# Free things to do with kids in Indianapolis this 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: 2026-10-19
- 15 free outings this week; 6 free days and events coming up; 7 always-free places
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/free/
- Indoor play (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/indoor-play/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/llms.txt

## Free days and free events coming up

- **Newfields First Thursday** at Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46208. When: Thu Nov 5 and Thu Dec 3. Time: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Price: Pay what you wish, including $0. The art museum and The Garden, with live music and open studios. Kids 5 and under are always free at Newfields. Official page: https://discovernewfields.org/tickets-and-pricing (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Bank of America Museums on Us weekend** at Newfields, Conner Prairie and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, Indianapolis and Fishers. When: Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8, Sat Dec 5 and Sun Dec 6. Price: Free general admission for Bank of America, Merrill and Private Bank cardholders (one per card, with photo ID). 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: https://about.bankofamerica.com/en/making-an-impact/museums-on-us-partners (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Carmel Christkindlmarkt** at Carter Green, 10 Carter Green, Carmel, IN. When: Nov 21 – Dec 24, 2026 (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas). Time: Wed–Thu 4–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat noon–9 p.m.; Sun noon–8 p.m.; closed Mon–Tue except Dec 21–22. Price: Free admission; ice skating extra. German holiday market with lights and skating; opening-day tree lighting per schedule. Official page: https://www.carmelchristkindlmarkt.com/plan-your-visit (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Circle of Lights** at Monument Circle, 1 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46204. When: Fri Nov 27. Time: Evening; 2026 times not posted yet. Price: Free. The lighting of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, with Santa, food trucks and live music. Official page: https://downtownindy.org/events/circle-of-lights (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Santa Saturdays in Carmel** at Santa's House, Indiana Design Center parking lot, 200 S Range Line Rd, Carmel, IN 46032. When: Sat Dec 5 & Sat Dec 12, 2026. Time: 2–5 p.m. Price: Free. Meet Santa, share wish lists and bring your own camera. Near Carmel City Center and the Christkindlmarkt. Official page: https://www.carmel.in.gov/481/Santa-Saturdays (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Christmas Eve free admission at The Children's Museum** at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208. When: Thu Dec 24. Time: Opens 10 a.m., closes at 2 p.m. Price: Free; free advance tickets required (available Dec. 14). All five floors, WinterSlide and a visit with Santa. Official page: https://www.childrensmuseum.org/holiday-events (checked 2026-10-18)

## Free this week

- **Toddler Rave** at Hamilton East Public Library – Noblesville, 1 Library Plaza, Noblesville, IN 46060. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 11–11:45am. Price: Free; drop in. Ages: 0–5. Upbeat dance music to kick off the week, built to get little bodies moving. Official page: https://hepl.libnet.info/event/17310541 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Pajama Storytime at Lawrence** at Lawrence Branch Library, 7898 Hague Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46256. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 6:30–7pm. Price: Free; no registration. Ages: 0–6. Come in pajamas for evening stories and songs, then stay for literacy activities and play time. Official page: https://attend.indypl.org/event/15070851 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Bilingual Storytime in American Sign Language** at Lawrence Branch Library, 7898 Hague Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46256. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 10:30–11am. Price: Free; drop in. Ages: 0–6. Stories with a Deaf presenter and an ASL interpreter, made for Deaf and hearing families alike. Official page: https://attend.indypl.org/event/17616438 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Storytime with Professor Watermelon** at Michigan Road Branch Library, 6201 N Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46268. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 10:30–11:15am. Price: Free; no registration. Ages: 2–6. A storytime about trees: where apples, cinnamon and maple syrup come from, and the animals and bugs that live in them. Official page: https://attend.indypl.org/event/17032437 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Tales 'n Play Storytime** at Central Library (Kid Central), 40 E St Clair St, Indianapolis, IN 46204. When: Fri Oct 23. Time: 11am–noon. Price: Free; drop in. Ages: 0–5. Stories, music and open playtime in Kid Central for ages 0–5. Official page: https://attend.indypl.org/event/17569430 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Halloween at Forest Park** at Forest Park, 701 Cicero Rd, Noblesville, IN 46060. When: Fri Oct 23. Time: 4:30–7:30pm. Price: Free (free wristbands needed for hayrides and inflatables; optional $15 priority parking). Ages: 0–10. Noblesville's trick-or-treat trail with hayrides, games and a free shuttle from Noblesville High School. Official page: https://www.noblesville.in.gov/785/Halloween-at-Forest-Park (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Trick or Treating in the Plaza** at Grand Junction Plaza, 225 S Union St, Westfield, IN 46074. When: Fri Oct 23. Time: 4:30–8pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–10. Candy from 60-plus local vendors, free balloon animals and face painting, and Goosebumps on the big screen at 6:15pm. Official page: https://in-westfield.civicplus.com/407/Trick-or-Treating-in-the-Plaza (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Fall Colors Festival** at McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Rd, North Salem, IN 46165. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 10am–3pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–99. Hayrides, a campfire, butter making and candle dipping under the fall leaves, plus food trucks. Official page: https://hendrickscountyparks.org/event/fall-colors-festival/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Storytime at Nora: Move and Groove** at Nora Branch Library, 8625 Guilford Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46240. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 10:30–11:30am. Price: Free; drop in. Ages: 1–5. A Saturday storytime built around songs and dancing for toddlers and preschoolers. Official page: https://attend.indypl.org/event/15070902 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Día de Muertos Community Celebration** at Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 10am–7pm. Price: Free (register for a free ticket). Ages: 0–99. Mariachi, folklórico dancers, a Catrina parade at 2pm and the community altars, all free for the day. Official page: https://eiteljorg.org/dia-de-muertos/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Greenwood Halloween Parade & Halloween Fest** at Downtown Greenwood and Greenwood Amphitheater, 300 S Madison Ave, Greenwood, IN 46142. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: Parade at noon, festival after at the amphitheater. Price: Free. Ages: 0–99. 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. Official page: https://www.greenwood.in.gov/topic/blocks.php?topicid=410&structureid=22 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Sing Me a Story with the Indianapolis Opera** at Eagle Branch Library, 3905 Moller Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46254. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 3–4pm. Price: Free; drop in. Ages: 3–10. Opera singers turn a story into a short, kid-sized show at the library. Official page: https://attend.indypl.org/event/17032211 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Halloween Trick-or-Treat Trail** at Anson Acres Park, 4671 Anson Blvd, Whitestown, IN 46075. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 3–8pm (sensory hour 3–4pm). Price: Free. Ages: 0–99. A costumed trick-or-treat trail with s'mores at the bonfire and fall games; the first hour turns off lights, sounds and animatronics. Official page: https://whitestown.in.gov/community/parks-and-recreation/events/halloween-trick-or-treat-trail/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Trail & Treat on the Canal** at Downtown Canal Walk, 801 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 5–7pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–99. A car-free, well-lit trick-or-treat route along the Downtown Canal; stroll it at your own pace. Official page: https://indyculturaltrail.org/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Scares on the Square** at Downtown Danville Courthouse Square, 1 Courthouse Square, Danville, IN 46122. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 6–8pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–12. Trunk-or-treating, bounce houses and Halloween games around the Danville square. Official page: https://discoverdowntowndanville.org/event/2026-scares-on-the-square/ (checked 2026-10-19)

## Always free

- **Traders Point Creamery**, Zionsville. An organic dairy farm in Zionsville with a dairy bar. Official page: https://www.traderspointcreamery.com (checked 2026-10-17)
- **Indianapolis Public Library, Central Library**, 40 E St Clair St, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Free, with books, a children’s library and no ticket to buy. Official page: https://www.indypl.org/ (checked 2026-10-17)
- **Holliday Park**, 6363 Spring Mill Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46260. Playground, trails and the Ruins at no cost, from dawn to dusk. Official page: https://www.hollidaypark.org/ (checked 2026-10-17)
- **Monument Circle**, Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Fountains and the monument at the center of downtown, with nothing to buy. Official page:  (checked 2026-10-17)
- **Indy Parks splash pads**, Dan Wakefield Park, 6051 N Broadway St, Indianapolis, IN 46220. Over 20 free splash pads, open in summer. Official page: https://parks.indy.gov/programs/poolsandsplashpads/ (checked 2026-10-17)
- **Circle of Lights**, Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46204. A free holiday tradition on Monument Circle. Official page:  (checked 2026-10-17)
- **Indiana State Police Museum**, 8660 E. 21st St., Indianapolis, IN 46219. Free admission (donations welcome). Police cars, motorcycles and uniforms through the years. Open Tue–Thu 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Official page: https://www.in.gov/isp/indiana-state-police-museum/ (checked 2026-10-18)

## Free library storytimes

- **Indianapolis Public Library**: Weekly at 20 locations; Monday–Saturday, mostly mornings, plus an evening session. Baby, toddler and preschool storytimes at branches across the city, with Central Library downtown as the hub. Check the events calendar for your branch. Calendar: https://www.indypl.org/events
- **Carmel Clay Public Library**: Weekly at the Main Library; Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Storytimes for babies through preschoolers in Carmel, a good fit on the north side. Calendar: https://carmelclaylibrary.org/
- **Holliday Park Nature Center**: Monday–Saturday, 9am–5pm. Habitat Hall has live animals and discovery exhibits, and it is free. Calendar: https://www.hollidaypark.org/
- **Hamilton East Public Library**: Weekly at 2 locations; Tuesday–Thursday, mostly mornings. 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. Calendar: https://hepl.libnet.info/events

## 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

### What’s free to do with kids in Indianapolis this weekend?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/free/#this-week); the list is rebuilt every Thursday.

### Are there free museum or zoo days in Indianapolis?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/free/#free-days).

### What free holiday events are there for kids in Indianapolis?
Carmel Christkindlmarkt and Santa Saturdays in Carmel are free this season. Dates and times are on each card under [free days and free events](https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/free/#free-days).

### Where can we go for free any day in Indianapolis?
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.

### Is there free indoor play in Indianapolis?
Yes: The Hideout and Cornerstone Lutheran Church Play Area. See all of them on [indoor play places in Indy](https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/indoor-play/#places).

### Are library storytimes free in Indianapolis?
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.

### How do you check these free listings?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).