80 Fun Activities for $5 or Less in Indianapolis

Cheap Things to Do in Indianapolis

These activities are priced under $5 per person and available every day they’re open, making them perfect for anyone looking for affordable fun:

1. KidCity Indoor Playground – $5 (Resident), $6 (Nonresident)
2. Indy Island Family Aquatic Center – $4/child; $5/adult
3. Garfield Park Conservatory – general admission: $4/person; special events: $6/person or $12 per family
   Upcoming Special Events
   • March 22-April 6: Gnome Away from Home
   • April 26-27: Orchid Show

6. George Washington Community School Pool – $3/adults, $2/children                   
7. Early bird bowling at Royal Pin Bowling – Sunday mornings 9 am-noon – $3/game
8. First Thursday Night at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis – First Thursday of the month from 4-8 pm – $6/admission*
9. Ride a miniature train with the Indiana Live Steamers. (May-Oct), $4/ride.
10. George Washington Community School Pool. Free for children under 2; $2 for children 3-17; $3 for adults.
11. Splash around at the Krannert Family Center indoor pool. $3/youth; $4/adults
12. Rent bikes through the Indiana Pacers Bikeshare. $1 to ride, plus 15 cents per minute. That’s almost a half-hour of fun for $5!
13. Take a ride on the Forest Park Carousel. $2 (Weekend Apr, May, Aug, Sept, Oct.; daily June-July.)
14. A self-guided tour at Trader’s Point Creamery – $5
16. Enjoy breakfast and a movie once a month with Cereal Cinema. Movie plus cereal bar for $6.*
17. Indoor playground at the Broad Ripple Family Center – $2
18. The Sensory Room located inside the family center at Rhodius Park – $3
19. Enjoy a retro movie at Landmark Keystone Art Cinema. $5
20. 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. 
    
21. Laser Lag at Bowl 32 – $5/game
22. Explore Eagle Creek Park* –  Park admission is $6/car for Marion County residents; $7/car for out-of-county.
23. Play a game of mini golf at Forest Park. $3
24. Weekend public tour at Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium – $5 for children and students under 18 and $8 for adults. 
25. 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:

26. Free First Thursday at Newfields – First Thursday of each month – Free
27. Family Fun Night at Skateland – Monday and Tuesday nights, 6-8:30 pm – $8/admission*
28. Early bird bowling at Royal Pin Bowling – Sunday mornings 9 am-noon – $3.50/game
29. First Thursday Night at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis – First Thursday of the month from 4-8 pm – $6/admission*
30. Value Day at Reagle Theater – Every Tuesday, tickets priced $5-7 all day
31. Roller Skating at Fun Factory – Tuesdays, 6-8:30 pm – $2
32. Sunday Funday at Roller City – $5 skate sessions, $4 mini golf
33. Flix Brewhouse Discount Movie Day – $5.25 all day on Wednesdays
34. Half-priced games at Pinheads Arcade – Half-priced games on Thursdays, $10 of games for $5
35. Check out our Free Museum Days Guide for when to visit local museums without spending a dime.

Everyday Free Activities

These activities are always free!

36. Have an adventure at one of the 12 coolest playgrounds in Indianapolis.
37. Catch a family-friendly movie on the lawn at Movies at Midtown. Free screenings are on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
38. Take in the fresh air on one of Indianapolis’ hiking trails.
39. Play a family game of ping pong, shuffleboard, corn hole, or bocce ball at Midtown Plaza Carmel.
40. 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

      
41. Rent a free Nature Exploration Backpack from Fishers Parks. 
42. Learn about agriculture at AgriPark in Fishers.
43. Participate in a Lowe’s DIY Workshop. Free monthly classes are offered at participating Lowe’s stores.
44. Borrow an adventure backpack and explore Mounds State Park. Free
45. Create a masterpiece at Ignite Art Studio and Makerspace in Fishers.
46. Explore the trails and wetlands at Marian University’s EcoLab.

    

47. Ride the zip line at the Nature Adventure Playground at Jill Perelman Pavilion.
48. Explore The Learning Curve at Central Library.
49. Play a game of pickleball. Find public pickleball courts here (many are free).
50. Learn about Indiana’s woodlands at the Cool Creek Nature Center.
    • Ongoing Special Events:
      • Nature Preschool Explorers – Free
      • Homeschool Hikers – Free
51. Climb away on the Treehouses at Flat Fork Creek.

    

52. Have an archeologist’s adventure at River Road Park. This one-of-a-kind park includes features you’ll see nowhere else around Indy.
53. Take a family bike ride on one of our favorite bike paths in Indianapolis. 
54. Learn to exchange sports cards at Indy Card Exchange.
55. Free DIY kids workshop the first Saturday of every month at Home Depot.
56. Explore the ruins at Holliday Park. 
57. Read a book and play inside at one of these best libraries for indoor fun. 
58. Meet the live animals that reside at the Pecar Park Nature Center.
59. Explore Indianapolis in the form of a scavenger hunt. 
60. Work out as a family at the Colts Fitness Park.
61. Stroll the Children’s Garden at Coxhall Gardens, one of Indy’s most beautiful parks.

    
62. Visit the interactive and fun Holliday Park Nature Center.
    • Upcoming Special Events:
      • Critter Tales –  Select Thursdays – Free
      • Beastly Brunch –  Select Wednesdays – Free
      • Homeschool Explorers – Select Thursdays – $5
63. Volunteer together as a family at the Humane Society of Indianapolis.
64. Grab your frisbee and head to one of these local disc golf courses. 
65. Walk around the ArtsPark at the Indianapolis Art Center.
66. Take a stroll along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.
67. Head inside to one of these 10 places to play inside for FREE.
68. Visit the Kawachinagano Japanese Garden in Carmel. 
69. Discover the world of Geocaching as a family and explore Indianapolis in a whole new way. 
70. Browse the galleries at the Indy Art Center. 
71. Create your own bath bomb at Buff City Soaps. Free with purchase from the shop. 
72. Spend the day watching traffic go by at The Idle. Benches are set up to watch traffic at the intersection of I-65 and I-70.
73. Discover Grand Junction Plaza, a newly opened space in downtown Westfield.
74. Scope out The Carmel Fire Buffs and Fire Department Museum. Donations at the door are appreciated.
75. Discover Indiana flora and fauna at the Zionsville Nature Center.
76. Did you know the Monon Trail stretches through Indy for 26 miles? Get the family outside on bikes, blades, or by foot and enjoy one of Indy’s local treasures!
77.  Climb on Funky Bones at the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park.

    

78.  Climb to the top of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on the Circle.
79. Browse our free things to do this month calendar for even more ideas! 
80. Stuck at home? Here are 70 Activities to try anytime!