5 Fun Things to Do in Indiana with Kids
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Our kids absolutely love road trips! And it doesn’t matter how long they are either! Whether we are hopping in the car for a weekend adventure, or planning several weeks of epic travelling, they are all in. So when we had a long weekend coming up during the summer, we checked our map and noticed that Indiana was somewhere we had not travelled to but fell within the distance we were willing to travel. So we immediately put together a list of some of the best and most fun things to do in Indiana with kids, and hoped we could at least hit a couple of spots during our weekend away!
1. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
At the top of our list of fun things to do in Indiana with kids, is visiting the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. At nearly 500,000 square feet in size, this museum hosts approximately 1.25 million visitors each year.
In fact, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is considered the largest in the US. You will definitely need a whole day to fully appreciate this must-see attraction.
With several themed floors to choose from, your child can decide what captures their interest. From the Dinosphere to American Pop culture, Beyond Spaceship Earth to Stories from our own Community, each display is unique, immersive, and thoroughly entertaining.
Take Me There
In 2018, when we visited the museum, one of the exhibits – Take Me There – was all about China (at the time of writing the exhibit is about Greece). The exhibit immersed you in what a day in your life in China would look like, as experienced through the eyes of a child.
From how a typical home would look, to what meals are prepared, and what games are played, you are submerged into the culture. Miss Somersault actually learned how to use chopsticks (and very well, I might add), as well as chopstick etiquette, while playing in this exhibit!
Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience
If you are lucky enough to be at the museum between March and November, you will be able to take advantage of the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience. This is an outdoor exhibit where kids are able to try their hand at a variety of sports, including basketball, soccer, hockey, tennis, baseball, football and golf.
There is also a fitness path, running track, and a pedal car track! Much of the sports equipment comes in a variety of heights/sizes, to accommodate smaller participants. There are also staff members at each play area, ready to lend a helping hand.
With over seven acres of sports area to enjoy, it was pretty close to impossible to pull the kids away from this exhibit! And the best part is, it’s included with your general admission! In the summer months, you can even purchase a museum ticket for just the outdoor area.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Hours and Admission
The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. The Sports Experience is also open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, but the outside exhibit is weather dependent.
The museum now requires you to purchase your tickets in advance for all entries. These advanced tickets will allow you to go directly to the main entry line. Your General Admission ticket includes access to the museum, plus the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience (outdoor areas are seasonal).
And speaking of admission, this children’s museum isn’t cheap. But considering you are essentially getting 2 attractions for the one price, it is definitely worth it.
The cost of a weekend single-day adult admission is approximately $31.00 and for youth, it’s $25.00. Weekdays are a little less expensive, with prices around $25.00 per adult and $20.00 per youth (cost varies depending on the day of the week).
Plan-Ahead Pricing is a pricing structure at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis that gives families more options to save. You can save up to 25% off by buying your tickets at least two weeks in advance, and by buying even one day in advance you can still save.
Parking, which is free, is located right across the street. The parking garage has a sky bridge that connects you to level 2 of the museum, making it convenient for strollers and/or different weather conditions.
2. The Indianapolis Zoo
The Indianapolis Zoo is definitely a must on our list of things to do in Indiana with kids. The zoo welcomes over a million visitors each year and is unique in that it is one of the largest zoos in the country, that runs off donor assistance and not government funding.
There are so many things to see and do at the Indianapolis Zoo, that we recommend setting aside at least half a day for a quick visit. Of course, if you are looking to really explore all that the zoo has to offer, a full day would definitely be recommended!
The Exhibits
The Indianapolis Zoo is actually a zoo, a botanical garden, and an aquarium. With that being said, you will be able to see tons of plants and animals, each in its own biodome or simulated natural habitat.
Plains
Feel like you are on an African Safari when you walk into the Plains exhibit! The large savannah, surrounded by tall grasses and trees on all sides, has multiple areas where you can see some really neat animals. Warthogs, lions, wildebeest, cheetahs, giraffes and more, all call the Plains home.
Deserts
The Deserts Dome is an arid oasis surrounded by some pretty awesome creatures! The snakes, iguanas, lizards and other creatures that call this exhibit home, can be seen sunning themselves on rocks high overhead, or even mingling with visitors!
The temperature-controlled climate remains above 80 degrees all year round, providing a toasty warm environment for all the creatures to thrive.
Oceans
At the Oceans biome, you get an Aquarium and Zoo all in one! Here, you can view penguins, touch sharks and go 17 feet underwater to meet dolphins, in the country’s first underwater dolphin viewing dome!
A school of smooth dogfish sharks provides an amazing opportunity for guests to have an up-close encounter with these misunderstood creatures.
And if you want to take your Oceans visit a step further, the Indianapolis Zoo is the only place in the entire Midwest where you can get in the water with the dolphins!
The Dolphin In-Water Adventure program is 90 minutes of spending time learning about dolphins, and then getting in the water to interact with them. This adventure needs to be booked ahead of time and comes at an extra cost.
Forests
Not only are temperate and tropical forests represented in this exhibit, but you will also find the diverse animal species that call it their home. Whether you are admiring the macaws, red pandas or lemurs high up in the trees, or interacting with tigers, bears, or crocodiles on the ground, you are sure to feel like you have been transported away from the city!
Flights of Fancy
You can see all the different species of birds in this exhibit. But because these gorgeous and colourful birds come from the warmer climates of Africa, South America, Asia and Australia, many can only be seen during summer visits to the zoo. However, the flamingos and the southern ground hornbills will be on exhibit in the winter as weather permits.
Orangutan Center
The Orangutan Center is designed for research and conservation and is home to one of the largest groups of Orangutans in an American zoo. Because Orangutans are a critically endangered species, the Center is considered essential in the preservation of these apes.
The Orangutan Center is absolutely huge, with cathedral-height ceilings. The exhibit was specifically designed to stimulate physical, social and intellectual abilities in the apes, by carefully mimicking their natural habitats.
Rides & Attractions
The Indianapolis Zoo is also home to some pretty great rides and attractions. Between a carousel of endangered animals, a Skyline, a train and a roller coaster, there is plenty to do in between visiting exhibits.
The zoo also offers many family-friendly opportunities to feed the animals. Whether its a flamingo, a giraffe, a budgie or a lorikeet, you definitely don’t want to miss these being up close and personal with these amazing creatures!
The Indianapolis Zoo Hours and Admission
During the summer, the zoo is open from 9 am-5 pm Monday-Thursday, 9 am-7 pm Friday-Sunday and on holidays.
The zoo now requires you to purchase your timed-entry tickets online ahead of your visit. These advanced tickets ensure that visitors can get through the entry gates safely. Once you have arrived at your reserved time, you are then free to enjoy the Zoo at your own pace.
And speaking of admission, the Zoo tickets are pretty expensive. This goes back to what we mentioned earlier – that the Zoo is privately funded and receives no direct tax support from the government. You are looking at between $22 and $27 per adult and $17 and $23 per child for general admission.
Animal feedings and rides require an additional fee. These can be added to your Zoo experience individually, or by purchasing the Total Advantage Package (TAP), which offers unlimited rides and feeds for the day. TAP will cost an additional $14 per person but truly is worth it if you plan on going on the rides, or feeding the animals.
Parking
Parking at the Indianapolis Zoo is available on a first-come, first-served basis. On busy days, additional parking may be available at the Zoo’s new south lot off Harding Street with a shuttle service to the entrance of the Zoo. The cost is $8 per regular vehicle or $16 for an oversized vehicle (RV or camper).
3. Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Museum
You can’t visit Indianapolis without visiting the Speedway! We spent the morning checking out the racecar museum, which even the kids enjoyed! The museum has vehicles and other artifacts that cover more than a century of Indianapolis 500 culture and racing!
Aside from seeing vehicles representing NASCAR, Formula One, American short-track racing, drag racing and motorcycles, you can visit The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, which is also located inside the museum. Here, you can learn all about the drivers, team owners, and other personalities who have had an impact on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway over the years.
Kiss the Bricks Tour
In the afternoon, we hopped onboard the Speedway bus to do the “Kiss the Bricks Tour.” The narrated tour takes you for a lap around the actual race track while giving you the history of the Indy 500. The bus stops at the Start/Finish line.
The Finish line is where you can find a strip of bricks left from the famous 1909 original track surface. The tour takes about 30 minutes and includes admission to the museum. The kids enjoyed the experience, and the length of the tour was perfect.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hours and Admission
During the spring and summer, the museum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission to the grounds is free unless an event is being held.
- Adults (Museum members are FREE) $12
- Seniors (age 62+) $11
- Youth (6-15) $8
- Children (5 and under) FREE
Kiss the Bricks Tour Cost
- Adults (age 16 and up) $22
- Seniors (age 62+) $21
- Youth (age 6-15) $15
- Children FREE (5 and under for first child; $2 per additional child)
The Kiss the Bricks Tour includes free admission into the museum.
Parking
Parking is available at the Museum and is free of charge during days that the track is not in use for a race or other public event. During races and certain other events, Museum guests may need to park outside of the track and walk-in.
If you are lucky enough to be visiting during a track day, like we were, you will be able to watch cars whizzing around the tracks from the stands area near the front of the museum. The kids loved how LOUD the cars were!
4. Indiana Dunes National Park
Would you ever guess that there are great beaches to visit in Indiana? Although the state is landlocked, Indiana boasts more than forty miles of beautiful shoreline along the coast of Lake Michigan. Incredible, right?! This is definitely one of the most unique things to do in Indiana with kids!
Indiana Dunes National Park offers 15 miles of the best family beaches in Indiana! Here, large sand dunes have formed and tower nearly 200 feet above the lake, creating a natural playground. You can also go biking, bird watching, fishing, boating, hiking, camping, and even geocaching with the family at the park.
Of course, swimming in the gentle waves, building sandcastles, and hiking the Mount Baldy dune should also be part of your itinerary. This popular dune can be climbed straight up or by using a set of stairs. And if you are a hiker, give the Diana Dunes Dare a try!
Indiana Dunes National Park Hours and Admission
During the summer, the park is open daily from 6 am to 11 pm. The standard entrance fee in the summer is $6 per vehicle. You can check out the website for further information regarding campsite fees and rentals.
5. Indiana Caverns Adventure Park
If your family is the adventurous type, this attraction is for you! Take a tour through some of Indiana’s longest caves, or take flight on the Bat Chaser, a zip-lining roller coaster! This family-friendly adventure park is located near Corydon in Southern Indiana and is just 5 miles south of the I-64.
Attractions
Cave Tours
Take a walking tour and experience the world underground! Learn about cave formations, waterfalls, and all about the Ice Age animals that once roamed through Southern Indiana. With an underground boat ride and Ice Age bones, Indiana Caverns is definitely a unique cave experience!
This family-friendly tour will take approximately 75-85 minutes. People of all ages are able to join the cave tour, although unfortunately, Indiana Caverns is not handicap accessible. Anyone who can walk unassisted should be able to enjoy the tour. And don’t forget to bring a sweater! The cave is 56 degrees all year round.
During the course of the tour, you can expect a 110-foot change in elevation. From the visitors’ center, it is mostly downhill to the underground river. The boat ride gives you a pretty good amount of time to rest and relax. Then, on the way out, the tour route climbs almost 110 feet from the underground river level, up to various ramps and steps, back up into the Visitors Center.
The cost is $23 per adult and $13 per child.
Deep Darkness
If you are looking for a little more excitement than the regular Cave Tour has to offer, then how about taking on an epic cave exploring adventure? The Deep Darkness adventure, is where you will descend into darkness, climb, crawl, and splash your way through the underground stream. From there, you will continue upstream on a kayak.
This experience is 4 hours of underground challenges, in Indiana’s longest cave system. It is definitely not for the faint of heart! This trip is physically challenging. You must be capable of climbing a 93-foot ladder on belay to reach the remote lower level. Deep Darkness is open to ages 14 and over, provided you meet the height and weight restrictions for the harnesses.
Cost ranges between $100 to $120 per person, depending on the size of your group.
Escape Room
Have you tried an escape room experience before? They are a ton of fun! Imagine immersing yourself in an adventure as your investigative team, a.k.a. family, works together to escape. You will need to beat the clock while solving the puzzles and uncovering the clues needed to escape.
Each escape room is unique, with different themes and puzzles. At the Indiana Caverns, the story surrounds Tyler and his Adventure Mine crew who are trapped 1000 feet down! There has been a mineshaft collapse and they are running out of air. Indiana Mine Rescue is on the way but time is short! You and your team have been tasked to save the miners. Are you up to the challenge??
Although there are no age requirements for the escape room, the puzzles and riddles are geared towards participants who are 14 and older. Parents of kids aged 7 to 10 may include them in the experience, realizing young children may impact the ability to concentrate on clues and solve the mystery.
Games are not appropriate for children six and under.
The cost is $16 per adult and $8 per child.
Bat Chaser
Indiana Caverns Bat Chaser combines zip lining and a steel rail coaster in a family-friendly experience. This unique and awesome attraction has riders suspended on a single rail zip coaster. The rider soars from a 50-foot tower overlooking Indiana Caverns, twisting and turning 603 feet through treetops and over the rolling surface of southern Indiana’s cave country.
Although riders are situated in a comfortable seat hardness, the experience is more like hang gliding or riding in an underslung, gravity-powered coaster. The Bat Chaser is only the second ride of its kind to be built in the United States and the first in the Midwest.
You need to be at least 75 pounds (but no greater than 260 pounds), and at least 52 inches (but no greater than 79 inches), to ride this attraction.
The cost is $14 per ride or 2 rides for $20.
Gemstone Mining
Enjoy sifting through the sand at the Peccary Mining Sluice. There are four different mining bags to choose from. Each bag contains gemstones, fossils, rubies, and more! Kids will enjoy learning about the different rocks as they identify them with the included card. Mining bags can be purchased at the gift shop.
Depending on the weather, Indiana Caverns offers both indoor and outdoor sluicing stations.
The cost will range from $9 to $50, depending on which mining bag you choose to purchase.
The Plunge
The Plunge is a 50-foot quick drop experience that will have you plummeting 5 stories, before safely coming to a rest on your feet. The unique system of the Plunge safely allows you the maximum thrill of a free fall without the recoil of a bungee by using a controlled descent. If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, this is the attraction for you!
The minimum age to ride The Plunge is 8, but you must also be at least 50 pounds. The maximum weight to ride is 280 pounds.
The cost is $15 per ride or 2 rides for $20.
Cavern of the Sabertooth
This attraction is for kids 6 and older, who are not afraid of exploring in the dark on their own. The Cavern of the Sabertooth gives kids a fun and safe way to experience “caving” without the mud!
Kids will be geared up with a sturdy caver’s helmet, light, and gloves (all provided). They will then have the opportunity to crawl underground 400 mudless feet on their hands and knees! Inside the Sabertooth’s Lair, they will see golden skulls and get a taste of what real cave exploring is like.
The cost is $6 per person.
Don’t Forget to Try Hoosier Pie!
One of the tastiest things to do in Indiana with kids is trying some famous Hoosier Pie. Also known as Sugar Cream Pie or Finger Pie, this delicious dessert became the official Indiana state pie in 2009.
This simple custard pie is thought to have originated in the 1800s as a way to use ingredients typically on hand: butter, flour, and sugar or maple syrup. The Hoosier Pie is said to have been created by Shaker and Amish cooks. And in case you are wondering, this treat tastes like Crème brûlée in a pie shell!
The best Hoosier Pie that we found while visiting Indiana, was from a little place in Indianapolis called Locally Grown Gardens. This quaint little shop was once an old service station and had a really cool retro vibe. There, you could find fresh produce, a variety of trinkets, as well as a limited menu, which included roasted salmon, smoked pulled pork sandwiches and a variety of homemade pies.
We were really sad to learn that Locally Grown Gardens Closed its doors for good in April of 2021, much to the disappointment of the locals.
How to Get to Indiana
There are several major Interstate highways that will bring you into the heart of Indiana, depending on where you are coming from. If you are coming from a distance, you can also fly into Indianapolis International Airport. The airport is located only 20 minutes outside of Indianapolis.
Where to Stay in Indiana
During our weekend in Indiana, we chose to stay in Carmel, as it was close to a couple of the places we wanted to visit on our list of things to do in Indiana. The hotel we chose, was the Drury Plaza Hotel Indianapolis Carmel. We love the Drury hotel chain and will stay with them whenever possible.
The hotel was close enough to the highway for easy access and was less than half an hour from the heart of Indianapolis. The Drury had plenty of free parking and included free breakfast, spacious and clean rooms, and their daily Kickback (hot light meal and 3 alcoholic drinks per adult).
Find a complete listing of hotels in Indianapolis here.
Final Thoughts on Our List of Fun Things to Do in Indiana with Kids
There are so many awesome things to do in Indiana with kids, that you can’t possibly squeeze them into a single weekend! We are hoping to visit again so that we can cross off a few more places off our list. Of course, we also want to indulge in another slice of pie!
Have you been to Indiana? What was your favourite attraction to visit?
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