Attractions in Indiana for Kids
Looking for something interesting and fun to do with your kids? Look no further than the Hoosier State! Indiana is more than just Midwest farmland. It is home to an amazing array of sporting events, outdoor activities, museums and roadside attractions. If you haven't taken your kids to Indiana, the time has come! Here are some great ideas that your kids will love!
Indianapolis Attraction Information
Outdoor Activities in Indiana
Do your kids love being outside? Then Indiana is an ideal place to visit! Because Indiana has quite a varied terrain throughout the state, there are many fun and exciting outdoor activities. With caves to explore, rivers to canoe and kayak, cliffs to view and dunes on the lake, Indiana has it all!
If your kids like to hike, bike, and explore nature, Indiana has an amazing array of state parks. Some of the most interesting ones are listed below:
- Indiana Dunes - This park is along the coast of Lake Michigan in Northern Indiana. With rolling sand dunes and a beautiful beach, it's a sight to see!
- Clifty Falls - Filled with waterfalls, steep cliffs and amazing views, Clifty Falls has hiking trails with sights along the way.
- Brown County - This park is known for its stunning leaves in the fall. The park contains beautiful deciduous trees that are very picturesque in any season.
- Fort Harrison - Located in Indianapolis near the Fort Benjamin Harrison army reserve base, this park is a beautiful oasis near all the fun of the city.
In addition to beautiful parks, Indiana is home to Amish Country in Elkhart. Enjoy the beautiful Quilt Gardens and step back in time. This is an excellent way to show kids that it is possible to have fun without electronics!
Near the Brown County State Park is the beautiful town of Nashville. One of America's original artists' colonies, the Nashville area is home to many shops and interesting restaurants. And if your kids like adventure, there are many outdoor excursions including riding a zip line!
Museums and Attractions
Indiana is home to a vast number of museums and attractions for kids of all ages. Indianapolis is home to one of the country's top family and tourist attraction, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. With exploration areas for kids from toddlers to teens, this museum is a must-see for anyone visiting the state.
If history is more of your kids' style, make sure to visit Conner Prairie Interactive History Park in central Indiana. In this unique setting, you actually become a part of the historical scene. From trying foods of the 1800s to enlisting in the Civil War army, there is so much to do at this one-of-a-kind attraction!
Central Indiana is also home to the incredible White River State Park. Nestled in downtown Indianapolis, this state park is a one-stop amazing adventure for kids! The park contains the Indianapolis Zoo, the NCAA Hall of Champions, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. Near the park is the downtown canal, where kids can enjoy paddle boat and Segway tours of the historic area.
What To Do in Indiana?
Fun Indiana Attractions
Sporting Events in Indiana
Indiana is probably best known for its sports-related attractions. If your kids like ANY sport, Indiana has plenty to do!
The Indianapolis Colts NFL team plays at Lucas Oil Stadium in beautiful downtown Indianapolis (home of the 2012 Super Bowl). Not far away is Victory Field, home of the Indianapolis Indians baseball team (and voted “Best Minor League Ballpark in America” by Sports Illustrated and Baseball America). But perhaps Indiana is best known for its basketball. From the famous Milan basketball team portrayed in the movie Hoosiers to the Indiana Pacers NBA team, there is no doubt Indiana is a great place to visit with young basketball fans!
If your kids love racing, what better place to visit than the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400 auto races. Filled with tradition, this attraction is a must-see for any kids who enjoy auto racing.
Unusual Indiana Attractions
Besides the typical attractions, Indiana boasts some really unusual roadside attractions. kids will love these crazy, one-of-a-kind places!
Huge Attractions:
- World's Largest Ball of Paint (Alexandria)
- World's Largest Jack (Bloomfield)
- Giant Coke Bottle and Giant Peach (Bruceville)
- World's Largest Toilet (Columbus)
There's also the world's largest superhero memorabilia collection in the Hall of Heroes Museum in Elkhart, Indiana - lots of BIG things for kids to see in Indiana!
If you're looking for an unusual kid-friendly place to visit in Indiana, you can't miss the amazing town of Santa Claus! Yes, that's a real place, and it has something for everyone in the family. From the Santa Claus Museum to the world's oldest Santa statue, Santa Claus, Indiana is full of holiday fun all year long. As a kid, I remember visiting Holiday World (then called "Santa Claus Land") and loving the popular Santa-themed amusement park.
There's so much to do in Indiana! Spend the day outdoors or at sporting events, learn about history and culture, or even step back in time. No matter what your children enjoy, there's something for them in Indiana.
