We are often asked about things to do in Lafayette, LA with kids! When it’s hot and you are looking for a great splash pad or the best snowball in Acadiana, Lafayette Mom has you covered. Below are suggestions for indoor activities in Lafayette, LA to keep the kids busy on hot or rainy days.
Indoor Things to Do in Lafayette
The weather here in South Louisiana is unpredictable. Some days, we have beautiful sunshine with a nice coastal breeze. The following day, we might have torrential downpour or scorching summer heat! What can you do in Acadiana when the weather outside is nasty? We’ve rounded up the best INDOOR activities in and around Lafayette to help you and your kiddos escape whatever the weather might bring!
INDOOR FUN IN AND AROUND LAFAYETTE ::
Acadiana Center for the Arts :: AcA supports the creation of new works of art, exhibits, festivals, performances, and public art across an eight-parish region that includes Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion Parishes.
Acadiana Gymnastics Training Center :: offers both one hour classes & parents night out
Acadiana Lanes/Premier Lanes :: bowling, laser tag, arcade, cafe & bar
All The Rage :: rage room, axe throwing & splatter paint
The Axe Throwing Place :: targets include Traditional Targets, Monster Crush and other Friendly Competitive Games
Board & Brush (Broussard) :: The designs and projects at Board & Brush DIY wood sign workshops are always changing, so every time you return, your creation will be a new and distinctive piece of art.
Cajun Archers Academy & Range (Youngsville) :: indoor range
Cajun Fast Track (Henderson) :: Indoor, air conditioned, go karts, arcade, laser tag, mini golf, tot spot, bumper cars, and an XD theater
Children’s Museum of Acadiana :: Join us at the Children’s Museum of Acadiana for a summer of fun, learning, and endless possibilities. There’s something for everyone at the CMA, where play and discovery go hand in hand. Be sure to check the special events calendar too!
Chuck E. Cheese :: Children arcade games
Clayfish Bisque :: locally owned, unique and inspiring pottery painting studio
Dave & Buster’s :: arcade games for all ages, enjoy a meal before or after and watch the latest sporting event!
Elevation Station (Broussard) :: a trampoline open jump, trampoline basketball, an air bag, a trapeze, trampoline, extreme dodgeball, gladiator pit, arcade games, a Meltdown game, kiddie zones, and seven party rooms
Epic Entertainment :: rides, games, climbing wall, virtual reality & more
Escape 360 :: 2 escape rooms; 1 hour each
Escape Room Lafayette :: 8 unique, fun and interactive games for all. Bring your group and experience 60 minutes of FUN!
Escape the Roomz/ Unravel:: a unique experience which combines creative thinking, logic and teamwork into 60 minutes of brain challenging fun!
Fun Nation :: roller skating & indoor playground
Hand Star Clay Studio :: learn how to work with clay
Hilliard Art Museum :: Let’s Make Art on the third Saturday of every month or enjoy yoga in the galleries. With rotating exhibits, be sure to visit often to see the latest art!
Kart Ranch (Youngsville) :: indoor arcade and play area
Kids Bowl Free :: More than 1,500 bowling centers around the globe provide 2 FREE Games of bowling each day to kids during the Spring and Summer.
Kid’s World of Lafayette :: Kids World is a two-story, 1,700 total sq. ft, playground structure, filled with climbing obstacle courses, slides, swings, ball pits, A BALL BLASTER AND SO MUCH MORE!
It’s Just a Cookie (Broussard) :: cookie decorating
The Little Gym :: Classes, parties, camps & drop-in events
Miko’s Playhouse and Coffee Shop :: enjoy indoor play and coffee at this precious play space designed for children 6 and under. Reservations not required but recommended
Oliver Lane Creative Studio :: a DIY Paint Studio offering 3D wood signs, canvases, and ceramics!
Painted Bayou :: Pottery shop that offers wheel classes, stoneware painting and pottery gifts.
Painting with a Twist :: guided painting
Planet Ice Rink :: Planet Ice is a brand new rink facility with ice rink, party rooms, concessions and more
Planet VR :: a virtual reality amusement park
Pottery Alley :: Classes, workshops and parties for all ages and skill sets. Come play in the clay with us!
Premier Laser Tag :: Premier Laser Tag provides a unique experience using heavy fog that allows you to see your lasers. Experience the power of the LASERTRON system with up to 12 different power ups!
Rock’n’Bowl :: live music and bowling
Sky Craft :: aerial arts classes for ages 5 through 99. Our Studio is a place for kids to play and learn, and a place for adults to reach their inner child.
Southern Stone Indoor Climbing :: For ages 5 and up … open to the public daily without reservations or prior experience
Surge Entertainment :: trampoline park, arcade, bowling, bar & grill
The Bougie Bar :: Indulge in the ultimate blend of fun and creativity at The Bougie Bar, an exciting candle-making experience
The Grand Theatre (2 locations in Lafayette) :: offering Real D 3D, IMAX and reclining seats
The Lafayette Public Library :: The Lafayette Public library hosts several FREE events throughout the year. Some do require pre-registration so be sure to check out the events calendar. But there is always a rotating scavenger hunts, toy stations or finding books/movies to borrow!
The Yard :: 5,000 sq ft climate-controlled facility, complete with batting cages, pitching lanes, and a host of athletic equipment
University of Louisiana at Lafayette Science Museum :: This science museum has natural artifacts and interactive science stations set up throughout. Be sure to inquire about the planetarium schedule in advance!
Vivian Alexander Gallery and Museum (Maurice) :: Vivian Alexander uses the studies of the works of Van Cleef & Arpels and Fabergé to create the most important minudières available in the world. Tour the gallery in Maurice.
We Rock the Spectrum (Broussard) :: WRTS is committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and fun environment to foster learning, exploration and safe sensory experiences.
WHERE TO EAT WITH KIDS ::
SNOBALLS::
Brain Freeze Snowballs (Broussard, LA)
Coastal Fire and Ice (Broussard, LA)
Crawfish Boss (Broussard)
The Big Chill (Breaux Bridge, LA)
Brain Freeze Snowballs (Broussard, LA)
Frozen Rayne SnoCones (Rayne, LA)
Isis Snowballs (Crowley, LA)
Meaux Sneux Shack (Maurice, LA)
Murph’s Olde Tyme Snowball Stand
My Love’s Snowballs (Abbeville, LA)
Snowball Factory (New Iberia, LA)
Sno-Ville (Youngsville, LA)
Yabbos (Broussard, LA)
BEST SWEET TREATS IN LAFAYETTE, LA ::
Andy’s Frozen Custard (Lafayette & Youngsville)
Baskin-Robbins (Lafayette & New Iberia; COMING TO YOUNGSVILLE in September)
Bayou Pop (Youngsville) :: over 40 flavors of gourmet popcorn
Bonne Vie Macarons :: daily menu consists of macarons, cupcakes, cookie sandwiches, petit fours, cookie dough cups and more.
Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe :: Visit the last retail Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe in the World in Lafayette, Louisiana where you can get a taste of ice cream done “the Old Fashion Way”!
Candyland Cottage & Ice Cream Shoppe (Scott & Rayne)
Classic Cup (Abbeville & Maurice) :: coffee. teas, smoothies, and a “cupcakery”
Emmy’s Ice Cream Bar (Broussard & Lafayette)
Huya Craft Coffee (Youngsville) :: coffee, teas, milkshakes & toaster pastries
Marble Slab Creamery (Lafayette, New Iberia & Youngsville)
Sunday’s Soda Fountain :: sodas, floats, sundaes, milkshakes and baked goods
The Peach Cobbler Factory (Lafayette & Scott)
WHERE TO EAT IN LAFAYETTE, LA WITH KIDS ::
Adopted Dog Brewing :: small arcade room, corn hole & outdoor activities
Agave Mexican Grill & Cantina (Youngsville) :: large patio & playground
Deano’s Pizza (2 locations in Lafayette) :: arcade room
Fat Pat’s (Broussard, Lafayette & Carencro) small arcade area, corn hole & lawn games
Market Eatz :: (Lafayette location & Broussard Location coming soon):: gated outdoor eating area
Parc De Oaks :: Lafayette’s first food truck park!
Pizza Artista (Lafayette & Broussard) :: create your own pizza with kid friendly events & characters meets. Check Facebook page for upcoming events!
SHUCKS! (Abbeville) :: “Known throughout Louisiana as the premier restaurant for authentic Cajun dishes and arguably the best oysters in the world.”
Tchoup’s MidCity Smokehouse :: large outdoor patio- PET FRIENDLY
The Flats :: picnic tables and patio area
WORTH THE DRIVE FROM LAFAYETTE, LA ::
Audubon Aquarium (New Orleans) :: June 8, 2023 is the opening date for the new, reimagined and redesigned Audubon Aquarium
The National WWII Museum (New Orleans) :: The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn.
Mall of Louisiana (Baton Rogue) :: Indoor/ outdoor shopping, MAIN EVENT ENTERTAINMENT & AMC THEATERS
Mesmerica 360 (Baton Rouge) :: Mesmerica is a visual music journey that brings the mesmerizing music of Grammy-nominated composer and percussionist James Hood together with visually-hypnotic, 3D animated art curated from artists around the world, creating an immersive experience designed to transcend time, relax, soothe, and stimulate your mind and senses…
Monet: The Immersive Experience (New Orleans) :: Embark on an astonishing journey through the incomparable universe of Claude Monet, one of the greatest artistic geniuses of the nineteenth century. Explore his life, his career, and his secrets like never before with the help of 360º digital projections and a unique virtual reality experience. Immerse yourself in Monet’s Impressionist artwork, and step into the world created by his brushstrokes.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ::
The Ultimate Guide to Summer Camp in Lafayette, Louisiana
The Perfect Birthday Party Location: The Little Gym of Lafayette!
Lafayette Area Restaurant Bucket List
Lafayette Area Snowball Stands :: Where to go to Prevent Summer Meltdowns
Youngsville is Exploding in Flavor :: The New Restaurants We Can’t Wait to Visit
