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Rainy Days, Happy Kids :: 12 Indoor Summer Activities Around Baton Rouge That Save the Day

Summer in South Louisiana usually means sunshine, splash pads, and popsicles melting faster than we can eat them… until those afternoon storms roll in. If your kids are bouncing off the walls during a summer shower, don’t worry — there are still plenty of ways to make the day feel fun and memorable.

From cozy at-home ideas to indoor spots around Baton Rouge and the surrounding areas, here are 12 ways to turn a rainy summer day into an adventure.

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1. Pull Out the Board Games

There’s something nostalgic and cozy about a family game day during a storm. Whether you have toddlers, big kids, or a mix of both, games are an easy way to slow down and connect.

A few favorites at our house:

• Don’t Break the Ice
• Sneaky Snacky Squirrel
• Phase 10

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2. Have a Karaoke + Dance Party

Rainy day energy calls for a living room dance floor.

Turn on your kids’ favorite playlist, grab toy microphones (or hairbrushes), and let everyone perform their “concert.” Add glow sticks, flashlights, or dress-up clothes to make it extra fun.

We have bluetooth microphones from Amazon that we stream our favorite songs to!

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3. Declare It a Baking Day

When it’s pouring outside, the smell of cookies or muffins instantly makes the day feel cozy.

Bake:

• cookies
• cupcakes
• homemade pizza (our son’s favorite!)
• banana bread
• fun summer-themed treats

Kids love helping pour, mix, and decorate — even if the kitchen ends up looking like a flour explosion afterward. There are so many great kid-friendly recipes online!

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4. Set Up a Craft Station

Rainy days are the perfect excuse to say yes to the mess.

Pull out:

• paint
• markers
• stickers
• construction paper
• play dough
• pipe cleaners and beads
• watercolor sets

We enjoy browsing our local Hobby Lobby and picking out seasonal crafts!

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5. Build a Fort + Make Up Stories

Grab every blanket and pillow you own and build the ultimate indoor fort.

Once it’s built:

• read books inside
• tell made-up stories
• pretend it’s a pirate ship, castle, or campground
• use flashlights for “campfire” storytelling

This is one of those simple childhood memories kids remember forever.

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6. Host a Movie Play Date With a Themed Lunch

Pick a movie and build the whole afternoon around it.

Ideas:

• Lilo and Stitch :: serve Hawaiian roll sandwiches, gold fish, and blue jello cups
• Paddington :: Tea party vibes
• The Good Dinosaur :: Dino nuggets and dirt-cups for the win!
• The Blind Side :: Concession-style lunch with hot dogs and popcorn

Spread blankets on the floor, dim the lights, and make it feel like your own little theater.

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Indoor Places to Escape the Rain Around Baton Rouge

Sometimes you just need to get out of the house. Luckily, Baton Rouge and the surrounding parishes have several indoor spots perfect for stormy summer days.

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7. Visit an Indoor Play Place

These are lifesavers when kids need to burn energy but the weather won’t cooperate.

Some local favorites include:

• Chee Chee’s Playroom
• Lil Bambinos
• The Play District
• Bunnie Bounce Grove
• Chick-fil-A with the indoor play area

These are especially great for toddlers and preschoolers who still need lots of movement even during rainy weather.

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8. Head to a Trampoline Park

If your kids need a major energy release, trampoline parks are the move.

A few popular spots around Baton Rouge and Denham include:

• Urban Air Adventure Park
• Sky Zone Trampoline Park
• Airborne Extreme Trampoline Arena

One of the best parts about the Airborne Extreme? There’s a bowling alley attached, which makes it easy to turn a rainy afternoon into a full day outing. Check out your local trampoline park for summer specials!

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9. Spend the Day at the Library

Libraries seriously shine during the summer.

Between story times, crafts, special guests, STEM activities, and summer reading programs, there’s usually something happening every week.

The summer reading programs are about to kick off, making this the perfect time to grab a library card and start participating in events.

Check out:

• East Baton Rouge Parish Library
• Livingston Parish Library

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10. Explore a Museum

Museums are one of the best rainy day activities because kids feel like they’re just having fun — while secretly learning.

A couple local favorites:

• Louisiana Art & Science Museum
• Knock Knock Children’s Museum

Both are great for escaping the heat and the rain while still making summer feel exciting.

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11. Try a Paint Venue

Painting studios make such a fun change of pace for older kids, tweens, or even a parent-child outing.

Some local options:

• Brushfire Art Studio
• Painting with a Twist

Many offer pottery painting, canvas classes, or walk-in painting sessions.

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12. Go See a Movie

Sometimes the classic rainy day plan really is the best one.

A movie theater + popcorn + air conditioning is hard to beat during a summer storm.

Even better? Many theaters offer summer movie programs or discounted kids’ movie passes during the summer months, making this a budget-friendly activity too.

Check your local theaters for:

• weekday kid movie specials
• summer movie clubhouses
• discounted morning showings

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Summer showers don’t have to ruin the fun. Sometimes the rainy days end up being the ones kids remember most — the forts, the movie marathons, the dance parties, and the spontaneous adventures to indoor play spots.

So next time the forecast changes, keep this list handy and turn that rainy day into a memory instead of a meltdown.