# Things to do with toddlers and little kids in Indianapolis: the parent guide > Indianapolis is an easy city for little kids. The big museums sit close together, several let kids under 2 or 3 in free, and the Zoo, a toddler-friendly children’s museum and a rebuilt nature playground cover most weather. Prices are listed per person. - Last checked: 2026-10-17 - 20 places for ages 0–6, with admission and menu prices from each place’s own site - Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/guide/ - This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/index.md - Visiting guide (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/visiting/index.md - City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/llms.txt ## Kid-friendly restaurants ### Shapiro's Delicatessen (South Meridian, Downtown) - A cafeteria-style deli open since 1905, with a big dining room where a noisy toddler fits right in. - Price level: $$ - Menu prices: sandwiches ~$12–$25 - Hours: Mon–Fri 10am–7:30pm; Sat–Sun 9am–7:30pm, weekend breakfast 9am–noon - Kids usually order: Shapiro's mac and cheese, Grilled cheese, Hot dog - Why kids like it: Pointing at food in the cafeteria line, and the giant dessert case - Good for: A loud, unfussy lunch where a toddler can point at what they want in the cafeteria line. - Skip if: you want table service or a quiet meal; it’s a busy, order-at-the-counter room. - Price source: https://shapiros.com/indianapolis-stadium-village-babe-denny-shapiro-s-delicatessen-food-menu (checked 2026-10-17) - Website: https://shapiros.com ### Baby's (Near Northside (Talbott St)) - Smash burgers and milkshakes, with a patio play area out back and magnet tiles at the tables. - Price level: $$ - Menu prices: kids’ meals ~$8–$9, burgers & sandwiches ~$10–$15 - Hours: Sun–Tue 11am–8pm; Wed–Sat 11am–9pm - Kids usually order: Smash burgers, Fried chicken, Milkshakes - Why kids like it: Patio play area and yard games, plus magnet tiles at the tables while you wait - Good for: Burgers with a patio play area and magnet tiles at the table to fill the wait. - Skip if: it’s cold or wet and the patio is the main draw for your crew. - Price source: https://babysindy.com/menu (checked 2026-10-17) - Website: https://babysindy.com ### Bier Brewery Noblesville (Noblesville) - A Noblesville brewery with a biergarten. Order at the window. - Price level: $$ - Menu prices: kids’ meals $6.99–$7.99, wraps & 12″ pizzas ~$13–$19 - Hours: Closed Mondays - Kids usually order: Chicken nuggets, Veggie nuggets, Quesadilla, Grilled cheese - Good for: A grown-up beer with kids’ meals at $6.99–$7.99 and a biergarten to spread out in. - Skip if: you need full table service; you order at the window. - Price source: https://www.bierbrewery.com/_files/ugd/0c5e7a_0ae2f32cf15d4fc89e20fb2e1c46ea6c.pdf (checked 2026-10-17) - Website: https://www.bierbrewery.com ### Shin Dig (North Mass Ave) - A big indoor-outdoor space with fire pits and lawn games, so kids have something to do between bites of pizza. - Price level: $$ - Menu prices: pizzas ~$14–$24 - Hours: Mon–Thu 4–9pm; Fri–Sat 11am–10pm; Sun noon–9pm - Kids usually order: Pizza, Chicken tenders, Mac and cheese - Why kids like it: Cornhole, giant Jenga, Connect Four and ping pong - Good for: Pizza night with lawn games and ping pong so preschoolers have something to do between bites. - Skip if: you want an early weekday lunch; it doesn’t open until 4pm Monday to Thursday. - Price source: https://www.shindigindy.com/menus/ (checked 2026-10-17) - Website: https://www.shindigindy.com ## Indoor play & trampoline parks ### Dig Dig for Kids (Fishers) - An indoor sandbox play space with trucks and tools, built for little construction fans. - Price level: $16 per child per hour, adults free - Good for: Truck-obsessed toddlers and preschoolers who want to dig indoors; grown-ups get in free. - Skip if: you’re watching the budget with more than one kid, since it’s $16 per child per hour. - Website: https://digdigforkids.com/ ### Chuck E. Cheese North Indianapolis (Castleton) - Pizza, games and indoor play. - Price level: $$ - Menu prices (Castleton location): personal pizza $9.99 · large pizza $20.49 - Good for: A rainy afternoon with pizza and games under one roof. - Skip if: your little one gets overstimulated by flashing lights and arcade noise. - Price source: https://order.chuckecheese.com/menu/chuck-e-cheese-96 (checked 2026-10-17) - Website: https://www.chuckecheese.com/indianapolis-north/ ### Playscape at The Children's Museum (Mapleton-Fall Creek) - A space inside the Children's Museum set aside for kids 5 and under. - Price level: Included with museum admission - Tickets: Closed for updates through Nov 6, 2026. Included with museum admission - Good for: Kids 5 and under who need a space of their own inside the big museum. - Skip if: you’re visiting before Nov 6, 2026; it’s closed for updates until then. - Price source: https://www.childrensmuseum.org/cart/tickets (checked 2026-10-17) - Website: https://www.childrensmuseum.org ## Amusement parks, water parks & pools ### Holiday World & Splashin' Safari (Santa Claus, IN (day trip, about 3 hrs)) - A theme park and water park in southern Indiana. Worth one long summer day. - Price level: $$$ - Tickets: Gate price $76.99; 3 and under free. Cheaper online in advance - Good for: One long summer day with kids old enough to enjoy rides; 3 and under get in free. - Skip if: your crew still naps hard. It’s about 3 hours each way and adult tickets are $76.99. - Price source: https://holidayworld.com/tickets-passes/daily-tickets/ (checked 2026-10-17) - Website: https://www.holidayworld.com ### Indy Parks family aquatic centers (Around the city) - City-run outdoor pools around Indianapolis, open in summer. - Price level: $ - Good for: Cheap summer swims close to home. - Skip if: it’s outside the summer season; these are outdoor pools. - Website: https://www.indy.gov/agency/indy-parks-and-recreation ### Indianapolis Zoo (White River State Park) - A downtown zoo in White River State Park. - Price level: $$ - Tickets: kids 2–12 $22.75–$32.75; adults $25.75–$35.75. Varies by date - Good for: A downtown morning with a stroller; under 2 is free. - Skip if: you’re paying peak-date prices for a baby who’ll nap through it. Child tickets run $22.75–$32.75. - In their words: On the chimpanzee complex: “21 chimpanzees, by the way, 19 of those 21 regularly work on touch-sensitive computers where people can see them working” (Dr. Robert Shumaker, president and CEO, Indianapolis Zoo, on Get IN. with Nate Spangle: “Inside the Indianapolis Zoo with Dr. Robert Shumaker”, Feb 2025: https://e6ac4656-1cdf-45b4-afa0-630691d86f8a.libsyn.com/inside-the-indianapolis-zoo-growth-conservation-and-the-future) - Price source: https://tickets.indyzoo.com/webstore/shop/viewitems.aspx?cg=ga&c=gatkt (checked 2026-10-17) - Website: https://www.indianapoliszoo.com ### The Waterpark at the Monon Community Center (Carmel) - Carmel's outdoor summer waterpark, run by Carmel Clay Parks. - Price level: $$ - Tickets (last season): Closed for the season; kids 3–15 $15; adults $18. Summer 2026 prices · Carmel residents $3 off - Good for: Warm-weather splashing in Carmel at $15 for kids 3–15. - Skip if: it’s fall or winter; the outdoor waterpark is closed for the season. - Price source: https://www.carmelclayparks.com/the-waterpark/ (checked 2026-10-17) - Website: https://www.carmelclayparks.com ## Museums, zoos & farms ### The Children's Museum of Indianapolis (Mapleton-Fall Creek) - A very large children's museum, with more than you can see in one visit. - Price level: $$$ - Tickets: Youth $30–$34; adults $34–$38; Under 2 free. Indiana residents $3 off · First Thursdays 4–8pm: $6 · Prices vary by date - Good for: Rainy days and kids under 2, who get in free. Everything’s built to be touched. - Skip if: you only have an hour. At $30–$34 per youth ticket, it’s worth a half-day plan. - Price source: https://www.childrensmuseum.org/cart/tickets (checked 2026-10-17) - Website: https://www.childrensmuseum.org ### Conner Prairie (Fishers) - An outdoor living-history park with farm animals and seasonal events. - Price level: $$ - Tickets: kids 2–13 $18; adults $24; Under 2 free. Half price after 3pm (in person) · Online price; $2 more in person - Good for: Outdoorsy toddlers who like farm animals; under 2 is free and online tickets save $2. - Skip if: it’s pouring. Most of the park is outside and spread out. - Price source: https://www.connerprairie.org/plan-your-visit/ (checked 2026-10-17) - Website: https://www.connerprairie.org ### Newfields (Butler-Tarkington) - Gardens and lawns around the art museum, with seasonal events. - Price level: $$ - Tickets: kids 6–17 $15; adults $23; 5 and under free - Good for: Stroller walks through big gardens; kids 5 and under are free. - Skip if: you want hands-on exhibits. This is gardens and art, best at a slower pace. - In their words: On the 100-acre art and nature park: “That's all free and open to the public” (Jonathan Berger, Newfields, on Get IN. with Nate Spangle: “42,000 Reasons to Visit Newfields | Jonathan Berger, Newfields”, Feb 2026: https://e6ac4656-1cdf-45b4-afa0-630691d86f8a.libsyn.com/42000-reasons-to-visit-indianas-art-and-nature-campus-jonathan-berger-newfields) - Price source: https://discovernewfields.org/tickets-and-pricing (checked 2026-10-17) - Website: https://discovernewfields.org ### Indiana State Museum (White River State Park) - Natural history and Indiana history under one roof. - Price level: $$ - Tickets: kids 3–17 $17; adults 18–59 $23; Under 3 free. $1 off online - Good for: A Wednesday-to-Sunday indoor backup near the zoo; under 3 is free. - Skip if: it’s Monday or Tuesday; it’s open Wednesday to Sunday. - Price source: https://www.indianamuseum.org/visit-museum/hours-and-admission/ (checked 2026-10-17) - Website: https://www.indianamuseum.org ### Traders Point Creamery (Zionsville) - An organic dairy farm in Zionsville with a dairy bar. - Price level: Free to visit - Good for: A free farm visit with cows and a dairy bar treat. - Skip if: you need indoor plans; it’s a working farm and mostly outside. - Website: https://www.traderspointcreamery.com ## Staycation spots ### JW Marriott Indianapolis (Downtown) - A big downtown hotel near White River State Park and the zoo. - Price level: $$$ - Good for: Families who want to walk to White River State Park and the zoo. - Skip if: you want a resort pool day; this is a big downtown convention hotel. - Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/indjw-jw-marriott-indianapolis/overview/ ### Abe Martin Lodge, Brown County State Park (Nashville, IN (about 1 hr)) - A state park lodge inside Brown County State Park. - Price level: $$ - Good for: A quiet night in a state park about an hour south, with trails out the door. - Skip if: you want to be near city attractions; it’s a woods getaway. - Website: https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/brown-county-state-park/ ### French Lick Resort (French Lick, IN (day trip, about 2 hrs)) - Historic resort hotels in southern Indiana, good for a slow weekend. - Price level: $$$ - Good for: A slow resort weekend about two hours south. - Skip if: your kids are under 3 and the drive alone would eat nap time. - Website: https://www.frenchlick.com ### Conrad Indianapolis (Downtown) - A downtown hotel near Circle Centre. - Price level: $$$ - Good for: A downtown base near Circle Centre for a city weekend. - Skip if: you’d rather be by the zoo and White River State Park than the shopping district. - Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/indcici-conrad-indianapolis/ ## Free things to do - Traders Point Creamery - Indianapolis Public Library, Central Library - Holliday Park - Monument Circle - Indy Parks splash pads - Circle of Lights ## Best for under 3s - **The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis**: Under 2 is free and the exhibits are built to be touched. - **Indiana State Museum**: Kids under 3 get in free. - **Newfields**: Kids 5 and under are free, and the gardens give a stroller a lot of room. - **Indianapolis Public Library, Central Library**: Board books, floor space and no one to shush you. - **Indianapolis Zoo**: Under 2 is free, and a lot of the fun is watching from the stroller. - **Holliday Park**: The playground has a dedicated toddler play zone. ## With a baby or a 1-year-old ### Baby and lap-sit storytimes - **Library Babies** (Carmel Clay Public Library): Thursdays at 9:30am, 10:30am and 11:30am · Main Library. Birth to 12 months. (Ages 0–12 mo.) Join us for rhymes, songs, and stories for babies. https://carmelclaylibrary.org/events - **Babytime** (Hamilton East Public Library): Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9:30am · Fishers branch. Participate in rhymes, songs, and stories with your little one. https://hepl.libnet.info/events - **Babytime** (Hamilton East Public Library): Wednesdays at 10:30am · Noblesville branch. Participate in rhymes, songs, and stories with your little one. https://hepl.libnet.info/events - **Storytime at College Avenue - Babies** (Indianapolis Public Library): Fridays at 10:30am · College Avenue Branch. Babies and toddlers. Mother Goose is on the loose! https://attend.indypl.org/events - **Baby and Toddler Storytime** (Indianapolis Public Library): Mondays at 10:30am · Eagle Branch. Babies and toddlers https://attend.indypl.org/events - **Storytime at Fort Ben - Baby & Toddler** (Indianapolis Public Library): Wednesdays at 10:30am · Fort Ben Branch. Babies and toddlers. Get ready to play, sing, and grow! https://attend.indypl.org/events ### Babies get in free - **Holiday World & Splashin' Safari**: 3 and under free. https://holidayworld.com/tickets-passes/daily-tickets/ - **The Children's Museum of Indianapolis**: Under 2 free. https://www.childrensmuseum.org/cart/tickets - **Conner Prairie**: Under 2 free. https://www.connerprairie.org/plan-your-visit/ - **Indiana State Museum**: Under 3 free. https://www.indianamuseum.org/visit-museum/hours-and-admission/ ### Changing tables and nursing rooms - **The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis**: Adult-size accessible changing table. ### Stroller notes - **The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis**: Accessible throughout, with sensory resources for kids who get overwhelmed. - **Newfields**: Free wheelchairs and rollators are available at arrival. - **Holliday Park**: Restrooms in the Pavilion, with more in the Nature Center (Monday–Saturday, 9am–5pm). ## 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. 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. https://carmelclaylibrary.org/ - **Holliday Park Nature Center**: Monday–Saturday, 9am–5pm. Habitat Hall has live animals and discovery exhibits, and it is free. 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. https://hepl.libnet.info/events ## Happening this week - **ZooBoo at the Indianapolis Zoo** (Wed–Sun from 2pm) at Indianapolis Zoo. Included with Zoo admission; free for members. https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/#e-zoo - **Fright Academy Haunted House (Friendly Hours)** (Tue–Sun daytime) at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. $9; $8 members (museum admission not included). https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/#e-fright - **Día de Muertos Community Celebration** (Sat 10am–7pm) at Eiteljorg Museum. Free (register for a free ticket). https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/#e-dia_de_muertos_eiteljorg - **Trail & Treat on the Canal** (Sat 5–7pm) at Downtown Canal Walk. Free. https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/#e-trail_and_treat_canal - **Headless Horseman Festival** (Thu–Sun evenings) at Conner Prairie. $26; members free; $10 Access Pass; hayride +$10. https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/#e-headless_horseman Full list with every outing: https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/index.md ## Holiday pages - [Santa in Indianapolis: breakfast with Santa, photos and Santa trains (2026)](https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/santa/index.md) - [Christmas lights in Indianapolis for little kids (2026)](https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/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 the Children’s Museum worth it for a 2-year-old? Yes, if you go with a short plan. Kids under 2 are free, but a 2-year-old pays the full price, which is $30–$34 for kids and $34–$38 for adults. The dinosaur gallery, the carousel and the hands-on exhibits all work at that age. Go in the morning, leave around nap time, and pick a cheaper date on the calendar. ### Where do kids get in free in Indianapolis? Free entry by age: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (under 2 free), Indiana State Museum (under 3 free) and Newfields (5 and under free). Holliday Park, the Central Library and Monument Circle are free for everyone. ### What are the best free things to do with toddlers in Indianapolis? Start with Holliday Park’s rebuilt playground, which has a toddler zone, and the free Habitat Hall at its Nature Center. Add the Central Library downtown and Monument Circle. In summer, Indy Parks runs more than 20 free splash pads. ### What should we do in Indianapolis with a toddler when it rains? Start at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis ($30–$34 for kids and $34–$38 for adults), or at the Indiana State Museum ($17 for kids and $23 for adults) on Wednesday through Sunday. The Central Library is free and indoors, and Indy Parks keeps three indoor pools open in winter. ### Where can we take little kids for brunch in Indianapolis? Cafe Patachou has kids’ plates at $10 and can down-size most dishes for ages 10 and under. Shapiro’s Delicatessen has a kids’ menu at $5.75 for children under 12. ### What’s good for babies and kids under 3 in Indianapolis? The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis: Under 2 is free and the exhibits are built to be touched. Indiana State Museum: Kids under 3 get in free. Newfields, Indianapolis Public Library, Central Library and Indianapolis Zoo are also easy with a baby or toddler. Free for the littlest: Conner Prairie (Under 2 free) and Newfields (5 and under free). See [best for under 3s](https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/guide/#under3). ### Where are the free storytimes in Indianapolis? Indianapolis Public Library: Weekly at 20 locations; Monday–Saturday, mostly mornings, plus an evening session. Carmel Clay Public Library: Weekly at the Main Library; Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Holliday Park Nature Center: Monday–Saturday, 9am–5pm. Library storytimes don’t need a ticket, but times change by branch, so check the calendar first. See [library storytimes](https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/guide/#storytimes), and this week’s dated sessions are on the [Indy weekly list](https://littlesweekly.com/indianapolis/). ### How do you choose the places in the Indianapolis guide? Every one of the 20 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 13 of them have checked admission or menu prices. The guide was last checked Oct 17, 2026. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/). ### How much is the Indianapolis Zoo for a toddler? Kids 2–12: $22.75–$32.75; adults: $25.75–$35.75 (varies by date). We checked this on [its official site](https://tickets.indyzoo.com/webstore/shop/viewitems.aspx?cg=ga&c=gatkt) on Oct 17, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go. ### How much is the Children's Museum of Indianapolis for a toddler, and who gets in free? Under 2 free; youth: $30–$34; adults: $34–$38 (prices vary by date). Deals: Indiana residents $3 off and First Thursdays 4–8pm: $6. We checked this on [its official site](https://www.childrensmuseum.org/cart/tickets) on Oct 17, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.