Family Fun Guide to Hammond, Louisiana {60+ Activities for Everyone}

If you are looking for things to do with kids in New Orleans itself, we have you covered. Over the years, we have compiled dozens of resources about enjoying life in and around New Orleans with kids. If you are moving to the New Orleans area, you may be considering living outside of the city … and Hammond, Louisiana can be a great place to raise kids! 

Family Fun Guide to Hammond {60+ Activities for Families In New Orleans}

things to do in Hammond, LouisianaAt the far reaches of the Northshore, the Hammond area is a great place for families outside of New Orleans. With its active downtown, many parks, events, and businesses, it’s easy to see why people are having fun in Tangi. This welcome guide to the Hammond area showcases over 60 things to do when you’re here.

NOMB Community Neighborhood Group

Meet other moms, join playdates, and keep up with what’s going on around town in the NOMB Group for Folsom, Robert, and Hammond.

Featured Attraction :: Louisiana Children’s Discovery Center

The Louisiana Children’s Discover Center (LCDC) is located in the heart of downtown HammondLouisiana Discovery Children's Center and is the only open and operating children’s museum in the Northshore area. The LCDC offers several engaging and interactive hands-on exhibits and programs, making it an excellent educational resource for the entire community. Exhibits include a Bubble Zone, mini Middendorf’s, Creation Station, Construction Zone, and many more! The LCDC is a great place for toddlers and children to learn at their own pace and discover new ways to play! The LCDC offers field trip, birthday party, and membership packages.

Family Fun Outside of New Orleans

20160205_122026TangiLanes – Bowling alley and arcade. Participates in Kids Bowl Free, a sign-up summer program where kids can get 2 free games a day, only need to pay for the shoe rental.

Louisiana Children’s Discovery Center – As mentioned above, this is a children’s museum built around play. The bubble area and mini Middendorf’s are favorites. Great membership packages including discounts for employees in the following categories: Law Enforcement and Military, Tangipahoa Parish School System employees, Entergy employees, Smitty’s Supply employees, Southeastern Louisiana University Faculty, Staff, or Students.

Safari Quest – Laser Tag, Arcade, Ropes Course, and more.

The Party Barn– Arcade, escape room, paint ball, mini golf, batting cages, party room rentals and seasonal attractions. There is also a free with any purchase indoor play area called the Play Loft. Price is based on the attraction you choose.

13394137_10102251103542516_175455190652505619_nActivities at Hammond Square Mall – The Hammond Square shopping center offers various events through the year such as an Easter egg hunt, Santa, trick or treating, and family days with carnival games.

Summer reading at the Tangi libraries – A program nearly every day of the week at every branch. Adult, teenage, and homeschool book clubs, presentations, music, animals, prizes, story times, movies, and game days.

Especially for Babies and Tots

Preschool Gymnastics at Cypress Pointe Gymnastics – Babies can enroll once they are walking. This class goes through 24 months. The children learn basic gymnastics on small scale equipment.

Classes at Sunshine Studio – For ages 3 and up, classes featuring art, music, sewing and more.

Storytimes and Kids’ Nights

Chick-Fil-A Kid’s Night – Watch their Facebook page to keep up with themed family nights.

Hammond Library – Check out their website for Virtual Programs that are offered.

Ponchatoula Library – Check out their website for Virtual Programs that are offered.

Theatre, Gymnastics, Dance, Karate and Art

Recital 2014_18The Octavians – This children’s theater group offers workshops, camps, and pizza and play nights where school-age children explore their imaginations and put on stage productions.

Cypress Pointe Gymnastics – Gymnastics and tumbling classes for walking babies through teens.

Columbia Theatre – In addition to hosting The Nutcracker annually, the Columbia Theatre brings in some kid-friendly theatre performances such as the Missoula Children’s Theatre. They’re also doing a movie series.

Dance studios – There are too many to name, but it should be noted that several offer classes for children starting at ages 2 and up and have classes just for boys. Ballet, tap, and hip hop are popular.

Painting with a Twist – In addition to adults BYOB classes, this studio also offers kid classes and camps for ages 5-12.

Sunshine Studio – Creative Arts Center that offers activities, classes, and events for children of all ages.

Swamplight Theatre – Dance, theater and music classes for ages 2 and up in Ponchatoula.

DiBenedetto’s Karate Jiu-Jitsu – They offer karate, jiu-jitsu and self defense classes for children ages 3 and up.

JKA Ponchatoula – Karate classes for ages 4 and up.

Gracie United (Hammond/Ponchatoula) – Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and self defense classes for children ages 3 and up.

Science and Engineering

Science Saturdays at LIGO – On the third Saturday of every month from 1 PM – 5 PM, LIGO in Livingston opens its doors to visitors for free family science fun on a theme. * As of 1/19/22 this program is cancelled due to the pandemic.

Sports

soccertotsfall12014_22

JA Sportsplex of Hammond – Individual and group lessons plus camps for a variety of sports.

City of Hammond Recreation Department – Team sports and clinics offered start at age 5 plus extra events like egg hunts.

Chappapeela Sports Park – In addition to volleyball camps, this sports park offers flag football for children ages 4-12, t-Ball for ages 4-6, softball/baseball for ages 7-14, soccer for ages 4-18.

Ponchatoula Area Recreation District – Leagues for basketball, softball/baseball, football, and volleyball are hosted here.

South Tangi Youth Soccer Association (STYSA) – Starts at age 4, this league has both recreation and competitive teams.

Seahorses South Louisiana Swim Team – Using pools in Hammond, Metairie, and La Place, this team offers lessons and competitive swimming. Meets locally at North Cypress and Southeastern pools.

Southeastern Louisiana University – Kids and Family

DSC_0170

The Community Music School at Southeastern – Professors and students offer music instruction across the Northshore in both private and group lessons. Areas include chamber music, orchestra, guitar, strings, and band camps.

Athletics at Southeastern – Regular-season home events for these sports are free and open to the public: soccer, tennis and volleyball. Tickets are available for football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball and softball.

Parades and Fireworks

Strawberry Festival Parade – Line the streets of Ponchatoula to catch many red and pink throws at this large celebration of the strawberry harvest.

Hammond Christmas Parade – Santa rides in this parade from Southeastern’s campus to downtown during this night time parade.

Ponchatoula Christmas Parade – The Ponchatoula Chamber hosts this daytime Christmas parade.

Hammond Mardi Gras Parade – Starts on the Southeastern campus and goes downtown. This night parade is family friendly with a kids zone featuring games and activities in the Pennington Center parking lot.

Festivals and Events

13221094_10102216878629516_8447630281253724924_n

Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival – Rides, races, pageant, music, and a parade, the Ponchatoula Strawberry festival is a huge event.

Comics and Cookies Day – National Comic Book Day the Tangilibraries give out cookies and comics in collaboration with some local comic book shops. Each branch has its own activities that may include storytimes and cosplayers.

Hot August Night – Join thousands out at Hammond’s biggest night of the year. Children’s activities, live music, shopping, and food throughout the streets of downtown Hammond.

Village of Albright– Take a step back in time and visit the Village of Albright. Somewhere between a festival and a theme park, this gigantic ren fest offers shows, food, rides, tea parties, wine tastings, and more for 6 weekends in November and December.

Christmas lights at Zemurray Park – Throughout December, the city hosts a large free Christmas light display that you can drive or walk through. On weekends, the train runs for free.

Animals and Farms

Global Wildlife – Located in Folsom, go on safari and see 3000 animals on 900 acres. Popular animals you can see include giraffes, zebras, oryx, and kangaroos.

524856_10102120393321846_2363258142796340671_n
Ms. Heather’s Farms – Enjoy a zip line, tunnel slide, jumping pillow, pedal tractors, and more while visiting the pumpkin or strawberry patches.

Liuzza Land – Pick pumpkins in the fall or strawberries in the spring. Stop by Pioneer town and take a ride in a horse-drawn wagon, visit the old schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, and general store. Includes a petting area with goats, jumping pillow, hill slide, and more.

Hammond Farmers’ Market – Every Saturday from 8-12, this year-round weekly farmer’s and art market meets by the railroad tracks in downtown Hammond.

Kliebert’s Turtle and Alligator Farm – This farm hosts handicap-accessible walking tours that educate guests of all ages during interactions with exotic reptiles including 57-year-old alligators, 47,000 turtles of various species, and over 300 gators.

Parks and Splashpads

Chappapeela Sports Park – This sportsplex features 3 playgrounds, paved track, and a shaded splash pad. Has bathrooms and water fountains.

Zemurray Park – New playground equipment, splashpad, skate park, and pavilions. The lake is stocked. Bring corn, duck pellets or oats to feed the ducks under the beautiful Live Oaks.

North Oaks Park – New playground equipment has been added near this splashpad.10639698_10101326221583376_6888959213449921950_n

North Cypress Family Fitness Center – The splash pad and pool at this gym offer a great way to beat the heat. They also offer Kids Korner, camps, and parent nights out where children have indoor climbing, slides, gaming systems, and more. For children ages 2 months to 14 years, supervised child care is available.

Ponchatoula Area Recreation District (PARD) – Two gated playgrounds, a walking track, a gorgeous pond, and more at this 90-acre facility. Multiple restrooms available.

Cate Square Park – Gated park in downtown Hammond attracts families for its shade. No restrooms available.

Manchac GreenwayHike, fish, boat, bicycle, view wildlife canoe,  and sightsee at the greenway. There are shelters and picnic areas, designated biking and running routes, walking trails, park spaces, interpretive historical and information displays.

Kids Night Out

Spirit Professionals – Parent’s Vacation Night takes place every Friday from 7:30 pm – 10:15 pm.

Cypress Pointe Gymnastics – Drop your kids off at CPG’s Kids Night Out every Friday from 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm for open gym, structured games and snacks. Your child does not have to be a student at CPG to participate; anyone is welcome!

water

North Cypress Fitness – Each month the Kids Korner staff offers a Parents’ Night Out where, for an additional fee, kids ages 2 months to 14 years may come for a fun-filled evening with supper, games, crafts and a movie while their parents go on a date. This service is available for children ages 2 months to 14 years.

Resource Centers

Tangischools Family Engagement Centers – Tangi schools offer books, DVDs, and other educational resources for check out at its Parent Center.

Miller Memorial Library Family Resource Center – A part of TADAC, this resource center has over 6000 resources, parent enrichment classes, and activities for school age children.

Did we miss your favorite activity in Hammond? Tell us in the comments. 

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here