We’d like to welcome Megan Leahy – local mom of 2 – to the IndysChild.com team of writers. As part of the team, Megan hits the streets to explore the fun out there and report back so YOU know what to expect. Here’s her first piece with Indy’s Child:
It was a rainy Friday morning when my four year old and I made the trek from our native Noblesville to the Indiana State Museum. We had one goal in mind – to check out an event new-to-us but celebrated in Indianapolis for years: Celebration Crossing.Â
I was nervous not having visited it before – would it be interesting for my son? Would there be things to entertain us both? And worries aside, it ended up being a great day.
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Celebration Crossing has a whole combination of fun things for every age.Â
Here’s how our trip went:Â
We started with a trip to Santa’s Playground on the second floor. Our first stop was the Celebration Arcade, a pop-up arcade that’s the newest addition to the fun. There was something there for everyone: Games from the 1990s and retro favorites like Pole Position and Qbert {not to brag but I totally had the highest scores on the last two}. Up to 22 games in all! The second floor thankfully also has a room full of toys if you or the kids need an energy outlet, like Legos, Lincoln Logs, pictures to color, and other building blocks.
The third floor is home to the Santa Claus Express Train. This was definitely a highlight for the littles in our group. Get in line and grab your tickets, folks! One quick note – the cars on this train are on the small side so if you are comfortable doing so, send the kids for a spin and relax for a few. {I did and it gave me plenty of time for pictures.}
Last but not least, Santa & Mrs. Claus are at their home away from home on the first floor of the museum at “Santa’s House.” As with most of their vacation cottages the line to get in can be rather long – it was very helpful that the Indiana State Museum has tables full of crayons and pictures to color next to the line for any wiggleworms. Santa and the Mrs. have a very nice set up for your photos with them. You can purchase their professional package(s) but are also welcome to take your own photos, which was a nice treat.
In complement to the other awesome exhibits at the Indiana State Museum, Celebration Crossing is a fun, festive (indoor!) way to start off your holiday season. It will definitely become a new tradition for our family. Grab yours and head downtown!
{Related Post:Â “Indiana State Museum Prepares For Annual Celebration Crossing”}
MORE INFO: Celebration Crossing runs thru January 3, 2016. The Indiana State Museum is located at 650 W. Washington Street in downtown Indianapolis. Call {317} 758-7318 or visit indianamuseum.org for admission details and parking information.
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Are you loving the holidays in Indy? Let us know in the comments or tweet us at @indyschild. And don’t forget to bookmark the Indy’s Child 2015 Holiday Fun section for all the scoop you’ll need on holiday events and happenings around Indianapolis this season!
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A 30-something stay-at-home-mom of two, Megan is an Indy transplant who doesn’t like to stay at home. Originally from central Illinois, you can find her anywhere from the public library returning an overdue book or Target buying more than she went in for to taking her husband & kiddos out on the town or spending time with her friends at a local hot spot. Megan is an avid volunteer who loves working with children and helping those in need. In 2015 she founded Pals on Patrol, a non-profit that collects new/very gently used stuffed animals that police, fire/rescue, and DCS staff can give to children in time of crisis. Follow her on Twitter or check out www.palsonpatrol.com.
