The kids are off school for an entire week (or two) for spring break!
If you are staying local for spring break, Indy has tons of kid-friendly activities to keep the whole family busy! Explore some new places or things you’ve never done this spring break!
More Indianapolis Guides to Explore:
- 55 Free or Cheap (under $5) Things to do in Indianapolis
- Free Family-Friendly Events this Month
- Indianapolis Easter Egg Hunt Guide
- 19 Indiana Day Trips Perfect for Spring
Here are 22 things to do in this spring break in Indianapolis:
1. Visit the Children’s Museum.
- The Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience combines rich sports history, physical fitness, and health education in a variety of family-fun, indoor and outdoor experiences. Run, drive, jump, putt, and play while learning how to stay happy, healthy, and safe. The Sports Legend Experience reopens on March 18, 2023.
- Visit the museum’s newest exhibit – Minecraft: The Exhibition. Explore a digital world brought to life with special activities about community-art and game design. Opens March 11, 2023.
- Catch a performance of Wanda’s Monster on stage at the Lilly Theater from March 11-April 16. This warm-hearted musical tells the story of an imaginative little girl named Wanda and her unexpected bond with a fuzzy, purple monster as she learns acceptance and friendship.
- Plus, head to the museum on Thursday, April 8, 2023, to take advantage of First Thursday Nights from 4:00 – 8:00 pm! Visit the museum for just $6, the Sports Legends Experience for just $6, or both for just $7! Get your tickets early.
2. Celebrate spring with xZOOberance at the Indianapolis Zoo.
Coming just in time for spring break, xZooberance runs every Thursday – Sunday, March 23 – April 16. The Zoo will be open 9 am-5 pm with event activities running noon-4 pm.
3. Cheer on the Indianapolis Indians.
Go to Victory Field on March 31 for the Indianapolis Indians season opener for baseball and fireworks! On April 2 celebrate the Knot Hole Kids Club Opening Day.
4. Stay busy at the Indiana State Museum.
- The Pinewood Derby – March 28-April 8
Indiana’s second greatest spectacle in racing! The Pinewood Derby track will be rigged and ready for action as cars zip down the 125 feet of track headed for the finish line. Launch your car from the second story start line and experience the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat in the quest to find car perfection.
6. Enjoy spring break at the Prairie.
- The outdoor grounds at Conner Prairie open on March 28, 2023
- Treetop Outpost
Conner Prairie has so many outdoor locations to explore, but the Treetop Outpost is one you don’t want to miss. The Treetop Outpost also includes this 30-foot suspension bridge and a connecting Nature Walk that leads visitors through the woods and along the White River to a prairie lookout. - Discover Habitat at Conner Prairie: The newest outdoor experience
Habitat is a new way to explore the world around you by highlighting the unique habitats throughout the gardens and landscapes of Conner Prairie. Habitats provide homes for all living things, from the tiniest ant to the tallest tree.
7. Go downtown!
We bet you still need to check off some things on your downtown Indy bucket list. With so many events and activities happening downtown during spring break, you can experience so much and make great memories right in your city.
8. Explore a nature playground
It’s no secret that Indianapolis is home to many beautiful playgrounds, but these natural ones stand out for their unique design – bringing you closer to nature.
- Nature Adventure Playground at Jill Perelman Pavilion – This playground is truly a hidden gem and is the only public park in the area with a zip line!
- River Road Park – Little archeologists, history buffs and dinosaur lovers: We have the perfect park for you! River Road Park in Carmel is a one-of-a-kind park that includes features you’ll see nowhere else around Indy.
- The Children’s Garden at Coxhall Gardens – This beautiful park, located on the west side of Carmel, is a magical hidden gem, and it’s the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for a more analog park experience for kids.
- River Heritage Park – From the parking lot, you might miss the second playground that takes place within the wooded trail.
Nature Adventure Playground at Jill Perelman Pavilion
9. When in doubt, go to the library.
The greater Indianapolis area has some incredible libraries for finding new books and creating new adventures. Here are a few of our favorite libraries that offer great kids zones:
- Central Library – 40 East Saint Clair Street, Indianapolis
- Hancock County Library – 900 W McKenzie Rd, Greenfield
- Michigan Road Branch Library – 6201 Michigan Road, Indianapolis
- Carmel Clay Public Library – 425 E. Main Street in Carmel
10. Visit a nature center.
Nature centers have the best of everything. Enjoy some time outside before heading indoors for educational activities and exhibits. You could spend your entire week visiting all the different nature centers in Central Indiana!
11. Take a stroll on the Monon Trail
Enjoying a walk or a family bike ride on the Monon Trail is a sure way to know spring is here. The Monon Trail is 18.1 miles long and stretches from Downtown Indy, all the way up to Westfield. You will find some of Indy’s best local shops and restaurants along the trail. Here are a few of our favorite family-friendly spots to get a quick treat:
- Bub’s Burgers& Ice Cream – 210 W Main St, Carmel
- Nicey Treat – 916 E Westfield Blvd, Indianapolis
- Broad Ripple Ice Cream Station: BRICS – 901 E 64th St, Indianapolis
- Just “Pop” In! – 6406 Cornell Ave, Indianapolis
- Wyliepalooza Ice Cream & Boba Tea – 1049 East 54th St. Indianapolis
12. Enjoy a whole day at White River State Park!
White River State Park offers 9 different attractions across 250 beautiful acres in downtown Indianapolis. All are a must-do!
13. Try out a new restaurant
Do you have a little foodie? Try out one of these top 10 fun Indianapolis restaurants for kids.
14. Get your drum circle on at Rhythm! Discovery Center!
Rhythm! Discovery Center is full of interactive exhibits and historic artifacts that are enjoyable for all ages. Stop by for a Drum Circle, try out their Saturday Programs, or take part in a “Behind the Glass” tour. Find all of their programming and activities on their website.
15. Duck, duck … Bowling
Indianapolis is home to many bowling alleys. But Action & Atomic Duckpin Bowling, located in the Indianapolis neighborhood of Fountain Square, is probably the most unusual — and perhaps the oldest — bowling alley you’ll find in the Midwest. Family-friendly and fun for all ages, duckpin bowling uses smaller, lighter balls, so it’s perfect for the smallest bowlers in your bunch.
16. Enjoy a mix of art and nature
Take a stroll through Newfield’s Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park. The 100-acre park is free to access and open to the public from sunrise to sunset. Families can enjoy nature while playing on the unique playground features or while jumping on the one-of-a-kind Funky Bones by Dutch artist Atelier Van Leishout.
17. Play, run, jump!
Enjoy some spring weather at one of Indianapolis’s top playgrounds! Indy’s Child has a long list of playgrounds and reviews. Here are a few of our favorites we can’t wait to hit this spring break:
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Colts Canal PlaySpace – Indy’s newest playground is located in Downtown Indy on the north end of the Downtown Canal Walk.
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Hummel Park – Hummel Park is considered by many to be a park where natural beauty and recreation come together. This park has multiple playgrounds, expansive green space, an amphitheater and creeks that flow throughout the property.
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Lawrence W. Inlow Park – Lawrence W. Inlow Park is something out of a child’s wild imagination. This park is sectioned into three separate playgrounds, each with fun and different things to enjoy.
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Holliday Park – Holiday Park will always be a family favorite located right in the middle of Indianapolis. This classic park spans over 94-acres and has everything a family needs for a perfect spring day at the park.
- Old City Park – Old City Park is located in the heart of downtown Greenwood. The centerpiece of the playground is the 20-foot cube tower. The play tower is the first of its kind in Indiana and one of only three in the country.
18. Take a Day Trip
Just because you aren’t planning a big spring break vacation, doesn’t mean you can’t plan a few quick day trips. Check out this Indy’s Child for our top 19 kid-friendly day trips from Indianapolis. Have a little bit longer than a day? Check out these ideas for a perfect road trip, all under a 3-hour drive.
19. Have a treetop adventure
Add a little excitement to your spring break plans, by spending the day among the treetops. For younger kids, climbing a local treehouse could be just the adventure your family needs. You can find treehouses at Conner Prairie and Flat Fork Creek. Older kids might enjoy an adrenaline rush from a ride on a zip line.
20. Explore a new museum
Indianapolis is home to some of the best museums in the country. Explore, discover, have fun, and be inspired at these great spring break destinations!
21. Be a little unique
Want to do something a little different? We have some ideas for our favorite unique activities around Indianapolis:
- SoChatti Kids Chocolate Class
At Indianapolis’ own SoChatti, you can take your family’s love of chocolate up to the next level with kids’ chocolate classes geared toward little chocolate enthusiasts. - Play Giant Chess
Want to take your chess game to the next level? Then try playing on one of these giant chess boards that are located around Indianapolis! It’s all the fun of regular chess but with larger chess pieces (think 2 feet in size). You’ll have a HUGE amount of fun! - Race RC Cars in Indianapolis
Radio control (RC) cars are a fast and fun hobby, and you might have seen people play with these scale model cars in a park or on the street. But did you know that there are race tracks, especially for RC cars, where you can take your racing to the next level? - Ignite Art Studio and Makerspace in Fishers
Ignite Art Studio and Makerspace in Fishers is like a giant art classroom. It has many tools and materials you might need to create multiple projects, housed in a light and airy space with media specialists to help. It’s a place to create and explore almost anything that you can put your mind to! And it’s Free!
22. Budget-friendly spring break ideas
Looking to save a little money while the kids are home this spring break? Check out our Free things to do in the Indianapolis guide, or these 60 fun activities for $5 or less in Indianapolis.
If you are still stuck on what to do this spring break, head over to the Indy’s Child calendar for all of the family-friendly events going on around Indy!
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