# Things to do with toddlers and little kids in Fort Wayne: the parent guide

> Fort Wayne is easy with little kids: a hands-on science center, a well-loved zoo, a warm indoor garden downtown and free storytimes at library branches across Allen County.

- Last checked: 2026-10-18
- 15 places for ages 0–6, with admission and menu prices from each place’s own site
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/fort-wayne/guide/
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/fort-wayne/index.md
- Visiting guide (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/fort-wayne/visiting/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/fort-wayne/llms.txt

## Kid-friendly restaurants

### Fort Wayne’s Famous Coney Island (Downtown, 131 W. Main St.)

- Fort Wayne’s oldest restaurant, serving coney dogs on Main Street since 1914. Quick, cheap and easy with kids.
- Price level: $
- Menu prices: kids’ meals No kids’ menu posted; a coney dog is $2, entrées Coney dogs $2; chili soup bowls from $3.95
- Hours: Mon–Thu 9am–9pm; Fri–Sat 9am–10pm; Sun 9am–8pm
- Good for: A fast downtown lunch near the library and the Conservatory.
- Skip if: you want a big menu; it’s mostly coneys.
- Price source: https://www.fortwaynesfamousconeyisland.com/menu (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://fwconeyisland.com/

### Mad Anthony Brewing Company (Broadway, 2002 Broadway)

- A local brewpub that brews its own root beer and red cream soda, with a $6.50 kids’ menu that includes fries and a drink.
- Price level: $$
- Menu prices: kids’ meals $6.50 (fries and a drink included), entrées Burgers $13–$16.50
- Good for: An easy family dinner with a house root beer.
- Skip if: you want a quiet room; it’s a busy pub.
- Price source: https://www.madbrew.com/menu/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.madbrew.com/

## Indoor play and rainy days

### Science Central (North Clinton St., 1950 N. Clinton St.)

- A hands-on science center in an old power plant, with animal interactions and science demos through the day.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: kids 3+ $15 ($14 online); adults $15 ($14 online); 2 and under free. $5 with EBT, SNAP or WIC (Museums for All), covers immediate family
- Hours: Wed–Sun 10am–5pm (school year)
- Good for: A rainy morning of hands-on play; arrive early for the day’s demos.
- Skip if: it’s a Monday or Tuesday; it’s closed.
- Price source: https://www.sciencecentral.org/visit/our-science-center/hours-admission/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.sciencecentral.org/

### Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory (Downtown, 1100 S. Calhoun St.)

- A warm indoor garden downtown, with a desert house and tropical plants year-round.
- Price level: $
- Tickets: kids 3–17 $5; adults $7; 2 and under free. $1 admission Thursdays 5–8pm
- Hours: Tue–Sat 10am–5pm (Thu to 8pm); Sun noon–4pm
- Good for: A short, easy outing with a stroller; Thursday evenings are $1.
- Skip if: it’s a Monday; it’s closed.
- Price source: https://www.cityoffortwayne.in.gov/492/Hours-Rates (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.botanicalconservatory.org/

### Allen County Public Library, Main Library (Downtown, 900 Library Plaza)

- The big downtown library, with baby, toddler and music storytimes most weekdays and Saturday mornings.
- Price level: Free
- Good for: Free storytimes and a lot of picture books.
- Skip if: you need a quiet hour; storytimes can be busy.
- Website: https://www.acpl.lib.in.us/branches/main

### Sensory Fun and Playroom (Georgetown Square, 6746 E. State Blvd.)

- A sensory open gym with a cheaper rate for walkers under 2.
- Price level: $
- Tickets: kids $13 ($15 with grip socks); Walkers under 2: $8
- Hours: Thu–Fri 10am–7pm; Sat noon–6pm; Sun noon–6pm; Mon closed
- Good for: A cold Thursday or Friday afternoon.
- Skip if: it’s a Monday; it’s closed.
- Price source: https://www.sensoryfunandplayroom.com/parents-corner-1 (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.sensoryfunandplayroom.com/

### Kids Empire Fort Wayne (Southwest, 4130 W. Jefferson Blvd.)

- A big indoor playground for ages 1–12, with a toddler zone of mini slides and soft blocks and same-day re-entry.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: kids 1–12 $19.90 all day; Under 1 free with a paying sibling
- Hours: Mon–Thu 10am–8pm; Fri–Sun 10am–10pm
- Good for: A long rainy day, open late on weekends.
- Skip if: you forgot socks; everyone needs them (sold at the desk).
- Price source: https://www.kidsempire.com/store-locator/kids-empire-ft-wayne (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.kidsempire.com/store-locator/kids-empire-ft-wayne

## Parks and outdoor play

### Fort Wayne Zoo (Franke Park, 3411 Sherman Blvd.)

- A well-loved zoo with an Indiana Family Farm and Stingray Bay; seasonal, with Wild Lights in winter.
- Price level: $$
- Good for: Toddlers who love animals and trick-or-treat weekends in October.
- Skip if: it’s winter on a non-Wild Lights night; check the calendar.
- Website: https://fwzoo.com/

### Salomon Farm Park (Fort Wayne)

- A free city farm park, settled in 1871, where kids can visit chickens, goats, Valais Blacknose sheep, a mini horse, pigs and rabbits through the fences any time the park is open.
- Price level: Free
- Tickets: Free
- Hours: Daily 6am–11pm
- Good for: A free farm-animal morning with toddlers.
- Skip if: it’s pouring; some animals head into their barns in bad weather.
- Price source: https://www.cityoffortwayne.in.gov/955/Salomon-Farm-Park (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.cityoffortwayne.in.gov/955/Salomon-Farm-Park

### Promenade Park: PNC Playground and Doermer Kids’ Canal (Downtown riverfront)

- The downtown riverfront park, with the PNC Playground and the Doermer Kids’ Canal; certified sensory inclusive, with sensory bags to borrow at the Park Foundation Pavilion.
- Price level: Free
- Tickets: Free
- Hours: Daily 6am–11pm
- Good for: A free downtown playground stop.
- Skip if: you want free parking; the nearby garage charges a fee.
- Price source: https://riverfrontfw.org/visit/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://riverfrontfw.org/visit/

### Taylor’s Dream Boundless Playground (Kreager Park) (Kreager Park)

- An inclusive playground built for kids of all abilities, with ramps up to elevated play, an Aero Glider that fits two wheelchairs, a cozy cocoon and splash pads.
- Price level: Free
- Good for: A free all-abilities playground morning.
- Skip if: you came for the splash pads in cold months.
- Website: https://www.cityoffortwayne.in.gov/1251/Boundless-Playground-Special-Features

### Lindenwood Nature Preserve (600 Lindenwood Ave.)

- 110 free wooded acres with four short trails (a quarter mile to one mile); the Trail of Reflection is accessible as far as the pond.
- Price level: Free
- Tickets: Free
- Good for: A short woods walk with a preschooler.
- Skip if: you need real restrooms; there are portable ones only and no running water.
- Price source: https://www.cityoffortwayne.in.gov/1179/Lindenwood-Nature-Preserve (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.cityoffortwayne.in.gov/1179/Lindenwood-Nature-Preserve

### Fox Island County Park (Southwest Fort Wayne, 7324 Yohne Rd.)

- An Allen County park with a nature center; kids under 7 get in free.
- Price level: $
- Tickets: kids 7 and up $3; Children under 7 free
- Hours: Nature center Mon–Fri 10am–6pm; Sat–Sun 9am–6pm
- Good for: A nature-center morning any day of the week.
- Skip if: it’s Thanksgiving or Christmas; the parks are closed.
- Price source: https://allencountyparks.org/parks/admissionhours/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://allencountyparks.org/fox-island/

## Museums, zoos and big outings

### Fort Wayne Museum of Art (Downtown, 311 E. Main St.)

- The city’s art museum downtown, free for kids under 2 and free for everyone the 2nd Thursday of each month, 5–8pm.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: kids 2–17 $8; adults $10; Children under 2 free; free 2nd Thursday 5–8pm
- Hours: Tue–Sat 10am–6pm (Thu to 8pm); Sun noon–5pm; closed Mon
- Good for: A free 2nd-Thursday evening, or a Sunday afternoon.
- Skip if: it’s a Monday; it’s closed.
- Price source: https://fwmoa.org/plan-your-visit/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://fwmoa.org/

### The History Center (Downtown, 302 E. Berry St.)

- Allen County’s history museum, with Saturday hours and free entry for kids 2 and under.
- Price level: $
- Tickets: kids 3–17 $5; adults $7; Children 2 and under free
- Hours: Mon–Fri 10am–5pm; Sat 9am–5pm; first Sun of the month noon–5pm
- Good for: A short history stop downtown, Saturday morning or weekdays.
- Skip if: it’s a Sunday (except the first Sunday of the month).
- Price source: https://fwhistorycenter.org/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://fwhistorycenter.org/

## Free things to do

- Allen County Public Library, Main Library
- Salomon Farm Park
- Promenade Park: PNC Playground and Doermer Kids’ Canal
- Taylor’s Dream Boundless Playground (Kreager Park)
- Lindenwood Nature Preserve

## Best for under 3s

- **Science Central**: 2 and under free.
- **Fort Wayne Zoo**: 1 and under free.
- **Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory**: 2 and under free.
- **Allen County Public Library, Main Library**: Baby storytimes.

## With a baby or a 1-year-old

### Baby and lap-sit storytimes

- **Baby Storytime** (Allen County Public Library): Thursdays at 10:15am and 11am · Aboite Branch. Birth to 18 months. Rhymes, songs, bounces, and books just right for your little one. https://acpl.libnet.info/events
- **Baby Storytime** (Allen County Public Library): Mondays at 11am · Dupont Branch. Birth to 18 months. Rhymes, songs, bounces, and books just right for your little one. https://acpl.libnet.info/events
- **Baby Storytime** (Allen County Public Library): Wednesdays at 10:15am · Georgetown Branch. Birth to 18 months. Rhymes, songs, bounces, and books just right for your little one. https://acpl.libnet.info/events
- **Baby Storytime** (Allen County Public Library): Mondays at 10am · Main Library. Birth to 18 months. Rhymes, songs, bounces, and books just right for your little one. https://acpl.libnet.info/events

### Babies get in free

- **Science Central**: 2 and under free. https://www.sciencecentral.org/visit/our-science-center/hours-admission/
- **Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory**: 2 and under free. https://www.cityoffortwayne.in.gov/492/Hours-Rates
- **Sensory Fun and Playroom**: Walkers under 2: $8. https://www.sensoryfunandplayroom.com/parents-corner-1
- **Kids Empire Fort Wayne**: Under 1 free with a paying sibling. https://www.kidsempire.com/store-locator/kids-empire-ft-wayne
- **Fort Wayne Museum of Art**: Children under 2 free; free 2nd Thursday 5–8pm. https://fwmoa.org/plan-your-visit/
- **The History Center**: Children 2 and under free. https://fwhistorycenter.org/

## Library storytimes

- **Allen County Public Library**: Weekday mornings at most branches, plus Saturday at Main. Free Baby Storytime, Toddler Storytime and First Steps in Music at branches across Allen County. https://acpl.libnet.info/events


## Happening this week

- **Zoolooween at the Fort Wayne Zoo** (10am–3pm) at Fort Wayne Zoo. Included with zoo admission ($24 adults, $22 children; 1 and under free); members free. https://littlesweekly.com/fort-wayne/#e-zoolooween_fort_wayne_zoo
- **Garden Trick-or-Treat at the Botanical Conservatory** (Sat Noon–3pm) at Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory. Regular admission: $7 adults, $5 ages 3–17, 2 and under free. https://littlesweekly.com/fort-wayne/#e-garden_trick_or_treat_conservatory
- **Chemistry Day at Science Central** (Sat 10am–5pm) at Science Central. $15 at the door, $14 online (adults and kids 3+); 2 and under free. https://littlesweekly.com/fort-wayne/#e-chemistry_day_science_central
- **Trick or Treat Trail at LC Nature Park** (Fri 5–7pm) at LC Nature Park. Free. https://littlesweekly.com/fort-wayne/#e-trick_or_treat_trail_lc_nature_park
- **Brooks Family Trunk or Treat at Electric Works** (Sun 2–5pm) at Dynamo Alley Plaza, Electric Works. Open to the public, children and families welcome; no admission price listed. https://littlesweekly.com/fort-wayne/#e-trunk_or_treat_electric_works

Full list with every outing: https://littlesweekly.com/fort-wayne/index.md

## Holiday pages

- [Santa in Fort Wayne: breakfast with Santa, photos and Santa trains (2026)](https://littlesweekly.com/fort-wayne/santa/index.md)
- [Christmas lights in Fort Wayne for little kids (2026)](https://littlesweekly.com/fort-wayne/christmas-lights/index.md)

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### Is Science Central good for toddlers?
Yes. Children 2 and under are free, and there’s plenty to touch and try.

### Are there free things to do with little kids in Fort Wayne?
Yes. Allen County Public Library, Main Library, Salomon Farm Park, Promenade Park: PNC Playground and Doermer Kids’ Canal, Taylor’s Dream Boundless Playground (Kreager Park) and Lindenwood Nature Preserve are free or have a free entry. See [the free list](https://littlesweekly.com/fort-wayne/guide/#free).

### What can we do in Fort Wayne on a rainy or cold day with a toddler?
Go indoors: Science Central, Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, Allen County Public Library, Main Library and Sensory Fun and Playroom. They’re all under one roof, and most work for a short visit around nap time.

### What’s good for babies and kids under 3 in Fort Wayne?
Science Central: 2 and under free. Fort Wayne Zoo: 1 and under free. Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory and Allen County Public Library, Main Library are also easy with a baby or toddler. Free for the littlest: Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory (2 and under free), Sensory Fun and Playroom (Walkers under 2: $8), Kids Empire Fort Wayne (Under 1 free with a paying sibling) and Fox Island County Park (Children under 7 free). See [best for under 3s](https://littlesweekly.com/fort-wayne/guide/#under3).

### Where are the free storytimes in Fort Wayne?
Allen County Public Library: Weekday mornings at most branches, plus Saturday at Main. Library storytimes don’t need a ticket, but times change by branch, so check the calendar first. See [library storytimes](https://littlesweekly.com/fort-wayne/guide/#storytimes), and this week’s dated sessions are on the [Fort Wayne weekly list](https://littlesweekly.com/fort-wayne/).

### How do you choose the places in the Fort Wayne guide?
Every one of the 15 places is somewhere we’d take a baby, toddler or preschooler, with a note on who it suits and when to skip it. Prices, hours and menus come from each place’s own site, and 12 of them have checked admission or menu prices. The guide was last checked Oct 18, 2026. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).