2026 Guide to Summer Fun in Lafayette
We would like to think that the world slows down in summer. However, after a week or so, the kids become stir crazy and we are sure every mother begins searching for things to do with kids in Lafayette and Lafayette Summer Camps. Lucky for us, Acadiana is full of FUN! Begin your summer bucket list, Lafayette. Summer fun starts NOW!
Check out our event categories included below and jump straight to that section by clicking below to see all of the family-friendly summer events in and around Lafayette this summer!
Indoor Fun & Entertainment | Outdoor Sports, Parks & Adventure | Water Fun | Museums & Tours | Snowballs & Sweet Treats | Arts & Crafts | Additional Resources
Special thanks to our sponsor, Dr. Melanie Fowler Orthodontic Studio, for making this guide possible!
Summer is a time for outdoor fun, relaxation, and family vacations. But it’s also a time that allows some extra downtime and space to complete tasks such as getting started on braces!
Complimentary orthodontic consultations provide all the information you need before you make the decision to receive orthodontic treatment. Dr. Fowler and her team take the time to explain all your options and answer any questions you may have.
Check out our event categories included below and jump straight to that section by clicking below to see all of the family-friendly summer events in and around Lafayette this summer!
Indoor Fun & Entertainment | Outdoor Sports, Parks & Adventure | Water Fun | Museums & Tours | Snowballs & Sweet Treats | Arts & Crafts | Additional Resources
Indoor Fun & Entertainment
Acadiana Gymnastics Training Center :: 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
Cajun Fast Track (Henderson) :: go kart track, mini golf, virtual reality room, laser tag, & so much more all under one roof. Read more here!
Chuck E. Cheese :: children arcades
Code + Play :: hands on coding lab for kids
Dave & Buster’s :: arcade games, virtual reality and tabletop games!
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 Room Lafayette :: 8 unique, fun and interactive games for all. Bring your group and experience 60 minutes of FUN!
Fun Nation :: roller skating & indoor playground. Don’t forget to join the Kids Skate Free Program!
The Grand Theatre (2 locations in Lafayette) :: offering Real D 3D, IMAX and reclining seats
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.
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
Planet Ice Rink :: Planet Ice is a brand new rink facility with ice rink, party rooms, concessions and more
The Play Place :: interactive activities for children to enjoy including slides, ball pits, climbing structures, and areas for imaginative play
Rock’n’Bowl :: live music and bowling
Sky Craft :: For something truly unique, check out Sky Craft’s aerial classes & camps for adults & kids ages 3 & up. Students climb, spin, and get creative on silks, trapeze, and lyra while building strength, confidence, and friendships in a safe and supportive environment.
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.
We Rock the Spectrum (Broussard) :: WRTS is committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and fun environment to foster learning, exploration and safe sensory experiences.
The Yard :: 5,000 sq ft climate-controlled facility, complete with batting cages, pitching lanes, and a host of athletic equipment
CLICK HERE FOR A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF LAFAYETTE INDOOR FUN!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES::
The Ultimate Guide to Summer Camp in Lafayette, Louisiana
The Perfect Birthday Party Location: The Little Gym of Lafayette!
Outdoor Sports, Parks & Adventures
Broussard Sports Complex at St. Julien Park (Broussard) :: baseball & softball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts and basketball courts. Also includes an amphitheater, playgrounds, splash pad, beautiful walking and fitness trail and a stocked fishing pond & concessions by Bons Temp Grill.
Carencro’s Pelican Park (Carencro):: modern facility with artificial turf infields. The park hosts youth and high school baseball, co-ed league softball and league flag football. There is also a concert stage that hosts the Mercredi Show concert series twice a year.
Carencro Sports Complex (Carencro) :: soccer field, flag football, volleyball & special events
Girard Park :: 1.25 mile jogging trail, outdoor pool, stocked fishing pond, outdoor work-out station, full size pavilion with restrooms and grill (reservations required), open play area, tennis courts, tennis wall, outdoor volleyball courts, outdoor basketball courts, backstop ball diamond, covered picnic areas, restrooms, water fountains, youth playground area with a special needs playground, 9-hole disc golf course, an outdoor splash pad, ping pong table, fitness equipment, and petanque courts
Heymann Park Recreation Center :: .5-Mile Jogging Trail, lighted tennis courts with hitting wall, baseball field, basketball courts, 18-hole disc golf course, covered picnic areas, restrooms, & children’s playground,
Kart Ranch :: go-karts, water wars, miniature golf & indoor arcade with concession stand
Levena Paintball LLC (Duson) :: target practice field, five paintball fields with a “low impact” impact field!
Martin Luther King Recreation Center :: (affordable drop-in rates) outdoor pool, as well as playground, tennis courts, basketball courts, a weight room and more
Moncus Park :: Veterans Memorial, Our Lady of Lourdes Interactive Water Adventure, Giles Automotive Family Small Dog Park, Ochsner Playground, 4-Acre Lake Reaux, Savoy Family Treehouse, Ochsner Promenade walking paths, Orlando Mountain (highest point in Lafayette), Hiking Trails & Fishing Pier
Mountain Bike Acadiana :: Website provides list of bike trials and events in Acadiana.
Palmetto State Park :: splash pad, walking trails and playground. Check calendar for events.
Parc De Oaks :: The perfect food truck parc to grab your lunch and enjoy seasonal activities!
Prehistoric Park :: combining hands-on learning with larger-than-life fun. With life-size dinos, walking trails, fossil exhibits, and special events like this one, we’re the perfect destination for your next family outing. Read more here!
St. Etienne Driving Range (Broussard) :: self-service golf facility equipped with a fully covered roof & premium turf mats.
Skate Park at Thomas Park :: features include a street plaza, a 4.5- to 7-foot bowl, and a mini ramp & more!
Top Golf :: Gather with friends to play golf! Reserve a bay for 2 hours in a climate controlled outdoor environment
Youngsville Sports Complex (Youngsville) :: soccer fields, Sugar Beach Volleyball courts, tennis courts, walking path, splash pad, batting cages, corn hole & pickle ball courts. Amphitheater coming soon!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ::
Lafayette’s Newest All Inclusive Playground Located Downtown!
Water Fun :: Lakes, Pools, Splash Pads & More!
Splash Pads
Camp Margaritaville RV Park (Breaux Bridge) :: water playground with slides and many water features!
Palmetto State Park Splash Pad (Abbeville)
St. Julien Park Splash Pad (Broussard)
Pixus Splash Park (Youngsville Sports Complex)
Pools & More
Camp Margaritaville RV Park (Breaux Bridge) :: Swimming pools and water playground
City Club at River Ranch :: (membership) resort style pool, interactive water features & lazy river
Crawfish Aquatics :: offers swim lessons and pool rental for a private parties
Isle of Iberia (New Iberia) :: RV Resort offers swim days
Martin Luther King Recreation Center :: (affordable drop-in rates) outdoor pool, as well as playground, tennis courts, basketball courts, a weight room and more.
Riverside Swim Club :: (membership) offers a baby pool, large pool, grills, and diving board
Red’s Lerille’s Health & Racquet Club :: (membership)
Swimply :: Rent a pool!
Worth the Drive
Cool Zoo (New Orleans) :: The wet and wild, kid-friendly fun starts with a 750-foot lazy river and continues with a huge alligator water slide, spider monkey soakers, water-spitting snakes and more splash-worthy activities. Best of all, it’s right beside the animals inside Audubon Zoo.
Cypremort Point State Park (Cypremort Point) :: A half-mile stretch of a man-made beach provides a delightful area for relaxing, picnicking and enjoying the water. It also affords an opportunity for fishing, crabbing, water skiing, windsurfing and, of course, sailing.
Fontainebleau State Park (Mandeville) :: sandy beach, biking, boating, camping, paddling & glamping
Gator Grounds (Bunkie) :: indoor and outdoor waterpark, golf course, and lazy river
Grand Isle Beach (Grand Isle) :: Renowned for its world-class fishing and birding habitat, Louisiana’s only inhabited barrier island offers unblemished views of the Gulf of Mexico, miles of beaches and boundless wildlife.
Holly Beach (Cameron) :: Holly Beach is nicknamed “The Cajun Riviera.” This rustic beach is perfect for fishing, shelling, and bird watching.
L’auberge Lazy River (Lake Charles) :: resort style pool, lazy river & cabanas
Lakeview Park & Beach (Eunice) :: man made beach, water inflatables, cabanas & camping
Lake End Park (Morgan City) :: fishing, swimming, cabin rentals
Poche’s RV Park (Breaux Bridge) :: Aqua park, fishing, cabin rentals and heated pool
White Sands Lake Day Beach (Enon) :: an aqua park complete with inflatable water slides, trampolines, the blob bag, floating mats, and more! Read a local mom’s full review and tips here: White Sands Lake Day Beach
Additional Resources
Educational / Museums / Tours & Gardens
Museums & Tours
Acadian Cultural Center :: From horses to the oil industry, the Acadian Cultural Center’s exhibits tell the story of Louisiana history and cultures.
Acadian Memorial and Museum (St. Martinville) :: In honor of the 3,000 Acadian men, women and children who found refuge in Louisiana after British forces exiled them from Acadie.
Acadiana Park Nature Station :: hikes, guided tours, and environmental educational programs offered
Atchafalaya Rest Area (Breaux Bridge) :: Immersive exhibits, kid-friendly nature trail
Children’s Museum of Acadiana :: Encourages imagination, curiosity, creativity, and learning!
Conrad Rice Mill/ Konriko Brand (New Iberia) :: Group Mill Tours are available. The tour consists of a slide presentation about the area and a guided walk tour of the mill.
Eunice Depot Museum (Eunice) :: Restored in 1984, the building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and contains exhibits and collections depicting the lifestyles of the early settlers of this Cajun prairie town.
Hilliard Art Museum :: exhibits, schedule a tour & events
The Lafayette Museum :: historic home & gardens
Lafayette Public Library (4 Lafayette Branches, Duson, Scott, Carencro & Broussard/Youngsville Locations) :: The Lafayette Public Library System includes several branches throughout Lafayette Parish.
LARC’s Acadian Village :: 32 acres with authentic homes of the 19th century donated by the families whose ancestors once occupied them.
Lafayette Science Museum :: exhibits, planetarium & hands-on experience
Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site (St. Martinsville) :: A reproduction Acadian Farmstead is situated along the bank of Bayou Teche. The Farmstead is an example of how a typical single-family farm would have appeared around 1800.
McGee’s Louisiana Swamp & Airboat Tours (Henderson) :: swamp tours, airboats and kayaking
Prehistoric Park (Henderson) :: Stop by to learn something new about our favorite kind of animals – dinosaurs! This is Louisiana’s only attraction dedicated to these amazing creatures of years past. Learn more here!
Shadows-on-the-Teche (New Iberia) :: As a former plantation home, the story of the Shadows is as much about the hundreds of enslaved men, women, and children who lived and labored at the site as it is about the Weeks family.
TABASCO® Factory Tours (New Iberia on Avery Island) :: The self-guided, TABASCO® Factory Tour will take you through the history and process of making TABASCO® Sauce.
Vermilionville :: artisans, gardens, historic homes, exhibits & much more!
Zoosiana :: Weekend zookeeper talks and new exhibits!
Gardens
Jungle Gardens at Avery Island (New Iberia) :: Jungle Gardens offers wonderful attractions that will appeal to nature lovers, bird watchers and any visitor interested in experiencing the beauty of nature and abundant wildlife in a pristine, tranquil setting.
Rip Van Winkle Gardens (New Iberia) :: located on Jefferson Island, visit the Jefferson Mansion, “The Gardens” & “The Rookery”
Worth the Drive
Audubon Aquarium (New Orleans) :: With more than 3,600 animals from more than 250 species, including endangered species, such as African penguins, and rare animals, such as white alligators, the Aquarium offers you an experience you’ll never forget.
Baton Rouge Zoo (Baton Rouge) :: Connecting people to wildlife through engaging experiences & conservation efforts globally & locally.
Blue Zoo (Baton Rouge) :: pet a stingray and see mermaids swim!
Longue Vue House and Gardens (New Orleans) :: “We invite you to explore our grounds and ponder the human relationship with nature and design. All in the exceptional peace of a breathtaking estate and a remarkable document of 20th-century American society, politics, and arts.”
New Orleans Museum of Art (New Orleans) :: Modern sculpture garden on 11 acres, walking paths & water features
Capital of Louisiana (Baton Rouge) :: Learn how this National Historic Landmark has withstood war, fire, abandonment and even a few fist fights.
LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens (Baton Rouge) :: in season blooms, trails and special events
USS Kidd & Veterans Memorial (Baton Rouge):: tour downtown Baton Rouge’s Fletcher-class destroyer USS Kidd (DD-661) and the Louisiana Veterans Museum.
World War II Museum (New Orleans) :: Tells the story of the American Experience in the war that changed the world.
Additional Resources
TABASCO® :: The Avery Island Family Experience {Worth The Drive}
The National WWII Museum {Worth The Drive} – Half off admission for Louisiana residents during July!
Audubon Aquarium {Worth The Drive}
Local Families Should Know :: Prehistoric Park Just Got Bigger!
The Children’s Museum at Port Wonder :: Worth the Drive from Lafayette
Snowballs & Sweet Treats
Snowballs
Coastal Fire and Ice (Broussard, LA)
Crawfish Boss (Broussard)
The Big Chill (Breaux Bridge, LA)
Frozen Rayne SnoCones (Rayne, LA)
Meaux Sneaux Shack (Maurice, LA)
Snowball Factory (New Iberia, LA)
Sweet Treats
Andy’s Frozen Custard (Lafayette & Youngsville)
Baskin-Robbins (Lafayette & New Iberia & Youngsville)
Bonne Vie Macarons :: enjoy pop up markets until the new location opens!
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)
Chill-House (Maurice)
Classic Cup (Abbeville & Maurice) :: coffee. teas, smoothies, and a “cupcakery”
Emmy’s Ice Cream Bar (Broussard & Lafayette)
Huya Craft Coffee (Youngsville)
Marble Slab Creamery (Lafayette, New Iberia & Youngsville)
Sunday’s Soda Fountain :: sodas, floats, sundaes, milkshakes and baked goods
The Peach Cobbler Factory (Lafayette & Scott)
Whiskful Baking Co. :: allergy friendly
Kid Friendly Eats
Adopted Dog Brewing :: small arcade room, corn hole & outdoor activities, live music, and rotating events!
Agave Mexican Grill & Cantina (Youngsville) :: large patio & playground
Chick-fil-A New Iberia location :: crafts, game nights, bingo and more!
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) :: 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) :: large patio, live music & friendly service
Taco Sisters :: indoor and outdoor seating with lawn games Game Nights on Tuesdays from 6-8pm. Family friendly games provided.
The Flats :: picnic tables and patio area
Additional Resources
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
Arts & Crafts
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.
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.
The Bougie Bar :: create and pour your own candle
Clayfish Bisque :: locally owned, unique and inspiring pottery painting studio
Hand Star Clay Studio :: learn how to work with clay
It’s Just a Cookie (Broussard) :: cookie decorating classes
Oliver Lane Creative Studio :: DIY workshops and ceramic paintings
Painted Bayou :: Pottery shop that offers wheel classes, stoneware painting and pottery gifts
Painting with a Twist :: guided painting
Pottery Alley :: Classes, workshops and parties for all ages and skill sets. Come play in the clay with us!
Scrappie Studio :: art supply & community art studio. Classes, workshops, parties, events + more!
Worth the Drive
Jackson Square (New Orleans) :: Jackson Square is the location of an open-air artist colony, where artists display their work on the outside of the iron fence. Visitors even have the opportunity to see the artists at work and perhaps have their portrait drawn by one of the many talents utilizing Jackson Square as their studio.
Pasta Lab (Lake Charles) :: make your own pasta!
Looking for MORE? Check out these additional resources from Louisiana Mom ::
Visiting Lafayette, Louisiana With Kids
South Louisiana Getaways with Kids That Are Affordable!
The Ultimate Guide to Summer Camp in Lafayette, Louisiana
![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://thelafayettemom.com/lafayette/the-ultimate-guide-to-summer-fun-in-lafayette-louisiana/&media=https://thelafayettemom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Summer-Fun2026-LFM-600x400-2.jpg&description="Lucky for us, Acadiana is full of FUN! Begin your summer bucket list, Lafayette. Summer fun starts NOW!"){kind=link}