The Best Family-Friendly Activities in Indianapolis, IN

This top-rated attraction is on just about every must-see list of activities in Indianapolis—and for good reason! This interactive children’s museum is the largest in the world, with over 472,000 square feet of fun. With rotating and seasonal exhibits such as All Aboard train adventure, Dinosphere, Playscape (a water play area), and ScienceWorks, there’s also something fun and educational going on at this whimsical museum.

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN, USA, +1 317 334 4000

Get more bang for your buck at the Indianapolis Zoo, which also houses an amazing aquarium and botanical garden. Experience incredible exotic animals like giraffes, lions, tigers, orangutans, elephants, and much more while walking through the unique ecosystem habitats within this massive zoo. Visitors can also take advantage of unique offerings, such as the aquarium’s dolphin show, feeding the zoo’s birds, and even petting a baby shark. A mini roller coaster, face painting, concessions, and gift shop round out this incredible family-friendly attraction.

Indianapolis Zoo, 1200 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN, USA, +1 317 630 2001

This incredible treetop journey can be found deep within Eagle Creek Park. Enjoy zip lines, Tarzan swings, climbing ropes, canopy walks, and other sky-high obstacles throughout this gorgeous course that takes about two to three hours to complete. Families will also experience one of the most amazing rural views of forests and greenery in the city. While it’s family-friendly and safe, kids do have to be at least 10 years old to participate and must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets start at $38.

Go Ape! Treetop Adventure, 5855 Delong Rd, Indianapolis, IN, USA, +1 800 971 8271

Racing is a huge thrill in the Circle City, and families can experience the adrenaline rush of Indy’s favorite sport at this indoor karting facility. With two levels of road courses and a miniature superspeedway, there’s no end of options for all different racing levels at this indoor track. This raceway can even be rented out for private birthday parties and other family-friendly events. Junior racers must be at least eight years of age and 48 inches tall to participate.

Speedway Indoor Karting, 1067 West Main Street, Speedway, IN, USA, +1 317 870 3780

Why choose one family activity when you can enjoy all of your favorites under one roof? Incrediplex is an amazing indoor sports and fun facility that has something for everyone in your family to enjoy. With a bounce area, laser tag, arcade games, upscale bowling, rock wall, hardwood basketball courts, turf fields, athletic courts, tunnels, and a fitness center, the whole family will finally agree on how to spend a fun day out in the city.

Incrediplex, 6002 Sunnyside Rd, Indianapolis, IN, USA, +1 317 823 9555

This one-of-a-kind drum and percussion museum sits inside of the Circle City Mall and offers interactive fun for kids and parents. This museum is especially gifted at delighting hard-to-please toddlers. Enjoy entertaining and educational tours throughout the museum where kids can touch and play the different percussion instruments. Kids will even learn how to make music with everyday objects.

Claypool Court Building, 110 W Washington St A, Indianapolis, IN, USA, +1 317 275 9030

Get outdoors and enjoy some of Indy’s best natural scenery at this incredible 100-acre city park. Filled with unique and eclectic exhibits, kids and adults will both love the whimsical displays within this park. Discover an Alice in Wonderland-style fairy tale in the Flock of Signs exhibit, behold Indy’s greatest basketball hoop of all time at the Free Basket exhibit, and climb all over a larger-than-life skeleton at the Funky Bones exhibit. There’s even an incredible swing made from a tree, called Chop Stick, worth exploring.

Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, 1850 West 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN, USA, +1 317 923 1331

Fancy a comfortable place to rest after a busy day of activities? Check out the best family-friendly hotels to book in Indianapolis, bookable with Culture Trip.