Looking for fun, creative indoor summer opportunities for your child this summer? Central Louisiana has a few options to power down the devices and ignite your child’s imagination instead. 

 

These open-play venues in Alexandria are designed to let your child’s imagination soar. The best part is, you can join the fun! Play therapy is great for adults as well and a great tool in the arsenal for mental health positivity. 

 

 

One of Cenla’s oldest and best indoor play places is the T.R.E.E. House Museum. Opportunities are endless for creativity with shopping, cooking, building, and exploring. A recently designed sensory room is great for those with autism. 

 

Many have heard of their birthday party options and some may be familiar with their FREE 4th Friday 5-8 PM admission. But they do so much more. Providing a place for foster care children to visit with biological parents was born after hearing that such reunification meetings were taking place in cramped social worker offices. Afterschool tutoring is provided to RPSB students in need. The TREE House non-profit works tirelessly behind the scenes to give back to the community which makes your day of fun an investment into the lives of other children as well.

 

A Parents Night Out is offered once a month and they are offering several summer camps for 2024. Art camp, space camp, dinosaur camp, messy science camp, Wild West camp, summer fun camp, and the one I’m most intrigued about, Swift Popstar camp! 

 

The T.R.E.E. House museum is located at 1403 3rd St, Alexandria. For more information call 318-619-9394 or email kidstreehouse@bellsouth.net. Website: kidtreehouse.org

 

 

Children’s Exploration Oasis, down the street at 1016 3rd St, opened in 2023. Designed and created by owner Savannah Lovecchio, it offers an engaging & Interactive play experience for parents to enjoy with their young children. The museum is set up for children from crawlers to age 10 and parents and caregivers who remain ten at heart! With several different career and daily life play experiences, as well as interactive sensory exhibit, the opportunities for both boys and girls to expand their minds are limitless. 

 

A summer punch card pass is available. Special summer hours are available on their website, childrensexplorationoasis.com, along with details about the following summer camps held for ages 3-7. 

 

Barbie Camp (June 17-21), Frozen Camp (July 8-12), Fun on the Farm Camp (July 15-19), and Bluey Camp (July 22-26) all sound like so much fun that I lamented not being in the target demographic! 

 

Visit the website, call 318-623-1689 or email childrensexplorationoasis@gmail.com for more information.  

 

 

Another 2023 opening in Cenla took place at Light of Mine Playhouse Cafe, 6501 Coliseum Blvd, Suite 300. This open play setup was designed by owners Christelle Carley and Eden Etienne with parents in mind. Think home but with giant toy rooms, a chef in your kitchen, a closet with all the stuff you forgot to pack, tables for when your child needs a few minutes to redirect or you need to have a conversation with another human that comes up past your knees, a private nursing room, a special play nursery area for your infant babies, and fast reliable WIFI so you can work while your kids play in plain view. 

 

Such a design could only have been created by moms!

 

There are puzzles, musical instruments, a wooden sit and spin, slides, a train, and a tea party set. There is a pretend cafe that mirrors the real one inside the building. There is a pretend vet’s office as well but leave your pets at home as this one doesn’t have a live counterpart! 

 

Story Hour is every Tuesday at 10 AM & 3 PM, complete with craft. Music and Movement is every Thursday at 10 AM and 3 PM. Monthly memberships are available. 

 

Light of Mine Playhouse Cafe is located at 6501 Coliseum Blvd, Suite 300. For more information, call 318-704-1110 or email hello@lightofmineplayhousecafe.com. 

 

 

For more physically exerting indoor play that also fosters creativity, Play Cenla has over 3000 sq ft of indoor rope courses, zip lines, and rock walls. 

 

“Just lean back and relax. You won’t get hurt,” I was told when I rappelled from the easiest ninja rock wall designed for preschoolers. The attendant seriously miscalculated my lack of athletic ability as my tense body bumped back into the wall! 

 

I also had to apologize to over a dozen kids as my fear of heights left me paralyzed and holding up the line to the zip line. Being encouraged by a handful of kids still in the single digit age was simultaneously comforting and humiliating. But I made it and loved the reward of being able to zip line. 

 

I was in awe of the fearless kids around me who effortlessly maneuvered challenging courses with safety harnesses and creativity. 

 

Open Wednesday-Sunday, Play Cenla has a special summer pass that allows unlimited admission every day except Saturdays. Future plans for expansion are in the works. 

 

Owners Eddie and Adrienne Ponce saw a need for such a place when they created Play Cenla. With four kids at home needing to expend energy, they were familiar with open play areas in larger cities like Dallas but wanted to bring something to the community they belonged to. Used by families, daycares, youth groups, and even adult team building groups, Play Cenla utilizes physical and mental strength in kids of all ages. 

 

Play Cenla is located at 1008 Bayou Place, Alexandria. Playtime starts on the hour; walk-ins welcome. Call 318-613-5474 for more info. 

 

 

Adventure Fun Park, located at 1978 Monroe Hwy, Pineville, is wall-to-wall fun. The facility features wall to wall trampolines, ninja course activities, air bag pits, dodgeball courts, and more!

 

Open 7 days a week, you can reserve your jump time by calling 318-704-6779 or emailing cenla@adventurefunpark.com. 

 

 

Fun on the Geaux is another indoor play park for children to release energy. 

 

Such physical activity is good for children, helping them develop the fundamental movement skills that will help them stay active in later life. As children get older, physical play will also help them to stay healthy and active. It also strengthens their bones and muscles.

 

Open every day except Mondays, this venue’s mission is to provide a full-service family entertainment center with attractions for kids of all ages. Located in the Alexandria Mall at 3437 Masonic Dr, it features four inflatable jumpers, an obstacle course, 9-hole putt putt golf course, and more!

 

Call 318-792-0518 or email fotgalex@gmail.com  for more information. 

 

Load up the kids and go on an unplugged adventure today!