A new play-based STEAM learning concept called Code + Play is coming soon to 500 Johnston Street in Downtown Lafayette, Louisiana.
Code + Play is a hands-on, station-based learning space designed to introduce children to computer science, logic, and problem-solving through play-based experiences. The concept focuses on helping kids engage with STEAM topics in an environment that feels fun and exploratory rather than instructional, using interactive games, robotics, and technology-driven activities that rotate monthly. Programming is designed for beginners with no prior coding experience and encourages kids to learn by doing.
The business is owned by Terysa Ridgeway, a Lafayette-area tech professional with a background in computer science and a career rooted in education and technology. Ridgeway studied computer science at Southern University, later spending approximately a decade working in Arizona before returning to Louisiana. She currently works remotely for Google as an M&A Integration Lead, where she helps integrate newly acquired companies into Google Cloud infrastructure, and has been with the company for more than five years. Despite working in tech, Ridgeway has remained active in education, frequently visiting classrooms to talk with students about technology careers.
The idea for Code + Play grew during the pandemic, when Ridgeway paused classroom visits and instead wrote a children’s book series focused on computer science concepts. Her first book, Think Like a Computer, gained widespread attention through organic social sharing and sold more than 230,000 copies as a self-published title. The series has since been picked up for traditional publishing. Code + Play was created as a real-world extension of those books, giving kids an in-person way to interact with the same concepts through hands-on activities.
At Code + Play, children begin their visit by receiving a Code + Play Passport, which they carry with them as they move through four interactive stations. Each station focuses on a different aspect of STEAM learning, and kids receive stamps as they complete each activity. The stations rotate monthly based on a theme, with early programming tied to seasonal topics such as Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day.
The first station, the Brain Boost Zone, focuses on critical thinking, logic, and strategy-based games designed to warm kids up and help them acclimate to the space. The second station introduces coding logic without requiring kids to learn traditional syntax, allowing them to focus on sequencing and cause-and-effect through creative, hands-on activities using tablets and interactive materials. The third station centers on robotics, where children program small robots using physical puzzle pieces that introduce concepts like algorithms, sequencing, and conditional logic. The fourth station, known as the Discovery Zone, features immersive experiences such as virtual reality and augmented reality, allowing kids to explore science and space-related concepts in an interactive way.
Code + Play will initially operate on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month, offering families flexibility without requiring a long-term commitment. Grand opening month pricing is set at $15 per visit, which includes access to all four stations during that session. Prices will go up to $20/visit after the first month of opening. Ridgeway said the goal is to keep the experience accessible while building a sustainable business.
In addition to open visits, Ridgeway plans to expand programming in phases. Early interest has already been expressed for field trips, with future plans including summer camps, school-holiday programming, and potential after-school opportunities in collaboration with local schools. Ridgeway also hopes to incorporate family-focused education around technology and artificial intelligence, emphasizing the importance of helping kids understand they can create technology—not just consume it.
A ribbon cutting for Code + Play is scheduled for Friday at 3:00 p.m., followed by a grand opening on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 500 Johnston Street in Lafayette. Paid sessions will begin February 21st.
For more information, visit https://www.codeandplay.co.
You can follow Code + Play on fb at https://www.facebook.com/share/1849xyhpph/?mibextid=wwXIfr.
