60+ Free Things to do in Indianapolis With Kids This Fall

FREE is one of our favorite words! We can’t wait for you to see this amazing list of free things to do with your family this fall.

Fall in Indianapolis is like any other season in this area — packed full of excitement! There are so many events and activities you don’t want to miss and with the changing seasons, there’s no lack of fun. Here are 60+ free things to do in Indianapolis during September, October, and November.

Free Fall Events Near Indianapolis

☑️ Wander through the Indianapolis Art Museum at Newfields for free on the first Thursday of each month. The gardens will be full of pumpkins and gourds in October!
☑️ See a free movie at Midtown Plaza in Carmel every Tuesday and Thursday through the end of October.
☑️  Celebrate Science at a giant festival dedicated to STEM at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. This year’s event will be held in the Exposition Hall on Saturday, October 12, 2024.
☑️ Take a hike at the Fall Colors Festival at McCloud Nature Park.
☑️  Science Fest is a free day of fun at Indiana University. Head to Bloomington on October 5, 2024.
☑️ The Irvington Halloween Festival is an Indianapolis tradition!
☑️ Doctoberfest is a Doctor Who-Centric Fall Festival. This free event in Camby is on October 19, 2024.
☑️ Trunk-or-Treat your way around Indy!
☑️ Cars & Coffee is a free monthly event for car enthusiasts.
☑️ Clay Terrace’s annual Boo & Brew is on October 19.
☑️Get free admission to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis for Fiesta de la Familia on September 15.
☑️Get a behind-the-scenes look at several local farms and homesteads on September 21 at the Annual North Indy Farm Crawl.
☑️ Honor local veterans at a Veteran’s Day Ceremony on November 11.

Free Things to Do in Indianapolis Inside

☑️ Visit one of these free museums.
☑️ Step inside a nature center to learn and play.
☑️ Visit Mr. Muffins Trains to see an epic train collection.
☑️ The Well Community Indoor Playground is a fun place for many ages.
☑️ Climb 331 steps to the observation level of the Soldier and Sailors Monument.
☑️ See all of the Dr. Who paraphernalia at the only Dr. Who Museum in the world!
☑️ The Treehouse Indoor Play Place in Plainfield is so much fun!
☑️ Explore IKEA. Don’t forget – kids play free in the childcare area!
☑️ Every month, see the stars at Link Observatory Public Hours.
☑️ Volunteer somewhere with your kids.
☑️ Meet up with friends at Traders Point Indoor Playground.
☑️ The Center at Northview in Danville is a welcoming play space with something for everyone.
☑️Play at one of our favorite libraries! Try the Carmel Clay Public Library, The Greenwood Public Library, or the Westfield Washington Public Library.
☑️ See the stars at Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium.

Indy Area Story & Craft Times

☑️ Home Depot offers free woodworking workshops for kids on the first Saturday of each month.
☑️ Drop in at the Fishers Ignite studio for daily self-guided craft opportunities.
☑️ The Indianapolis Public Library has storytimes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers throughout each week.
☑️ Lowes’ monthly DIY-U Kids Workshops are free — but register in advance!
☑️ Arts for All is a free drop-in art program through Indy Parks. Find out when Arts for All will be at a park near you!
☑️ Find out where you can sing along with Mr. Daniel this fall.
☑️ Barnes & Noble’s Carmel, Noblesville, and Greenwood locations all host free weekly storytimes.
☑️ Attend Free Friday Friday Story Time at ToodleyDoo Toys.

Free Outdoor Activities in Indy

☑️ Take a hike on one of these Indianapolis area trails.
☑️ Go fly a kite in Indy at one of these spots that are perfect for kite flying.
☑️As the sun starts to set earlier, hang out downtown until dusk to see the nightly Signature Salute on Monument Circle.
☑️Play at SPARK on the Circle before it closes in November!
☑️ Set off on a bike ride on one of these bike routes.
☑️ Visit Dollie’s Lavender Farm through October. Call ahead to be sure the flowers are still blooming!
☑️ Take a walk, explore, and enjoy the view at Crown Hill Cemetery.
☑️ Explore an Art Park or Sculpture Garden in Indy.
☑️ Find your way through the McCloud Prairie Grass Maze.
☑️ Visit an Indiana State Park for free when you borrow a pass from the library.
☑️ Go fishing.
☑️ Play in the tree-houses at Flat Fork Creek Park.
☑️ Climb something at one of these fun places.
☑️ Explore the Sky Farm rooftop garden at Eskenazi Health.
☑️ Take a drive on one of our favorite routes to see the changing leaves.

☑️ Go on a nature scavenger hunt at Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve.
☑️ Stroll along with these stroller-friendly hikes.
☑️ Go creek stomping during these final warm days.
☑️ Watch a local BMX bike race.
☑️ Go on a scavenger hunt at the Canal.
☑️ Explore the Marion University Eco-Lab.
☑️ Picnic at your favorite park, or one of ours!
☑️ Pick produce at the Fisher’s Agripark.
☑️ Feed and visit the animals at Natural Valley Ranch.
☑️ Visit McClure’s Orchard for free.
☑️ Grab a water bottle fill at Flowing Well Park.
☑️ Stroll through the 100 Acres at Newfields and see the new Home sculptures added in the summer of 2024.
☑️ Find a new favorite park to explore.

Some are free and some have a fee, but all of these fall festivals are fabulous!

For fall vibes and sweet treats, pick your pumpkins at one of these local farms.