Family Activities in Lake Charles

Your family will love Southwest Louisiana's friendly atmosphere and southern hospitality! Enjoy a range of family-friendly and budget-friendly activities and events, from karaoke and trivia nights to movies under the stars and cultural festivals. Lake Charles is the ideal destination for outdoor adventure, group-friendly activities, and delicious dining. Head down to the Creole Nature Trail All American Road where you'll see alligators, insects, and various birds in their natural habitat. Hit the waterways with kayaks or plan a glamping getaway with Bayou Glamping.

Top Family-Friendly Attractions in Lake Charles

Game2Life is your go-to location for a friendly game of laser tag or axe throwing with tweens, teens, and adults. Enjoy a petting zoo or embark on a horse-drawn carriage ride at Almosta Ranch or take a lap in the lake at Almosta Lake in Sulphur. Explore larger-than-life exhibits, playscapes, and aquariums at Port Wonder, home to The Children's Museum and The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Nature and Science Center. Local restaurants such as Rikenjaks, Crust Pizza, and The Terrace offer delicious dining options for all ages and live entertainment or patio games to keep the family occupied while you wait. Browse our family-friendly activities and locations below.

Sign up for the PLAYlist eNewsletter

SUBMIT UPCOMING SWLA EVENT

1
2
3

Kid Friendly Activities

Sunset Picnic at Prien Lake Park

Top Spots for a Picnic

Top Spots for a Picnic

railroad themed playground with a model train, slide, and swing set

Family Itinerary

Family Itinerary

pizza, garlic bites, cheesy bread, brussel sprouts from Crust Pizza

Family Dining

Family Dining

bread being dipped into orange soup

Cheap Eats

Cheap Eats

sweet potato pie from Mrs. Johnnie's Gingerbread House

Sweet Treats

Sweet Treats

the grove at heritage square

Park-to-Park Roadtrip

Park-to-Park Roadtrip

singer wearing a purple suit and white hand stands on arcade ampitheater stage with live at the lakefront sign in the back

Free Things to Do

Free Things to Do

Imperial Calcasieu Museum Exhibit

Museums

Museums

Louisiana's Playground Podcast Family Friendly Activity Episodes

SWLA Pride Fest_2024

Episode 97: Be You, Be Proud, Be Festive in Lake Charles

a crowd gathers outside dancing on the grass. tents and covers can be seen in the background and sound equuipment

Episode 96: Juneteenth is for Everyone in Southwest Louisiana

Lakefront

Episode 93: Free, Cheap, and Worth It in Louisiana’s Playground

Bayou Glamping

Episode 92: Glamping on the Bayou

Iowa Chicken Run | Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras

Episode 88: Celebrate Mardi Gras at the Iowa Chicken Run

Holiday Shopping

Episode 84: Holiday Shopping in Southwest Louisiana

The Lost Hollows

Episode 79: The Lost Hollows Haunted Trail

podcast guest_mike castille

Episode 78: Family Fun in Lake Charles

Podcast Guest_Doug Miller

Episode 75: Find your outdoor adventure at Grosse Savanne Lodge

The biggest summer news is making a big splash in Westlake. The Lazy Gator Waterpark, officially opened in June, is the region’s newest destination for aquatic fun. This resort-style park features a lazy river, waterslides, splash pads, a swim-up bar, and a beach-entry pool—perfect for toddlers, teens, and parents alike.

Episode 74: Westlake is Winning

Podcast Guest_KSD

Episode 73: There's a beach for that

Podcast Guest_Sean Vidrine

Episode 71: Make a splash at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park

Podcast Guest_Bryce Boudreaux

Episode 70: The Voice of the Gumbeaux Gators

this is homefest

Episode 69: The Mt. Rushmore of Lake Charles Must Dos

Podcast Guest_Donnie Glyenn

Episode 68: Biking Through the Lake

Podcast Guest_Jeff Bayer

Episode 67: Connect with Nature & Science at Port Wonder

Podcast Guest_Allyson Montgomery

Episode 66: Be Amazed at Port Wonder

podcast sweets

Episode 65: Satisfying your sweet tooth

Podcast Guest_Judson McCord

Episode 64: Feel like a kid again at Game2Life

Podcast Guest_Bill Bolen

Episode 47: Giddy up for fun at Almosta Ranch

Podcast Guest_Michael Gardner

Episode 46: Discover Pasta Lab, where art meets science

Podcast Guest_Sam Moore

Episode 44: Batter up: Lake Charles Gumbeaux Gators

hosts Brady and Jillian with Lake Area Adventures GM Tim Robles

Episode 38: Play like a kid at Lake Area Adventures

CYPHACON 2024

Episode 37: Discover your inner nerd at CYPHACON

Anna, Brady, Tracie Ramey, State Park, Podcast

Episode 15: Southwest Louisiana's Only State Park

Vance Perkins, Louisiana's Playground Guest with Anna and Brady

Episode 14: Railroad History of DeQuincy

Eddie Bonine, Louisiana's Playground Podcast

Episode 13: Youth Sports Capital of Louisiana

Podcast Anne Klenke, AS, BR

Episode 4: Creole Nature Trail All-American Road

St. Theresa Bon Ton Festival

Sep 18

St. Theresa Bon Ton Festival

Recurring daily

Friday (September 18th) 4:30 p.m. -- Opening Ceremony 5:00 p.m. -- The Rides and Festival Grounds Open (5:00 - 10 p.m.)…

International Culture Festival

Sep 19

International Culture Festival

Lake Charles Event Center

The International Club of Southwest Louisiana will host the International Culture Festival from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on…

Cowboy Block Party featuring Dustin Sonnier

Sep 25

Cowboy Block Party featuring Dustin Sonnier

Navarre Stadium- McNeese State University

Join us at the beautiful Alumni Grove for an evening of live country music as Louisiana's own Dustin Sonnier performs…

Our World: Worldwide Day of Play

Sep 26

Our World: Worldwide Day of Play

Port Wonder

Join the Children’s Museum at Port Wonder during its participation in Our World: Worldwide Day of Play on September…

View All Events

Family Friendly Locations

Almosta Ranch

Top Things to Do With Kids

Explore nature parks and playgrounds. Let loose in trampoline and skate parks. Whether you want to…

two kids ride their bikes with their mom at Sam Houston Jones State Park

Best Lake Area Parks

Local parks offer the perfect place to soak in the sun, watch the kids play, or take a brisk walk…