75 Fun Activities for $5 or Less in Indianapolis

Are you ready to explore Indianapolis without breaking the bank? Get ready to embark on an adventure filled with excitement, discovery, and unforgettable memories!  Get ready to be amazed as we unveil 75 incredible things to do in Indianapolis that won’t cost you more than $6!

These budget-friendly gems are perfect for everyone, whether you’re an Indy native or just passing through. So, why not make your next outing unforgettable without burning a hole in your wallet?

For more free fun, check out our list of free things to do in Indianapolis with kids or free Indianapolis events this month. 

The list below opens up many possibilities for fun activities for $5 (per person) or less in Indianapolis!

*Great deals just over $5/person

 

Year Round Deals 

  1. KidCity Indoor Playground – $5 (Resident), $6 (Nonresident)
  2. Indy Island Family Aquatic Center – $4/child; $5/adult
  3. Garfield Park Conservatory – general admission: $4/person; special events: $6/person or $12 per family

    • Upcoming special events:
  4. A self-guided tour at Trader’s Point Creamery – $5trader point
  5. Browse a winter farmers market
  6. Hit the ice rink at Perry Park. $5/kid, $7/adult
  7. Catch a movie at a Reagle Theater on Value Day (every Tuesday). Tickets are priced $5-7 all day long! 
  8. George Washington Community School Pool – $3/adults, $2/children
  9. Ride the “Little Beauty” Carousel at Forest Park.- $2 (Weekend Apr, May, Aug, Sept, Oct.; daily June-July.)
  10. Learn about space at the Carmel Planetarium. Once a month, the planetarium is open to the public for evening shows. $3 for children & students, $5/adult.  Carmel Planetarium                   
  11. Family Fun Night at Skateland – Tuesday nights from 6-8:30 pm – $7 admission*
  12. Early bird bowling at Royal Pin Bowling – Sunday mornings 9 am-noon – $3/game
  13. First Thursday Night at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis – First Thursday of the month from 4-8 pm – $6/admission*
  14. Ride a miniature train with the Indiana Live Steamers. (May-Oct), $4/ride.INDIANA LIVE STEAMERS PUBLIC RIDES
  15. Free first Thursday at Newfields – First Thursday of each month – Free
  16. George Washington Community School Pool. Free for children under 2; $2 for children 3-17; $3 for adults.
  17. Splash around at the Krannert Family Center indoor pool. $3/youth; $4/adults
  18. Rent bikes through the Indiana Pacers Bikeshare. $1 to ride, plus 15 cents per minute. That’s almost a half-hour of fun for $5! 
  19. Enjoy family swim night at Carmel Swim Academy on select evenings. $5/person. Additionally, community swim sessions are available daily for children 17 and under at $5, and $10 for adults.
  20. Enjoy Sunday Funday at Roller City. $5 skate sessions, and $4 mini golf. 
  21. Catch a discount movie at Flix Brewhouse for only $5.25 all day on Wednesdays. 
  22. Indoor playground at the Broad Ripple Family Center – $2

    broad ripple playground
    Broad Ripple Family Center Playground
  23. The Sensory Room located inside the family center at Rhodius Park – $3
  24. Enjoy half-priced arcade games on Thursdays at Pinheads. $10 of arcade games just became $5. 
  25. Enjoy a retro movie at Landmark Keystone Art Cinema. $5
  26. A self-guided tour at Wolf Park –  $5/person
  27. Attempt the Lazer Maze at Glowgolf $5 for 4 games
    Lazer Maze at Glowgolf
    Lazer Maze at Glowgolf

  28. Laser Lag at Bowl 32 – $5/game
  29. Explore Eagle Creek Park –  Park admission is $5/car for Marion County residents; $6/car for out-of-county.
  30. Play a game of mini golf at Forest Park. $3
  31. Roller Skate every Tuesday at the Fun Factory from 6-8:30 for $2. 
  32. Weekend public tour at Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium – $5 for children and students under 18 and $8 for adults. 
  33. Learn about the best of the best at the NCAA Hall of Fame! Admission is $7* for adults and $5 for kids and seniors (kids under 5 are free). 

Everyday Free Activities

  1. Find when to visit local museums with our Free Museum Days guide. 
  2. Have an adventure at one of the 12 coolest playgrounds in Indianapolis.
  3. Catch a family-friendly movie on the lawn at Movies at Midtown. Free screenings are on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
  4. Take in the fresh air on one of Indianapolis’ hiking trails.
  5. Play a family game of ping pong, shuffleboard, corn hole, or bocce ball at Midtown Plaza Carmel.midtown plaza
  6. Free Indoor Playgrounds:
  7. Rent a free Nature Exploration Backpack from Fishers Parks. 
  8. Learn about agriculture at AgriPark in Fishers.
  9. Create a masterpiece at Ignite Art Studio and Makerspace in Fishers.
  10. Explore the trails and wetlands at Marian University’s EcoLab.

    Marian University EcoLab
    The EcoLab at Marian University
  11. Ride the zip line at the Nature Adventure Playground at Jill Perelman Pavilion.
  12. Explore The Learning Curve at Central Library.
  13. Play a game of pickleball. Find public pickleball courts here (many are free). 
  14. Learn about Indiana’s woodlands at the Cool Creek Nature Center.
  15. Climb away on the Treehouses at Flat Fork Creek.

    Flat Fork Creek Park
    Flat Fork Creek Park
  16. Have an archeologist’s adventure at River Road Park. This one-of-a-kind park includes features you’ll see nowhere else around Indy.
  17. Take a family bike ride on one of our favorite bike paths in Indianapolis. 
  18. Learn to exchange sports cards at Indy Card Exchange.
  19. Explore the ruins at Holliday Park. 
  20. Meet the live animals that reside at the Pecar Park Nature Center.
  21. Explore Indianapolis in the form of a scavenger hunt. 
  22. Work out as a family at the Colts Fitness Park.
  23. Stroll the Children’s Garden at Coxhall Gardens, one of Indy’s most beautiful parks.

    The Children's Garden at Coxhall Gardens
    The Children’s Garden at Coxhall Gardens.
  24. Visit the interactive and fun Holliday Park Nature Center.
  25. Volunteer together as a family at the Humane Society of Indianapolis.
  26. Grab your frisbee, and head to one of these local disc golf courses
  27. Walk around the ArtsPark at the Indianapolis Art Center.ArtsPark at the Indianapolis Art Center - free things to do in indianapolis
  28. Take a stroll along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.
  29. Head inside to one of these 10 places to play inside for FREE.
  30. Visit the Kawachinagano Japanese Garden in Carmel. 
  31. Discover the world of Geocaching as a family, and explore Indianapolis in a whole new way. 
  32. Create your own bath bomb at Buff City Soaps. Free with purchase from the shop. 
  33. Spend the day watching traffic go by at The Idle. Benches are set up to watch traffic at the intersection of I-65 and I-70.
  34. Discover Grand Junction Plaza, a newly opened space in downtown Westfield.
  35. Scope out The Carmel Fire Buffs and Fire Department Museum. Donations at the door are appreciated.
  36. Discover Indiana flora and fauna at the Zionsville Nature Center.
  37. Did you know the Monon Trail stretches through Indy for 26 miles? Get the family outside on bikes, blades, or by foot and enjoy one of Indy’s local treasures!
  38.  Climb on Funky Bones at the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park.

    Funky Bones, Visit for free
    Funky Bones
  39.  Climb to the top of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on the Circle.
  40. Browse our free things to do this month calendar for even more ideas! 
  41. Stuck at home? Here are 70 Activities to try anytime

Comments

ON STANDS NOW

From our Sponsors