Current times require more time in nature, especially for our little ones. Technology, screen time, video games, and even TikTok have taken over our kids’ world, and all they want to do when they get home is grab their phones and tablets until bedtime.
Don’t get us wrong, we love technology and think it is an excellent asset for our kids when it’s used for learning or as a resourceful way of entertainment. But it shouldn’t be the reason why our children don’t spend time outdoors anymore.
During our childhood, going to the local park was our favorite thing to do, and it can be your kids’ as well! Parks are an awesome way for kids to run around and play, burn some energy, and exercise their imagination, and what’s truly great for parents is that they are totally free!
Explore with us the many awesome parks and playgrounds for kids in New Orleans. Your children will have a new favorite spot in town!
Great Parks and Playgrounds for Kids in New Orleans
1
New Orleans City Park
You will need more than a day or two to explore New Orleans City Park! This awesome destination is home to the Botanical Garden, the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, the Louisiana Children’s Museum, Storyland, the Train Garden, and more! This is a great place for outdoor recreation as well.2
Stanley Ray Playground
It comes as no surprise that City Park is home to awesome playgrounds! Stanley Ray Playground is the perfect example. Kids ages 2-5 can enjoy slides, swings, and tunnels designed for them.3
Magnolia Playground
Another great City Park playground for kids is Magnolia, which is located near a lagoon and sits underneath large trees where you can enjoy a picnic. The playground, geared for kids ages 5-12 features climbing areas, monkey bars, a slide, a balance beam, a rope wall, a climbing wall, and more.4
Sir Cumference Playground
This playground sits inside a paved concrete circle, that’s why the name! This great playground inside City Park features monkey bars, a slide, climbing areas, and even musical instruments! The playground is geared towards kids ages 5-12.5
Starbucks Playground
Starbucks Playground is geared towards kids ages 5-12 and it’s a parents’ favorite due to the many benches under the shade of oak trees where they can relax and watch the kids!6
Laurence Square
Laurence Square is a playground located in uptown New Orleans with play structures, basketball courts, and an all-purpose field where kids can play and run around!7
Audubon Park
There are tons of opportunities for recreation, play, picnics, and more at Audubon Park. The park is home to 3 playgrounds for kids including the St. Charles Ave Playground. Designed for children ages 2-12, it features swings, a rope climbing tower, several slides, and a log tunnel. The Riverview playground features two slides, monkey bars, and a clatter bridge.8
Harris Playground
Harris Playground is another great option when it comes to parks and playgrounds for kids in New Orleans. There’s plenty of space for kids to run freely and awesome green and blue play structures!9
Burke Playground
Burke Playground is located in the Irish Channel and features basketball courts, all-purpose fields, play structures, and it’s fenced for more security.10
Walnut Street
This playground in Audubon Park is worth mentioning by itself. Designed for kids ages 5-12, Walnut Street is a playground built for everyone, including those with different abilities and sensory needs. It encourages physical activity, thinking, seeing, and hearing for all users. The playground has wheelchair access, sensory areas, and places where different generations can play together. Features include a zip line, slides, parallel bars, and a balance beam.11
Danneel Playground
Kids will be running around and playing for hours at Danneel Playground. It features an awesome play structure and the trees’ shade makes it a lovely spot to relax while kids play.12
Confetti Park
Confetti Park in Algiers Point features great playground equipment for kids aged 2-12. Families can enjoy lunch at the picnic tables under the shade of cypress trees. There’s also a small chipped area suitable for running and playing.13
Kenilworth Playground
Kenilworth Playground is located near the Lakefront Airport. Kids will play for hours in the awesome play structure that features slides, swings, and a rock-climbing feature.14
Desmare Playground
Desmare Playground is fenced and features play structures such as swings and slides. Families can enjoy a picnic on the benches. The park also features an athletic field.15
Cabrini Playground
The Cabrini Playground is a great option in the French Quarter to spend an afternoon under the trees’ shade and watch kids play in the slides.16
Lafreniere Park
This expansive park for the whole family offers a variety of attractions: multiple playgrounds, sports fields, a lagoon for duck feeding, a spray park, disc golf, picnic areas, and a 2-mile walking trail. There’s even a carousel! When we say it’s for the whole family, we mean it: there's a "bark park" where your pets can play too!17
Samuel Square
Samuel Square is located in uptown New Orleans and it’s a kids’ favorite when it comes to play equipment! This colorful playground also features basketball courts and fields to run around or play ball.18
Crescent Park
Crescent Park offers the best views of the Mississippi River! This waterfront park offers plenty of space for kids to play and run freely. It features native landscaping, bike paths, a dog run, and multi-use pavilions for all to enjoy.19
Kenner City Park
Kenner Park features a lake where kids can feed the ducks! This nicely kept area features a fenced space with a fun climbing structure and smooth slides, a pavilion, a 1/4-mile walking track, and a handicap-accessible playground.20
Bonnabel Boat Launch
Bonnabel Boulevard at Lake Pontchartrain features a fenced playground with an awesome play structure, a dog park, and a fishing pier for the whole family to enjoy!There’s so much to do in New Orleans with kids!
Stay tuned to all the opportunities for fun with the entire family.