The BEST Free Things to do with Kids at the Indiana State Fair | 2026

The Indiana State Fair is a beloved summer tradition for Indiana families, and you absolutely do not have to spend all day on rides and extras to have a great time.

The 2026 Indiana State Fair runs August 7-23 and is closed on Mondays. That gives families 15 days to explore animals, exhibits, shows, interactive activities, agricultural experiences, live entertainment, and plenty more included with Fair admission. There are so many free things to do at the Indiana State Fair.

Free Things to Do at the Indiana State Fair

There are so many things to see and do at the Indiana State Fair with your kids without paying anything beyond admission. Animals, 4-H projects, free shows, interactive exhibits, playground-style activities, splash areas, and educational experiences can easily fill an entire day.

In fact, the Indiana State Fair has an official list of 100 free things to do at the 2026 Fair.

If you want to save even more, check out our 2026 Indiana State Fair Guide to Discounts, Coupons, and Deals.

NEW! Schumacher Stadium Wiffle Ball Diamond

The 2026 Indiana State Fair theme is Always a Hit!, presented by the Indianapolis Indians, so naturally there has to be a place for kids to play some baseball.

New for 2026, families can step up to the plate at Schumacher Stadium, a wiffle ball diamond in the Meijer Family Fun Park.

It’s open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is included with Fair admission.

NEW! Rewind: A VHS Revival

Here’s a completely different Fair experience for 2026.

Rewind: A VHS Revival takes over the Harvest Pavilion with a nostalgic celebration of movies, video stores, music, and pop culture.

Families can check out oversized hand-painted movie poster displays, themed exhibits, interactive experiences, a Baseball Movie Theatre, and other throwback fun.

The exhibit is open daily from 9 am-9 pm and is free with paid Fair admission.

Parents may end up enjoying this one just as much as their kids.

NEW! Break A Boyz

Keep an eye out along Main Street for Break A Boyz, a new roaming entertainment experience for 2026.

The performance combines modern break-dancing with a vintage paperboy-inspired theme. Multiple performances take place throughout the day on Main Street and are included with Fair admission.

Children’s Barnyard

The Corteva Agriscience FFA Pavilion is also home to the Children’s Barnyard, another free stop for animal-loving families.

Kids can visit livestock and learn more about farm animals daily from 9 a.m.- 8 p.m.

The Kids’ Construction Zone

Have a kid who would rather build something than look at another animal?

Head to the Indiana Arts Building for the Kids’ Construction Zone.

This free hands-on area lets children build and create and is open daily from 9 a.m.- 8 p.m.

The Glass Barn

The Glass Barn is one of our favorite educational stops at the Indiana State Fair. Kids can connect with Indiana agriculture, learn more about where their food comes from, and discover what life is like for real Indiana farmers.

Be sure to catch one of the Live Farmer Chats while you’re there. For 2026, Live Farmer Chats are scheduled daily at 11 am, 2 pm, and 4 pm at the Glass Barn, presented by Indiana Soybean Farmers.

Bubble Tower

The giant cow-spotted BubbleYou Bubble Tower is back for 2026!

This simple attraction has been delighting kids for years. Stand nearby and watch huge streams of bubbles float through the air while little ones run, jump, chase, and pop them.

For 2026, the Bubble Tower is located near Gate 3 and operates daily from 9 am-8 pm.

Big Top Circus

The Big Top Circus presented by Bee Window returns to the Indiana State Fair in 2026, and the shows are included with Fair admission.

Catch acrobatics, daring performances, impressive stunts, and circus entertainment under the Big Top. Shows are scheduled daily at 1 pm, 4 pm, and 7 pm in the Big Top Zone and The Backyard.

This is one of those included-with-admission experiences that makes the State Fair such a good value for families.

The State Fair Parade

Find a spot along Main Street for the daily Indiana State Fair Parade.

Expect Fair royalty, performers, floats, tractors, characters, and plenty of State Fair spirit moving through the grounds.

The 2026 parade takes place daily at 2 pm on Tuesdays and Saturdays and at 6:30 pm on all other Fair days.

Little Hands on the Farm

Little Hands on the Farm presented by Indiana529 is always one of our must-do Indiana State Fair activities for younger kids.

Children get to pretend they’re farmers as they make their way through a series of hands-on farm chores. They’ll gather, plant, harvest, and take their farm goods through the experience before earning a little reward at the end.

Find Little Hands on the Farm in the Meijer Family Fun Park, open daily from 9 am-8 pm.

Mini Golf

Head to the Corteva Agriscience FFA Pavilion for a free round of putt-putt golf.

It’s an easy activity to add to your Fair itinerary and a fun little break from walking around the grounds.

Free mini golf is available daily from 9 am-8 pm.

While you’re there, explore the rest of the pavilion. Families can also visit the Children’s Barnyard and check out other agriculture-focused activities.

Tractor Shuttle Ride

Give everyone’s feet a break and hop aboard one of the tractor shuttles traveling around the Fairgrounds.

The tractor shuttles are free to ride, making them both useful transportation and a fun experience for kids who love tractors. Schedules and operating times can vary.

See the Butterfly Garden

Step inside the Butterfly Exhibit at the DNR Building and slow down for a few minutes while colorful butterflies flutter around you.

Kids can get an up-close look at butterflies among plants and feeding areas, making this a relaxing stop in the middle of a busy Fair day.

The Butterfly Exhibit is open daily from 9 am-8 pm.

State Fair Splash Pad

Pack swimsuits or a change of clothes because the State Fair’s farm-themed splash pad is back.

The FAIRadise Splash Pad is located in the Meijer Family Fun Park and operates daily from 9 am-8 pm.

It’s one of our favorite places to cool off during a hot day at the Fair, especially with younger kids.

Jump Pad

Sometimes kids just need to bounce.

The giant Jump Pad near Gate 3 returns for 2026 and is completely free to use with Fair admission.

Find it near Gate 3, open daily from 9 am-8 pm.

Indiana’s Court

Basketball fans should make a stop at Indiana’s Court presented by Pacers Sports & Entertainment, located near Gate 3.

Families can shoot hoops and play on the court daily from 9 am-9 pm.

You can also watch the Indy Dunkers perform each day at 3:30 pm, 5:30 pm, and 7:30 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.

Taste from Indiana Farms

If your Fair visit falls on August 14-16, make time for Taste from Indiana Farms.

This popular experience brings together Indiana commodity groups and gives families a chance to learn more about foods produced here in Indiana.

Taste from Indiana Farms takes place in the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion from 11 a.m.- 6 p.m., August 14-16.

This is a date change from previous years, so don’t rely on an old Fair schedule when planning your visit.

Tour the Animal Barns

You can’t go to the Indiana State Fair without seeing some animals.

Depending on the day you visit, families can see cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, llamas, poultry, rabbits, horses, and other animals around the Fairgrounds.

The livestock schedule changes throughout the Fair as different animals arrive, compete, and leave, so if your kids have their hearts set on seeing a particular species, check the daily schedule before you go.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.

Goat Mountain

Add this to the animal-loving kid itinerary.

Families can visit Goat Mountain and meet and pet baby goats daily from 9 am-8 pm.

Seriously, baby goats. Enough said.

Pioneer Village

Travel back in time when you visit Pioneer Village.

This is one of my favorite areas to slow down and wander through because there always seems to be something happening. You’ll find vintage farm machinery, traditional crafts, historical demonstrations, woodworking, old-fashioned activities, and plenty of people showing off skills that were once part of everyday life.

Pioneer Village is open daily from 9 am-8 pm.

Demonstrations change throughout the Fair, so visit more than once, and you may see something completely different.

Momma Town

What’s cuter than farm animals?

Baby farm animals.

Momma Town, located in the MacReynolds Barn, allows families to learn about moms and babies on the farm. It’s open throughout the 2026 Indiana State Fair from 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. on Fair days.

This is always a favorite with younger kids.

4-H Project Displays

Don’t skip the 4-H Exhibit Hall.

Kids from across Indiana put an incredible amount of time and talent into projects displayed and celebrated at the State Fair. You’ll find everything from creative projects and STEM work to food, agriculture, crafts, and more.

The 4-H Exhibit Hall is open from 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. on Fair days.

We love walking through with our kids and asking, “What would you want to make?” You never know what might inspire them to try something new next year.

Free Hoosier Lottery Free Stage Concerts

A State Fair ticket also gets you access to a full lineup of concerts on the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage.

The shows are free with paid Fair admission, with general seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Even if you aren’t planning your entire Fair day around a concert, check the entertainment schedule. You may discover a show your family wants to catch before heading home.

There Are 100 Free Things to Do at the 2026 Indiana State Fair

And believe it or not, this list still doesn’t include everything.

The Indiana State Fair has put together an official list of 100 free things to do at the 2026 Fair, including DockDogs, free popcorn at Purdue Extension, the Wonder Trail, selfie stations, the Indiana Grown Marketplace, live entertainment, contests, demonstrations, exhibits, agricultural experiences, and more.

You really can build an entire State Fair day around activities that don’t cost anything beyond admission.

The 2026 Indiana State Fair runs August 7-23 and is closed Mondays. Children age 5 and younger receive free Fair admission. Check the official Indiana State Fair schedule before your visit because performances, animal exhibits, and special activities can vary by date.

Grab your tickets on the Indiana State Fair website, pack comfortable shoes, bring a change of clothes for the splash pad, and see how many free Fair experiences your family can fit into one day.