There are certain outings I never really thought about doing with my kids until I became a parent long enough to realize that nearly everything can be an adventure if you approach it the right way. A trip to a college campus? Absolutely.
You do not need to have a high school junior, a college decision looming, or a child who has already declared their future major at age eight. Visiting a local college campus with kids can be one of the easiest, most flexible, and surprisingly fun family outings around Indianapolis.
College campuses are usually made for wandering. There are sidewalks, interesting buildings, grassy spaces, public art, fountains, libraries, cafés, sports facilities, theaters, and little discoveries tucked around corners. Your kids can run, observe, imagine, and ask questions, and you may even get a tiny peek at the person they might become someday.
For younger kids, a campus feels enormous and exciting. For older kids, it can begin to make college feel real, approachable, and interesting without turning the afternoon into a serious admissions conversation. For parents, it is a low-pressure outing that can be inexpensive, educational, and genuinely enjoyable.
Why Visit a College Campus with Kids?
I love any family activity that sneaks learning into the day without anyone realizing it. Walking around a college campus naturally opens up conversations about art, science, sports, architecture, history, music, and what people study when they grow up.
You can point out a theater and talk about kids who grow up to design sets, perform onstage, or manage productions. You can visit a science building and talk about researchers, doctors, or environmental scientists. You can walk past a dorm and let your kids marvel at the fact that some people live at school.
It also gives kids a chance to see that college is not one single thing. Some campuses are busy and urban. Some are surrounded by woods and walking trails. Some have basketball arenas, art museums, greenhouses, or observatories. A college campus can feel like a little city built around curiosity.
Best of all, you do not have to plan an elaborate agenda. Choose a campus, identify two or three public places to explore, pack snacks or plan a treat nearby, and let the day unfold.
Things to Do on a College Campus with Kids
Start with a walk. My kids are always happier when the first part of an outing lets them move. Look for statues, fountains, unusual buildings, outdoor sculptures, bridges, gardens, campus signs, or mascot symbols. Turn it into a casual scavenger hunt: find the school colors, spot a building with columns, locate a place where students might study outside, or take a photo with the mascot.
Visit a bookstore or spirit shop when one is open to the public. Kids love browsing sweatshirts, stickers, pennants, and mascot gear, and it gives them a little souvenir-worthy connection to the school.
Check the campus calendar before visiting. Colleges frequently host concerts, theater performances, art exhibitions, sports competitions, science programs, festivals, and public lectures. Many events are free or affordable, and they often feel extra special because you are experiencing them on an actual college campus.
Take a photo in a recognizable campus location. One day, that photo of your little kid standing at the college gates or in front of a university fountain may become much more meaningful than you expected.
Do not underestimate the power of eating somewhere students eat. Whether it is a campus café, food court, or restaurant just off campus, kids think it is very cool to have lunch like college students.
Butler University: Gardens, Bulldogs, and Stars in Indianapolis
Butler University is one of my favorite campuses for an Indianapolis family outing because it’s beautiful and inviting while still being right in the city. Start by walking through campus and finding the stone bulldog in front of Atherton Union. This is an easy photo opportunity and an instant win for kids who love mascots.
From there, make your way to Holcomb Gardens. The gardens include walking paths, Holcomb Pond, a statue of Persephone, and the Holcomb Memorial Carillon bell tower. The area connects to the Central Canal Towpath, so families can stretch the visit into a longer walk or bike ride.
Sports-loving families will want to see historic Hinkle Fieldhouse, home to Butler basketball and volleyball. Even if you are not attending a game, it is fun to point out that this is one of those legendary Indianapolis sports places your kids may hear about again and again.
For a truly memorable outing, check for a public tour at Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium. Butler’s summer 2026 public viewings are being offered on select Saturday evenings, with planetarium shows and opportunities to learn about the sky. Reservations are encouraged, and families should check the current schedule before visiting.
Butler is also a wonderful campus for introducing kids to the performing arts. The Butler Arts & Events Center welcomes the public for concerts, theater productions, dance performances, Broadway tours, family-friendly shows, and free community movies at campus venues including Clowes Memorial Hall and Schrott Center for the Arts. Check the performance calendar before your visit, and you may be able to pair your campus stroll with a show or free public performance.
What to do with kids at Butler: Find the bulldog, see a show, wander Holcomb Gardens, walk along the canal towpath, see Hinkle Fieldhouse, and plan an evening visit to the planetarium when public tours are offered.
Marian University: A Nature Adventure Hiding on Campus
Marian University may surprise families who have never explored the campus before. Located in Indianapolis, it is home to the Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab, a nature preserve with wetlands, lowland forest, wildlife habitats, and walking trails.
This college visit does not feel like a college visit at first. It feels like you discovered a hidden nature park in the middle of the city.
The EcoLab is open to the public daily from dawn to dusk and includes more than a mile and a half of trails. Families may spot birds, turtles, or other wildlife while walking through the natural areas. It is an especially great campus outing for younger kids who need movement, nature, and space to explore.
You can talk about the students who study biology, conservation, environmental science, and outdoor education right there on campus. For a child who loves bugs, birds, plants, or muddy trails, this may be the college campus that makes the biggest impression.
Marian University is also home to the beautiful Allen Whitehill Clowes Oriental Garden and Japanese Tea House, a restored piece of the historic Wheeler-Stokely estate. Families can include the peaceful garden in their campus walk, taking time to admire the landscaping and tea house while discovering a surprising little spot of beauty and history right in Indianapolis.
What to do with kids at Marian: Walk the gardens, visit the EcoLab trails, look for wildlife, practice nature photography, talk about environmental science, and pack a simple picnic or snack for after your walk.
Franklin College: A Small-Town Campus Adventure
Just south of Indianapolis, Franklin College is a manageable and charming option for families who want a campus outing paired with a small-town day trip. The campus spans 207 acres and includes athletic fields and a 31-acre biology woodland.
Walk through campus to see Old Main and find the Benjamin Franklin statue. Kids can pose for a photo, make up questions they would ask Benjamin Franklin, or see who can name one of his inventions or accomplishments.
After exploring campus, head into downtown Franklin, located only a few blocks away. The college recommends downtown for family-friendly arts, music, cultural events, walking trails, boutiques, diners, and gift shops.
This outing is perfect when you want a relaxed adventure that includes a campus walk, a little local history, and a treat or meal downtown.
What to do with kids at Franklin College: Take a photo with Benjamin Franklin, stroll past Old Main, look for athletic fields or woodland spaces, and finish the day exploring downtown Franklin.
Indiana University Indianapolis and Purdue University in Indianapolis: Explore a College Campus in the Middle of the City
For Indianapolis families, this may be the easiest college campus adventure of all because it is already right in our backyard. What used to be known as IUPUI is now home to Indiana University Indianapolis and Purdue University in Indianapolis, which gives kids a chance to see what college life can look like in the middle of a bustling downtown city.
This is a fun campus to explore with kids who are fascinated by big buildings, sports, art, healthcare, engineering, or city life. As you walk, you can point out how students here are learning within sight of museums, hospitals, businesses, the canal, and downtown Indianapolis. College does not always mean moving far away to a quiet campus town. Sometimes it means studying in the heart of everything happening in your own city.
One of the best family-friendly stops is the Herron School of Art + Design Galleries at IU Indianapolis. Exhibitions and artist talks are free and open to the public, making this an easy place to introduce kids to art created and displayed in a college setting. Give your kids a simple challenge while you visit: find the most colorful piece, choose one work of art you would hang in your house, or identify something that makes you ask, “How did they make that?”
Sports families may enjoy seeing the IU Natatorium, the nationally known aquatic facility on campus, and the Michael A. Carroll Track and Soccer Stadium. Check the campus calendar for competitions or public events before visiting. Even without an event ticket, walking past these major facilities is an easy way to talk with kids about college athletes, swimming, track, soccer, and all the ways students can be involved on campus.
Purdue University in Indianapolis adds another fun layer to this outing, especially for kids who like science, technology, building, computers, or design. Purdue offers self-guided Indianapolis campus tour resources, making it possible for families to walk the campus at their own pace and talk about the kinds of careers that begin in classrooms, labs, and creative workspaces downtown.
This is also an easy outing to pair with a walk along the downtown canal, a nearby museum visit, or lunch downtown. For younger kids, it is a city adventure. For older kids, it is a low-pressure introduction to the idea that they could someday attend college without leaving Indianapolis.
What to do with kids at IU Indianapolis and Purdue University in Indianapolis: Visit the free Herron Galleries, walk through the Campus Center area, look for fountains and public art, see the IU Natatorium and Carroll Stadium, use Purdue’s self-guided Indianapolis tour resources, and pair your campus visit with a downtown treat or canal walk.
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology: A Campus for Kids Who Love to Build, Invent, and Wonder
For a college campus day trip that may really light up your science-loving, Lego-building, robotics-curious child, head west from Indianapolis to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute.
Rose-Hulman is known for science, engineering, and mathematics, but from a kid’s point of view, it is also a beautiful campus with a lake, walking paths, and buildings where you can imagine students designing, creating, and solving big problems. This is the kind of place where you can casually tell your kids, “People go to school here to learn how to invent things,” and immediately have their attention.
Start with a walk around campus and look for Speed Lake, one of those peaceful college-campus places that makes an outing feel special. Kids can watch for ducks, take photos near the water, and enjoy a little room to move around before exploring more of campus. The White Chapel, located near the lake, is another pretty campus landmark to see during your walk.
Before visiting, pull up the campus map and point out buildings connected to innovation and technology. The Branam Innovation Center and Kremer Innovation Center are identified on the campus map as spaces connected to competition teams, classrooms, and laboratories. You may not be going inside for a family stroll, but just seeing those spaces can open up wonderful conversations with kids: What would you invent? Would you build a robot? Design a race car? Create something that helps people?
Families should also keep an eye on special public events at the Oakley Observatory. Rose-Hulman has previously hosted free public observatory open houses where visitors could learn about astronomy and observe the sky. An evening of campus exploring followed by stargazing would be a pretty unforgettable family college visit, so it is worth checking the current events calendar when planning your trip. Rose-Hulman offers official weekday campus visits that include a campus tour when available, although families simply looking for a casual outing may prefer to use the campus map and explore outdoor landmarks independently.
What to do with kids at Rose-Hulman: Walk around Speed Lake, see the White Chapel, use the campus map to find innovation and science buildings, talk about engineering careers, check for public events at Oakley Observatory, and turn the drive into a science-loving family day trip.
DePauw University: Art, Nature, and a Greencastle Day Trip
DePauw University in Greencastle makes a lovely destination for families who enjoy art and the outdoors. Start at the Richard E. Peeler Art Center, which has three galleries and welcomes visitors. Free guided tours may be arranged for school and civic groups, and families can also check current exhibitions before visiting.
An art museum on a college campus is a great way to help kids understand that college is a place where people create things, not just sit in classrooms. Give each child a simple mission: find a piece of art you would put in your bedroom, find something that makes you curious or choose one artwork to describe in three words.
Families can also visit the DePauw Nature Park, located just west of campus. The park includes 520 acres of forest and fields with miles of hiking trails.
What to do with kids at DePauw: Visit the Peeler Art Center, walk the campus, explore the Nature Park, and pair the trip with lunch or ice cream in Greencastle.
Indiana University Bloomington: Gates, Greenhouses, and a Free Art Museum
IU Bloomington is an easy day-trip destination from Indianapolis and an especially fun campus to explore because there is so much for families to see.
Begin at the iconic Sample Gates, one of the most recognizable campus photo spots in Indiana. Then walk through campus and the Indiana Memorial Union area, where families can stop for visitor information or browse IU gear. The IU Visitor Information Center offers self-guided campus tour resources and is located inside the Indiana Memorial Union.
One of the best family stops is the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art. Admission is always free, and the museum includes art from around the world, including works by Monet, Picasso, and Pollock.
Plant-loving kids may also enjoy the Biology Building Greenhouse, formerly known as the Jordan Hall greenhouse. Before visiting, check current visitor information and availability. Kids can look for tropical plants, unusual leaves, and special features like the tucked-away fountain.
What to do with kids at IU Bloomington: Take a picture at Sample Gates, explore the Indiana Memorial Union, visit the free art museum, check out the greenhouse, and end with food or a treat near Kirkwood Avenue.
Tips for Planning a Campus Visit with Kids
Before you go, check the school’s visitor information, event calendar, and parking details. College campuses are active places, and access to buildings may vary during breaks, weekends, summer programs, construction, or special events.
Keep the outing simple. Younger children may be happiest with one outdoor destination and one treat. Older kids may enjoy adding a museum, sporting event, performance, or bookstore visit.
Most importantly, resist the urge to make the day feel like homework. You are not touring colleges because your seven-year-old needs to select a major. You are showing your kids beautiful places filled with ideas, opportunities, and people learning how to do interesting things.
Maybe they will remember the giant trees, the bulldog statue, the planetarium show, the art museum, or the greenhouse plants. Maybe years from now, they will walk onto a campus and feel a little more comfortable because they have been exploring places like this all along.
Maybe, for one easy family outing near Indianapolis, you will all get to experience the fun of imagining what comes next.
