Attractions for Kids in Lafayette, Louisiana

Lafayette, Louisiana is home to the Acadian culture, also known as Cajun culture. Cajuns are famous for their fun-loving community festivals, dancing and food, and kids can participate in local attractions that showcase the Cajun lifestyle. The area also features museums and modern play areas to interest kids as well as parks for convenient athletic activities.

  1. Historic Sites

    • The area̵7;s rich Cajun culture and history are alive at its historic sites and folk areas. At Acadian Village, kids can step into Lafayette̵7;s oldest authentic representation of life in the 19th century. The attraction was designed from 10 acres of farm land, turning it into a shaded Cajun community with a bayou running through it. Seven of the 11 buildings on the site are authentic homes donated by Cajun families, and visitors can take self-guided tours. At Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site, in nearby St. Martinville, kids can tour an 1800s plantation house and a reproduction of an Acadian farmstead along the bank of Bayou Teche, including a family home outdoor kitchen, former slave quarters and a barn. At Vermilionville, a living history museum and historic district, kids can walk through a historic village of fully restored structures and watch artisans demonstrate crafts essential to early Cajun life.

    Museums

    • The Children̵7;s Museum of Acadiana is designed for kids to learn while having fun, so all museum exhibits include a hands-on learning component where kids can participate. The museum boasts a full-sized ambulance, ham radio station, dentist̵7;s office and kid̵7;s grocery store where kids can bring everyday things into their world. At the Lafayette Science Museum and Planetarium, kids can view displays on science topics including outer space. Kids can also watch a show on the screen of the planetarium, but children younger than 3 years old are not permitted in some planetarium shows.

    Jump!Zone

    • When kids need to burn some energy, especially when the weather is bad, an indoor play area can be just the right thing. At Jump!Zone, kids can enjoy 10,000 square feet of play area. The attraction̵7;s 12 inflatables include a giant double slide that resembles an alligator, a rock-climbing slide, bouncing cage, basketball hoop and castle. Younger children can enjoy a toddler-only play area that includes a small ball pit. The attraction offers special rates and play sessions.

    Parks

    • Lafayette̵7;s parks department manages more than three dozen parks for the public to enjoy. Acadiana Park offers sports fields, a campground, disc golf course and a children̵7;s playground. At Beaver Park, kids can play on the playground or fish at the fishing pond. Moore Park offers a hiking trail, go-kart track, children̵7;s playground and a fishing pond. Neyland Park is home to a recreation center that features an Olympic-sized heated indoor pool along with batting cages and a children̵7;s playground.

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