Winter is finally here and the kids still have just as much energy as you would expect. Thankfully, Indianapolis offers plenty of fun activities fit for kids of all interests during the cold winter months. There’s more than enough fun to be had, especially when you know where to go!

We list seven spots to keep in mind, but that doesn’t mean you should stop expanding your options as you explore. That said, here are a few ideas to help you get started:  

Rhythm! Discovery Center

110 W. Washington Street, Suite A., Indianapolis, IN 46204

One of the world’s leading interactive percussion museums, the Rhythm Discovery Center is a joy for kids and parents alike. Kids will love moving from exhibit to exhibit, testing the rich sound diversity of percussion instruments from around the world. For curious young musicians, the museum also offers family-friendly programs featuring educational lessons, live performances, and community drum circles.

As an additional perk, if you happen to be a huge Rush fan (or even if you’re not), the museum is currently featuring legendary drummer Neil Peart’s R40 drum set. Who knows who will grow up to fill the shoes of a drumming master!

Holiday Park

6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46260

For a charming walk through nature, Holiday Park offers 94 acres of natural beauty for kids to explore. Nestled amidst the beauty of the park, you can find a nature center as well as one of Indy’s most renowned playgrounds. This makes for an especially fun spot on a snow day!  

The playground is suited for kids of all ages, featuring a rock climbing wall, slides varying from 5-20 feet in length, tunnels, bridges, swings, and much more. The Nature Center, meanwhile, gives kids an opportunity to participate in a variety of discovery activities. Interactive exhibits allow them to hear the nuances of bird calls, enjoy live animal enclosures, and view the awe-inspiring forest canopy.

Both the playground and the nature exhibit are free and open to the public.

Indiana Pacers Basketball Game

125 S. Pennsylvania Street Indianapolis, IN 46204

The experience of a packed arena, especially a Pacers game, is always an unforgettable one. The electric atmosphere of a competitive NBA game is contagious and fun, especially for kids passionate about athletics.

The Pacers aren’t the only major event that occurs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse (you could see an Elton John concert, for instance), but the team will also be playing multiple times throughout the winter months, giving you and the kids an opportunity to revisit and enjoy a game for the duration of the season.  

Indianapolis Children’s Museum

3000 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208

No matter your child’s interests, there is something for everyone at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum. Reserve tickets and take in a performance of The Magic Snowman at the Lilly Theatre. Take the kids for a blast to the past and walk among the dinosaurs in the Dinosphere. Revel in the magic of Jolly Days in the museum’s Winter Wonderland exhibit, where kids can ride the Yule slide, meet Santa, and bake holiday treats for all to enjoy.

Reynolds Farm Christmas Lights Display

12501 Reynolds Drive, Fishers, IN

If you’re feeling especially festive and ready for a Christmas spirit detour, there’s a dazzling spectacle to behold in the ‘burbs of Indy. The Reynolds Farm light display, a 25-year Reynolds family tradition,  receives roughly 3000 visitors a day and boasts an estimated 150 displays in its Christmas collection.

More than one million bulbs light a 57-foot-tall abominable snowman, a crown jewel of an annual an open from November 22 through January 1. If you’re ready to get in the Christmas mood, definitely take an evening to enjoy what the farm has to offer.

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