22 Things To Do In Indianapolis This Spring Break (2026)

Spring break in Indianapolis is packed with fun, and you don’t have to travel far to make it memorable! Whether you’re burning off energy on a rainy afternoon or planning a full week of local “staycation” adventures, there’s something for every age and budget. This guide covers the best things to do in Indianapolis for spring break 2026, from world-class museums and spring festivals to the Canal, the Monon, and other family favorites.

More Indianapolis Guides to Explore:

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• 19 Indiana Day Trips Perfect for Spring
• 2026 Easter Egg Hunts near Indianapolis
• 2026 Spring Break Camps Near Indianapolis for Kids

Here are 22 things to do this spring break in Indianapolis:

1. Visit the Children’s Museum.

• Tiana’s Joyful Celebration opens March 7, 2026, and runs through January 3, 2027. It’s the first-ever museum exhibition dedicated to Princess Tiana, with interactive experiences inspired by New Orleans’ music, food, and culture.
• Plus, head to the museum on Thursday, April 2, 2026, to take advantage of First Thursday Nights from 4:00 – 8:00 pm! Visit the museum for just $6, the Sports Legends Experience for just $6, or both for just $7! Get your tickets early.
• The Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience combines rich sports history, physical fitness, and health education in a variety of family-fun, indoor and outdoor experiences. Run, drive, jump, putt, and play while learning how to stay happy, healthy, and safe. The Sports Legend Experience reopens March 14, 2026. 

2. Celebrate spring with xZOOberance at the Indianapolis Zoo.

Coming just in time for spring break, xZooberance runs every Thursday – Sunday, March 19 – April 19, 2026. The Zoo will be open 9 am-5 pm with event activities running noon-4 pm.

• • Sensory Friendly Days are March 29 & April 12 | Noon-4 pm

3. Cheer on the Indianapolis Indians.

Go to Victory Field on March 27, 2026 for the Indianapolis Indians season opener for baseball and fireworks! If the temperature is below 60 degrees at first pitch, all fans in attendance receive a ticket to another April home game of their choice.

4. Stay busy at the Indiana State Museum.

• The Pinewood Derby – March 25–29, 2026
  Indiana’s second-greatest spectacle in racing is back! The Pinewood Derby track is set and ready as cars race down a 125-foot run toward the finish line. Send your car off from the second-story start line and see how it stacks up on the way down. Don’t miss the Best in Show contest on Saturday, March 28.

5. Enjoy spring break on the Prairie.

• The outdoor grounds at Conner Prairie are a perfect spring break destination, with plenty of space to explore and hands-on activities for kids.
• The Museum Experience Center at Conner Prairie opens April 4, 2026, as a new year-round destination for families. With six indoor areas designed for exploring, playing and learning, it offers immersive experiences that help kids and adults connect with history, people and the land in new ways.
• Treetop Outpost
  Conner Prairie has so many outdoor locations to explore, but the Treetop Outpost is one you don’t want to miss. The Treetop Outpost also includes this 30-foot suspension bridge and a connecting Nature Walk that leads visitors through the woods and along the White River to a prairie lookout.
• Discover Habitat at Conner Prairie: The newest outdoor experience
  Habitat is a new way to explore the world around you by highlighting the unique habitats throughout the gardens and landscapes of Conner Prairie. Habitats provide homes for all living things, from the tiniest ant to the tallest tree.
• Springtime on the Prairie on April 4, 2026, invites families to enjoy a day of spring activities around the festival grounds in Prairietown as the season comes to life. The afternoon includes Easter egg hunts organized by age group, with each hunt held at a set time and spread throughout the grounds.

6. Visit the Gnomes

This spring break, garden gnomes from far and wide will gather at the Conservatory for Gnome Away from Home, running March 20–April 5, 2026! Explore this whimsical display and see how many gnomes you can spot. This year’s theme is “Gnomes Save the Day,” featuring superhero scenes and playful setups throughout the Conservatory. Admission is $6 for individuals and $14 for families (up to 2 adults). The Conservatory is closed on Mondays.

Pro-Tip: The Conservatory can get humid! Dress the kids in layers so they stay comfortable while hunting for superheroes.

7. Go downtown!

We bet you still need to check off some things on your downtown Indy bucket list. With so many events and activities happening downtown during spring break, you can experience so much and make great memories right in your city.

8. Explore a nature playground

It’s no secret that Indianapolis is home to many beautiful playgrounds, but these natural ones stand out for their unique design – bringing you closer to nature.

• Nature Adventure Playground at Jill Perelman Pavilion – This playground is truly a hidden gem and is the only public park in the area with a zip line!
• The Children’s Garden at Coxhall Gardens – 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.
• River Heritage Park – From the parking lot, you might miss the second playground that takes place within the wooded trail.

9. When in doubt, go to the library.

The greater Indianapolis area has some incredible libraries for finding new books and creating new adventures. Here are a few of our favorite libraries that offer great kids’ zones:

• 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

10. Burn off energy at an indoor playground.

When it’s rainy or chilly outside, indoor play spaces save the day. Check out our roundup of indoor playgrounds near Indianapolis and try somewhere new this break. Here are a few free ones to check out:

• Fishers Community Center
• The Treehouse at Plainfield Christian Church
• Traders Point Christian Church Indoor Playground
• The Commons Playground in Columbus

11. Visit a nature center.

Nature centers have the best of everything. Enjoy some time outside before heading indoors for educational activities and exhibits. You could spend your entire week visiting all the different nature centers in Central Indiana!

12. Take a stroll on the Monon Trail

Enjoying a walk or a family bike ride on the Monon Trail is a sure way to know spring is here. The Monon Trail is 18.1 miles long and stretches from Downtown Indy, all the way up to Westfield. You will find some of Indy’s best local shops and restaurants along the trail. Here are a few of our favorite family-friendly spots to get a quick treat:

• Bub’s Burgers& Ice Cream – 210 W Main St, Carmel
• Nicey Treat – 916 E Westfield Blvd, Indianapolis
• Just “Pop” In! – 6406 Cornell Ave, Indianapolis
• Wyliepalooza Ice Cream & Boba Tea – 1049 East 54th St. Indianapolis

13. Enjoy a whole day at White River State Park!

White River State Park offers 9 different attractions across 250 beautiful acres in downtown Indianapolis. All are a must-do!

14. Try out a new restaurant

Do you have a little foodie? Try out one of these top 11 fun Indianapolis restaurants for kids.

15. Duck, duck … Bowling

Indianapolis is home to many bowling alleys. But Action & Atomic Duckpin Bowling, located in the Indianapolis neighborhood of Fountain Square, is probably the most unusual — and perhaps the 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.

16. Enjoy a mix of art and nature

Take a stroll through Newfield’s Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park. The 100-acre park is free to access and open to the public from sunrise to sunset. Families can enjoy nature while playing on the unique playground features or while jumping on the one-of-a-kind Funky Bones by Dutch artist Atelier Van Lieshout.

17. Play, run, jump!

Enjoy some spring weather at one of the Indianapolis area’s top playgrounds! Indy’s Child has a long list of playgrounds and reviews. Here are a few of our favorites we can’t wait to hit this spring break:

• Colts Canal PlaySpace | Indianapolis
  Right on the Downtown Canal Walk, this modern playground is built for climbers. Kids can tackle a tall vertical tower, twisty nets, and challenging features, all on rubber surfacing that stays mud-free. Bonus: great views of the canal and passing swan boats.
• Hummel Park | Plainfield
  This 204-acre park is a go-to for families who want playground time plus nature. Expect multiple play areas, a dedicated toddler zone, and a large big-kid structure with classic and modern climbing features. Don’t miss the huge wooden pedestrian bridge and the boulder-style nature play area.
• Lawrence W. Inlow Park | Carmel
  This destination playground offers something for every age and ability. Kids can cross the 16-foot-high Skywalk rope bridge, zoom down the rolling tube slide, and climb the Explorer Dome. With multiple themed play areas designed for different skill levels, it’s an easy choice for families with kids of varying ages.
• Holliday Park | Indianapolis
  A renovated favorite with room to roam. The playground includes timber towers, hillside slides, and zones that fit a range of ages and abilities. When you need an indoor break, step into the free Habitat Hall nature center for the White River water table.
• Old City Park | Greenwood
  The star here is the 20-foot-tall cube tower that feels like a space station. Kids can climb nets and scramble over play mounds, then families can take a break with porch swings and yard games like cornhole and foosball near the creek and prairie.

18. Take a Day Trip

Just because you aren’t planning a big spring break vacation, doesn’t mean you can’t plan a few quick day trips. Check out this Indy’s Child for our top 19 kid-friendly day trips from Indianapolis. Have a little bit longer than a day? Check out these ideas for a perfect road trip, all under a 3-hour drive.

19. Have a treetop adventure

Add a little excitement to your spring break plans, by spending the day among the treetops. For younger kids, climbing a local treehouse could be just the adventure your family needs. You can find treehouses at Conner Prairie and Flat Fork Creek. Older kids might enjoy an adrenaline rush from a ride on a zip line.

20. Explore a new museum

Indianapolis is home to some of the best museums in the country. Explore, discover, have fun, and be inspired at these great spring break destinations!

21. Be a little unique

Want to do something a little different? We have some ideas for our favorite unique activities around Indianapolis:

• Holcomb Observatory & Planetarium
  Head to Butler University’s Holcomb Observatory for an out-of-this-world experience. Families can enjoy planetarium shows and telescope viewings that make learning about space fun and interactive.
• Catch Win Clawade & Arcade 
  Indy’s first all-claw machine arcade is packed wall-to-wall with claw machines, giving kids a fun and different kind of arcade experience. It’s part luck, part strategy, and part pure excitement as families try for plush prizes, toys, and more.
• DIY Jewelry Making at HopeAnchor Crew
  Let kids design and create their own custom jewelry pieces in this hands-on workshop experience. It’s a creative way to make something meaningful to take home.
• Dig Dig for Kids Indoor Sandbox
  This indoor sandbox adventure gives kids the chance to dig, build, and explore in a space designed just for imaginative, hands-on play.
• North Mass Boulder
  North Mass Boulder offers indoor climbing fun for kids ready to challenge themselves. It’s a great way to build confidence, strength, and coordination.
• Bier Brewery in Noblesville
  Bier Brewery provides a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere where parents can relax while kids enjoy the casual, community-focused setting.
• Ignite Art Studio & Makerspace in Fishers
  Ignite Art Studio and Makerspace is like a giant art classroom. It has many tools and materials you might need to create multiple projects, housed in a light and airy space with media specialists to help. It’s a place to create and explore almost anything that you can put your mind to!
• Race RC Cars in Indianapolis
  Radio control (RC) cars are a fast and fun hobby, and there are dedicated race tracks around Indianapolis where kids can take their racing skills to the next level.
• DIY Bath Bombs at Bath Junkie
  The charm of Bath Junkie is in its unique “make your own” feature. Customers have the freedom to walk in and create their custom products, with no appointment needed! Among the variety, crafting bath bombs is a popular and fun choice.

22. Budget-friendly spring break ideas

Looking to save a little money while the kids are home this spring break? Check out our Free things to do in the Indianapolis guide, or these 80 fun activities for $5 or less in Indianapolis.

If you are still unsure of what to do this spring break, check out the Indy’s Child calendar for all of the family-friendly events happening around Indy!

FAQ: Spring Break in Indianapolis 2026

When is spring break in Indianapolis in 2026?

Most Indianapolis-area schools schedule spring break between March 16 and April 10, 2026, though dates vary by district.

What are free things to do during spring break in Indianapolis?

There are plenty of free spring break activities in Indianapolis, including exploring the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, biking the Monon Trail, and visiting local gems like Holliday Park. For indoor fun, check out free play areas at local libraries or churches. For a complete list, see our guide to 90 Free or Cheap Things to Do in Indy.

Is spring break busy at the Children’s Museum in Indianapolis?

Yes. The Children’s Museum is one of the most popular spring break destinations in Indianapolis, especially with brand new exhibits like Tiana’s Joyful Celebration. Purchasing tickets online in advance is recommended to avoid long lines. Pro tip: To save money and avoid sell-outs, buy tickets early for First Thursday Night on April 2, when admission is $6 per person.

What are the best indoor spring break activities for rainy days?

If the Indiana weather doesn’t cooperate, Indy has fantastic indoor options. Top picks include the Indiana State Museum’s Pinewood Derby, the Dig Dig for Kids indoor sandbox, and the climbing walls at North Mass Boulder. You can also find a variety of indoor playgrounds near Indianapolis to help the kids burn off extra energy.