Winter in South Louisiana can be a mixed bag. One day you might be in flip flops, the next you’re prepping people, pipes, and pets for a frost warning! For those chilly days — or any given rainy day — when your crew is getting stir crazy, it’s nice to have plenty of options. Luckily, we do!
While the movies are always a fun possibility, if you prefer to let the kiddos explore, create, and/or burn off some energy in a comfortable, climate-controlled environment, here are some great choices in New Orleans and on the Northshore.
NEW ORLEANS
Adventure Quest Laser Tag (Elmwood)
This family fun center is jam-packed full of cool activities, like mini-golf, an arcade, bumper cars, a 6,000-square-foot laser-tag arena, plus their 5,000-square-foot, two-level Adventure Maze, and Pharaoh’s Revenge Escape Room. They also have party rooms for birthday parties and special events, and a snack bar that includes pizza, salads, tons of other snacks, and even adult beverages. http://www.lasertagnola.com/
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas (French Quarter)
Perched on the Mississippi River adjacent to the French Quarter, the aquarium is an excellent escape to another world. After walking through a tunnel that reveals the colors of a Caribbean reef, visitors can walk through a rainforest, check out some penguins and otters, feed parakeets, touch stingrays, visit the swamp, and marvel at sharks, sea turtles and lots of other animals in the 400,000 gallon Gulf of Mexico Exhibit. The aquarium also has its own food court, so you can make a whole day of it. www.auduboninstitute.org/aquarium
Audubon Butterfly Garden & Insectarium (French Quarter)
It’s located so close to the Aquarium that we seldom visit one without visiting the other. North America’s largest museum devoted to insects and their relatives, this place is full of fun, creepy-crawly interactive exhibits. There’s also a big-screen, high definition film, multi-sensory show, the Bug Apetit Cafe, where you can test your courage by tasting some chocolate chirp (as in cricket) cookies and other insect delicacies, and, of course, there’s the peaceful, Japanese-themed butterfly garden, complete with tons of colorful butterflies, koi fish, turtles, and birds. www.auduboninstitute.org/insectarium
Bookoo Bounce (Elmwood)
This year-round indoor inflatable playground and party place is locally owned and operated. With 16,500 square feet of safe, clean, award-winning fun, it’s not only perfect for entertaining bored kids, but it’s also great for children’s parties and special celebrations of all kinds. They also have arcade games, they broadcast major network sporting events (including the Saints, LSU and Pelicans games) on their two big screen televisions, and walk-in play is available on weekdays and weekends. www.bookoobounce.com/home
Elmwood Kidsports (Harahan)
The Harahan facility offers an array of programs that combine fun and fitness for children ages 6 weeks to 13 years. One highlight is their Adventure Challenge. Designed for age 6-13 years, this two-story, indoor maze features 100 yards of slides, tunnels, ropes, balls and more. Parents can take advantage of the childcare program for kids ages 6 weeks to 5 years while they work out. There is a nominal fee for member, a two-hour limit per day, and reservations must be made in advance. The Parents’ Day Out program provides a worry-free day for parents while children 5 years and under who are able to walk enjoy fun and games, an obstacle course, Spacewalk, arts and crafts, our outdoor pirate ship playground, snacks and the Adventure Challenge. www.elmwoodfitness.com
Lakeside Kids Castle (Metairie)
Located near the Food Court entrance at Lakeside Shopping Center, The Kids’ Castle — for children under 51” — features a medieval theme with a climbing castle, a hand washing station, baby changing counters, a family restroom and three nursing rooms. Monday–Saturday: 10am to 8pm; Sunday: 12pm to 6pm. Scheduled Cleaning Times: 2pm to 2:15pm & 5pm to 5:15pm. https://www.lakesideshopping.com/kidscastle/
Louisiana Children’s Museum (City Park)
After more than 30 years on Julia Street in downtown New Orleans, Louisiana Children’s Museum has moved to City Park. Their new home was meticulously designed to be a social, cultural, and learning resource for children and families. Indoors and out, there are tons of hands-on ways to learn literacy, health and wellness, arts and culture, environmental education, and STEM. It features 8.5 acres for kids to explore, two floors of new interactive exhibits and old favorites re-imagined, plus outdoor adventures on the water, in the garden, and more. Lcm.org
Skyzone Trampoline Park (Metairie)
This indoor trampoline park provides wall-to-wall aerial action. Their special programs and attractions include the Foamzone, Freeclimb, Sky Hoops, Ultimate Dodgeball, Warrior Course, and more. They also offer multiple birthday party packages, and they proudly support many charitable organizations, causes, and schools within our community. www.skyzone.com
NORTHSHORE
Children’s Museum of St. Tammany (Mandeville)
This facility, located adjacent to Kids Konnection playground on Koop Drive in Mandeville, serves toddlers through early childhood age children with special programming for older kids, too. They welcome walk-in visitors, as well as school field trip attendees, story time visitors, and birthday party guests. Themed activities are centered around creative play, art, and STEM, plus there is an adjacent playground. http://www.cmstkids.org/
Elevation Station (Covington)
This indoor trampoline facility boasts over 30,000 square feet of indoor sports and family entertainment. Highlights include giant jump areas, an obstacle course, gladiator pits, and dodgeball and basketball courts. There’s even a Kiddie Korner and Kid Zone with a host of options for jumpers ages six and under, and six spacious private event rooms to host special events. Plus, family and friends can view the entire facility from a second-floor viewing tower, which has comfortable lounge areas and big-screen TVs. http://www.elevationstation.com/
Kids & Family Arena (Mandeville)
This family-owned and operated business houses 15,000 square feet of fun, which is always open for drop-in play, but also hosts birthday parties and other celebrations. The huge space contains 13 inflatables that allow kids up to about sixth grade to jump, slide, and play football and basketball to their hearts’ content. There’s also a ball pit and small play area for the smaller kids and toddlers. Up front, there’s a large arcade play center with over a dozen games for when the kids need a breather. Admission is good for the whole day, so visitors can leave and return, as needed. http://www.thekidsarena.com/
The Little Gym (Covington)
This gym for little ones offers age-appropriate classes for kids ages 12 and under. They range from parent/child development classes for infants and toddlers to gymnastics and sports skills classes to the WonderKids Club, an enrichment program that features arts & crafts projects, story time, and creative play. The facility is also equipped to handle birthday parties, and they host parents’ night out and camps during the summer and other school breaks. https://www.thelittlegym.com/thenorthshoreLA
Louisiana Children’s Discovery Center (Hammond)
Located in historic downtown Hammond, the facility is designed for kids 10 and under, and it offers over 30 different hands-on, interactive exhibits and programs. Some of the many highlights include bubble stations, a versatile art center, a construction zone, and an area that challenges balance and dexterity, plus addresses nutrition. There are also special events, educational activities, and extracurricular programs that offer an even wider array of activities to engage older kids and teens, as well. Birthday party packages are also available. www.lcdcofhammond.org
Mandeville Sports Complex
Mandeville Sports Complex offers the residents of Mandeville and the surrounding communities affordable fitness and fun programs for children and adults of all ages. This one-stop club for the entire family features a fitness center, competitive and recreational gymnastics and cheerleading, summer & holiday camps, after school care, birthday parties, swim lessons, kids fun nights, and more. http://www.mandevillesportscomplex.com/
Safari Quest Family Fun Center (Hammond)
Pretty unique to the region, this mostly indoor adventure facility’s main draw is its 3,000-square-foot, multi-level, neon-lit laser tag arena with an observation deck for spectators. They’ve also got coconut climbing trees, an arcade with the latest video games, and a really cool ropes course, which is suspended high above the floor (they have safety harnesses, so it’s totally safe and fun to watch!). Thatched tiki huts and jungle gardens play into the safari motif, and there are four party rooms available to rent for special occasions. http://www.lasertaghammond.com/
X Fusion Family Arena (Covington)
This family-owned facility offers a range of fresh options for fun fitness activities. All ages are welcome to rock climb, run the obstacle courses, take a daring zip line ride, free fall jump, and toddler play. They also host home school P.E. classes, birthday parties, and summer/holiday camps. Walk-in times are by appointment. www.xfusionfamilyarena.com
