The Children's Maze

The Children's Maze at White River State Park is one of those delightful free discoveries in Indianapolis that feels more special than its simplicity suggests. Located on the grounds of White River State Park at 801 W Washington Street, the maze is a traditional hedgerow-style outdoor puzzle that children of all ages find immediately engaging.

Kids dash in and hit the first fork with the urgency of explorers on a deadline. The maze is not enormous or intimidating — it is scaled and designed for children, which means it is genuinely solvable but still offers enough false turns and dead ends to create the satisfying feeling of having figured something out. Parents can observe from the perimeter pathways, maintaining enough visibility to enjoy watching the adventure without hovering overhead.

Because the maze is free and located within White River State Park, it fits naturally into any downtown Indianapolis itinerary. The surrounding park is home to the Indianapolis Zoo, Indiana State Museum, Eiteljorg Museum, the IMAX theater, and a scenic canal walk — giving families an enormous amount of activity within walking distance of each other.

The maze is best in good weather. It is fully outdoors with no shelter, so a sunny spring or fall morning is the ideal time to visit. Summer visits are manageable with sunscreen and water, but the exposed pathways can get warm by midday. The experience typically takes 30–45 minutes depending on how many times kids insist on running through again.