The temperature may be dropping, but that doesn’t mean you are destined to spend the next couple of months trapped in your house with nothing to do. There is still plenty of opportunity for fun to be had – both indoors and out. Thanks to the input of our Indy’s Child readers and our own experiences as parents, this list of 99 Things To Do This Winter in Indianapolis will keep you active and entertained.
Oh and because everyone loves FREE (especially right after the holidays) all of the activities you find below in BOLD are free. That’s right – FREE! So get out there and show those winter blues who’s boss.
Here are 99 Things To {DEFINITELY} Do This Winter:
Go sledding on one of Indy’s favorite sledding hills.
Visit Mr. Muffins Trains in Carmel.
Enjoy some natural fun at the Holliday Park Nature Center.
Sit in a double-sided car at the Indiana State Police Museum.
Walk through the Garfield Park Conservatory.
The Garfield Park Conservatory has tons of spots to explore.
Stop in to play, work or socialize at The Urban Chalkboard of Carmel.
Lace up your skates at a local ice rink.
Let the kids run wild indoors at The Traders Point Christian Church’s “The Park.”
Watch the Jingle Rails trains go ‘round at the Eiteljorg Museum thru 1/16.
Enjoy the classic tale of the Von Trapp family during the musical performance of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music, playing at the Old National Centre 1/10-1/15.
Discover the indoor Discovery Station at Conner Prairie.
Ride the escalators at Central Library in downtown Indy, then head to The Curve for a little green screen fun.
Pick out a $1 children’s book at Indy Reads Books.
Have a blast watching the Harlem Globetrotters show off their ball-handling skills on 1/14 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Look into a cooking class for your mini Julia Child.
Enjoy a free program at one of our local libraries.
Swim in the indoor pool at the downtown CityWay YMCA.
Step into Peewinkle’s Puppet Studio for the Valentine Cabaret.
Gather friends for a fun playtime at the Recreation Unlimited showroom of Noblesville.
Head to Clowes Hall 3/16 for Odd Squad – LIVE!.
Take a trip north for a ride on the Pokagon State Park toboggan run.
Fire up a tableside helping of s’mores at BRICS in Broad Ripple.
Honor MLK Day with free admission at a local attraction.
Family Days at the IMA take place on the first Saturday of every month.
Visit Family Day on the first Saturday of the month at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
Visit the Ornithology Center at Eagle Creek Park.
Head south to the huge indoor climbing gym at The Commons of Columbus, IN.
After your visit at The Commons, stop for treats at Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor, just across the street (closed 1/9-1/22 for annual maintenance.)
Go duckpin bowling in Fountain Square.
Jam out at a Kids Rhythm Class with Bongo Boy Music School.
Take a ride down the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Chocolate Slide, (open 2/4-4/23) as part of the Willy Wonka-inspired décor in the Sunburst Atrium.
Venture through Flat Fork Creek Park of Fishers. Start with the sledding hill – stay for the treehouses.
Bounce like Tigger to Cumberland Park for the Fishers Parks and Recreation National Winnie The Pooh Day on 1/15.
Or, bounce the winter blues away at BounceU of Fishers.
Plan time for Hot Jazz For Cool Kids, the Indianapolis Public Library’s annual winter jazz concerts perfect for young listeners.
Bundle up for a winter hike on Fall Creek Trail at Fort Harrison State Park.
Scout out the 35-foot Veal’s Ice Tree in person.
Enjoy free admission to the Indianapolis Museum of Art on the first Thursday of every month from 4-8pm.
Pet a shark at the Indianapolis Zoo.
theCityMoms member Sara B. and her family petting a baby shark at the Indianapolis Zoo.
Journey under the sea with Disney’s The Little Mermaid at The Old National Centre, running 2/7-2/12.
Check out weekly storytime, Tuesdays at Pottery Barn Kids {5-time visitors receive a $10 coupon toward their own book!}.
Head to Franklin Skate Club where kids skate free.
Stock up on spring clothes at a local consignment sale.
Enjoy a family swim night at Goldfish Swim School.
Check into a Youth Climbing time at Evo Rock + Fitness, Mondays and Thursdays beginning at 6pm.
Let the kids {and you!} have a night out by looking into one of these great Parent Night Out programs.
Learn about making maple syrup at the annual Holliday Park Sap To Syrup Day on 2/27.
Keep eyes peeled for the Yelp Indy’s Little Yelpers Club activities which are free and worth putting on your calendar.
Engage your preschooler/kindergartener in the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Teddy Bear Series.
Too cold to get out? Have a pajama day. That’s right a pajama day. Ask your kids what fun they want to have indoors and spend the day in your pjs enjoying each other’s company.
Join Broad Ripple Park for their annual Moonlight Madness Egg Hunt on 4/7.
Put your kids’ musical tastes to the test at the monthly Indy CD & Vinyl Kids Day on the last Sunday of the month. Includes a concert too!
Head to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis on the first Thursday of the month for free admission from 4-8pm.
Visit the Indy Winter Farmers Market at the Circle City Industrial Complex.
Take the entire family (or go for an adults-only night out) to enjoy a delicious meal during Devour Indy.
Enjoy a fun Saturday morning Peanut Butter & Jam concert at The Center For The Performing Arts, designed for kids ages 1-7.
Spend an afternoon bowling at your favorite local lanes.
Don your green at the Greening Of The Canal on 3/16, which includes family fun at the Indiana Historical Society, concerts and more.
The Greening Of The Canal in downtown Indy takes place 3/16.
Speaking of green, head out for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Indy.
Skate on in to an Indiana Fuel hockey Family Fun Day.
Explore the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall Of Fame Museum.
Schedule a tour of the Indianapolis Humane Society.
Head to the top of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in downtown Indy. {Small fee to take the elevator but the stairs are free.}
Scope out the Indianapolis Firefighters Museum on Mass Ave.
Walk around the Dallara IndyCar Factory in Speedway {kids 4 and under are free!}.
Take advantage of a snowy day by going to the Lakeview Church Indoor Playground.
Hit the arcade for dinner and games at Dave & Buster’s.
Snuggle up with a new book at Kids Ink Bookstore.
Afterward, head next door for a treat at The Flying Cupcake.
Join Mickey and friends at Follow Your Heart, a Disney on Ice performance, taking place 1/18-1/22 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Play Pokemon Go at the Museum of Miniature houses.
Cheer on the Butler Bulldogs basketball team at the historic Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Be inspired at the NCAA Hall Of Champions {ages 5 and under free!}.
Check out some snakes and turtles at the Cool Creek Park Nature Center.
Decorate pottery at You Are The Potter Wacky Wednesdays for a discounted $5 fee.
Dive into the trampoline park, giant foam pit or dunk baskets at SkyZone of Fishers, Sky Zone Indy South or Plainfield.
Just pop in for a free sample of popcorn at well, Just Pop In! of Broad Ripple. {Mini bags make a perfect snack.}
Mark your calendar for the annual Circus Day at the Indiana Historical Society {usually the last weekend in March!}.
Celebrate National Pie Day on 1/23 with a slice from My Sugar Pie in Zionsville.
Watch a Naptown Roller Girls bout.
Take a tour of Lucas Oil Stadium, available every Tuesday and Wednesday. {Kids 3 and under are FREE!}
Build the day away at Brickworld Indy LEGO Expo at the Fairgrounds 3/18-3/19.
Cheer on your favorite team and head to one of Indiana’s many high school or college basketball games.
Enjoy a Lucas Oil Family Night with the Indiana Pacers.
Curb your Spring Fever with the annual Carmel Clay Parks afternoon of kite flying, Easter egg hunts and more on 3/26.
Bang away at the Rhythm Discovery Center, an interactive percussion museum in downtown Indy.
Sign up for winter swim lessons at your family’s favorite spot.
Take advantage of a warm{er} day and walk through history at Crown Hill Cemetery.
Head south to Bloomington where your little ones can explore and learn at Wonderlab: The Museum of Science, Health and Technology.
Keep your eyes peeled for gnomes at the Garfield Park Conservatory’s Gnome Away From Home display, 3/18-4/2.
Get a cup of hot chocolate from The South Bend Chocolate Company on Monument Circle.
Go for lunch at City Market downtown.
Take your budding astronomers for a public tour on Friday or Saturday evenings at Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium.
Channel your youth at a local roller skating rink.
Smiles are guaranteed after a show at Peewinkle’s Puppet Studio.
Indulge in an oversized donut at Dancing Donut of SoBro.
Go glow golfing on level 4 of the downtown Circle Centre Mall.
Get out some energy playing at the TreeHouse located at Plainfield Christian Church. Designed for children ages 2-12.
Watch for plenty o’ family-friendly films on the schedule at Flix Brewhouse in Carmel.
Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday with one of many storytimes or activities around town in early March.
Snowed in? Try family game night. Have everyone choose their favorite game and let the competitive juices flow.
Are you out enjoying some of this winter fun? We’d love to see your pics! Include @indyschild #ICWinter in any of your posts on social media and we’ll find you. Have any ideas for the list? Email jthompson@indyschild.com and let us know what you and your family enjoy doing together during the winter.
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