15 Best Kid-Friendly Activities in Indianapolis

Indianapolis is a great city for families with kids, whether you’re just visiting, or live here; there are plenty of kid-friendly activities to explore. There are plenty of fun kid-friendly activities in Indianapolis for your next family day out, so plan your visit to enjoy the best of Indianapolis fun. 

Looking for cheap fun? Make sure to check out 78 Fun Activities for $5 or Less in Indianapolis.

Here is a list of tried-and-true favorite Kid-Friendly Activities in Indianapolis:

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Location: 3000 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is the largest children’s museum in the world, with over 1 million visitors each year, therefore making it one of the top favorite kid-friendly activities in Indianapolis. Since its founding in 1925, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis has become one of the top-ranked and most respected children’s museums in the nation, offering a wide range of unique exhibits including our Dinosphere© and Fireworks of Glass by world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly. The Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience® is a wonderland of interactive athletics for children, open April-October.

The Children’s Museum of IndianapolisThe Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Indianapolis Zoo

Location: 1200 W Washington St, Indianapolis

Located along the scenic banks of the White River, the Indianapolis Zoo is conveniently located near beautiful downtown Indianapolis with easy access to walking and biking trails into the city.  Check out their hints for a great visit.

Indianapolis Zoo
Indianapolis Zoo

Conner Prairie

Location: 13400 Allisonville Rd, Fishers

Combining history with science, at Conner Prairie visitors can explore Indiana’s heritage through hands-on indoor and outdoor exhibits. The museum offers history-themed, immersive experiences, including interacting with costumed characters, visiting historical recreations, playing atop Treetop Outpost, taking flight on a hot air balloon and more.

1836 Prairietown Conner Prairie

Action & Atomic Duckpin Bowling

Location: 1105 Prospect Street, Indianapolis

Action & Atomic Duckpin Bowling, located in Indianapolis’ Fountain Square neighborhood, is probably the most unusual — and perhaps oldest — bowling alley you’ll find in the Midwest. Family-friendly and fun for all ages, duckpin bowling uses smaller, lighter balls, so it’s perfect for the smallest bowlers in your bunch.

Duck Pin Bowling
Duck Pin Bowling at Action & Atomic Duckpin Bowling

NCAA Hall Of Champions

Location: 700 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis

The NCAA Hall of Champions boasts two-levels of interactive exhibits to engage visitors and create a true-to-life understanding of what it takes to make the grade. Arena, on the first level, all 24 NCAA sports are represented and include a novice to historian trivial challenge, current team rankings, video highlights, and artifacts donated from colleges around the nation. Play, on the second level, is a fully interactive area to compete virtually and hands-on through sports simulators, a 1930s retro gymnasium, ski simulator and more.

NCAA Hall Of Champions_ Indy's Child Magazine
NCAA Hall Of Champions

Newfields: A Place for Nature & the Arts

Location: 4000 Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46208

A place for nature and arts, Newfields features art galleries with permanent and rotating exhibits from world-renowned artists. Newfields is also home to The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres, one of the largest outdoor art parks in the U.S., and The Toby, a movie theater.

Newfields, a Place for Nature & the Arts
Newfields

Learning Curve at Central Library

Location: 40 E St Clair St, Indianapolis

The Learning Curve at Central Library is a high-tech, high-energy and hands-on information environment designed for today’s children. The Learning Curve is located on the Children’s Floor of Indianapolis Public Library’s Central Library. The staff members are very knowledgeable, and they offer fun activities, games, and workshops for all ages.

Central Library - free things to do in indianapolis
Learning Curve, Central Library

Indiana State Museum

Location: 650 W Washington St, Indianapolis

The Indiana State Museum, located in downtown Indianapolis‘ White River State Park, brings the finest museum experience to the state of Indiana. The museum provides exhibits and hands-on experiences that showcase Indiana’s history. It might surprise visitors to learn how many great learning opportunities and fun kid-friendly activities the Indiana State Museum offers.

Indiana State Museum

Rhythm! Discovery Center

Location: Claypool Court, 110 W Washington St, Indianapolis

Move to the beat at Rhythm! Discovery Center, the world’s foremost drum and percussion museum. Located in the heart of downtown Indy, Rhythm! features unique, interactive exhibits highlighting a rich collection of historic artifacts and hands-on percussion instruments.

 

Daniel’s Vineyard

Location: 9061 N 700 W, McCordsville

Daniel’s Vineyard is a Geist hidden gem—the ultimate family destination. There are 22 acres of vines in their front yard and plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy the view. Enjoy pizzas, wines, and beers while your kids play games such as chess, bocce, cornhole, or just run around at the giant hill. The winery also hosts many weekly events such as concerts, line dancing lessons, and karaoke nights.

daniels vineyard

White River State Park

Location: 801 W Washington St, Indianapolis

At White River State Park, kids will find kid-friendly activities in Indianapolis, with amazing events and attractions such as the Eiteljorg Museum and Indianapolis Zoo.  Yes, you will find green spaces, trails, trees, and waterways that you expect at any state park.  In addition to nature’s wonderland, you will find cultural, educational, and recreational attractions and events in our urban getaway’s 250-acres.

White River State Park
Photo Credit: facebook.com/WhiteRiverStatePark

Soldiers & Sailors Monument

Location: 1 Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis

Recognized as one of the world’s outstanding monuments, the structure has come to symbolize both the City of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana. The Soldiers & Sailors Monument is Indiana’s official memorial to the Hoosiers that served in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Frontier Wars and the Spanish-American War. Admission is free but an elevator ride costs a $2 charge. 

Fishers AgriPark

Location: 11171 Florida Road, Fortville

A 33-acre urban farm, the Fishers AgriPark pays homage to Fishers’ agricultural roots, while inspiring future generations of farmers, scientists, agronomists, robotics engineers, chefs, and more. With a focus on education and giving back, visitors of all ages can become immersed in a working farm. They can learn about farming practices and innovations needed to feed our world while participating in kid-friendly activities.

Fishers Agripark

The Children’s Garden at Coxhall Gardens

Location: 11677 Towne Road, Carmel

There’s really only one word to describe the Children’s Garden at Coxhall Gardens: magical. This beautiful park, located on the west side of Carmel, is a magical hidden gem, and it’s the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for a more analog park experience for kids.

Children's Garden Coxhall

Flat Fork Creek Park

Location: 16141 E. 101st Street, Fishers

When you need to take a break from the hustle and bustle of life, there’s no better place than Flat Fork Creek Park. Tucked away on the east side of Fishers – you can enjoy it all year long. From its diverse amenities and activities for every age and ability to its natural beauty and peaceful environment, as a result, you’ll find that Flat Fork Creek is the perfect place to relax and refresh yourself.


If you’re looking for even more Kid Friendly Activities in Indianapolis, check out Indy’s Child Calendar for up-to-date family activities.

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