Things to Do with Kids in Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis has the Children's Museum that other cities measure theirs against. Plan a full day, build in the lunch break (the in-house Food Truck Garage or the picnic option), and accept that you will not see all five floors. The Indianapolis Zoo is the second anchor; the Skyline ride above the savanna is the underrated feature for kids 4 and up who are getting tired of walking. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Track Tours run year-round and are surprisingly accessible for families; the bus tour of the oval works for any age and is the only way to drive on the bricks. Frank's Paddlesports Livery runs canoe and tube trips on White River for older kids 7 and up. Goodies and Giggles is the toy shop that has become a small-town landmark for surprise gifts. White River State Park ties the Eiteljorg Museum, the State Museum, and the Indianapolis Zoo into a single walkable afternoon if you want to skip the car. Pro tip: the Children's Museum offers free admission on the first Thursday evening of each month from 4 to 8 p.m. Local families plan the weeknight around it. The crowd is heavy but the price is right and the kids stay up later than usual, which is part of the fun.