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Things to Do This Weekend in Indianapolis with Kids | October 9-11, 2026

Indy's Child Staff
Written By: Indy's Child Staff
Last updated on:

Updated Oct. 7, 2026

Looking for the best things to do this weekend in Indianapolis with kids? For October 9-11, 2026, the lineup includes opening weekend of the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival and Fright Academy at The Children’s Museum, a 1,000-foot inflatable obstacle course in Zionsville, hayrides at Eagle Creek Park and free fall festivals in Brownsburg and Avon. Browse our picks below, then scroll down for free events, rainy-day ideas and every family event on our calendar this weekend.

Our Top Picks This Weekend

All Weekend

Parke County Covered Bridge Festival | October 9-18 | Courthouse lawn, Rockville | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | FREE

Indiana’s largest festival opens its 10-day run Friday, with arts and crafts, festival food and fall foliage around Parke County’s 31 historic covered bridges. Festival headquarters is the courthouse lawn in Rockville, and the trip is worth the drive.

The festival runs daily through October 18.

Parke County Covered Bridge Festival

The Children’s Museum Guild’s Haunted House: Fright Academy | October 9-31 | The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis | Friendly Hours 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday; Frightening Hours 4-9 p.m. Saturday | $9; $8 members; $5 with Access Pass

The Guild’s 62nd annual haunted house opens Friday as a school for monsters and villains, complete with a haunted library and ghastly cafeteria meals. Friendly Hours keep the lights brighter and the music upbeat for kids who scare easily, while Frightening Hours bring dim lights and jump scares. Friday is opening day and School Lunch Day, with no Frightening Hours.

Fright Academy haunted house at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

Heartland Apple Festival at Beasley’s Orchard | October 10-11 | Beasley’s Orchard, Danville | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | $16; ages 2 and under free

This weekend’s theme adds puppet shows and balloon magic to the corn maze, hayride to the pumpkin patch, apple cannons and jumping pillow that come with admission. Pick-your-own apples and pumpkins cost extra.

Themed festival weekends continue through November 1.

Tuff Nutterz Fall Event | October 10-13 | Mulberry Fields, Zionsville | Sessions at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. | $22-$27.99 per person; spectators free

A roughly 1,000-foot inflatable obstacle course with about 30 obstacles comes to Zionsville for four days, and each ticket covers a two-hour session with as many runs as you like. Sessions are capped with no tickets sold at the gate once they fill, and everyone using the inflatables signs a waiver online before arriving. Read more about the course.

Tuff Nutterz inflatable obstacle course

Fall Foliage Express | October 10-11 | Nickel Plate Express, Noblesville | 1 p.m. | $28 adults; $26 ages 3-12; under 3 free on a lap

Ride a vintage 1956 train car for 65 minutes through the fall countryside of northern Hamilton County, with local apple cider and a fall treat included. The $20 open-air caboose has no heat or restrooms, so dress for the weather.

Runs weekends through November 1.

Morgan County Fall Foliage Festival | October 8-11 | Morgan County Fairgrounds, Martinsville | Friday 5-10 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 9:15 a.m.-4 p.m.

Morgan County’s longest-running festival brings carnival rides, festival food, live music and a harvest craft market. Saturday’s kids’ events include a pedal tractor pull and pumpkin painting for the first 30 kids, and the 67th annual parade steps off Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Public Hayrides at Eagle Creek Park | October 9-10 | Eagle Creek Park, Indianapolis | Rides at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. | $10 per person; park admission extra

These 40-minute wagon rides wind through the park’s fields and forest. There are no official seats, so bring a blanket, and arrive 15 minutes early at the Eagle Creek Beach concession stand, which sells hot chocolate, cider and s’mores kits. Online registration closes at 5 p.m. Thursday, and everyone age 1 and older needs a ticket.

Still going this weekend: ZooBoo at the Indianapolis Zoo, Conner Prairie’s Headless Horseman Festival, Harvest Nights at Newfields and Disney’s The Lion King at the Murat Theatre.

Friday, October 9

Night at the Boo Bash | Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis | 6-8:30 p.m.

Fred the Mastodon hosts the museum’s annual Halloween party, with a costume contest, dancing, a scream booth and a spooky science show with mad scientist Connie Fusion. Expect plenty of treats, too.

Night at the Boo Bash at the Indiana State Museum

Free Dr. Seuss Movie Night at Grace Church | Grace Church, Noblesville | Doors open 5:30 p.m. | FREE

Watch “Horton Hears a Who” and “The Lorax” on the big screen, with free popcorn and games. No RSVP is needed.

Owl Prowl at McCloud Nature Park | McCloud Nature Park, North Salem | 8-9:30 p.m. | $5

A naturalist leads this evening hike in search of the park’s owls on easy to moderate trails. Registration is required, and the hike is canceled in rain or severe weather.

Family Fun Friday at Brookside Park | Brookside Park, Indianapolis | 4-5:30 p.m. | FREE

Drop in for board games, basketball and crafts at this free evening for families with kids 6 and older.

Saturday, October 10

Monument Circle Art Fair | Monument Circle, downtown Indianapolis | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | FREE

Regional artists set up around the Soldiers and Sailors Monument for a day of art, music and food.

Monument Circle Art Fair

Brownsburg Fall Market | Town Hall Green, Brownsburg | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | FREE

More than 50 local vendors, food trucks and live music fill Town Hall Green, and the petting zoo, face painting and pumpkin patch are free. Well-behaved dogs on short leashes are welcome.

Teddy Bear Concert: The Giant’s Violin | Franklin Road Branch Library, Indianapolis | 11 a.m. | FREE

Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra musicians introduce kids ages 3 to 7 to the orchestra through storytelling, movement and live music, and kids get to try real violins.

Dia de Muertos Community Altar and Art Exhibit | Eiteljorg Museum, Indianapolis | During museum hours | FREE with a free ticket

Community-created altars, or ofrendas, fill this exhibit curated by local organizations and Arte Mexicano en Indiana. It opens Saturday and is free during regular museum hours; reserve a free ticket before you go.

On view through November 2.

Harvest Hayrides Festival | Avon Town Hall Park | 4-8 p.m. | FREE

Ride a free wagon hayride around the lake, then try the bounce houses, the pumpkin drop splash zone and the photo trail, all free. The pumpkin patch, food trucks and horseback trail rides cost extra.

Fishers Movies in the Plaza: Hocus Pocus | FORUM Credit Union Plaza at Fishers Event Center | Gates 6 p.m.; movie 7 p.m. | FREE

The fall movie series wraps up with “Hocus Pocus.” Bring lawn chairs or blankets; outside food and drinks aren’t allowed, but food is sold inside.

Cosmos at Cool Creek: The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence | Cool Creek Nature Center, Carmel | 7-9 p.m. | FREE

Kids 10 and older can explore the search for life beyond Earth with Douglas Balogh, “The Local Astronomer,” at this free astronomy program.

Sunday, October 11

Sensory Friendly Sunday at Conner Prairie | Conner Prairie, Fishers | 10 a.m.-noon | Included with general admission or membership

The Museum Experience Center offers a sensory version of the Power of Place exhibit, the new Sensory Room and visits with Paws & Think therapy dogs.

Mystery Hike at Cool Creek Park | Cool Creek Nature Center, Carmel | 2-4 p.m. | FREE

Like an escape room in the woods, this hike sends families searching for clues across the park. It’s geared to ages 10 and older, and registration is required through Hamilton County Parks.

Alex Clark’s Stupidity Circus | Strand Theatre, Shelbyville | 3 p.m.; doors 2 p.m. | $20 adults; $10 kids under 12 in advance

The YouTube comedian mixes comedy with circus stunts, from flying meat cleavers to a teetering circus ladder. The jokes are written with grown-ups in mind, but the tricks are for the whole family.

Free Things to Do This Weekend

Beyond the free picks above:

See all free events this weekend →

Rainy-Day Ideas: Indoor Things to Do This Weekend

See all indoor events this weekend →

This Weekend in Carmel, Fishers and Noblesville

See all Hamilton County events this weekend →

For more ideas, browse our full calendar of Indianapolis family events, free things to do this month and fall fun bucket list.

Every Family Event This Weekend (Oct. 9–11, 2026)

92 events

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Sep 25 – Nov 17 p.m.–10 p.m.

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About the Author:

Indy's Child Staff
Indy's Child Staff
For over 40 years, Indy's Child has been the go-to resource for Indianapolis families seeking fun, educational, and enriching experiences. Our award-winning magazine and website are devoted to offering expert advice, insider tips, and the latest information on everything from the top local attractions and events to invaluable parenting resources and support. As deeply rooted members of the central Indiana community, our passionate team at Indy's Child is committed to uncovering the best family-friendly experiences and resources that our city has to offer. Whether you're a new parent or a seasoned pro looking for fresh ideas, Indy's Child is here to guide you in the adventure of raising a family in central Indiana.

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