Lafayette was named the happiest city in America by the National Bureau of Economic Research. So what better city to check out family attractions?
Whether you’re heading out with the kids on summer vacation, or taking a winter weekend trip, you’ll find lots of fun at this museum.
Linda’s Pick of the Exhibits
The activity centers at this attraction were designed to suit different ages. My favorite? The Super 1 Foods Grocery Store with its shopping experience for children.
I’ll admit one of my reasons for this choice is that my first jobs were in grocery stores. And oddy enough, I still miss them!
However, when it comes to being an attraction, this center is really interactive! Children can push their grocery carts around the store, selecting “foods” from the shelves. But that’s not all.
They can also pretend to be cashiers, checking out their purchases. Or, they can learn how to be stock clerks, and return all the groceries to the correct shelves.
Colorful food charts also teach children about nutrition. The charts divide food into groups, indicating which food groups are important to eat more of.
So, you can help your child learn how to shop for a balanced diet.
What’s in the Children’s Museum of Acadiana?
The philosophy of the Children’s Museum of Acadiana is very much “learn by doing.”
Fast Fact: There are currently 17 play centers on different topics for children from toddler age to 18 at the Children's Museum of Acadiana. Adults also find them interesting!
Young children will enjoy Wee Acres, a toddler-only area for children under 5. There’s also the Itty Bitty Builders display, Knowledge Nook, and the Sensory Sea for younger visitors.
Health centers include To Tell the Tooth, Stuffee and Health Galleries, as well as AMI – The Acadian Ambulance. And of course, there’s nutrition in the Super 1 Foods Grocery Store as well as role-playing future jobs.
When it comes to jobs, kids also have fun in the Café des Enfants, which explores roles in the food service industry.
Besides role playing, kids can also get creative in the Strictly Briks Makerspace and the ReUSEum space.
The Louisiana Cultural Center helps children learn more about the state’s history and culture. And the 201 E. Congress, A Site History covers the history of the Children’s Museum.
Check out all of the centers in more detail on the Children’s Museum of Acadiana website.
Linda’s Road Trip Tips
As well as being the happiest city in America, Lafayette is said to have the most restaurants. Maybe there’s a connection there!
Fast Fact: You'll find lots of Cajun and Creole dishes, so a visit to Lafayette can be a true culinary experience.
My not-to-miss recommendations include:
- Crawfish etouffee — often described as one of Louisiana’s most iconic dishes. Etouffee is the French term for smothered. So, the crawfish are smothered in a buttery sauce.
- Boudin sausage — ground meat of some sort along with rice in a sausage casing. Imagine cabbage rolls made into a sausage.
- Alligator — no, it doesn’t taste like chicken! It has a texture more like calamari. I’ve eaten it many ways, from meatballs to boudin to skewered.
Here’s a list of recommended Cajun restaurants in Lafayette to get you started with your dining experiences!
And after you’re done eating, do check out another museum. You’ll learn more about Cajun culture at the Vermilionville Historic Village.
Who Should Visit the Children’s Museum of Acadiana?
Who should visit? Kids, of course, along with their parents. The museum provides fun and educational opportunities for caregivers and children.
If you believe that children learn best by experiencing things, you’ll find lots of opportunities at the Children’s Museum of Acadiana.
The centers are elaborate, so provide more options than schools for many experiences.
Several centers focus on STEM skills, or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
So whether your child needs a little extra help or a bigger challenge in these areas, the museum provides opportunities for them to learn with you.
How Do You Visit the Children’s Museum of Acadiana?
The Children’s Museum of Acadiana is in downtown Lafayette at 201 E. Congress St.
Check out days and times the museum is open at the Children’s Museum of Acadiana website.
For the latest on what’s happening check out the Children’s Museum of Acadiana Facebook page and Children’s Museum of Acadiana Instagram page.
Check out the Children’s Museum of Acadiana summer of play on this YouTube video.
Plan your visit to the Children’s Museum of Acadiana attraction in Lafayette, Louisiana, with Google maps.
Find More Museum Reviews for Louisiana
Check out more reviews for museum attractions in Louisiana on guide2museums.com.
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