Spring has sprung and we have an Indianapolis events and activities calendar full of fun events for you to enjoy with your kids. After being cooped up inside all winter, we’re excited to get out and have some fun again! From the solar eclipse to Earth Day to Easter egg hunts, Indianapolis will be bursting at the seams with events and activities this April. Here’s a great list of 30 noteworthy things to do in Indianapolis in April.
30 Noteworthy Things to Do in Indianapolis in April
Total Solar Eclipse
On April 8th, Indianapolis will be in the path of totality for a total solar eclipse. Millions of tourists will flock to our lovely state to take in the views and participate in the events leading up to and on the day of. Indianapolis has been hard at work preparing events for the whole day for your family to enjoy; not just the 3 min 46 seconds that the sun will be completely blocked by the moon, leading to an eerie darkness in the middle of the day.
Easter Egg Hunts
Start planning your egg hunts now with our 2024 Indianapolis Easter Egg Hunt Guide. With so many organizations and churches planning events, there’s certainly a fun opportunity near you!
Visit a National Park for FREE
Get free admission to any national park on April 20th to kick off National Park Week. Indiana is fortunate to be the home of three national parks: Indiana Dunes National Park, George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, and the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. Visit any of these beautiful national parks for free in honor of National Park Week.
Oddities & Curiosities Expo
The Oddities & Curiosities Expo showcases hand-selected vendors, dealers, artists, and small businesses with all things weird. On April 27th at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, you’ll find items such as taxidermy, preserved specimens, original artwork, horror/Halloween inspired pieces, antiques, handcrafted oddities, quack medical devices, creepy clothing, odd jewelry, skulls/bones, funeral collectibles, and much more.
Earth Day Activities
Earth Day is an annual celebration of this planet we call home. Families can celebrate by attending festivals and other Earth Day activities in and around Indianapolis.
xZooberance
Visit the Indianapolis Zoo Thursday through Sunday from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. through April 14th for their spring festival, xZOOberance. There’s live music, spring-themed crafts, and fun activities like photo ops with larger-than-life flowers, hummingbirds, and pinwheels. Move around at animal-inspired yoga sessions and play spring-themed games. All of this AND you get to visit the zoo animals.
Lilly Gardens at Newfields
Newfields Museum of Art has acres of gardens burgeoning with life during the month of April. Traipse through the beautiful Lilly Gardens. Also, the first Thursday of every month is free to the public if you want to check out the inside as well.
100 Acres Art & Nature Park
Explore the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park: 100 Acres at Newfields for a springtime treat. Enjoy woodlands, wetlands, meadows, and a 35-acre lake. Kids can check out the “Funky Bones” art installation and the yellow art that pops up throughout the park. The tree swings are a favorite for our crew and the wild grass labyrinth is a lot of fun too!
Indy Eleven Soccer
The Indy Eleven soccer team is just kicking off its 2024 season. Snag tickets to a home match and enjoy the drama of football. There’s plenty of entertainment for the whole family, on and off the field.
Indy Fuel Hockey
Our Indianapolis ice hockey team, the Indy Fuel will play several games in the final month of their season. Cheer them on during special-themed nights or even kids eat free nights.
Indiana Pacers Basketball
Pacers games with kids are a blast and if you need fun things to do in Indianapolis in April, the full schedule of basketball games can help you out! The high-energy game fills the air with excitement for everyone. Cheer for Indianapolis’ NBA team.
Indianapolis Indians Baseball
The Indianapolis Indians Baseball team is back at Victory Field for another season of ball games. Reserve your tickets today for a fun evening or afternoon of America’s favorite pastime.
Holcomb Observatory
A giant telescope, a planetarium show, and access to the stars. You can experience all of this at Holcomb Observatory on the campus of Butler University. Public tours and shows are available throughout the month of April.
Indoor Playgrounds
It doesn’t matter what the temperature or the weather is when you have access to a collection of indoor playgrounds to choose from in Indianapolis. There’s an indoor playground near you, no matter where you live!
White River State Park
White River State Park has a variety of outdoor activities: concerts, a canal walk, bike rentals (including a surrey-style bike that seats a family), paddleboat rentals, swan boat rentals, hammock rentals, a community garden, and art installations. Take a stroll downtown before it gets too hot out!
Indiana State Museum
White River State Park is also home to several museums and cultural institutions. If you’re walking along the canal in downtown Indy, stop by the Indiana State Museum to watch the steam clock or head inside to visit Firefly Landing with your toddlers.
Tibbs Drive-In Theater
Tibbs Drive-In movie theater is open for the season! Tibbs shows first-run movies and some classics. You can typically find a film for everyone in your car to enjoy. This theater is fantastic for people looking for after-dark things to do in Indianapolis in April.
Home Depot Kids Workshops
Lowes and Home Depot kids workshops are very popular weekend activities for families with young children. Sign up in advance, or take your chances and drop in for a morning of building, decorating, and designing! This is one fo the best free things to do in Indianapolis in April with little kids.
Embark on a StoryWalk
April is a beautiful time of year to take a walk along the path to follow the tales of a StoryWalk. Read an engaging children’s storybook as you make your way along. A StoryWalk is a collection of enlarged pages from a book printed on weatherproof material or covered from the elements. Readers are invited into the story in a natural setting.
Have a Pool Party
Pool party? We know where to find the best indoor pools and even ones with waterslides in the Indianapolis area. We’re sharing the details about pools with slides, hotel pools, swimming pools with toddler play areas, and everything else.
Indianapolis Cultural Trail
The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is an 8-mile bike and pedestrian path that winds through the heart of Indianapolis. This trail connects the city’s six downtown cultural districts and major attractions. Take some time to enjoy the public art installations, beautiful landscaping, and outdoor seating areas along the Cultural Trail. Usually, there are even more things to do in Indianapolis in April along the Cultural Trail because of the mild weather.
Children’s Museum Sports Legends Experience
There’s a wonderful outdoor exhibit at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. The Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience is a sports park where guests can try their hands (or their feet) at all kinds of sports and exercises, designed specifically for kids. Full of opportunities to run and play outside, it’s one of our favorite things to do in Indianapolis in April.
Monument Circle
The Soldier and Sailors Monument on Monument Circle stands 284 feet tall and is made of Indiana limestone. Inside the monument is a museum that tells the story of Indiana’s military history. Visitors can take an elevator or climb stairs to the observation deck at the top of the monument, and see stunning views of the city skyline.
Indianapolis Public Library
A visit to any branch of the Indianapolis Public Library is a fantastic adventure, but the Central Library downtown is a gem. The building was designed by architect Rem Koolhaas and is a striking example of modern architecture. Inside there are over one million books, DVDs, and other materials. There’s a theater, a cafe, a massive children’s area, and the Center for Black Literature & Culture.
Crown Hill Cemetery
Crown Hill Cemetery boasts the highest geographical point in the city of Indianapolis. You’ll want to walk, drive, or ride your bike up there to see the view of the Indianapolis skyline. Check it out from James Whitcomb Riley’s final resting spot. While you are there, learn the significance of the coins left on his headstone and leave a penny behind.
Indianapolis Art Center’s ArtsPark
Talk a walk through the Indianapolis Art Center’s ArtsPark and you’ll be treated to wacky and whimsical art created for your enjoyment. Your stroll will take you along the White River where you’ll see a backdrop of seasonal beauty and maybe even some recreational canoers and kayakers.
Things to do Near Indianapolis in April
If you still haven’t found enough things to do in Indianapolis in April, just beyond Indianapolis you’ll find some great events and activities!
Spring Fest at Purdue
Head to Spring Fest at Purdue University. This one-day festival celebrates the science-based fields of study by providing hands-on activities for kids and their families. Spring Fest is a free event for the community and offers exciting science, technology, engineering, arts, and cultural experiences.
Fly to Fairyville
Fairyville kicks off on April 17th in downtown Noblesville and it’s a full week of whimsical fun and adventure! Vote for your favorite fairy houses, walk the Fairyville Trail, and attend tea parties, story times, performances, and shows.
Topgolf
Topgolf in Fishers is a fun and unique way to spend an afternoon or an evening. It’s a high-tech driving range that’s perfect for both golfers and non-golfers of most ages. Topgolf is a great multi-generational activity and a great choice when looking for outdoor yet sheltered-from-the-elements things to do in Indianapolis in April.
Mr. Muffin’s Trains
Mr. Muffin’s Trains is a hobby shop located in Atlanta, Indiana, a city in Hamilton County. Mr. Muffin specializes in model trains and related accessories. They also host events and workshops for train enthusiasts of all ages, including an open house every Saturday so you can tour the massive train track layout. Be sure to stop by the Choo Choo Cafe for a delicious breakfast or lunch.
From the solar eclipse to Earth Day to Easter egg hunts, Central Indiana will be bursting at the seams with events and activities this April. This comprehensive list of 30 noteworthy things to do in Indianapolis doesn’t even include spring break ideas! If you need some more ideas for April, check out this list of 65 FREE Spring Break Activities. For even more inspiration, check out our list of 100 Spring Break Activities in Indianapolis, ideas for spring break with active kids, spring break activities for artsy kids, spring break outdoor activities with kids, and ideas for spring break with grandparents.
What are your favorite things to do in Indianapolis in April? Share your comments and photos with us below or tag us on social media using #PLAYindy. Follow Indy with Kids on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for all of the best ideas and things to do with kids in Indy!
