95 Cheap or Free Things to Do in Indianapolis with Kids

Looking for fun and cheap things to do in Indianapolis? Get ready to dive into an adventure packed with excitement, discovery, and unforgettable memories! We’ve gathered 90 incredible things to do in Indianapolis, and the best part? Most of these cost $5 or less!

These affordable activities are perfect whether you’re an Indy local or just passing through. Why not enjoy your next outing without breaking the bank?

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

96 Cheap Things to Do in Indianapolis

Most of these activities cost $5 or less per person, with a few exceptions that still felt like a great value for the price.

1. Indy Island Family Aquatic Center – $5/child; $6/adult
   
2. Garfield Park Conservatory – General admission: $5/person
3. George Washington Community School Pool – Free for children under 2; $2 for children ages 3-17; $3 for adults
4. Ride a miniature train with the Indiana Live Steamers (May-Oct) – $4/ride
5. Splash around at the Krannert Family Center indoor pool – $3/youth; $4/adults
6. Take a ride on the Forest Park Carousel – $2 (Weekend Apr, May, Aug, Sept, Oct; daily June-July)
7. A self-guided tour at Trader’s Point Creamery – $5
   
8. Enjoy breakfast and a movie once a month with Cereal Cinema. Movie plus cereal bar for $8
9. Indoor playground at the Broad Ripple Family Center – $2
10. Ride the elevator to the top of Soldiers and Sailors Monument – $3/adult, $2/child (stairs are free)
11. Ride a pony at Natural Valley Ranch – $5
12. The Sensory Room inside the family center at Rhodius Park – $3
13. KidCity Indoor Playground – $6 (Resident), $8 (Nonresident)
14. Enjoy a retro movie at Landmark Keystone Art Cinema – $5
15. 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.
    
16. Laser Tag at Bowl 32 – $5/game
17. Explore Eagle Creek Park – Admission is $6 per car for Marion County residents and $7 per car for out-of-county visitors, or just $1 per person if you walk or bike in.
18. Play a game of mini golf at Forest Park – $3
19. Ice Skate indoors at Perry Park – $5 for ages 17 & under, $7 for adults.
20. Weekend public tour at Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium – $5 for children and students under 18; $8 for adults
21. Learn about the best of the best at the NCAA Hall of Fame. Admission is $7.50 for adults and $5 for kids and seniors (kids under 5 are free).

Discount Days

These activities are available at discounted prices on specific days:

22. Free First Thursday at Newfields – First Thursday of each month – Free
23. Emagine Noblesville $5 Tuesday Matinee – $5 movie tickets every Tuesday
24. Early bird bowling at Royal Pin Bowling – Sunday mornings 9 a.m.-noon – $3.75/game
25. First Thursday Night at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis – First Thursday of the month from 4-8 p.m. – $6/admission*
26. Early bird bowling at Royal Pin Bowling – Sunday mornings 9 a.m.-noon – $3/game
27. Value Day at Regal Theater – Every Tuesday, tickets priced $5.99-$6.99 all day
28. Roller Skating at Fun Factory – Tuesdays, 6-8:30 p.m. – $2
29. Sunday Funday at Roller City – $5 skate sessions, $4 mini golf
30. Flix Brewhouse Discount Movie Day – $5.25 all day on Wednesdays
31. Half-priced games at Pinheads Arcade – Half-priced games on Thursdays, $10 of games for $5
32. Check out our Free Museum Days Guide for when to visit local museums without spending a dime.

Free Recurring Programs

These free programs take place on a recurring schedule throughout the month. Looking for even more ideas? Find more free events this month.

33. Take part in a Lowe’s DIY Workshop. Participating stores offer free workshops each month.
34. Create something new during a free in-store craft workshop at Michaels.
35. Join a free DIY kids workshop at Home Depot, held on the first Saturday of each month.
36. Put on your favorite pajamas for Pajama-Rama, a monthly program at Cool Creek Nature Center.
37. Learn something new during a free monthly workshop at the Lakeshore Learning Store.
38. Stretch and move during Free Yoga Wednesdays in Fishers.
39. Discover something new each month at the Zionsville Nature Center’s Drop-In Discovery program.
40. Get an up-close look at animal ambassadors during Beastly Brunch at Holliday Park Nature Center.
41. Stop by the Garfield Park Conservatory for Critter Chat.

Free Places to Play & Activities

These activities are always free!

42. Have an adventure at one of the 12 coolest playgrounds in Indianapolis.
43. Take in the fresh air on one of Indianapolis’ hiking trails.
44. Play ping pong, shuffleboard, cornhole, or bocce ball at Midtown Plaza Carmel.
    

Indoor Playgrounds

45. The Treehouse at Plainfield Christian Church
46. The Commons in Columbus
47. Cornerstone Lutheran Church
48. The Park at Traders Point Christian Church
49. Playzone at The Community Center at AFC
50. The Center at The Well Community Church
51. Fishers Community Center Indoor Playground

52. Rent a free Nature Exploration Backpack from Fishers Parks.
53. Learn about agriculture at AgriPark in Fishers.
54. Cozy up for Free Community Movie Nights at the Butler Arts & Events Center.
55. Catch a family-friendly movie on the lawn at Movies at Midtown. Free screenings are on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
    
56. Relax or play at The Portico at College Park Church. Part playground, part community space (with free wifi).
57. Borrow an adventure backpack and explore Mounds State Park – Free
58. Create a masterpiece at Ignite Art Studio and Makerspace in Fishers.
59. Explore the trails and wetlands at Marian University’s EcoLab.

    

60. Ride the zip line at the Nature Adventure Playground at Jill Perelman Pavilion.
61. Explore The Learning Curve at Central Library.
62. Play a game of pickleball. Find public pickleball courts here (many are free).
63. Learn about Indiana’s woodlands at Cool Creek Nature Center.
64. Climb on the Treehouses at Flat Fork Creek.

    

65. Have an archeologist’s adventure at River Road Park. This one-of-a-kind park includes features you’ll see nowhere else around Indy.
66. Take a family bike ride on one of our favorite bike paths in Indianapolis.
67. Learn to exchange sports cards at Indy Card Exchange.
68. Explore the ruins at Holliday Park.
69. Stroll the Downtown Canal Walk
70. Explore the Stutz Building – Check out the vintage cars on display inside this beautifully renovated historic car factory. You can usually spot classics like a 1914 Stutz Bearcat and a vintage Ferrari. (Free)
71. Read a book and play inside at one of these libraries for indoor fun.
72. Meet the live animals at the Pecar Park Nature Center.
73. Explore Indianapolis through a scavenger hunt.
74. Work out as a family at the Colts Fitness Park.
75. Stroll the Children’s Garden at Coxhall Gardens, one of Indy’s most beautiful parks.

    

76. Visit the interactive Holliday Park Nature Center.
    • Upcoming Special Events:
      • Critter Tales – Select Thursdays – Free
      • Beastly Brunch – Select Wednesdays – Free
      • Playdate at the Park – Monthly – Free
77. Volunteer together as a family at the Humane Society of Indianapolis.
78. Grab your frisbee and head to one of these local disc golf courses.
79. Walk around the ArtsPark at the Indianapolis Art Center.
    
80. Take a stroll along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.
81. Head inside to one of these 12 places to play indoors for free.
82. Visit the Kawachinagano Japanese Garden in Carmel.
83. Visit the Indiana State Police Museum.
84. Climb to the highest point in Indianapolis to visit James Whitcomb Riley’s tomb at Crown Hill Cemetery.
85. Discover geocaching as a family and explore Indianapolis in a whole new way.
86. Browse the galleries at the Indy Art Center.
87. Create your own bath bomb at Buff City Soaps. Free with purchase from the shop.
88. Spend the day watching traffic go by at The Idle.
    
89. Discover Grand Junction Plaza in downtown Westfield.
90. Visit The Carmel Fire Buffs and Fire Department Museum. Donations at the door are appreciated.
91. Discover Indiana flora and fauna at the Zionsville Nature Center.
92. Bike, skate, or walk the Monon Trail, which stretches 26 miles through Indy.
93. Climb on Funky Bones and Oracle of Intimation roof at the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park.
94. Browse our free things to do this month calendar for even more ideas!
95. Stuck at home? Here are 70 activities to try anytime.