Hello June. The month that summer really kicks into full swing, splash parks alight with laughter and families plan special summer trips. The Strawberry Festival. Outdoor movies. And that is just the beginning. To celebrate this month in style, we’ve handpicked these free things to do in Indianapolis this June.
The Children’s Museum’s Target Free Family Night
Jun 2
Make discoveries, spark your creativity, be transported to other times and places, get your hands in sand and water, climb and jump . . . and have a ball doing it all. This months theme is Juneteenth, so kids can help commemorate and celebrate the historical significance with awesome activities. Discover the rest of the 2016 Target Free Family Nights lineup.
15th Annual Kids Fishing Derby
Jun 4
Cast away! Kids ages 4-14 are invited to try their hand at fishing. All participants receive a goody bag, bait, and a cookout lunch. The park has a limited number of fishing poles available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis, but if you own a pole, they certainly encourage you to bring it.
June 4
Keep the kids exercising their minds this summer with the Paws to Read program. Kids can develop confidence and reading skills by reading aloud to the trained therapy dogs- who really make good listeners!
June 5
Who said being healthy can’t be fun? Bring the whole family to the Center for Early Orthodontic Treatment. There will be physicians and health care providers for mom and dad to ask questions and a bounce house, DJ, and games for the kids.
June 10
Drive down to the heart of Indianapolis, Monument Circle, to kick off Indiana Children & Nature Network’s summer program, Nature Play Days. There will be fishing games, bird watching, live animals, and more. This is also an opportunity to learn more about the free and fun Nature Play Days.
June 10
Come help SPOT (Speech Physical Occupational Therapy) Services celebrate the Grand Opening the newest outpatient clinic. Tour the new facility, enjoy Jockamo’s Pizza, get your faces painted and hear about the specialty camps we will be offering throughout the summer! There will be fun therapy based games, including our interactive gaming rehabilitation system!
Indianapolis Italian Street Festival
June 10-11
Indulge in homemade, delicious Italian cuisine while jamming out to the 4 bands the festival offers. Don’t overeat though, because there will be tons of Mid-way rides that the whole family can enjoy.
Nature Play Day at the Indianapolis Zoo
June 11
Commemorate the new Indianapolis Zoo Family Nature Center with tons of family friendly activities. These activities are designed to get the the whole family involved with all the neat and beautiful nature that surrounds us.
June 15
Stop by Daystar Childcare to participate in a Pop-Up Adventure Playground. These are play areas made of re-purposed, safe, and loose materials like cardboard pipes and boxes. They are to support creative child play in public settings.
June 18
Celebrate Juneteenth at the Eiteljorg with music, performances, demonstrations, food and fun for the entire family. Juneteenth, or Freedom Day, is a holiday commemorating the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas in June 1865, and more generally the emancipation of African Americans in the Confederate South.
Irvington Folk Festival Finale
June 18
Discover a unique festival this June! Enjoy a full day in Ellenberger Park with the Children’s Festival from 11 am until 1 pm, the Alternative Gift Fair featuring artisans from across Indiana, music on the Main Stage featuring Scott Ballantine & Andra Faye, The Punkin’ Holler Boys, Flatland Harmony Experiment, and more.
June 18
The Indiana State Museum is hosting the 2016 Asian Fest presented by the Asian American Alliance. At this free, family-friendly event, there will be performances celebrating Asian culture, along with Asian food. As an added bonus, there will be half-off admission for the Indiana State Museum during this event.
MORE SUMMER FUN: Here’s a list of the 2016 Summer Festivals in Indianapolis
June 18
St. Gabriel Church’s Annual International Festival celebrates the cultural diversity of the surrounding International Marketplace neighborhood. The Festival features classic summer fun including family friendly games, an old-fashioned midway and live music by talented local acts. The food, of course, will be globally inspired, thanks to the diversity of Indy’s west side.
IEM Festival’s Annual Free Family Concert
June 18
Rise and shine for a morning devoted to family fun! This is a Free Festival Tradition at the Bastile Theater, and this year the Baltimore Consort will provide the morning of fun for the entire family.
June 18
Hamilton Town Center invites guests to join their third annual Chalk Art Festival. There will be professional and amateur artists lining the streets, ready to win the art competition. Families are encouraged to view the artwork and vote! There will be plenty of children’s activities, like face painting and balloons.
June 18
Welcome the official start of summer with music, games, food and the 2ndAnnual Indy Art Swap in partnership with Indy Star. Bring a picnic blanket and relax to performances by local musicians from Girls Rock! Indianapolis and Classical Music Indy. Bring artwork of any kind to trade with fellow collectors. Finally, ride your bike to the event to join in a traveling bike festival down the Canal Towpath lead by the organizers of the Reconnecting Our Waterways (ROW) and StreamLines projects.
June 21
Find your zen on the International Day of Yoga. In order to introduce kids to the healing and calming powers that yoga provides, there will be a special 45-minute yoga routine for parents and their children ages 6+ to do simultaneously with the main event. Namaste.
June 24
Westfield Parks & Recreation and CitySpring Church have offered a special Movies In The Park series since 2013. Bring chairs, blankets, snacks and flashlights for comfort. Parking available at Westfield High School and movies begin at sunset.
FAMILY FUN ALERT: The 2016 Guide to Outdoor Movies in Indianapolis
June 24-26
This summer festival NEEDS all three days, as the schedule is jam packed with tons of events that everyone can participate in. The event features a performance from JAMBOX Band, a 5K, a kiddie run, crafts, parades, and much more. In addition to all the fun, the festival helps many organizations. Make sure to bring nonperishable items for the food drive!
June 25
The Holistic Hub Wellbeing Fest is a family friendly day to support you and your family’s wellbeing. There will be something for all ages, including your pets (although they are not able to attend this indoor event). The goal of the fest is to help you to better understand and navigate the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual components of health. Children are free.
June 25
Indian Market and Festival is a one-of-a kind cultural experience right here in the Midwest. Over two decades old, this cultural gathering exhibits some of the best local artwork. Other entertaining activities are also part of the event. Kids are free.
June 25
Celebrate Gymboree Play & Music’s 40th Anniversary through fun play, music, and art activities at both their Greenwood and Carmel play facilities. This event is open to the public and FREE to all. Help celebrate 40 years of learning through play with your little one and all of your friends! Bubbles, parachutes, and song galore! No sign up required. Ages 0 – 5
June 27
There will be live bands on multiple stages and a whole lot of boom! The day begins with a parade that winds through downtown Greenwood, then stroll through the street fair and car show. Cap off the day in Craig Park for food, games, fun, live music and FIREWORKS!
Going Native: Indiana’s Animals . . . Animal Shows
June 29
Children of all ages and families are invited to meet up to five live animals during this presentation by Animalia. Kids will get to learn about and see what creatures crawled and creeped in their backyards over two hundred years ago.
June 29
Free activities and family fun are on the menu for Wednesday nights on the canal at the Indiana State Museum. During the Science night, there be be tons of hands-on experiments so that kids can explore the science behind all the fun.
