Looking for the best things to do in Indianapolis with a baby or toddler? Whether you’re a new parent or just trying to find fresh ideas to entertain your little one, the Indy area is full of fun, enriching, and baby-friendly spots. From interactive museums and indoor play cafes to outdoor playgrounds and storytime classes, Indianapolis offers countless places where you and your child (ages 0–2) can relax, play, and bond. This guide rounds up the top 20 baby and toddler-friendly activities around Indianapolis — conveniently organized by category to help you easily plan your next outing!
Jump to upcoming events for babies and toddlers around Indianapolis
Places Around Indianapolis to Take Your Baby or Toddler:
Museums:
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is great for babies and toddlers, offering free admission for children under two. The museum is entirely family-friendly with stroller access, changing tables on every floor, and nursing rooms. They also offer sensory-friendly features, including borrowable headphones, quiet spaces, and sensory maps.
Playscape® (Level 3) is the dedicated exhibit exclusively for children five and under, ensuring a safe, age-appropriate environment. It also features Babyscape for infants and toddlers (under 2) with soft areas and simple activities. Toddlers and preschoolers can enjoy zones for water play, sand digging, art, music, climbing, and building. Family restrooms and nursing rooms are conveniently located inside Playscape®.
Eiteljorg R. B. Annis Western Family Experience
500 W. Washington St., Indianapolis
The newly renovated R.B. Annis Western Family Experience is a must-visit! While the classic stagecoach remains a hit, kids can also enjoy imaginative play areas where they “plant” a garden or “cook” in a play kitchen. Don’t miss the cozy reading area and the horse statues kids can ride for a Wild West photo op!
Firefly Landing at the Indiana State Museum
The Indiana State Museum offers Firefly Landing, a dedicated early childhood learning space designed specifically for visitors ages six and younger. This area provides opportunities for interactive story time, exploring sensory tables, and engaging in hands-on activities tailored for little ones, often with small class sizes led by early childhood specialists. Keep in mind that Firefly Landing is not a drop-in space; it’s used exclusively for preregistered programs and select events.
Toddler Time, designed for ages 18–36 months, includes circle time, stories, play stations, and movement to promote development through play. Check the museum’s website for updated schedules and pricing (typically around $13 plus museum admission).
Conner Prairie Discovery Station (temporarily closed)
13400 Allisonville Rd., Fishers
While closed at the moment, Discovery Station at Conner Prairie is usually open year-round. Though it serves children up to age 9, there’s a dedicated infant space and a nearby Mom’s Room for feeding and diaper changes at Conner Prairie. .
Indoor Activities:
Holliday Park Nature Center
6363 Spring Mill Rd., Indianapolis
Hiking may be the shining star of Holliday Park, but don’t overlook the year-round fun to be had in the Holliday Park nature center. The space boasts many live animals to enjoy (and a working beehive), but also baby-friendly toys, books, a fun loft to explore and even a stream to splash in! Bonus: It’s FREE!
Dig Dig for Kids
12800 Ford Drive, Fishers
Dig Dig for Kids is the largest indoor sandbox in Indiana specifically designed for the kids under, with toddlers especially in love with what it offers. They’ve built a sandbox that is more than a play area – it’s also a place for creativity and discovery. While primarily catering to the younger crowd, children over 10 are also invited to share in the fun, provided they handle the equipment with care and show kindness to the smaller adventurers.
Kid’s Planet
499 Southpoint Circle, Suite 101-102, Brownsburg
Kid’s Planet has a multi-story indoor playground appropriate from new walkers to pre-teens. This is the perfect play spot for a multi-age family, with options for everyone. The padded toddler play area is inviting and perfect for your little one.
Kid City at the Greenwood Community Center
100 Surina Way, Greenwood, IN 46143
Kid City at the Greenwood Community Center opened in 2017 as part of the reimagined Community Center. The two-story space is a year-round indoor playground for children, with STEAM-focused activity centers incorporating educational themes, art, science, and music. Babies and toddlers will particularly enjoy the small climbing structures and musical garden.
Indy Stars Gymnastics Preschool Open Play
8070 Georgetown Road, Indianapolis
POP, as it is affectionately called, is open to children 0-6, and the entire gymnastics floor is open for exploration for the children. Your baby may enjoy bouncing on a trampoline, exploring a foam block pit, or just moving their bodies on the padded gym floors. Every Wednesday and Thursday from 10-11:30 am.
Carter’s Play Place
Every child deserves a place to play, and they’ll find that at Carter’s Play Place in Westfield. The newly reopened inclusive children’s play space is better than ever, and designed to cater to kids of all abilities. Toddlers will love the foam pit, trampoline and swings. Babies have their own dedicated area, a safe and engaging environment crafted just for them to discover and play.
Classes and Storytime
Gymboree
12524 N. Gray Road, Carmel
Gymboree offers classes for infants (0-8 months), Crawlers (6-14 months), and Walkers (10-18 months), as well as family and music classes. Classes are a multi-sensory play and learning experiences that stimulate reflexes and builds brain power.
Related Article: Mommy and Me Classes near Indianapolis
Library Story Times
Various locations
Even though your tot won’t be reading their first novel for quite some time, the library is still the place to encourage a love of reading right from the start! Baby story times can help develop early literacy skills. Utilizing songs, stories, rhymes, puppets and instruments, these sessions engage your baby and make their first library experiences fun and exciting. Visit the website for specific times and locations for each event.
A few of our favorite libraries for babies and toddlers:
- Central Library – 40 East Saint Clair Street, Indianapolis
- Hancock County Library – 900 W McKenzie Rd, Greenfield
- Fort Ben – 9330 East 56th Street, Indianapolis
- Michigan Road Branch Library – 6201 Michigan Road, Indianapolis
- Carmel Clay Public Library – 425 E. Main Street in Carmel
Aqua-Tots Swim School
4825 E 96th St, Indianapolis
The Parent & Tot class at Auqa-Tots is specifically designed to introduce young children to swim lessons while allowing an adult caregiver to bond with them in the pool. The class helps children adapt to being in the water while providing a fun and safe environment.
Goldfish Swim School
Various locations
Get ready to make a splash and have an amazing time with your little one at the Mini Swim Lessons. These classes are designed to ensure small group sizes, with a maximum of six children, and encourage parent participation for a gentle introduction to the water.
Cafes
The Busy Bee Play Cafe
5635 W 96th St Suite 200, Indianapolis
Enjoy a cup of coffee while your child plays in a well-designed, indoor space. Busy Bee Play Café blends adult relaxation with child-friendly excitement, offering a comfortable experience for both.
Related Article: Best Kid-Friendly Coffee Shops in Indy
Schoolhouse 7 Cafe
12125 Cyntheanne Rd., Fishers
A former one-room schoolhouse, Schoolhouse 7 offers family-style meals, coffee, and a kid’s play area with toys and books. Don’t miss their storytime events, held upstairs in the cozy loft space.
Rose & Lois
7249 E. 146th St., Suite 110, Carmel
If you’re looking for a quiet spot to relax while your little one can play for a few minutes, Rose and Lois has exactly what you’re looking for. A dedicated small corner of their café is dedicated to kiddos and is just right for little ones who want to keep an eye on Mom or Dad while they engage in some imaginative play. Bonus, the coffee is great!
Best Indianapolis Playgrounds for Babies and Toddlers
Related Page: The Ultimate Guide To Indianapolis-Area Playgrounds
Founders Park, Carmel
We have two words for you: sandbox! That’s right, bring your scoops and buckets and let your kiddo dig right on in. Founders Park in Carmel also offers swings, a toddler play area, and walking trails to explore.
Holliday Park, Indianapolis
Holliday Park’s playground has something all parents want: a fenced-off toddler playground! You can feel safe your little one hasn’t given you the slip and let them freely explore the kid-friendly play space.
Independence Park, Greenwood
When Independence Park was renovated, the goal was to create a space where children of all ages and abilities can play together and they nailed it! We love this space for families with many children, there’s something for everyone.
Tarkington Park, Indianapolis
Tarkington Park’s rubberized turf and sloping hills make it an ideal play space for little explorers.
River Heritage Park
River Heritage Park, located on Carmel‘s east side, has a modern playground with many fun structures designed for younger kids. Hiking with babies or toddlers is also ideal at River Heritage Park because of its soft rubber path, which is perfect for pushing strollers or for toddlers to walk themselves.
Upcoming Events for Babies and Toddlers in Indianapolis:
April
May
June
