Last Updated on April 28, 2026 by Adrienne
Summer is right around the corner, and if you’re looking for a list of fun things to do with your family in Lafayette-West Lafayette, Indiana, I’ve got you covered. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite things to do in greater Lafayette in the summertime – and most of them are low-cost or free.
Columbian Park Zoo
The Columbian Park Zoo is a small but fun zoo in Lafayette that’s open seasonally from April to October and my family looks forward to visiting every summer. Opening day for the 2026 season is Saturday, April 11. This zoo is geared more toward younger kids but the whole family will enjoy seeing animals like African penguins, wallabies and a petting zoo with farm animals, including goats who have babies every summer. The zoo also includes a train (for an additional fee) and educational programming for kids, including summer camps for elementary age children.
Pools and Aquatic Centers
Nothing beats the summer heat like going to a pool or waterpark, and we have quite a few options in greater Lafayette. The two big aquatic centers in town are Tropicanoe Cove in Columbian Park (near the zoo) and the Prophetstown State Park Aquatic Center, both of which have lazy rivers, waterslides and play areas for babies and toddlers. There are also three local outdoor pools: the West Lafayette Municipal Pool, Vinton Pool and Castaway Bay.
Purdue Fountains
If you’re looking for free water fun, head to the fountains at Purdue University. Loeb Fountain near Memorial Mall is the most popular fountain on campus for kids to splash in. You can combine a fountain visit with a bike ride or scooter ride around campus and a visit to the statue of Neil Armstrong (he’s an alum!). Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the Boilermaker Special, Purdue’s adorable train mascot.
Playgrounds
Summertime is prime time for letting kids burn off energy at playgrounds. My favorite one in the greater Lafayette area is the SIA playground at Columbian Park, which is not just one playground but a whole collection of different play areas with something for every age range (it’s also conveniently located adjacent to the zoo and Tropicanoe Cove). Other favorites for my family are the newly opened Cason Family Park in West Lafayette (which features a pond for fishing and kayaking as well as play areas) and the playgrounds at Happy Hollow Park.
Strawberry Picking
We love to kick off the summer by picking some fresh strawberries, and it’s a great way to involve kids in preparing food for the family. In central Indiana, strawberries are usually ready for U-Pick around Memorial Day weekend or the first week of June. Our go-to place is Smith Farms in Frankfort, but other good local options include Annie’s Orchard and Huffman Berry Farms.
Summer Festivals
Long summer evenings are the perfect time for street festivals. A few Lafayette classics include Taste of Tippecanoe featuring local restaurants (happening Saturday June 20 in 2026), the monthly Mosey Down Main Street with live music and food vendors, and Art in the Park, a festival that rotates through different Lafayette city parks and features art for sale, activities for kids and food trucks.
Lafayette Aviators Games
We may not have professional sports in greater Lafayette, but we do have a summer collegiate baseball team, the Lafayette Aviators. Aviators games are fun for the whole family, with lots of theme nights and activities for kids, and you can sit close to the action without breaking the bank. The Aviators’ first home game is on May 27 this year and the season continues through late July.
Summer Reading Programs
The West Lafayette Public Library and Tippecanoe County Public Library will both have summer reading programs kicking off June 1 where kids can earn prizes for tracking summer reading and hitting their goal. Both library systems also have a number of fun events for children happening in conjunction with the reading programs.
Hiking Trails
In the summer months, some of our favorite local hiking areas include the Celery Bog, where we regularly see flowers and wildlife like herons and turtles (go early in the day for best chances of a wildlife sighting) and the Purdue Horticulture Park, which has some lovely shaded trails.
Free Kids Movies
I’m normally all about outdoor activities in the summer since we have a long winter to be cooped up inside, but I make an exception for things that are free 🙂 Goodrich Quality Theaters shows free kids movies on weekday mornings over the summer at their Wabash Landing theater in West Lafayette. Movie selections and showtimes for 2026 will be posted here.
Kids Bowl Free
Our local bowling alley Arrowhead Bowl participates in the national Kids Bowl Free program, which gives kids 12 and under two free games of bowling each day during the summer months. They’ll still have to rent shoes if they don’t have them and accompanying adults who want to bowl will have to pay for their games, but it’s a great way to keep your kids active this summer without breaking the bank.
Ice Cream
Summertime = ice cream time! There’s no better treat when it’s hot outside. My family loves Silver Dipper, which has two locations in West Lafayette. Other local favorites are Igloo Frozen Custard and Budges Drive In, as well as national chains like Dairy Queen and Cold Stone Creamery.
Patio Dining
Summer is peak patio dining season in central Indiana. Some of our favorite greater Lafayette restaurants for outdoor dining include Red Seven (don’t miss the lobster mac and cheese), East End Grill, The Bryant, Bistro 501 (especially brunch) and BRU Burger Bar.
Farmers Markets
The greater Lafayette area is home to two fantastic farmer’s markets from May to October – the downtown Lafayette market on Saturday mornings and the West Lafayette market on Wednesday afternoons. Both feature vendors selling produce, baked goods and homemade products, along with live music. The West Lafayette market also has several food trucks including our family favorite EMT, so it’s a great place for an easy weeknight picnic.
Day Trip to the Indiana Dunes
If you’re looking to escape for a day or weekend, check out the Indiana Dunes on Lake Michigan. About an hour and a half from Lafayette, the area has both a National Park and an Indiana State Park (both accept their respective annual passes, but a state parks pass won’t grant you access to the National Park and vice versa). The Dunes parks are home to many great beaches and hiking trails, but we’re especially fans of the West Beach area in the National Park, which includes the short but scenic Dunes Succession Trail and a large, pet-friendly beach.
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