Disclosure :: Special thanks to our sponsors, Rapid Urgent Care and East Baton Rouge Parish Library, for making this Ultimate Guide to Summer Fun in (and around) Baton Rouge possible! If you are looking for fun in Baton Rouge with kids, we have you covered, mama!
Ultimate Guide to Summer Fun in Baton Rouge with Kids
Summer is coming! However you’re planning on spending the season, we have some great ideas for family fun in Baton Rouge with kids!
Need camps? Don’t forget to check out the Ultimate Guide to Baton Rouge Summer Camps for an updated list of the best camps in and around Baton Rouge!
For more summer fun, check out our Snoball Guide and Guide to Splash Pads, Pools, & Water Parks in Baton Rouge!
If you’re looking for a place to swim in Baton Rouge with kids, check out our Best Swimming Pools in Baton Rouge post!
A Few Important Notes From Our Sponsors Who Made This Guide Possible ::
Rapid Urgent Care
Rapid Urgent Care is open in Amite to serve families!
They can help you you avoid the ER as well as long waits at the pediatrician! They also have you covered for summer physicals.
Rapid Urgent Care is open every single day of the year including holidays to meet your urgent care needs – this summer and throughout the year! All locations include X-Ray and Lab services on site. Rapid Urgent Care commonly treats aliments such as the flu and flu-like illnesses. These include colds, sore throats, bronchitis, asthma, and strep throat. They will also treat sprains, minor trauma, and fractures. Their on site X-Ray facility helps to determine if you have a broken bone or perhaps just a sprained muscle and their lab can provide many tests with immediate results.
The East Baton Rouge Parish Library
Dive right in with the East Baton Rouge Parish Library‘s 2022 Summer Reading Program, Oceans of Possibilities! Beginning Wednesday, June 1 and running through Monday, August 15, enjoy an entire summer of FREE programs, workshops, storytimes, concerts and performances
for all ages, scheduled throughout the library system. Find all the program listings on the Library’s website.
Track your reading and earn rewards! It’s easy! First, sign up at your local Library location or online at ebrpl.beanstack.org starting June 1. Then, read books and log them into your Beanstack account to earn virtual badges, as well as entries for weekly prize drawings! There are reading challenges and incentives for kids, teens, and even adults! The rules, requirements, badges and incentives vary based on the age group.
In addition to online 
Summer Reading Challenges for all ages, there are tons of online programming for family fun with the Virtual Programming Challenge!
Just keep swimming toward fun events and reading rewards this summer! Join us for Oceans of Possibilities! It’s going to be splash-tastic!
Indoor Fun in Baton Rouge with Kids
Baton Rouge Blue Zoo :: Blue Zoo is an Interactive Aquarium. Admission to the aquarium includes access to all shows, animal exhibits and play areas! Day pass pricing can be found here.
Bowl at All Star Lanes, Premier Lanes Entertainment Center in Gonzales, or Red Stick Social.
Celebration Station :: Celebration Station in Baton Rouge offers both indoor and outdoor attractions. Outside attractions include go-karts, bumper cars, miniature golf, playland rides, and batting cages. Inside, enjoy our arcade with the latest and greatest games.
Cook during classes with the Louisiana Culinary Institute, Red Stick Spice Company, or Young Chef’s Academy!
East Baton Rouge Parish Library :: Browse the books, take a Grab & Geaux craft, or stay for storytime!
Jump into fun at Airborne Extreme Trampoline Park or Urban Air Adventure Park both in Denham Springs, Jump N Jive in Prairieville, or DEFY Baton Rouge.
Knock Knock Children’s Museum :: The Knock Knock Children’s Museum is filled with hands-on, fun-filled interactive exhibits called “Learning Zones.” Anchored in research and evidence-based practices addressing all areas of development, our Learning Zones are designed to create teachable moments that will connect children’s every day experiences to learning.
Louisiana Art & Science Museum :: Housed in a historic railroad depot on the banks of the Mississippi River, the Louisiana Art & Science Museum offers educational entertainment for visitors of all ages.
LSU Museum of Art :: The LSU Museum of Art is the only dedicated art museum in the City of Baton Rouge, and houses one of the largest university art collections in the American South. The collection consists of more than 6,500 objects, ranging from a world-class collection of Chinese jade to one of the most comprehensive public collections of Louisiana art.
Main Event :: Join us for over 49,000 square feet of FUN, games, food, and excitement – it’s all here at Main Event! Our commitment to safety doesn’t stop at cleaning and sanitizing, it also includes a promise to communicate.
Make something at BrushFire Art Studio, Painting and Pinot, Pinspiration, or Throw Me Something.
Play indoors at Cheeky Monkey, Java Mama in Central, Lil Bambinos in Gonzales, or Operation Imagination.
Skate Galaxy :: Skate or check out laser tag, the rock wall, and arcade!
Top Golf :: A sports entertainment complex that features an inclusive, high-tech golf game that everyone can enjoy. Paired with an outstanding food and beverage menu, climate-controlled hitting bays and music.
Uptown Climbing :: Louisiana’s largest indoor rock climbing gym with 10,000+ square feet of climbing for all skills. Plus Fitness, Yoga, Parties, and more.
USS KIDD :: USS Kidd is recognized as one of the most authentically restored vessels in the world by the Historic Naval Ships Association, an organization whose fleet spans several nations scattered across five continents. The attached Veterans Museum displays a variety of artifacts that celebrate veteran and naval military history, with displays and interesting artifacts for all generations.
Watch a movie ::
Outdoor Fun in Baton Rouge with Kids
Barnhill Preserve :: Located in Ethel, Barnhill Preserve offers hands-on animal encounters and programs! Book an otter swim or encounter tour.
Blue Bayou :: Blue Bayou Water Park has over 20 water attractions like the High Water Slide, a triple 7 story serpentine slide. And there’s nothing like the twin 8 story speed slide, the Ragin’ Cajun! See our 6 story Mad Moccasin water slide which twists and turns in complete darkness. Come out and ride CONJA’, the world’s largest in-line water slide; and our newest water slide, Racers. This is the tallest and fastest water racer in the world! If you like action-packed water slides, we’ve got ’em!
- BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo :: In the coming months, you’re sure to hear the sound of progress at the Zoo! We are thrilled to be delving in full steam ahead into Phase 1 of the Master Plans for Reinvention. This means some areas of the Zoo may be a little loud & be unaccessible temporarily. As well, some animals might be off exhibit for a short time. But, don’t fret…we love the animals behind the scenes just as much!
- BREC Pools
Pool hours are subject to change based on operations and/or inclement weather. There is no cost for entry to these facilities.
2021 Season: May 24 – August 1, daily from 2:00-5:00pm
- City-Brooks
- Anna T. Jordan
- Howell Community Park Pool will be closed for the 2022 season
- BREC Splash Pads
Cool off from the heat at one of BREC’s splash pads. The BREC splash pads are interactive water play areas with no standing water. Anyone can activate the water spray features by simply pushing the activator button located within the splash pad. This will engage the water system and which will run for approximately 12 minutes and turn off. Pushing the button will activate the system again.
April – October from 8:00am to 8:00pm
Cost: FREE
*BREC’s Jackson Community Park splash pad remains closed due to park construction.
- Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center
- Liberty Lagoon :: Opening Saturday, May 21! The park will be open weekends only until May 31. Summer hours of operation starting after May 31 will be done in a session style schedule. Secure your spot in your selected session by purchasing your tickets online! Tickets can be purchased at LibertyLagoon.com. Make sure to check out our new hours and park rules before getting to the park!
Fishing :: Nothing like the simple pleasure of fishing! Here’s a listing of local lakes and ponds in and around Baton Rouge.
LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens :: The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden is an expansive collection of specialty gardens, woodlands, wetlands, arboreta and university research facility. The Botanic Gardens features Trees and Trails, five miles of serene walking paths through the Burden Woods, the Rose Garden, Children’s Garden, All-America Selections Garden, Stone Camellia Collection, Crowder Camellia Collection, Herb Garden, Tropical Garden, Memory Garden, Barton Arboretum, Oak Grove, StoryWalk loop, and Windrush Gardens showcase the beauty of plants and flowers and provide educational experiences for gardeners of all ages.
LSU Hilltop Arboretum :: Fourteen extraordinarily beautiful acres in Baton Rouge showcase an extensive collection of Louisiana native trees and shrubs. Cross the old footbridge overlooking a twenty foot deep ravine and wander into the tranquil “cathedral”, where tree canopies form a green protective room or discover the bamboo grove where you can sit and listen to the wind in the trees.
LSU Rural Life Museum :: The LSU Rural Life Museum is dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of materials from the cultures of 18th and 19th century rural Louisianans. Through the forethought and generosity of the Burden Family, the LSU Rural Life Museum remains intact for future generations.
Magnolia Ridge Adventure Park :: Located just north of Baton Rouge in Ethel, this is South Louisiana’s largest zipline park, with featuring 32 acres of beautiful creekfront property.
Mike the Tiger :: Visit the famed Tiger and LSU Mascot in his 15,000-square foot habitat. Geaux Tigers!
Red Stick Farmers Market :: Shop local farmers while teaching your kids where their food comes from and the importance of buying locally every Saturday morning.
State Parks :: parks are open for canoeing, fishing, hiking, biking, and more! Visit the programs and events page for daily schedules. Louisiana’s great outdoors and state parks are a great way for visitors to see the Sportsman’s Paradise while visiting our recreational and historic sites. So book a cabin and see for yourself why our State Parks system is the best!
Tunica Hills :: a beautiful piece of heaven that is located right over the state line in Woodville, MS. If you have never been before, go ahead and plan a trip with your family. Here are a few things you need to know before going!
Worth the Drive
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas :: Located on the Mississippi River adjacent to the French Quarter, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is consistently top ranked, voted as one of the top five in the country in the USA Today “10Best” reader poll and ranked as one of the top things to do in New Orleans. The Aquarium transports visitors to an underwater world from the Caribbean, to the Amazon Rainforest, to the waters that give New Orleans its lifeblood: the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. 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.
Audubon Cool Zoo :: Find out why New Orleans moms love visiting the Cool Zoo on a hot day!
Audubon Zoo :: Located in historic Uptown New Orleans Audubon Zoo cares for animals from around the globe, engaging educational programs, and hands-on animal encounters. Unique natural habitats such as the award-winning Louisiana Swamp and Jaguar Jungle showcase the relationship between people and nature.
Avery Island :: Find out what makes the Tabasco Pepper Sauce Factory a great place for a family-friendly visit!
Coastal Ridge Sunflower Farm :: Take a drive to Mississippi to explore the large sunflower fields and pick your own!
Fountainbleau State Park :: Located in Mandeville, Fontainebleau offers so many things to do that you can easily spend the day at the park without getting bored.
Global Wildlife Center :: The Global Wildlife Center is one of the largest totally free-roaming wildlife preserve of its kind in the country! It is located in Folsom, Louisiana and home to over 1,000 exotic, endangered, and threatened animals from all over the world.
Grand Canyon of Mississippi :: Red Bluff, as the locals call it, is a canyon formed from the erosion of the west bank of the Pearl River. Read more about why one New Orleans family loved their visit!
Jefferson Island :: Jefferson Island, named for 19th century actor and comedian Joseph Jefferson, is often overshadowed by Avery Island, the birthplace of Tabasco (also located in Iberia Parish, just 20 minutes away). Jefferson Cafe, Rip’s Rookery Bird Sanctuary, Rip Van Winkle Gardens, Lake Peigneur, Jungle Gardens and the Joseph Jefferson House– are open and ready for business. The island even has a connection to the “largest man made sink hole in the world” and famous Louisiana pirate Jean Lafitte’s buried treasure.
Louisiana Children’s Discovery Center in Hammond :: The Louisiana Children’s Discovery Center located in Hammond, Louisiana’s downtown Historic District is a unique hands-on play and learn experience for toddlers, children up to age 10, and their families. Our exhibits include a shrimp boat, a vet clinic, Middendorf’s restaurant, a rock climbing wall, a hot air balloon, a theater, a music factory, an art station, a bubble station, a dino dig, an excavation pit, and more!
Louisiana Children’s Museum :: When you make a child’s potential visible, wonderful things happen. So we created a place where kids use play, shared exploration, and conversation to connect with the people and world around them. A place where kids can be the amazing humans they are. A place where wonderful things happen daily.
Mrs. Heather’s Strawberry Patch :: Pick your very own farm-fresh strawberries here! Collect and eat or take em’ home. Children actually walk through our Strawberry Patch and pick their own strawberries!
White Sands :: White Sands Lake, located on the Northshore, is in essence a large lake with sandy shores that features several VERY fun inflatable water toys like slides and trampolines. Find out why families love to visit, and what to bring!
Family Vacation Ideas (Yes, Even Last Minute)
4 Kid-Friendly Day Trips from Baton Rouge
Drivable Destinations for Every Budget
Family Friendly Weekend Getaways in Louisiana
Guide to Camping Around New Orleans
At Home Fun
- 10 Boredom Busters To Prime Right Now
- 10 Kid Friendly Things to do while Social Distancing
- 15 Indoor Activities to Bust Boredom
- 30 Fun, Cheap and Easy Boredom Busters for Kids
- Arrange a scavenger hunt
- Bake something new
- Build a fort
- Camp out in the backyard
- Craft Your Way Through Covid-19
- Create chalk art
- Enjoy a fancy “high tea”
- Have a family game night
- Have a nerf war
- Have a water balloon fight
- Make DIY Game Boards :: Boredom Buster
- Make Kool-Aid Playdough
- Make your house more like the beach
- Plan a movie-themed dinner night (watch Lady and the Tramp and have Italian food)
- Plant a garden
- Read outside and cloud gaze
- Set up a living room zoo with stuffed animals and take family on a tour
- Share a classic movie with your kids
- Take a bike ride
