Best Things to Do in Indianapolis with Kids

We visited Indianapolis and nearby Brown County on a four-day trip this spring break. We were amazed to see that there were things to do for kids as young as two or as old as 12. Plus, it felt like a world away after just three hours of driving. Here are our favorite things to do with kids in Indianapolis and Brown County, Indiana.

Attractions for Families in Indiana

 
Indianapolis Children's Museum is full of hands-on learning.

1.  Children's Museum of Indianapolis

This mega-museum is often rated as the top children's museum in the country and it's easy to see why. There are four floors of fun, plus a basement and an outdoor sports experience with interesting exhibits for kids of all ages. We started on the top floor with the miniatures exhibit, the farm play place, the vintage carousel, and the hall of mirrors. The third floor features an under-5 play zone with water play, bubbles, dress up, and more preschool-like activities, plus the Power of Children exhibit, with stations about Ann Frank, Ruby Bridges, Malala Yousafzai, and Indiana kid Ryan White.

The second floor features rotating exhibits—this time it was Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Afrofuturism in Costume design, and life in Peru will be featured this summer. The first floor houses the water clock (a must-see for the mechanically inclined), and an exhibit about the museum's first 100 years. The outdoor space is full of sports activities, a treehouse made of sporting goods, and a Ferris wheel. And don't forget the basement, which houses a theater, dinosaur exhibit, train exhibit, and more. 

We were at the museum from about 10:45 a.m. to closing time at 5, and we still could have stayed another hour if we wanted to see it all. Definitely worth the price of admission.

2. Indianapolis Zoo

The Indianapolis Zoo is small enough for the littlest animal lovers, but still impressive. Kids will love touching some of the animals, like stingrays and kangaroos. My daughter loved seeing the red panda actively moving around in the late morning, and my son was impressed with the gibbons swinging in their habitat. We all loved the chimpanzees, who live in one large building in the center of the zoo, but have access to many different areas via enclosed tubes that go overhead as you're walking throughout. Plus, there are lions, bears, cheetahs, elephants, and many more animals that you don't see at every Midwest zoo.

3. Newfields

This campus includes the Indiana Museum of Art, the historic Lilly House mansion (once owned by pharmaceutical tycoon Eli Lilly), a greenhouse, and gardens, including a giant sculpture garden. Here, you'll find Robert Indiana's original LOVE scupture, a great opportunity for a picture, on the second floor of the IMA. There's also paintings from some greats like Van Gogh and Degas.

The Lilly House is a great 20-minute self-guided tour of the lives of the rich and famous in the 1930-1960 era. It has some hands-on features: my kids enjoyed trying to draw and make prototypes of their own furniture in the design exhibit and the basement has a fun area where kids can layout their own house and landscaping using blocks. The greenhouse is full of unique plants like orchids and cacti that fascinated both kids and grown-ups. 

4. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

If you feel the need for speed, you'll find it here. Visit just the museum if you're interested in looking at cars from all eras of the Indy 500, or take a track tour to see all 2.5 miles of the speedway via golf cart or on foot. You can even kiss the bricks like the Indy 500 winners do! The museum includes a station where kids can pretend they're doing a pit stop, and also houses dozens of examples of cars throughout history. The museum was recently redesigned and re-opened on April 2, 2025.

 
The World's Largest Toilet at Kidscommons Museum.

5. Kidscommons Museum (including the World's Largest Toilet)

My son would have been flushed with envy if he has missed the chance to see the World's Largest Toilet, about 45 minutes from Indianapolis at Kidscommons Museum in Columbus, Indiana. The giant loo is part of a bigger exhibit called ExploraHouse in the storefront museum, and it's actually a slide with the intention of teaching kids how plumbing works. You can also explore the heat-sensitive kitchen, crawl up the chimney to the crawlspace, and build your own plumbing out of PVC pipes. Also in the museum are exhibits about architecture, bubbles, and camping. There's even a tiny house that shows kids what life is like in Japan. At just $9 admission, this is worth the 1-2 hour stop over even if you don't get a silly toilet photo. 

6. Nashville, Indiana

This is the county seat of Brown County, just a little southwest of Indianapolis, and it has lots of fun little shops and activities. Our kids particularly like Copper Creek Gem Mine, where you can buy a bag of sand for $9 and sift out the rocks and gems from inside of it with the water pumped from an old- fashioned well. You can also get an old-timey photo taken, or visit a great toy store and lots of little art shops to browse through. There are also several ice cream and candy stores for kids with a sweet tooth.

7. Indiana State Museum

Explore everything that makes Indiana great at this three-story museum. Explore the history of the state, from the dinosaurs to Native Americans to when Indiana become the 19th state. The uniquely interactive Gallery One gives kids a chance to play a matching game based on cards with objects from the galleries and play guessing games with different senses based on artifacts from the museum.

8. Eiteljorg Museum 

Learn more about the indigenous people of the American West at this art museum focused on Native Americans. From painting and sculptures to stitching and beadwork, there's a little bit of everything in this unique spot. You can see works of art from many different tribes from the Arctic to the American Southwest. You can even buy your own art there at special events each fall. 

9. Conner Prairie

This historic village has lots for kids of all ages to enjoy. Bigger kids might enjoy hiking trails, going on an 1859 hot air balloon ride, or visiting the historic village or Native American camp site. Little kids may enjoy the splash pad, animal encounters, or adventure playground. Be sure to visit the William Conner house, one of Indiana's oldest brick homes. Exhibits within the house teach kids what life was like in the first half of the 19th century.

10. NCAA Hall of Champions

Does your kid dream of one day becoming a college athlete? Have them start their journey here by learning about 24 different sports played at the college level. The membership maps show the locations of more than 1,000 member colleges, and kids can learn about the history of women's sports at an exhibit about Title IX. Play basketball in a 1930s gym, answer some NCAA trivia questions, and check out interactive sports simulators throughout the museum.

11. Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site

Learn more about our nation's 23rd president at his downtown Indianapolis home. Harrison lived in the 16-room house from 1874 until his time in the senate started in 1881 and then again from the time he left the White House in 1893 until his death in 1901. You can see the furniture and artifacts from the Victorian era and visit a rotating exhibit in a room once used as a ballroom. 

12. Hike in a State Park or Hoosier National Forest

Hoosier National Forest's north end is just 40 minutes south of Indianapolis, and it stretches almost to the southern end of the state. It has plenty of lakes, streams, valleys, and more to explore. Also close to Indianapolis are Clifty Falls State Park, Fort Harrison State Park, Turkey Run State Park, and Brown County State Park. These trails are great for bird watching, hiking, biking, and even canoeing or kayaking in the summer.

 
Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor in Columbus, Indiana.

Where to Eat with Kids in Indianapolis

13. Upland Brewing

With multiple locations throughout the city and surrounding areas, this classy brewery has a great selection of Indiana favorites for grown-ups and kids. We loved the pork tenderloin and pig and fig sandwiches. The happy hour features $4 sliders and drafts for grown-ups who enjoy a pint. There are also flatbread pizzas, including the Ron Swanson (all the meats), and the kids menu features sliders and chicken tenders.

14. Punch Bowl Social

Located in the heart of the city, this games and food joint has free cornhole, bocce, and board games including giant Jenga. We got the family taco platter for $60 and it was more than the four of us could possibly eat, and quite delicious. Happy hour deals on both food and the remaining games are a win for families looking for something to do in the late afternoon. Check out the bowling, arcade games, private room karaoke, giant Scrabble, darts, and ping pong to round out the fun. 

15. Books and Brews

Visit one of the two locations of this restaurant/used book store for food, beer, and shopping/entertainment. The menu includes sandwiches, flatbreads, salads, and wraps, as well as some book-themed appetizers like the Oliver Twist (giant pretzel), Harry Potter (kettle chips with beer cheese), and the Iliad (hummus, naan, and veggies). Go on a Tuesday for 75 cent chicken nuggets!

16. Zaharakos

This Columbus, Indiana ice cream parlor is 125 years old, and the ice cream tastes like it did when we were children! You can also get a real lunch for a good price. The old-fashioned decor includes a player piano and you can get real old-school soda mixed from a fountain.

17. Baby's

A fun place for kids and grown-ups who like to eat like kids, Baby's has an extensive selection of chicken tenders, mac 'n cheeses, burgers, and shakes. Plus, there's more than a dozen different sauces to mix and dip your foods in. The building has a unique history and is kid and pet-friendly.

 
Postcard Cabins Brown County

Where to Stay in Indianapolis and Brown County

18.  Conrad Indianapolis

This luxury hotel has an amazing pool and amenities. Plus, you can book a package that includes your admission to Newfields, which saves you $20 per person. Check out the art in the lobby or book a service at the spa. There's a Capital Grille inside the building, and the room service dining is spectacular. Separate luxury shower and soaking tub make the bathroom nice for kids after a long day a the children's museum or a trip to the pool. This is also a little over a mile from the Indianapolis Zoo, which may be walkable for some bigger kids (just remember you have to walk back).

19. Embassy Suites Indianapolis North

If you're looking for a budget hotel that still has good perks, try this one on the northern outskirts of Indianapolis. We've seen prices as low as $82 a night, and it's still in a good neighborhood not far from Newfields. Embassy Suites have the advantage of a separate living room so you can watch TV after the kids go to bed, plus free breakfast and happy hour, which can mean you may not have to buy dinner for littler kids.

20. Postcard Cabins Brown County

We have loved our stays in these tiny house communities outside of Chicago and St. Louis, but the one in Brown County has probably been our favorite location so far. It's 20-25 minutes from both Columbus and Nashville, giving you all of the country attractions and a respite from city life. The house has queen sized bunk beds, a two-burner stove, a mini fridge, one sink, and a tiny bathroom with a stand-up shower and a toilet. Outside, you can build a campfire to cook meals and enjoy being outside. Try a combination stay with a night or two in a cabin and a night or two in a hotel for the best of both worlds.

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