Hold Onto Summer! Easy Ways to Make Family Memories Before School Starts
With the next school year right around the corner, soak up as much family time as possible with these upcoming events and some local stops to shop and eat.
Friday, July 25 at 1PM- Spend the afternoon at the Hammond Library as they do a matinee showing of Shark Tale (2005). This is a great indoor activity to beat the heat and fun for the whole family.
Saturday, July 26 at 12PM - Gnarly Barley is hosting a family-friendly Christmas in July event. It will be an afternoon of games, live music, and a mini makers market to pick up some mid-summer gifts.
Friday, August 1 at 9AM - Tangi Crime Stoppers, the City of Hammond and Parish organizations are hosting a Back to School Bash at Hammond Westside Montessori where families can get book bags and schools supplies! There will also be a wealth of resources available to learn about.
Saturday, August 2 at 10AM- Spend the day at Chappapeela Sports Complex for their Back to School Bash as they handout free book bags filled with supplies and provide a slip and slide, bounce house, and foamy fun zones. To top it all off the free play sports area will be open for everyone to show off their skills or just burn off some energy.
Tuesday, August 5 at 4:30PM- Join Grace Memorial Episcopal Church for Children’s Yoga at 4:30 for a fun and playful introduction to the basics.
Tuesday, August 5 at 7:30PM - Columbia Theater is presenting John Williams Strikes Back, under the direction of Dr. Robert Schwartz, for an evening of music composed by the legendary John Williams.
More FAmily fun
Every Saturday the Hammond Farmers and Artisan Market is a great place to shop from local farms and vendors. There are so many products from crocheted friends, to fresh produce. This is a great way to spend the morning as a family and get grocery shopping done locally.
Bayou Booksellers has a toy and book section for little ones. They also have Joe’s Candy section full of nostalgic candy.
Chickie Collective shop locally for back to school outfits. They have some of the cutest outfits to choose from. They are also having a 50% off sale on the whole store until July 26th.
Cate Square Park and Zemurray Park offer a great space for kids to run around and burn off some energy. Cate Square Park has a new playground and plenty of shade to beat the heat and even a gazebo and picnic tables that are perfect for lunch. Zemurray Park has a playground specifically for the little ones, a dog park, and a pond that is perfect for fishing. They offer many year round programs and community events. They also have a pool that is perfect for staying cool this summer.
Painting with a Twist has a wide variety of activities for you and the family. There’s guided painting classes, free style paint classes, candle making and so much more. The crew at Painting with a Twist is well-versed in giving you and your little ones memories that will last, paint coated and all.
The Louisiana Children’s Discovery Center is a hidden gem for kids of all ages. This interactive museum is perfect for imagination and exploring. With mini-replicas of historic sites, local restaurants, and various jobs, there is plenty for them to discover about the world. The creation station, bubble room, music factory, and dino dig areas create the perfect never-ending fun to spark creativity.
Monster Mini Golf offers glow-in-the dark putt putt, laser tag, bowling, and a full arcade with virtual reality games, they even had a full concession stand.
If you want a more offline experience Bayou Bounce is the perfect place with their inflatable playground featuring an obstacle course and air hockey table. On Fridays from 11-3 they offer sensory friendly play, with low music, no flashing lights, and no wristbands. They also have a concession stand to fuel up before the next stop.
The Hammond train station is a great place to watch Amtrak and freight trains pass through town.
Looking for a bite?
Here is our Foodie Guide with information about all of our local restaurants.
Summer may be winding down, but the fun doesn’t have to! These next few weeks are your chance to make silly memories, try something new, and soak up every smile before the school routine kicks in. So get out there, explore, play, and make this a summer your kids will still be talking about when the leaves start to fall!