Lafayette's aquatic habitats provide a breathtaking backdrop to family-friendly nature tours.
Cajun country's capitol, Lafayette, offers a multitude of child-oriented entertainment options with a generous helping of folk history. Families looking for things to do in the summer should plan a combination of indoor and outdoor activities to allow for the rain, heat and humidity, but will be delighted by the broad range of choices the city has to offer.
Science and Nature
The Lafayette Science Museum and Planetarium brings science and technology alive with exhibits, planetarium shows, and hands-on interactive experiences. The Forensics Lab is a hands-on way to work through the science of crime including facial reconstruction, fingerprint analysis and piecing together a skeleton.
The Nature Station and its 3.5-mile trail network pick up where its sister facility, the Lafayette Science Museum and Planetarium leave off, taking children into nature and introducing them to the plants and animals they encounter locally. Guided trail tours, discovery boxes and children's workshops entertain and educate young and old alike.
Art
The Little Paintbrush Art Studio offers youngsters from 2 to 12 the chance to develop their inner artist. With after-school classes and summer camps, as well as Mommy and Me classes, budding Picassos can create their masterpieces in a relaxed, educational atmosphere.
The Acadiana Center for the Arts offers the CitySmarts Art and Science Camp series, which combines science and art concepts in a set of three themed, weeklong camps. Lessons run daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are open to children ages 6 to 12.
Culture and History
The Junior Ranger Program at the Acadian Cultural Center encourages kids to explore the museum exhibits and earn a badge. Featured craft demonstrations bring history to life for visitors, while tours in a traditional Louisiana boat expose the mysteries of the bayou.
Vermilionville living history museum depicts the rich cultures of the Native Americans, Cajuns and Creoles that settled in the area. The self-guided tours, historical demonstrations, gift shop and restaurant make this cultural site very family-friendly.
Recreation and Amusement
For children who enjoy running the show, the Children's Museum of Acadiana provides hours of imaginative play. Children can pretend they are television producers, chefs, architects, veterinarians, doctors and paramedics. Exhibits teach banking and finances, the human body, nutrition and fitness.
Zoological Parks
Home to 125 species, the Antelope Express Train, and the Jungle Lodge Playground, the Zoo of Acadiana is a delight to explore. Feed the lorikeets, meet the animals at the Keeper Talks and get up close and personal at the petting zoo.
Music
The spring line-up for Downtown Alive! extends into early June for families wishing to enjoy free, outdoor concerts with their little ones. With genres ranging from Zydeco to Southern Rock and Vintage Country, everyone will want to put on their boogies shoes.
Tags: Lafayette Science, Lafayette Science Museum, Museum Planetarium, Science Museum, Science Museum Planetarium
