstreet Cultural Museum
Founded in 1999, the Backstreet Cultural Museum is a nonprofit organization that collects various African-American artifacts from New Orleans, including photographs, memorabilia, costumes, films, and other cultural objects.10
724 Dumaine Street, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Voodoo Museum
Are you prepared for a kind spooky, but quite unique experience? At the Voodoo Museum you’ll have a lot of fun, while learning all about the history of voodoo. Established in 1972 this museum features two tours: a self-guided tour that focuses on voodoo practices and cultural beliefs; or the Voodoo Walking Tour, which includes visits to Marie Laveau’s home and Congo Square.11
2051 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA, USA
The Great American Alligator Museum
Kids can learn about the biology, history, and cultural significance of alligators in American culture at what could be described as one of the most fun museums for kids in New Orleans. The museum also has a permanent collection of fossils and other alligator artifacts on display.12
925 Camp Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
Ogden Museum of Southern Art
Since 1999, The Ogden also stands as a museum for kids in New Orleans. It has been offering exhibitions, concerts, film screenings, and lectures to educate people about the visual arts of the American South. They also provide educational programs like Free Family Day, Homeschool Studio, Classes for Kids, and Summer Art Camps.13
1440 Moss Street, New Orleans, LA, USA
Pitot House
Since 1972, the Pitot House has been a museum offering tours and educational programs in its garden setting. Although not a free museum for kids, it is open at no charge to members of the Louisiana Landmarks Society.14
Collins Diboll Circle, New Orleans, LA, USA
New Orleans Museum of Art
Since 1911, The New Orleans Museum of Art has amassed a collection of nearly 50,000 works of art, all of which have been done to make art accessible to everyone. Offering summer camps to inspire creativity in young minds, this is also a top destination for museums for kids in the area.15
400 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
New Orleans Jazz Museum
If your kid has the rhythm of jazz in their veins, then this museum for kids must be on the list. Visitors can discover the New Orleans Jazz Club Collections and the Louisiana Historical Center, which house historic music artifacts, including Louis Armstrong’s first cornet.16
1417 Governor Nicholls Street, New Orleans, LA, USA
African American Museum
Founded in 1996, the African American Museum of New Orleans recognizes the significant contributions of African Americans to the city. It does this by celebrating their art and culture and, most importantly, by preserving their history. Museum Month is an option if you’re looking for free museums for kids, which usually occurs in August.17
1380 Port of New Orleans Place, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
Mardi Gras World
Is your kid curious about how the elaborate Mardi Gras floats are created? Now is the opportunity to take them behind the scenes at Mardi Gras World. Families are welcome to learn all the work that goes into the wonderful and colorful floats that are at the center of the celebration.18
514 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
Pharmacy Museum
The Pharmacy Museum collects and preserves pharmaceutical artifacts to document the history of medicine. It hosts various events and exhibits on both floors for visitors to explore. Take your child to this one to give them a taste of a different museum for kids in New Orleans.19
520 Royal St, New Orleans, LA, USA
The Historic New Orleans Collection
This is a museum for kids who want to learn all about the history of New Orleans. It’s dedicated to preserving the city’s diverse heritage through exhibits, writings, and publications through its research center. It has been collecting information since 1966, when it was founded.20
701 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
The Cabildo
The Cabildo, located in the historic French Quarter of New Orleans, is a state museum in Louisiana. It offers educational programs such as scavenger hunts, lesson plans, and field trips, so it’s also a great choice when parents are looking for fun museums for kids.21
818 Howard Avenue, New Orleans, LA, USA
Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience
Families visiting the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience will discover how Jews in the American South impacted and were influenced by the unique cultural heritage of their new surroundings.22
1600 Phoenix Square, Hammond, LA, USA
Tangipahoa African American Heritage Museum
Bring the family to learn all about Tangipahoa’s African American Heritage! Through guided tours and school trips, children can learn about African Americans’ history, culture, and contributions to this particular region of Louisiana. So, don’t forget to mark it as one of the most interesting museums for kids in New Orleans.23
751 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
The Presbytère
Built in 1791, the Presbytère became part of the Louisiana State Museum in 1911. Today is home of two permanent exhibits, the Mardi Gras and Living with Hurricanes. These exhibits are designed to showcase different aspects of the state’s history, including its cultural celebrations and its ability to withstand challenges.New Orleans is one of the most multicultural cities in the region. From traditional active fun venues to a classic indoor playground, you’ll be amazed at all the unique places you can visit here.
One day you can take the family to one of the most unusual museums, such as the Voodoo Museum, or maybe you’d rather go to a more kid-friendly museum to learn about the history of the Mardi Gras celebration.
Each of these museums for kids in New Orleans offers tons of learning opportunities and would definitely be great for a family adventure!
