50 Free Activities in Indianapolis for Summer 2024

Summer in Indianapolis is bursting with opportunities for family fun, and you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy it! From splashing in fountains to exploring nature trails, catching outdoor movies to discovering hidden gems, Indy offers a ton of free activities that will keep the whole family entertained all season long.

Get ready to fill your summer days with laughter, adventure, and memories that will last a lifetime with these 50 free and fun activities for families in Indianapolis in 2024.

Free Outdoor Adventures near Indianapolis:

1. Attend a free outdoor concert.
2. Catch a family-friendly movie on the lawn at Movies at Midtown. Free screenings are on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
3. Play at one of Indy’s many free splash pads. 
4. Swim and listen to great music during the free Summer Concert Series at Murphy Aquatic Park. 
5. Stroll or bike along the Indianapolis Canal Walk.
6. Go for a swim at the Sahm Aquatic Center every Tuesday and Thursday from 4-6 pm during free community swim.
7. Picnic at Holliday Park.
8. Hike one of these amazing trails for families. 
9. Discover the beauty of Garfield Park Conservatory.
10. Admire the outdoor sculptures at the Indianapolis Art Center ArtsPark.
11. Climb on Funky Bones at the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park.
12. Bike the Monon Trail.
13. Explore a new playground.
14. Spend the afternoon on Monument Circle listening to live music and playing games during SPARK.
15. Enjoy free family swim days at Franklin Family Aquatic Center. Thursdays from 6-8 pm.
16. Take a walk through the historic Crown Hill Cemetery.
17. Rent a free Nature Exploration Backpack from Fishers Parks.
18. Learn about agriculture at AgriPark in Fishers.  
19. Explore the trails and wetlands at Marian University’s EcoLab.
20. Ride the zip line at the Nature Adventure Playground at Jill Perelman Pavilion.
21. Climb away on the Treehouses at Flat Fork Creek.
22. Stroll the Children’s Garden at Coxhall Gardens, one of Indy’s most beautiful parks, plus a giant sand area to play.

    

23. Have an archeologist’s adventure at River Road Park. This one-of-a-kind park includes features you’ll see nowhere else around Indy.
24. Work out as a family at the Colts Fitness Park. 
25. Creek stomp at Starkey Nature Park in Zionsville.
26. Hanging at home? Check out these 100 Fun Things to Do Outside This Summer at Home.

Free Indoor Activities:

26. Try for a turkey with Indy’s Kids Bowl Free Program.
27. Discover nature inside at a central Indiana Nature Center.

    

28. Sign up for a summer reading program at your local library.
29. Free Indoor Playgrounds:
    • The Treehouse at Plainfield Christian Church
    • The Commons in Columbus 
    • Cornerstone Lutheran Church 
    • The Park at Traders Point Christian Church 
    • Playzone at The Community Center at AFC
    • The Center at The Well Community Center

      

30. Browse the galleries at the Indy Art Center. 
31. Explore the Indiana State Police Museum.
32. Stuck at home? Try out these 100 Fun Things to do with your Kids at Home.

Free Community Events in Indianapolis-area:

32. Party in the Park – May 31
33. Mud Day – Greenwood, May 31

    

34. Earth Day Indiana Festival, June 1
35. Broad Ripple Duck Race, June 1
36. Free Community Pool Day, June 6
37. Newfields Community Day, June 6; July 4, Aug 2
38. Kokomo Strawberry Festival, June 7
39. Free Day! Juneteenth at the Indiana State Museum, June 15
40. Talbot Street Art Fair, June 15-16
41. Touch-a-Truck at Grand Park, June 20-21
42. Brown County Touch-A-Truck, June 22

    

43. Spark!Fishers, June 25-30
44. Greenwood Freedom Festival, June 29
45. Hendricks County Rib Fest & BBQ, June 29
46.  Franklin Firecracker Festival, July 3 
47. All American Day in the Park, July 3
48. Westfield Rocks the 4th, July 4
49. Aviation Community Day, July 13

    

50. Monsoon Madness at Holland Park, July 22
51. RecFest, July 27

Find all the free events happening this month in Indianapolis!