Free Things to do with Kids at the Indiana State Fair | 2024

The Indiana State Fair is a beloved tradition and a foundational summer break activity. The 2024 Indiana State Fair runs from August 2 through the 18, Tuesday-Sunday. That’s fifteen days of festivities with tons of FREE things to do every single day.

Free Things to Do at the Indiana State Fair

There are so many things to see and do at the State Fair with your kids—animals, 4-H projects, the Dairy Barn, and so much more! Expenses can add up quickly on such an outing with your family, so here is a guide to the best free things to do at the State Fair with your family. If you want to save even more, check out the 2024 Indiana State Fair Guide to Discounts, Coupons, and Deals.

The Glass Barn

The Glass Barn offers a unique learning experience where you can connect your children with local agriculture, educate them on what farmers do, and show them how food goes from farm to table. The many interactive exhibits and games will immediately grab your child’s attention and help them appreciate food in a new way. The Glass Barn is open daily from 9 am-9 pm.

The State Fair Parade

Off Main Street, you will be able to find the Indiana State Fair Parade full of exciting things to see! You can expect tractors, floats, and more in this themed parade. The parade can only be viewed off of Main Street. This daily event is offered at 2 pm on Thursdays and Saturdays and at 6:30 pm on all other days. The timing of the evening parades is perfect for after-school fun.

Little Hands on the Farm

The Little Hands on the Farm activity is a family favorite of ours and a must-do on your trip to the Indiana State Fair. Located in the Family Fun Park, kids get to be farmers for the day and participate in various chores around the farm. Kids love harvesting crops in exchange for a fun prize at the end!

Mini Golf

Head on over to the Corteva Agriscience FFA Pavilion for free mini-golf! This is a fun and easy way to have fun at the fair, without breaking the bank. This building is full of other fun things to do, such as the country market and a petting zoo for little ones! This activity is open daily from 9 am-9 pm.

Tractor Shuttle Ride

Take advantage of free shuttle rides around the fairgrounds! This service used to charge a fee, but now you and your family can ride together for free. My kids love the big tractors and can’t wait to ride this year!

See the Butterfly Garden

You’ll find the Butterfly Garden next door to the DNR building. Stroll through the enclosure to get up-close views of gorgeous species as they flutter and float between the colorful flowers and feeding stations.

State Fair Splash Pad

Cool off at this permanent fixture at the Fair, new in 2024! The farm-themed splash pad is located in the Family Fun Park and will operate daily from 9 am-8 pm.

Outdoor Basketball Court

Shoot hoops on this permanent outdoor court. The court, located near Gate 12, will host some formalized contests throughout the Fair but is typically open for free play. Visit between 9 am and 9 pm.

The Backyard

Relax with free live music and free yard games in the Backyard. The music schedule varies by day, so be sure to check the Fair calendar to see who will be playing! Families can challenge each other to classic games like corn hole, Connect 4, and ladder golf. New in 2024, you can also see the new Illuminate! Outdoors exhibit, which includes 14 giant lantern sculptures.

Tour the Animal Barns

There are many barns throughout the grounds of the State Fair. From horses, cows, pigs, sheep, and more, you’ll be able to get up close and personal with countless animals. My kids love visiting the horse stables to see the beautiful, medal-winning horses. Some of them are huge! You could easily spend your day just visiting the animals at the fair. The barns are open daily from 9 am-8 pm.

DNR Building

The DNR Building has live insects, snake shows, and giant fish in aquariums. Best of all, outside in the back, there’s a FishIN’ pond for kids to try their luck at fishing. Register at the table behind the DNR building and listen to a short talk on fishing tips and safety. Then cast your line and see what you catch! TIP: be sure to register early, as this is a popular event for ages 5-17.

State Fair Cinema

Ready to sit back and relax a bit during a long hot day around the fairgrounds? Head to Gate 12, where the cinema will show family-friendly movies throughout the day. Bring your kids and get comfy while you wait for your next burst of energy. I’ll be here enjoying my BBQ Pork Split.

Pioneer Village

Travel back in time when you and your family visit Pioneer Village! Nestled between Machinery Field and the MHS Family Fun park, this little village is straight out of the 1800s. Here, you can experience the Opry House, Antique Tractor Exhibit, and demonstration field. Want to channel your inner historian? Pioneer Village is also home to what researchers say might be the oldest Moline Universal Model E Road Tractor still in existence today!

Animal Town

Learn about your favorite barnyard animals all in one place! Visit Animal Town just east of Little Hands on the Farm and the Bubble Tower. There’s an Interactive Animal Experience with beef and dairy cattle, chickens, goats, draft horses, llamas, rabbits, sheep, and swine. Stick around for Livestock chats.

This is just a sampling of all the things you can do for free at the State Fair with your kids. Get creative, and have an entire day packed full of family fun without having to spend more than the price of admission! It’s amazing how much you can do at the fair for such a great value – and don’t forget, children 5 and under attend for free! The State Fair runs from July 28-August 20. Grab your tickets on the Indiana State Fair website.