10 Best Family Activities in Indianapolis: A Local Guide for Families

 

Looking for the best family activities in Indianapolis? Whether you’re planning a full weekend of adventures, trying to get the kids out of the house for a few hours, or searching for something everyone in the family can enjoy, Indianapolis has plenty to offer. As an Indianapolis newborn and baby photographer, I meet families from all around the city, so I’m always hearing about new places to explore with little ones.

From world class museums and animal encounters to outdoor spaces where kids can simply run and explore, Indy makes it surprisingly easy to plan a family day.

As a mom and photographer who works with families throughout the Indianapolis area, I know that sometimes the best memories aren’t created during elaborate vacations. They’re made during ordinary weekends, spontaneous adventures and those little family traditions your children eventually grow up remembering.

Here are 10 family activities in Indianapolis worth adding to your list.

1. Spend the Day at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

You really can’t talk about things to do with kids in Indianapolis without mentioning The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. Because THIS is the place to be!

With five floors of interactive exhibits plus 7.5 acres of outdoor experiences, this is one of those places that can entertain children across a wide range of ages. Kids can explore dinosaurs, science, world cultures, imaginative play and hands-on activities throughout the museum. The outdoor sports experience adds even more to do when the weather cooperates. If you’re bringing younger children, don’t feel pressured to see the entire museum in one visit. Pick a few areas, take snack breaks and let the kids explore at their own pace.

Tip: Check the museum’s current hours and exhibit closures before planning your visit.

2. Visit the Indianapolis Zoo

For animal-loving families, the Indianapolis Zoo is another Indy favorite. Located in White River State Park, the zoo combines indoor and outdoor exhibits, making it a great option for families with children of different ages. You can see everything from orangutans and elephants to dolphins, big cats and sharks. There are also interactive experiences and seasonal attractions throughout the year.

For families with younger children, give yourself plenty of time. Sometimes watching one animal for fifteen minutes is more exciting to a toddler than trying to make it through the entire zoo.

3. Explore White River State Park

One of the best parts about downtown Indianapolis is how many attractions are located close together. White River State Park includes more than 250 acres of green space in downtown Indy and connects families to several major Indianapolis attractions. Take a walk along the Central Canal, pack a picnic, explore the public art or simply give the kids some room to move. You can easily combine your visit with the Indianapolis Zoo, Indiana State Museum or another downtown attraction for a full family day.

4. Step Back in Time at Conner Prairie

Just north of Indianapolis in Fishers, Conner Prairie is a fun option when you’re willing to venture outside the city. Instead of simply looking at exhibits, families get to experience history through interactive spaces and activities. It’s especially fun for children who love exploring, asking questions and being outdoors. Conner Prairie also offers different events and programming throughout the year, so it’s worth checking the calendar before visiting.

5. Explore Newfields and the Art & Nature Park

Art museum and kids might not immediately sound like the perfect combination, but Newfields offers much more than indoor galleries. The Newfields campus includes extensive gardens and outdoor spaces in addition to the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park is a great place for families to walk, explore nature and experience art in a setting that doesn’t require little kids to stand still. It’s a nice change of pace when you’re looking for outdoor family activities in Indianapolis that don’t revolve around playgrounds or amusement attractions.

6. Walk the Indianapolis Canal (Our FAV!)

Sometimes the simplest family outings are the best ones. Head downtown and take a walk along the Indianapolis Canal. Bring the stroller or bikes, grab a snack and enjoy the city without having to plan an entire day around an attraction. During warmer months, families can also find seasonal boat and bike rentals around the canal. It’s an easy option when everyone needs to get out of the house but you don’t necessarily want to buy tickets somewhere.

7. Discover the Indiana State Museum

The Indiana State Museum is another great indoor option for families, especially when Indiana weather ruins your outdoor plans. Located downtown at White River State Park, the museum explores Indiana’s history, science, art and culture through exhibits designed for visitors of different ages. Because several major attractions are nearby, you can also make the museum part of a larger downtown Indianapolis family day.

8. Experience the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

You don’t have to be a racing obsessed family to appreciate how much racing is woven into Indianapolis culture. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum gives families the opportunity to explore the history of the Indianapolis 500 and see iconic race cars and racing memorabilia. This can be an especially fun activity for families with older children, or any little one currently going through a serious car phase.

9. Find a New Indianapolis Park or Playground

Family fun doesn’t always have to cost money. Indianapolis has plenty of parks, trails and playgrounds to explore. Choose one your family hasn’t visited before, pack snacks or lunch and turn an ordinary afternoon into an adventure. Parks are also perfect when you have children of different ages because everyone gets a little freedom to do their own thing. And sometimes letting your kids run until they’re exhausted is exactly the activity everyone needs.

10. Make Your Own Indianapolis Family Tradition

The best family activities in Indianapolis don’t necessarily have to come from a top ten list. Find the donut shop your kids love. Have Friday night pizza in the park. Visit the same pumpkin patch every fall. Walk the canal every summer. Take your baby to the zoo for the first time. Those ordinary traditions become part of your family’s story. And don’t forget to document them! Get in the pictures. Hand your phone to someone else. Take the blurry photo of your toddler laughing. Capture your baby’s first trip to the zoo.

Someday, those photographs will matter much more than whether everyone looked perfectly at the camera.

Looking for More Family Friendly Things to Do in Indianapolis?

Indianapolis is full of opportunities to get out, explore and make memories together. Whether you’re raising babies, toddlers, school-aged children or a combination of all three, there’s always something new to discover. And if you’re currently in one of those quickly changing seasons of motherhood, make sure you’re documenting that, too.

I’m Brenaya, the photographer behind Brenaya Faye Photography, specializing in newborn, maternity, baby and milestone photography for Indianapolis families. Instead of asking new parents to pack up their babies and travel to a studio, I bring my professional studio directly to your home, including professional lighting, backdrops, equipment and everything needed to create a beautiful studio-style experience. Because the adventures are worth remembering. But so are the quiet seasons at home.