100 Things Every Indy Kid Needs To Do

Growing up in Indianapolis opens the door for a childhood full of fun and happy memories.

With so many events, museums, parks, playscapes, community centers, and more, it’s easy to keep kids busy around here! Use this guide to hit all the good spots and give your kids an authentic Indianapolis experience.

100 Things Every Indy Kid Needs To Do:

 

1. Put on your walking shoes and hike to the top of Soldiers and Sailors Monument.
2. Climb the tree houses at Flat Fork Creek.
3. Explore 94-acres of fun at Holliday Park.
4. Take your family for a stroll through The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres at Newfields.
5. Say hello to some farm animals and enjoy a tasty treat at Traders Point Creamery.

   

6. March to the beat of your own drum at Rhythm! Discovery Center.
7. Learn about outer space at Butler University’s Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium.
8. Climb aboard a vintage fire truck at Carmel Fire Buffs and Fire and Fire Department Museum.
9. Visit (or adopt!) some furry felines at Nine Lives Cat Café.
10. Play in the giant dog house at the kids wing at the Indiana State Library.
11. Pack a picnic and enjoy a concert at Symphony on the Prairie.
12. Catch a flick at Newfields during the Summer Nights Film Series.
13. Go back in time with a movie at Tibbs Drive Inn.
14. Take advantage of everything the stunning Central Library has to offer, including the Learning Curve.

    

15. Take a family walk along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.
16. Visit the country’s largest children’s museum, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis!
17. Attend a basketball game at Butler’s historic Hinkle Fieldhouse.
18. Meet your new favorite animal at the Indianapolis Zoo. And don’t miss the seasonal butterfly garden!
19. Get to know our great Hoosier state at the Indiana State Museum.
20. Explore the world-class attractions contained within all 250 acres of White River State Park.
21. Go back in time at Conner Prairie.
22. Discover your favorite local ice cream spot.
23. Cheer on the Indianapolis Colts.

    

24. Catch a movie on IMAX at Indiana State Museum.
25. Explore the three-block Georgia Street, “Downtown Indy’s Hometown Hangout.”
26. Engage in play-based learning at the Urban Chalkboard learning studios and play cafe.
27. Swing from the trees with Go Ape!’s Treetop Adventure at Eagle Creek Park.
28. Get your play on at the Colts Canal Playscape.
29. Attend an Indianapolis Indians game at Victory Field. Kids eat free on Sundays!
30. Sports enthusiasts (and otherwise!), don’t miss the NCAA Hall Of Champions.
31. Connect to the past at the Indiana Historical Society.
32. Pose with the NDY sign and be the “I” in Indy.

    

33. Let loose at KidCity at Greenwood Community Center.
34. Catch a show at the Indiana Repertory Theatre.
35. Hit Fountain Square for some Duckpin Bowling.
36. Go up, up, and away on the 1859 Balloon Voyage at Conner Prairie.
37. Find your favorite Indy park!
38. Pick apples at Anderson Orchard in Mooresville.
39. Ride the Red Line!
40. Get lunch at the City Market.

    
41. Play the day away at Carter’s Play Place.
42. Put your wonder cap on and follow the Central Indiana Enchanted Fairy Trail.
43. Catch a kid-friendly film on select Saturday mornings at Newfields with Indy Film Fest’s Cereal Cinema series.
44. Visit the Zion Nature Center in Zionsville.
45. Play some Glow Golf at Circle Centre Mall.
46. Go creek stomping!
47. Marvel at miniature art at the Museum of Miniature Houses and Other Collections.
48. Visit the World’s Smallest Children’s Art Gallery.

    

49. Explore the journey of medical science at the Indiana Medical History Museum.
50. Fly through the air at the indoor zipline park at Zip City.
51. Sign up for an art class at LINE+form Atelier.
52. Get colorful at the Tye Dye Lab.
53. Kids eat for free on Tuesday at IKEA (and play at Smaland).
54. Learn about Indiana wildlife at Holliday Park Nature Center.
55. Play in the mini town at Coxhall Gardens in Carmel.
56. Let out some extra energy (indoors!) at The Park at Traders Point Christian Church
57. Get to know the history of local police forces at the Indiana State Police Museum.

    

58. Visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, housing historic Indy 500 cars and artifacts.
59. Get your adrenaline pumping at Speedway Indoor Karting.
60. Take a class, attend an event, and explore exhibits at the Indianapolis Art Center.
61. Rent a pedal boat or kayak and explore the Canal Walk in a new way.
62. Play among the trees at Koteewi Aerial Adventure Treetop Trails.
63. Attend an Indiana Pacers and Fever game.
64. Cheer on the Naptown Roller Derby at one of their bouts.
65. Snap a picture by the 1964 Pontiac Bonneville at Purpose Park.
66. Attend an Indy Eleven soccer game.

    

67. Catch a show at Beef & Boards.
68. Enjoy any of the many offerings of the Garfield Park Arts Center.
69. See Lady Liberty in over 400 different ways at the Teeny Statue of Liberty Museum.
70. From yoga to craft time to open play, spend a day wisely at the Little Village Playroom.
71. Sign your budding chef up for a cooking class!
72. Jump and play during Pop Hours at Indy Stars Gymnastics.
73. Get active at the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.

    

74. Introduce preschool- and kindergarten-aged kids to the orchestra through the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Teddy Bear Series.
75. Check out the inflatable playground at Off the Wall Sports.
76. Strap on the roller skates Skateland!
77. Bring a water jug to fill up at the artesian well at Carmel’s Flowing Well Park.
78. Attend a puppet show or workshop at Peewinkle’s Puppet.
79. Doctor Who fans, visit Who North America, “America’s Doctor Who Store.”
80. Borrow a book from a Public Collection sharing station.
81. Enjoy a free day of play at Kids Day at the 500 Festival.

    

Summer Activities

82. Hit the midway, meet the largest hog in the world, and indulge on some deep fried oreos at the Indiana State Fair.
83. Enjoy a beach day Morse Beach and Park.
84. Soak up the sun at Saxony Beach in Fishers.
85. Buckle up for splashin’ summer fun at The Waterpark at the Monon Community Center.

    

86. Pick strawberries at Spencer Farm in Noblesville.
87. Get your summer produce at a local farmers market.
88. Get a strawberry shortcake at the annual Strawberry Festival on the Circle.
89. Splash in the creek-like splash pad at Mulberry Fields.
90. Get close to the action at Colts Training Camp.

Fall Activities

91. Get chased by the Headless Horseman at Conner Prairie, for those daring enough! October 10-13, 17-20, 24-27
92. Throw on your costumes and head to the Indianapolis Zoo for ZooBoo. October 3-27
93. Catch the 73rd annual Historic Irvington Halloween Festival. October 18-26
94. Brave the haunted house at the Children’s Museum. This year’s theme: Hotel of Spells! October 11-31

    

Winter Activities

95. Visit the Eiteljorg Museum’s Jingle Rails, a model train winter wonderland. November 23 – January 20, 2020
96. Attend the Festival of Trees at Indiana Historical Society, this year with 80 trees on display! November 16 – January 5, 2020
97. Enjoy European holiday charm at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt. November 16 – December 24
98. Learn how to make maple syrup at Holliday Park’s annual Sap to Syrup Day, every February.
99. Celebrate the holiday season with Lights at the Brickyard. November 27 – January 5, 2020
100. Try high tea at the Indiana State Museum’s L.S. Ayres Tea Room, only open during the holiday season. November 29 – January 5, 2020