Places for PLAY: Local Businesses Provide High-quality Summer Entertainment

by Kerri Cooke

Summer means less schoolwork and more playtime for children. If cooped up at home too long, they need an outlet to burn their energy. Several local businesses offer extensive play opportunities for children. Parents can get a much-needed break and the kids will have a blast. There are small local arcades at places such as Chuck E. Cheese and Mr. Gatti’s Pizza, but if looking for a jam-packed play day, SWLA hosts:

Urban Air Adventure Park
Urban Air is located at 4070 Ryan St., where the old Kmart used to reside. Before playing, parents sign a waiver in case of injury and purchase a pair of special grip socks specifically for the play area. Depending on the amount of play desired, there are three different ticket tiers, plus one for small tykes. Urban Air boasts trampolines, obstacle courses, dodgeball, climbing walls, bumper cars,
Go Karts and even a zip line. There’s also the Urban Café on site with plenty of pizza, chicken tenders and Icees for hungry kids.

Lake Area Adventures
Lake Area Adventures, 1337 Country Club Road, offers a high-quality playing environment, where children can bounce around for hours. Parents will need to sign a waiver to allow children access to play here too. One of the biggest attractions is the Airpark, which is a large bounce house. At 10,500 sq. ft., kids have plenty of room to jump, flip and slide on the inflated area. There’s also rock climbing, a ropes course, a virtual reality center, a Gamer’s Lounge and an indoor pool where patrons can go for swim lessons and other events. The Terrace, a restaurant located on site featuring Chef Amanda Cusey, offers elevated eats, including tenderloin skewers and a variety of burgers, in addition to child-friendly favorites.

We Rock The Spectrum
We Rock The Spectrum, 3714 Common St., Suite E, offers play for developing children up to 13 years old, including those who have special sensory needs. Funded by their nonprofit, My Brother Rocks The Spectrum Foundation, the goal of We Rock The Spectrum is to provide “a safe, nurturing and fun environment to foster learning, exploration and safe sensory experiences.” Kids have access to a low-intensity playground with blocks, tunnels, a bolster swing, climbing areas, a trampoline and more, in addition to an arts and crafts area. Hours at We Rock The Spectrum change weekly, so the best way to stay in the know is to follow their Facebook page for regular updates.

Port Wonder:
The Children’s Museum and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Nature and Science Center
The newly opened Children’s Museum provides interactive exhibits where children learn about their bodies, water movement, our local ecosystem and other STEAM topics. They can also jam to some tunes, ring up groceries or perform a mock broadcast. There are four different galleries—the Nature Gallery, the Tech Gallery, the Health Gallery and the City Gallery. There is enough diversity to provide hours of play for children.

In the Nature and Science Center, children can touch stingrays, sea anemones and other small fish in a touch tank, learn about oyster reefs and discover how rigs in Gulf waters coexist with the local ecosystem.

Rates for all attractions are available online.