Free and Cheap Things to Do With Kids in Shreveport This Summer
School’s out, the temperature’s climbing, and the kids are already saying those two dreaded words: “I’m bored.” If you’re hunting for free and cheap things to do with kids in Shreveport this summer, you’re in luck. Our corner of Louisiana is packed with splash pads, free museums, library programs, nature trails, and budget-friendly attractions that’ll keep your crew busy from June through August without draining your wallet. Whether you’ve got toddlers, tweens, or teenagers, there’s something on this list for every age and every budget.
Let’s dive in, because summer waits for no one.
Cool Off for Free at Shreveport’s Splash Pads and Pools
When it’s 95 degrees with humidity you could swim through, nothing beats free water fun. The Shreveport Public Assembly and Recreation department (SPAR) operates eleven free splash pads across the city, open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. between May 1st and October 1st. You’ll find them at A.C. Steere “Purple Park,” A.B. Palmer, Airport Park, Billberry Park, C.C. Antoine Park, David Raines, the Downtown Sprayground, Hattie Perry, Lakeside, Querbes, and Valencia. Water shoes are recommended, so toss a pair in your bag before you head out. You can find locations and details on the SPAR Aquatics page.
Prefer a full-on pool day? SPAR also opens several public pools for the summer, including Southern Hills, Airport Park, Bill Cockrell, David Raines, and Querbes. Admission is low-cost, and the pools typically run from Memorial Day through early August. It’s an easy way to burn off a whole afternoon of kid energy for pocket change.
Riverview Park downtown at 601 Clyde Fant Parkway is another favorite. Kids can run through the splash pad, climb around the playground, or just watch the boats on the Red River. Pack a picnic and you’ve got a whole morning covered. Details are available through Patch’s summer activity guide.
Free Museums That Kids Actually Enjoy
Yes, free museums. And no, your kids won’t be rolling their eyes the whole time.
Start with the Shreveport Water Works Museum, a National Historic Landmark and one of the coolest hidden gems in town. This was the site of Shreveport’s first water plant, built way back in 1887, and it was the nation’s last steam-powered waterworks facility, staying in operation until 1980. Kids can walk through the old boilers and filtration systems on a self-guided tour, and they even get to blow the whistle at the end. Admission is completely free. Read more about it at Only In Your State.
The Louisiana State Exhibit Museum at 3015 Greenwood Road is another freebie. Open since 1939, it features 23 detailed dioramas, Louisiana Native American artifacts, regional history exhibits, and natural history displays. It’s air-conditioned, it’s educational, and it costs exactly zero dollars. That’s a summer parenting win in our book.
Art lovers should swing by the R.W. Norton Art Gallery, where admission is also free. The permanent collection includes works from over 100 artists, ranging from Renaissance Old Masters to contemporary pieces, and the surrounding botanical gardens are gorgeous for a morning stroll before the heat kicks in. You can browse the free options on Tripadvisor’s list of free things to do in Shreveport.
And if your kids are into planes, the Barksdale Global Power Museum features authentic uniforms, battle exhibits, and aircraft dating back to World War I. It’s free to visit and a guaranteed hit with anyone who’s ever looked up at the sky during an air show.
Get Outside: Parks, Trails, and Nature Fun
Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park is a fantastic free outing just north of town. The park features over five miles of forested hiking trails, plus a visitor center with exhibits and live animals. The outdoor aviary houses live birds of prey, including a bald eagle. Go early in the morning when it’s cooler, bring water, and let the kids burn off steam looking for turtles and lizards along the trails.
Closer to the heart of the city, Shreveport’s neighborhood parks offer playgrounds, picnic areas, and shade trees galore. A.C. Steere “Purple Park” combines a beloved playground with one of those free splash pads we mentioned earlier, so you get two activities in one stop. Smart, right?
The Library: Way More Fun Than It Sounds
Shreve Memorial Library goes all out during the summer. Their annual Summer Reading Program encourages kids of all ages to keep reading through the break, with prizes, live performances, storytimes, craft sessions, and family game days at branches all across Caddo Parish. The library’s mobile makerspace, the SML Make & Go, even travels between branches bringing hands-on STEAM activities to kids. Every bit of it is free. Check the calendar at the Shreve Memorial Library website.
Here’s a bonus tip: the library is air-conditioned. On a scorching July afternoon, an hour of free storytime in the cool indoors might just save your sanity.
SPAR also runs a free summer camp and a free summer reading camp in partnership with Caddo Parish Public Schools, with certified teachers helping kids avoid the dreaded “summer slide.” Registration happens in person at participating community centers, and spots fill up fast, so don’t wait. Learn more on the SPAR Summer Reading Program page.
Cheap Thrills Around Town
Not everything on this list is free, but these options come close.
Bowling alleys in the Shreveport-Bossier area participate in the national Kids Bowl Free program, which gives registered children free games of bowling every single day all summer long. You’ll pay a small fee for shoe rental, but that’s it. Sign your kids up at KidsBowlFree.com and you’ve got a go-to rainy day plan for the whole season.
The Shreveport Aquarium on Clyde Fant Parkway is a budget-friendly splurge, with kids’ admission starting around $13. The touch tanks and jellyfish displays are big hits with little ones, and the whole visit takes about an hour and a half, which is just right for short attention spans.
After dark, take the family downtown to see the Bakowski Bridge of Lights. The Texas Street Bridge connecting Shreveport and Bossier City glows with colorful animated light displays over the Red River, and watching the show costs absolutely nothing. Grab a scoop of ice cream and make an evening of it.
When the Heat (or Rain) Wins: Affordable Indoor Fun
Let’s be honest. Some Louisiana summer days are just too hot, too stormy, or too buggy for outdoor plans. That’s when indoor play saves the day. The Bounce House Shreveport is Louisiana’s largest indoor inflatable fun park, with a massive variety of inflatables, slides, and obstacle courses in a safe, clean, climate-controlled space. Day passes are an affordable way to let the kids bounce themselves happily exhausted while you relax in the AC. You can see everything the park offers on our attractions page, and if a summer birthday is coming up, our party packages take all the planning stress off your plate.
Quick Tips for Keeping Summer Cheap
A little planning stretches your summer budget a long way. Go early in the day when outdoor spots are cooler and less crowded. Pack your own snacks and water bottles, since concession stands add up fast. Follow local pages like Macaroni KID Shreveport-Bossier for weekly roundups of free family events, because pop-up activities like movie nights and community fun days happen all summer. And mix it up: alternate free days at the splash pad or library with the occasional paid outing so the special stuff stays special.
Make This Summer One to Remember
There you have it: a full summer’s worth of free and cheap things to do with kids in Shreveport. From splash pads and nature trails to free museums and library adventures, you can fill every week of break without emptying your bank account. What’s your family’s favorite budget-friendly summer spot? We’d love to hear about it.
And when you’re ready to beat the heat with some serious indoor fun, come see us! The Bounce House Shreveport is Louisiana’s largest indoor inflatable fun park, perfect for unforgettable birthday parties, group events, or just a day of bouncing fun. With a huge variety of inflatables, dedicated party rooms, and a safe, clean environment, we’re the go-to spot for any celebration. Make your summer bounce at The Bounce House Shreveport! Book your visit today.