When the temperatures drop, that’s when it seems like a kid’s energy level rises. If you need some ideas for places to go and things to do to break up the days this winter break, we’ve got you covered. And because everyone loves free things, activities marked with an asterisk (*) are free!
Make a splash at an indoor pool.
Go sledding on one of Indy’s favorite sledding hills, like Fort Harrison State Park or West Park in Carmel. *
Visit your favorite Indianapolis museum.
Lace up your skates and visit a local ice rink. Try the new ice rink at Bicentennial Unity Plaza, a new public space located outside of Gainbridge Fieldhouse!
Burn some energy at an indoor playground.
Not afraid of the cold? Bundle up and visit an outdoor playground! *
Enjoy family game night at a restaurant like Books & Brews in Southport or Hitherto Coffee & Gaming Parlor in Greenfield.
Visit a nature center, like Holliday Park Nature Center or Zionsville Nature Center. *
Take a swing at playing glow-in-the-dark putt putt at GlowGolf in downtown’s Circle Centre Mall.
Reach new heights with rock climbing at family-friendly gyms like Hoosier Heights and North Mass Boulder.
Visit the Veal’s Ice Tree on Indy’s east side. This massive icy sculpture is typically formed in January and melts in April.
Play a round of Duckpin Bowling at Action & Atomic Duckpin Bowling in Fountain Square.
Sled down Koteewi Run in Noblesville, central Indiana’s only groomed snow tubing hill.
Ride the escalators at the Central Library in downtown Indy, then head to The Curve for a little green screen fun.*
Warm up with a cup of coffee and cuddles from kittens at Nine Lives Cat Café.
Give back to our community by volunteering as a family. Family-friendly organizations like Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana need your help all year round. *
Try out a Make It Take It art class at the Indianapolis Art Center.
Discover the indoor Discovery Station at Conner Prairie.
Venture through Flat Fork Creek Park in Fishers. Start with the sledding hill and stay for the treehouses! *
Take a trip north for a ride on the Pokagon State Park toboggan run.
See some birds at the Ornithology Center at Eagle Creek Park.
Sign up for a kid-friendly cooking class at Sprouts Cooking School or Sur La Table.
Explore the new WinterFaire exhibit at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
Take a winter stroll through ArtsPark at the Indianapolis Art Center. *
Play or read at your local library. *
Heat up with a hot glass class. GRT Hot Glass Studios offers a variety of classes for ages 10 years and up.
Get creative at The Tie Dye Lab in Avon.
Take your budding astronomers for a public tour on Friday or Saturday evenings at Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium.
Explore a favorite local bookstore, like Kids Ink Children’s Bookstore.
Visit the Young Readers Center at the Indiana State Museum. *
Create your own candle at Penn & Beech Candle Co.
