Are you breathing a sigh of relief with the rest of us, now that spring has FINALLY arrived in Indianapolis? If you’re ready for days full of sunshine and events designed for inclusivity, this list is for you! Our April guide to events for children with special needs and their families is created to help you find fun activities that meet your child’s unique needs.
With egg hunts galore, dance classes, and welcoming social events in the line-up, spring is off to an amazing start! We hope this list guides you to the events and organizations that perfectly fit your family and lead to some amazing memories together.
This list is created in partnership with Tendercare Home Health. For over 30 years, Tendercare has been helping medically complex children and their families thrive at home. Whether through paying family members to deliver care or connecting children with experienced pediatric nurses, Tendercare strives to enrich children’s lives at home in every way.
April Events for Children with Special Needs
Adaptive Dance Class
Hancock Health Center, 8535 North Clearview Drive, McCordsville
Thursday, April 3, 5-6 pm
Join Hancock Health Center on the first Thursday of the month (available in April and May) for an inclusive aerobic dance class open to all ages and adapted for different abilities. This event is free. Be sure to register on Eventbrite.
Sensory Easter Event
Pecar Nature Center, 5203 E County Rd 150 N, Avon
Saturday, April 5, 9-11:30 am
This free event features timed individual egg hunts for each participant, allowing them to go at their own pace. Registration is required, siblings are welcome, and crafts will be available inside the Nature Center. A traditional egg hunt will be held on April 19.
Camp Breakthrough
Camp Lakeview – 13500 W Lake Rd, Seymour
Saturday, April 5, 9:30 am-3:30 pm
Camp Breakthrough is a single-day music camp for neurodiverse campers to experience the joy of music in a Christ-centered environment. Preregistration required.
Sensory Playdate at the Greenwood Public Library
Greenwood Library, 310 S. Meridian, Greenwood
Saturday, April 5, 10:30-11:30 am or 3-4 pm
Kids with sensory differences and/or disabilities and their families are invited to join a sensory-friendly storytime and playdate! The quieter environment is a judgment-free zone where kids can participate as little or as much as they want. This program is for children up to age 5 and siblings are welcome. All attendees, including parents, are asked to register on the Greenwood public library website, under programming, for one of the two time slots.
DSI East Central Easter Egg Hunt
Memorial Park, 2221 N Memorial Dr, New Castle
Sunday, April 6, 2 pm
Join Down Syndrome Indiana for an Easter egg hunt, crafts, and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Please RSVP to Liz at volunteer@dsindiana.org.
Spring Fling Adaptive Dance Party
Beeson Hall, 396 Branigin Blvd. Franklin
Friday, April 11, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
The Franklin Parks Department is having a dance! Teens (age 14 and up) with cognitive disabilities are invited to join for a live DJ, dance floor, board and card games, and friendship. The cost is $5 per participant and guardians are free, but be sure to register.
Columbus Gymnastics Center Inclusive Activity
Columbus Gymnastics Center, 405 Hope Avenue, Columbus
Friday, April 11, 7-8 pm
Sensory Open Gym is a monthly parent-participation open gym experience for children ages 2 to 14. The entire facility is set aside so attendees can run, jump, swing, and climb on the equipment in a calm and comfortable setting. Siblings are welcome to join this free event.
Bollywood Class
We Rock the Spectrum, 13644 N Meridian St, Carmel
Sunday, April 13, 10-11 am
Join We Rock the Spectrum for a fun, Bollywood-style dance class led by former dance choreographer, Namrta Khanna! This class is just for fun, no experience is needed. The instructions are best suited for ages 3-10.
Lighthouse Autism Center Open House
Lighthouse, 3435 W 96th Street, Indianapolis
Tuesday, April 15, 5-7 pm
This evening is an opportunity for families to tour the play-based therapy center and meet staff.
Easter Egg Hunt
Memorial Park, 130 E Ulen Dr, Lebanon
Saturday, April 19, 9:30 am
This Easter Egg Hunt is held in Memorial Park, the Saturday before Easter Sunday. The hunt for friends with special needs will begin at 9:30. Afterwards, they offer 3 different age group traditional hunts with a lucky golden egg hidden in each hunt and the winner of the golden egg receives a prize! Age groups are 2-4, 5-7, and 8-10.
Fuse Inclusive Easter Egg Hunt
Greenfield Central Junior High, 1440 N Franklin St, Greenfield
Saturday, April 12, check-in begins at 10 am
This free egg hunt is open to all ages and abilities and siblings are welcome. The egg hunt will take place in the accessible gymnasium, ensuring the event is rain or shine. For those who may need a quieter space, there will be a quiet area available. Registration is required.
Whitestown Easter Egg hunt
Main Street Park, 4286 S Main St, Whitestown
Saturday, April 19, 10 am-12 pm
Whitestown Parks and Recreation has an annual Easter Egg hunt on April 19. This year, they have added an adapted egg hunt for children with varying capabilities up to the age of 14. The Inclusive Egg Hunt will be held at the Main Street Park tennis court at 10:45 a.m. to accommodate children with mobility needs and allow a sensory-friendly atmosphere. Check-in for the Inclusive Egg Hunt will begin at 10:00 a.m. Pre-registration is required.
Easter Egg Hunt
Rhodius Park, 1720 W Wilkins St, Indianapolis
Saturday, April 12, 11 am
This special Easter Egg Hunt for children ages 5-11. There will be a variety of arts & crafts activities, stuffed plastic eggs with prizes, stuffed animals, and an appearance by the Easter Bunny. All participants must register before the event to participate. The cost is $5 per person. Call Customer Service to register at (317) 327-PARK. If there is any bad weather, this event will be rescheduled for April 19, 2025.
Spring Fest Egg Hunt at Community Park!
Lawrence Community Park, 5301 N. Franklin Rd. Indianapolis
Saturday, April 19, 9:15-11 am
Hop on over for a morning of fun at the Annual Spring Fling Egg Hunt! Hosted by the City of Lawrence, in partnership with Benjamin Harrison YMCA, this free community event features Easter egg hunts (divided by age group), crafts and games, and a visit from the Easter Bunny. The sensory-friendly egg hunt begins at 9:15 am. Registration is required.
Teen Connection with Autism Community Connection
Greenwood Public Library, 310 S. Meridian Street, Greenwood
Saturday, April 12, 10:15 am- 12:15 pm
Teen Connection is a program for teens with autism, ages 13 to 19 years old. The program focuses on making new friends while working on social and life skills, all while keeping a participant-to-staff ratio of 4:1. Teens must meet a set of requirements and space is limited. Find out more on the Autism Community Connection website.
DSI Westside Playdate at Hummel Park
Hummel Park Playground, 1500 S Center St, Plainfield
Wednesday, April 12, 10 am- 12 pm
Join Down Syndrome of Indiana for a fun outdoor day with the whole family. There’s a walking track, an inclusive playground, and shade for relaxing. Participants are asked to sign in – find Jen wearing her blue Buddy Walk t-shirt.
Sensory-Friendly Egg Hunt
The Columbus Learning Center, 4555 Central Avenue, Columbus
Saturday, April 12, 5-7 pm
This is a sensory-friendly egg hunt for individuals with disabilities who have sensory needs. This free event is open to all ages. The egg hunt is split into 3 different age groups. There will even be adaptations for those who don’t like grass.
Indianapolis Disability Resource Fair
Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, 50 W Fall Creek Parkway Dr N, Indianapolis
Saturday, April 26, 11 am-2 pm
The Arc Advocacy Network will have information about Medicaid Waivers, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, guardianship and alternatives, Special Needs Trusts, the Erskine Green Training Institute, and a variety of other topics available for families and self-advocates.
Never Ending Opportunities Grand Opening
7620 Madison Avenue, Indianapolis
Saturday, April 26, 6-10 pm
Join Never Ending Opportunities to celebrate their opening as a PAC ( participant assistant caregiver) provider. Enjoy an evening filled with fun, including a live DJ, dancing, pizza, and games. Guests can also visit a hairstylist to try a new style. RSVP to Sarah Lynn at 317-334-5381.
Find even more April events on our calendar.
River Heritage Park is one of our favorite inclusive playgrounds.
