What To Do With Kids During the Summer in Shreveport
Summer break has a way of sneaking up on parents fast. One day the children are rushing out the door with backpacks, and the next—well, they’re staring at you from the couch asking, “What are we gonna do today?”
If you’re a parent in northwest Louisiana, you’re in luck. There’s no shortage of ways to spend the season, and this guide is packed with the best ideas for family fun, outdoor adventures, and educational experiences that keep everyone busy from June through August.
Whether you’re a Shreveport native or visiting from out of town, the city has something for families of every size and every interest.
Start With the Shreveport Aquarium
Let’s start with one of the most beloved destinations in the city. The Shreveport Aquarium, located at 601 Clyde Fant Parkway in downtown Shreveport, is a must-visit family experience. Opened in 2017 in a beautifully renovated 21,000-square-foot historic building along the banks of the Red River, the facility is home to nearly 1,000 animals representing more than 300 species from ecosystems around the world. (Source: Grokipedia – Shreveport Aquarium)
The moment you walk through the doors, it feels like stepping into another world. Colorful reef fish dart through massive tanks, seahorses drift lazily past, and stingrays glide silently through shallow pools where guests can reach in and hand-feed them. There are jellyfish exhibits, a freshwater bayou gallery themed around Caddo Lake, a rainforest hall, and even baby alligators. And yes—sharks. The facility features several species of sharks, and children absolutely love them. In fact, this attraction made international headlines in early 2025 when a baby shark named Yoko hatched in an all-female tank, marking a rare case of asexual reproduction called parthenogenesis. For young science lovers, that story alone makes the trip worthwhile. (Source: Grokipedia – Shreveport Aquarium)
One of the highlights is the Ocean Tunnel, a 30,000-gallon walkthrough exhibit where sharks and reef fish glide directly overhead. It’s the kind of moment that stops even the most restless child in their tracks. Ticket prices are reasonable—just $12.95 for children ages 2–12 when purchased online—and those under 2 get in free. (Source: Shreveport Aquarium)
Pro tip: buy your tickets ahead of time online. This popular destination frequently sells out of time slots on weekends and holidays, and walk-up guests can sometimes be turned away. Buying in advance also saves you $2 per ticket. (Source: Shreveport Aquarium FAQ)
The Red River Treasure Mine
While you’re there, don’t miss the Red River Treasure Mine—Louisiana’s only indoor mining sluice. Young visitors get to purchase raw materials and sift through them searching for gold, gems, and fossils. It’s a hands-on home run for children who love digging around and finding hidden treasures. The experience layers a little geology education into the fun in a way that never feels like a classroom.
“Science Is Neat” Sunday Series
Every Sunday, the facility offers an engaging educational program called “Science Is Neat,” hosted by the facility’s own Science & Research Manager. Sessions run at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. and feature a brief talk or live experiment that sheds light on the aquatic life in the exhibits. It’s the kind of program that makes children feel like real scientists. (Source: Downtown Shreveport Association)
Camp Aqua: The Summer Program at the Shreveport Aquarium
If your child is old enough to spend a full week exploring marine life, Camp Aqua at the Shreveport Aquarium is one of the best summer programs in the region. The camp program offers half-day sessions for children entering 1st through 3rd grade and full-day sessions for those going into 4th through 7th grade. Campers get behind-the-scenes access to the facility, come face to face with sharks and eels, and learn what marine educators and aquarists actually do on the job every day. (Source: Bossier Press-Tribune)
Camp themes have included “Hungry, Hungry Predators: Unleash the Beast Within” and “Shark Squad: Embrace the Fin-tastic World.” Each program is designed to teach campers about the natural world through hands-on teamwork and immersive experiment-based learning. Campers build teamwork skills as they work together on conservation missions, create habitats, and tackle science challenges as a group. Half-day program sessions run $160 for the week; full-day program sessions are $260 and include a t-shirt and snacks. A $15 discount applies for siblings and members, and discounts are also offered for signing up for multiple program sessions. (Source: Bossier Press-Tribune)
Spots fill up quickly—register early at shreveportaquarium.com/camps.
“It is our goal to introduce people of all ages to the wonders of aquatic life to spark compassion and curiosity for conservation and sustainability. Campers are not only going to have a blast in our program, but they are going to learn about things they can do that will have a positive impact on our planet.” — Josh Evans, General Manager, Shreveport Aquarium (Source: Bossier Press-Tribune)
No matter what ages your children are, the Shreveport Aquarium offers something that sparks curiosity and creates lasting memories. It’s one of those rare places where parents and children honestly say they both loved every minute of it.
Sci-Port Discovery Center
Just down the riverfront, you’ll find Sci-Port Discovery Center at 820 Clyde Fant Pkwy. This 92,000-square-foot complex is a science lover’s paradise, featuring over 290 hands-on exhibits covering science, math, and space, a Space Dome Planetarium, and Louisiana’s only IMAX Dome theater. (Source: Choose Shreveport)
Children can take the controls of a simulated International Space Station, run physics experiments, and explore topics spanning biology to engineering. It’s the kind of place where a family can spend a full day and still feel like they missed something. The IMAX Dome is worth the trip on its own—the curved screen and booming audio make every film feel like you’re inside the action. Sci-Port is a destination where educators and students alike find real inspiration, and it’s one of the most visited family attractions in the area for good reason.
Gators & Friends Adventure Park
About 10 miles from the city in nearby Greenwood, Gators & Friends Adventure Park is the largest adventure park in Northwest Louisiana. The name tells you most of what you need to know—approximately 150 alligators call this place home, and families can watch them during live daily feeding and wrestling shows. But there’s a lot more than gators going on. (Source: Gators & Friends)
Visitors can hold a baby alligator, zip-line over the gator habitat on a seven-line course, visit the exotic petting zoo, take a pony ride, race go-karts, and hit the arcade. The zip-line experience is genuinely thrilling—soaring above alligator ponds while camels and kangaroos roam below is something you simply won’t find anywhere else in the area. (Source: Family Travel 411) Boys and girls alike love it, and most families end up staying far longer than planned. For any family that loves adventure and hands-on animal encounters, it’s an easy trip from the city that the children will talk about for weeks—and a great day trip to add to any summer bucket list.
Cool Off: Water Parks and Splash Pads
Louisiana summers are no joke. When the heat becomes a matter of survival rather than minor discomfort, there are several great ways to cool off around the city.
Splash Kingdom Waterpark at 7670 W. 70th Street offers water slides, a lazy river, plunge rides, a cannonball run, and a pipeline ride. It’s a full day of water fun for families with children across a wide range of ages. (Source: TripBuzz)
For free outdoor fun, the city’s Parks and Recreation department operates seven splash pads and five public pools. Most pools charge just $2.50–$3.50 per person—one of the most affordable family outings you’ll find. Riverview Park, located right along the Red River, has splash pads, playgrounds, and great views of the water. It’s the perfect place to find a few hours of summer refreshment without overthinking it. (Source: KTAL/KMSS via Yahoo News)
R.W. Norton Art Gallery
If you want something quieter—and free—the R.W. Norton Art Gallery is a hidden gem that many families overlook. Nestled on 40 wooded acres, the museum houses an extensive collection of American and European artwork, including paintings by Bierstadt and Dali, plus sculptures, mixed media pieces, and a whimsical gallery of bronze storybook character sculptures that younger children genuinely love. (Source: Family Travel 411)
The botanical gardens are open from sunrise to sunset and make for a beautiful walk. No matter your family’s interests, there’s something here worth discovering. Admission is always free, though donations are warmly welcomed.
Downtown Shreveport and the Riverfront
The riverfront is one of the most walkable and family-friendly areas in the city during the summer. Between these top attractions, Sci-Port, and Riverview Park, you can plan a full day of back-to-back fun without ever getting back in the car. The Red River District and surrounding area also host community events throughout the summer, so it’s worth checking local event calendars. Sometimes the best family memories come from stumbling onto something unexpected right in your own home city.
The fountains near Sci-Port are a favorite for young children—it’s essentially an outdoor splash program open to everyone, and little ones love racing through the spray on a hot afternoon. (Source: Family Travel 411)
The Bounce House Shreveport
When the heat is at its worst and you need something that’ll keep the whole crew entertained for hours, The Bounce House Shreveport is the answer. Louisiana’s largest indoor inflatable fun park is packed with a massive variety of inflatables that kids of all ages love—from toddlers taking their first wobbly bounce to older kids racing through obstacle courses at full speed. The air-conditioned environment makes it a perfect escape from the summer heat, and the dedicated party rooms make it just as ideal for birthday celebrations as it is for a spontaneous Tuesday afternoon outing.
Boys and girls both find their thing here, and parents genuinely enjoy watching the fun unfold in a safe, clean space. Whether you’re planning a group experience or just looking for a way to burn off some serious summer energy, a trip to The Bounce House Shreveport delivers every time. It’s the kind of place that turns a regular afternoon into one of those memories kids ask to repeat all summer long.
Chasing Aces Sports & Entertainment Complex
Opened in June 2025, Chasing Aces is a brand-new 27-acre sports and entertainment complex that brings something genuinely fresh to the area for families. Anchored by radar-tracked golf swing bays, the complex also features a putting zone, Home Run Derby batting bays where players as young as six can enjoy unlimited swings, and an outdoor patio. (Source: Visit Shreveport-Bossier) A par-3 golf course is also in the works. It’s the kind of experience that’s genuinely fun across all ages and makes for great friendly family competition.
Adventure Fun Park
For something high-energy and indoors, Adventure Fun Park at 424 Ashley Ridge Blvd is a solid choice for active children. Wall-to-wall trampolines, a ninja obstacle course, dodgeball, and basketball hoops keep everyone moving and burning off summer energy. It’s a great option on a rainy day or when the Louisiana heat outside is simply too much. (Source: Shreveport Patch)
Jubilee Zoo
Just south of the city, Jubilee Zoo offers a seasonal family experience that children genuinely love. Families meet and feed friendly farm animals, and even the youngest visitors find something to delight them here. The zoo is known for its hands-on, up-close approach, and it covers all ages well. (Source: Visit Shreveport-Bossier) On warm days, plan to arrive early—the outdoor setting can get quite warm in peak summer.
Chimp Haven
A little off the beaten path but absolutely worth knowing about, Chimp Haven is a chimpanzee sanctuary located just south of the city on a 220-acre wooded property. Established in 1995, it provides a permanent home for rescued chimpanzees and offers special event and private tour opportunities for families. (Source: Choose Shreveport) For young animal lovers, the visit puts the natural world into a meaningful context. The sanctuary also runs an educational program for regional K-12 schools—a structured classroom-plus-campus experience where students learn about chimpanzee behavior and then supplement that learning with a trip to the sanctuary itself. (Source: Choose Shreveport)
Louisiana State Exhibit Museum
If your family enjoys history and culture, the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum brings the story of northwest Louisiana to life through unique collections and rotating exhibits. The Native American artifact collection is one of its most compelling features, and admission is free. It makes a great first stop in the morning before heading to a more active destination later in the day. (Source: TripBuzz)
Outdoor Parks and Green Spaces
The city has a solid collection of parks that are perfect for summer mornings before the heat peaks. A.C. Steere Park & Playground is a local favorite with its elaborate playground featuring bridges, fireman poles, slides, and climbing structures. There are also picnic areas, tennis courts, and walking trails the whole family can enjoy. (Source: TripBuzz)
Getting outside—even just for an hour—does wonders for children’s energy and mood. Packing a simple lunch and heading to one of the city’s parks is one of those low-key summer traditions that somehow becomes one of the memories everyone looks back on most fondly.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Summer
A summer full of good memories doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive. Here are a few things that help families get the most out of everything Louisiana has to offer during the summer months.
Plan indoor and outdoor activities on alternating days. Summer here is hot and humid, so having indoor options like the Shreveport Aquarium, Sci-Port, or The Bounce House Shreveport ready for the hottest afternoons keeps the schedule from derailing.
Look into memberships. If you find yourself returning to the Shreveport Aquarium more than twice, an annual membership pays for itself quickly and comes with discounts on summer camp program sessions and other activities.
Explore downtown as a full-day family destination. The riverfront area packs a lot of value into a small footprint—the city’s top spots are all close together, making it easy to find a full day of fun without much driving.
Make space for questions. Whether it’s the educators at Camp Aqua walking campers through how sharks hunt, or the knowledgeable educators and naturalists at the zoo and Gators & Friends explaining animal behavior, the people who work at these places genuinely love what they do. Encourage your children to speak up and ask—the answers are almost always worth it. No matter what their interests, your children will find something here to spark a lifelong love of learning.
Make the Summer Count at The Bounce House Shreveport
After a full day of adventure—whether you spent it watching sharks up close, zip-lining over alligators, or soaking up the splash pads—there’s one more place that belongs on every family’s summer list.
The Bounce House Shreveport is Louisiana’s largest indoor inflatable fun park, and it’s everything young guests dream about. Boys and girls of all ages love it, and with a massive variety of inflatables, dedicated party rooms, and a safe, clean environment, it’s the ultimate go-to spot for birthday parties, group celebrations, and days that just need a little extra bounce. No matter the occasion, the fun here is guaranteed, and the memories your family makes will last long after summer ends.
Make your party BOUNCE—Book Now at The Bounce House Shreveport!