FreeIndianapolis · The Circle City

Free things to do with kids in Indianapolis, this week and every week.

Yes, plenty is free with little kids in Indianapolis this week: we found 15 free outings, including Toddler Rave, Halloween at Forest Park and Trick or Treating in the Plaza, plus five library programs. Six free days and events are coming up, including three museum or zoo free days, each with its date. And seven places never charge admission, like Traders Point Creamery and Indianapolis Public Library, Central Library.

Last checked · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

15free outings this weekincl. 5 library programs6free days and events coming upincl. 3 museum or zoo free days7places that are always freeTraders Point Creamery, Indianapolis Public Library, Central Library4free storytime calendarsIndianapolis Public Library, Carmel Clay Public Library

This week

Free things to do with kids in Indy this week

Every free outing on this week’s Indy list, rebuilt every Thursday. Library programs may need a quick sign-up.

Mon Oct 1911–11:45am

Toddler Rave

Hamilton East Public Library – Noblesville · 1 Library Plaza, Noblesville, IN 46060

Upbeat dance music to kick off the week, built to get little bodies moving.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Mon Oct 196:30–7pm

Pajama Storytime at Lawrence

Lawrence Branch Library · 7898 Hague Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46256

Come in pajamas for evening stories and songs, then stay for literacy activities and play time.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–6
Wed Oct 2110:30–11am

Bilingual Storytime in American Sign Language

Lawrence Branch Library · 7898 Hague Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46256

Stories with a Deaf presenter and an ASL interpreter, made for Deaf and hearing families alike.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–6
Thu Oct 2210:30–11:15am

Storytime with Professor Watermelon

Michigan Road Branch Library · 6201 N Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46268

A storytime about trees: where apples, cinnamon and maple syrup come from, and the animals and bugs that live in them.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 2–6
Fri Oct 2311am–noon

Tales 'n Play Storytime

Central Library (Kid Central) · 40 E St Clair St, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Stories, music and open playtime in Kid Central for ages 0–5.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Fri Oct 234:30–7:30pm

Halloween at Forest Park

Forest Park · 701 Cicero Rd, Noblesville, IN 46060

Noblesville's trick-or-treat trail with hayrides, games and a free shuttle from Noblesville High School.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–10
Fri Oct 234:30–8pm

Trick or Treating in the Plaza

Grand Junction Plaza · 225 S Union St, Westfield, IN 46074

Candy from 60-plus local vendors, free balloon animals and face painting, and Goosebumps on the big screen at 6:15pm.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–10
Sat Oct 2410am–3pm

Fall Colors Festival

McCloud Nature Park · 8518 Hughes Rd, North Salem, IN 46165

Hayrides, a campfire, butter making and candle dipping under the fall leaves, plus food trucks.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAll ages
Sat Oct 2410:30–11:30am

Storytime at Nora: Move and Groove

Nora Branch Library · 8625 Guilford Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46240

A Saturday storytime built around songs and dancing for toddlers and preschoolers.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 1–5
Sat Oct 2410am–7pm

Día de Muertos Community Celebration

Eiteljorg Museum · 500 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Mariachi, folklórico dancers, a Catrina parade at 2pm and the community altars, all free for the day.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAll ages
Sat Oct 24Parade at noon, festival after at the amphitheater

Greenwood Halloween Parade & Halloween Fest

Downtown Greenwood and Greenwood Amphitheater · 300 S Madison Ave, Greenwood, IN 46142

Kids in costume line the downtown route to collect candy from the parade, then head to the amphitheater for a kid zone and live music.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAll ages
Sat Oct 243–4pm

Sing Me a Story with the Indianapolis Opera

Eagle Branch Library · 3905 Moller Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46254

Opera singers turn a story into a short, kid-sized show at the library.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–10
Sat Oct 243–8pm (sensory hour 3–4pm)

Halloween Trick-or-Treat Trail

Anson Acres Park · 4671 Anson Blvd, Whitestown, IN 46075

A costumed trick-or-treat trail with s'mores at the bonfire and fall games; the first hour turns off lights, sounds and animatronics.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAll ages
Sat Oct 245–7pm

Trail & Treat on the Canal

Downtown Canal Walk · 801 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204

A car-free, well-lit trick-or-treat route along the Downtown Canal; stroll it at your own pace.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAll ages
Sat Oct 246–8pm

Scares on the Square

Downtown Danville Courthouse Square · 1 Courthouse Square, Danville, IN 46122

Trunk-or-treating, bounce houses and Halloween games around the Danville square.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–12
Showing all 15 free outings

Mark the calendar

Free days and free events coming up in Indy

Museum and zoo free days, free festivals and other one-off free events, soonest first. Some free days are only for residents or cardholders, so each one says who gets in free.

Who gets in free:EveryoneResidents onlyCardholders only
Nov5
Dec3

Newfields First Thursday

Newfields · 4000 N. Michigan Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46208

10 a.m.–5 p.m. The art museum and The Garden, with live music and open studios. Kids 5 and under are always free at Newfields.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Who gets inPay what you wish, including $0
Nov7
Nov8
Dec5
Dec6

Bank of America Museums on Us weekend

Newfields, Conner Prairie and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum · Indianapolis and Fishers

Only the cardholder gets in free; kids under 2 are free at Conner Prairie and 5 and under are free at Newfields anyway.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Cardholders onlyFree general admission for Bank of America, Merrill and Private Bank cardholders (one per card, with photo ID)
Nov21
to
Dec24

Carmel Christkindlmarkt

Carter Green · 10 Carter Green, Carmel, IN

Wed–Thu 4–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat noon–9 p.m.; Sun noon–8 p.m.; closed Mon–Tue except Dec 21–22. German holiday market with lights and skating; opening-day tree lighting per schedule.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
EveryoneFree admission; ice skating extra
Nov27

Circle of Lights

Monument Circle · 1 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Evening; 2026 times not posted yet. The lighting of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, with Santa, food trucks and live music.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
EveryoneFree
Dec5
to
Dec12

Santa Saturdays in Carmel

Santa's House, Indiana Design Center parking lot · 200 S Range Line Rd, Carmel, IN 46032

2–5 p.m. Meet Santa, share wish lists and bring your own camera. Near Carmel City Center and the Christkindlmarkt.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
EveryoneFree
Dec24

Christmas Eve free admission at The Children's Museum

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis · 3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208

Opens 10 a.m., closes at 2 p.m. All five floors, WinterSlide and a visit with Santa.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
EveryoneFree; free advance tickets required (available Dec. 14)

Any day

Places that are always free in Indy

Parks, gardens, nature centers and museums that don’t charge admission.

Indianapolis Public Library, Central Library

40 E St Clair St, Indianapolis, IN 46204 · DowntownFree, with books, a children’s library and no ticket to buy.Official site ↗Report a problem

Holliday Park

6363 Spring Mill Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46260 · NorthsidePlayground, trails and the Ruins at no cost, from dawn to dusk.Official site ↗Report a problem

Monument Circle

Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46204 · DowntownFountains and the monument at the center of downtown, with nothing to buy.Official site ↗Report a problem

Indy Parks splash pads

Dan Wakefield Park, 6051 N Broadway St, Indianapolis, IN 46220 · Across the cityOver 20 free splash pads, open in summer.Official site ↗Report a problem

Indiana State Police Museum

8660 E. 21st St., Indianapolis, IN 46219 · East sideFree admission (donations welcome). Police cars, motorcycles and uniforms through the years. Open Tue–Thu 10 a.m.–3 p.m.Official site ↗Report a problem
Free to get in, but parking, special exhibits and seasonal extras can cost money. Check each place’s site before you go.

Every week

Free library storytimes

Indianapolis Public Library

Baby, toddler and preschool storytimes at branches across the city, with Central Library downtown as the hub. Check the events calendar for your branch.

Weekly at 20 locations; Monday–Saturday, mostly mornings, plus an evening session

BabiesToddlersPreschoolFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

Carmel Clay Public Library

Storytimes for babies through preschoolers in Carmel, a good fit on the north side.

Weekly at the Main Library; Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays

BabiesPreschoolFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

Holliday Park Nature Center

Habitat Hall has live animals and discovery exhibits, and it is free.

Monday–Saturday, 9am–5pm

Free
Find a storytime near you ↗

Hamilton East Public Library

Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Babytime (Wednesdays 9:30am, Fishers) and Storytime (Tuesdays 10:30am, Fishers), with more at Noblesville.

Weekly at 2 locations; Tuesday–Thursday, mostly mornings

BabiesToddlersPreschoolFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

Keep planning

More for little kids in Indy

Indoor play in IndyIndoor playgrounds, toddler times and museums, with pricesThanksgiving weekend in IndyParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in IndyKid-friendly countdowns, home by napThis week in IndyDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

Free things to do with kids in Indianapolis: the FAQ

This week we found 15 free outings for ages 0–6, including Toddler Rave, Halloween at Forest Park, Trick or Treating in the Plaza and Fall Colors Festival. See free this week; the list is rebuilt every Thursday.

Newfields First Thursday: Thu Nov 5 and Thu Dec 3 (Pay what you wish, including $0). Bank of America Museums on Us weekend: Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8, Sat Dec 5 and Sun Dec 6. Circle of Lights: Fri Nov 27. Christmas Eve free admission at The Children's Museum: Thu Dec 24. Dates come from each venue’s own page; see free days and free events.

Carmel Christkindlmarkt and Santa Saturdays in Carmel are free this season. Dates and times are on each card under free days and free events.

Traders Point Creamery, Indianapolis Public Library, Central Library, Holliday Park, Monument Circle and Indy Parks splash pads and 2 more don’t charge admission. Some charge for parking or special exhibits; the cards say so where the place does.

Yes: The Hideout and Cornerstone Lutheran Church Play Area. See all of them on indoor play places in Indy.

Yes. Indianapolis Public Library, Carmel Clay Public Library, Holliday Park Nature Center and Hamilton East Public Library run free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Times change by branch, so check the calendar linked below.

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 19, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday for dated events and once a month for free places. How we choose and check.

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