Things To Do in Carmel with Kids | 2026 Top Attractions List

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Carmel with kids, you’re in the right place. As a mom of five who’s spent years exploring every corner of Central Indiana, I can confidently say Carmel is one of the easiest and most family-friendly places to spend a day or a weekend. From incredible playgrounds and splash pads in Carmel to indoor attractions, classes, and seasonal events, there are so many fun things to do in Carmel for toddlers, big kids, and teens. Whether you live nearby or are planning a day trip, this local mom guide will help you find the best activities, parks, and experiences for families in Carmel, Indiana.

Best Things to Do in Carmel With Kids

This guide includes free things to do, indoor activities for rainy days, outdoor adventures, and kid-friendly places that families actually love. I update this list often, so you can keep it bookmarked and come back anytime you’re looking for something fun to do with your kids in Carmel.

Indoor Things to Do in Carmel With Kids

Museums and Educational Attractions

Museum of Miniature Houses

111 E. Main Street, Carmel
The Museum of Miniature Houses is not just for kids who like dolls! Miniature houses are not dollhouses. Instead, they are exact replicas of the real thing, only on a much smaller scale. Regular exhibits featured here include 15-20 completely furnished houses, partial scenes, and other temporary exhibits. Children love the fine detail of the mini replicas while pretending they are giants looking at the exhibit! Museum entry is reasonable, and they provide a free audio guide, scavenger hunts, and magnifying glasses to enhance the experience.

World’s Smallest Children’s Art Gallery

40 W Main St, Carmel

Step inside one of the most charming little spots in Carmel and let your kids experience art in a totally unique way. The World’s Smallest Children’s Art Gallery showcases tiny, rotating exhibits created just for kids, making it a fun and approachable way to spark creativity and curiosity. It’s a quick stop that feels special, encourages imagination, and gives families a simple way to enjoy art together while exploring downtown Carmel.

Carmel Clay History Museum

211 1st Ave SW, Carmel

The Carmel Clay History Museum is a great stop for families who enjoy learning through stories and hands-on exploration. This small but engaging museum shares the history of Carmel and Clay Township through exhibits that are approachable for kids and interesting for adults. It’s an easy place to pop in while exploring downtown Carmel and a nice way to spark conversations about how the community has grown and changed over time.

Carmel Clay Public Library

425 E Main St, Carmel, IN 46032
The Carmel Clay Public Library is a favorite stop for families thanks to its welcoming children’s areas and wide variety of free programs. Kids can enjoy storytimes, hands-on activities, and creative spaces designed for different ages, while parents appreciate the comfortable spaces to relax or read together. The library also hosts regular events for toddlers, school-age kids, and teens, making it an easy and budget-friendly option for year-round fun in Carmel.

Carmel High School Planetarium (Select Evenings)

520 E Main St, Carmel

Public planetarium shows at Carmel High School are a fun way to introduce kids to space, stars, and science in an engaging and approachable setting. Families can enjoy immersive shows that explore the night sky, planets, and beyond, making it a great outing for curious kids who love learning about how the universe works. It’s a unique experience that feels both educational and fun, and a great option for adding something a little different to your family’s activity list.

Cool Creek Nature Center

2000-1 E 151st St, Carmel

Cool Creek Nature Center is a wonderful place for kids to explore nature through hands-on exhibits, live animal displays, and interactive learning spaces. Inside, families can check out nature-themed activities and learn about local wildlife, while outside, there are scenic trails, creeks, and open areas perfect for exploring together. It’s an easy, low-pressure outing that mixes play, curiosity, and fresh air, making it a favorite stop for families who love learning through nature.

Pawz Pet Café

481 Gradle Dr, Carmel

Pawz Pet Café is a fun stop for animal-loving kids who enjoy spending time with furry friends. This unique café combines a cozy hangout space with opportunities to interact with adoptable pets, making it a sweet way to teach kids about kindness and caring for animals. It’s a low-key outing that feels special and memorable, especially for families who love pets but aren’t quite ready to bring one home.

Active Indoor Fun & Indoor Playgrounds

Hoosier Heights

9850 Mayflower Park Drive, Carmel
“If they can walk, they can be on the wall!” Whether your skill level is beginner or experienced, Hoosier Heights has something for everyone. This indoor climbing facility offers climbing walls for all levels, fitness training, and a dojo for all ages, making it a great option for family fun together.

We Rock the Spectrum – Carmel

1950 E Greyhound Pass, Suite 18, Carmel

We Rock the Spectrum is an inclusive indoor play gym designed for kids of all abilities. The space is filled with swings, climbing equipment, sensory-friendly features, and open play areas that encourage movement, confidence, and fun. It’s a great option for burning energy on rainy days or when you’re looking for a welcoming place where kids can play freely at their own pace.

Christ Community Church Play Area

4770 E. Main Street, Carmel

The play area at Christ Community Church is designed especially for kids ages 10 and under and offers a mix of active and sensory-friendly play. Inside, kids can climb on a large play structure, explore a toddler area with soft mats and oversized foam pieces, and interact with animal-themed sensory boards along the walls. There’s also an outdoor playground for extra space to run and play. This is a nice option for families looking for a calm, welcoming place to play during the week. Hours are currently limited to Monday and Tuesday mornings, and the space can accommodate up to 20 children at a time.

Prana Play

1019 3rd Ave SW, Carmel

Prana Play is a calm, welcoming play space focused on movement, mindfulness, and sensory exploration for young children. The studio offers thoughtfully designed activities that encourage kids to move their bodies, build confidence, and explore in a peaceful, supportive environment. It’s a lovely option for families looking for a slower-paced play experience that still feels engaging and intentional.

Carmel Ice Skadium

1043 3rd Avenue SW, Carmel
This rink has ice skating year-round. Be sure to check the calendar for public skate times because the Carmel Ice Skadium hosts hockey teams, leagues, and lessons. Ages 10 and under pay $8 admission, and ages 11 and up pay $9. Skate rental is $4. The Ice Skadium also offers “Stick and Puck” times and Cosmic Skating. Snacks are available to purchase, and they have a small arcade to use when you are taking a break from the ice. The windowed viewing area in the lobby is a good spot to rest and watch all the rink action, but there are also heaters in the benches on Rink 1 to keep spectators cozy.

Laser Flash

617 Third Avenue SW, Carmel
This place is huge! Laser Flash is home to Indiana’s largest laser tag arena at over 7,000 square feet and offers laser tag for ages 7 to adults. If you need to take a break from gameplay, check out the arcade or grab some pizza! You are guaranteed to work up a sweat! My son needed drinks and a place to sit in between sessions.

Off the Wall Sports Bounce Houses

1423 Chase Court, Carmel
Off the Wall Sports is an indoor soccer and flag football facility. They offer camps, leagues, and classes for everyone from ages 18 months to adults. There is also a small indoor rock climbing area and inflatable bounce houses. The bounce house area is offered at a very reasonable price for drop-in jumping around during the winter months!

Entertainment

Flix Brewhouse Carmel

2206 E 116th St, Carmel

Watching a movie at Flix Brewhouse feels like a fun upgrade to a classic family outing. Kids can enjoy seeing a movie on the big screen while you relax knowing food and drinks are delivered right to your seats. The theater offers a full menu with kid-friendly options, making it easy to turn movie time into a full experience without juggling snacks or lines. It’s a great option for family movie days, rainy afternoons, or treating your kids to something a little extra special.

Center for the Performing Arts

1 Carter Green, Carmel
Encourage children to become engaged in the arts. Take in a show or make one yourself! The Center for the Performing Arts houses the Palladium, the Tarkington, and the Studio Theater, meaning there are several options for theatre experiences. Enjoy a musical or theatrical performance or take one of their hands-on classes. Or, spend time in the Great American Songbook Exhibit Gallery, which is free to visit during normal operating hours.

Creative and Hands-On Activities

Penn + Beech Candle Company

145 Elm Street, Carmel
Create a candle together at Penn + Beech Candle Company! You can explore all of the scents the store has to offer, share your favorites with each other, and choose up to three to include in your own personalized candle. This is a great bonding experience and activity. Bonus: you go home with a delicious-smelling and useful souvenir of your time together.

Bath Junkie

741 Hanover Place, Carmel

Bath Junkie is a fun stop for families who love customizing their own products and exploring fun scents together. Kids can help choose fragrances and colors while you create personalized bath and body items like soaps, lotions, and scrubs. It’s a hands-on experience that feels special and creative, and a great option for a quick outing or treat while exploring Carmel.

A Yarn Market

1905 S New Market St, Suite 167, Carmel
A Yarn Market is a cozy and creative stop in Carmel where kids and adults can explore the world of fiber arts together. The shop offers a welcoming space filled with colorful yarns and hosts classes and workshops that introduce knitting, crochet, and other hands-on crafts. It’s a great option for older kids, tweens, and teens who enjoy creative projects or want to try something new.

The Sensory Shoppe

99 E Carmel Dr, Carmel
Sensory Shoppe is a welcoming space in Carmel designed to support kids through play, movement, and sensory-friendly activities. Families will find thoughtfully designed tools, toys, and experiences that encourage regulation, creativity, and confidence. The shop also offers classes, sessions, and resources that can be especially helpful for children with sensory needs.

Shopping with Kids in Carmel

Kits & Kaboodle Classic Toys

723 Hanover Place, Carmel

Kits & Kaboodle Classic Toys is a charming, locally loved toy store filled with timeless toys, games, books, and gifts that encourage imagination and play. It’s the kind of place where kids love to wander and discover something new around every corner, from puzzles and pretend play to classic toys you don’t always see in big-box stores. It’s a fun stop to browse together and a great place to find thoughtful gifts while supporting a local business.

Outdoor Things to Do in Carmel With Kids

Parks, Playgrounds, and Nature Areas

Westermeier Commons

920 Central Park Dr W, Carmel
Walk the six miles of trails through three different habitats, roll around the skate park, bring your pup to the dog run, play on the playground, or enjoy the splash pad. Westermeier Commons has more than 25,000 square feet of playground space to enjoy. Kids can spend hours on the playground alone. The playground has something for kids of all ages and abilities, and the mud-free playground surface makes it a great option for a muddy day!

Coxhall Gardens

11677 Towne Road, Carmel
Coxhall Gardens feels like a hidden gem because, unlike other parks and playgrounds in Carmel, it is never too crowded. The 125 acres of gorgeous grounds feature bike trails, a fishing pond, an amphitheater with fountains, and three gardens, so it’s easy to spread out. The Children’s Garden at Coxhall Gardens has a rainbow-colored walkway throughout, tunnels, “village” stores, sand play, and lots of natural surfaces to explore. Bring a kite and a picnic and make a day of it.

Cool Creek Park and Nature Center

2000 E 151st Street, Carmel
Need to burn some energy? The playground at Cool Creek Park has thirteen slides and several swing and climbing options. Bring the bikes and go for a ride on one of the scenic trails through the park, or hike around through the four miles of wooded trails with a creek, where you can participate in some wonderful creek stomping. Finish the day by checking out the seasonal nature-themed exhibits located inside the Nature Center.

Lawrence W. Inlow Park

6310 E. Main Street, Carmel
Inlow Park boasts three playgrounds, surrounded by woods, that offer a variety of play options. A toddler playground is near the parking lot and restrooms with age-appropriate equipment. Larger and more thrilling play can be found on the other two playgrounds. Bring a towel and a change of clothes, because the kids are going to want to hit up the splash pad here. There is also a 9-hole mini disc golf course to explore if you have your frisbee handy.

Trails and Outdoor Exploration

Midtown Plaza Carmel

365 Moon Blvd, Carmel
Midtown Plaza Carmel is one of our favorite places to spend a whole day in Carmel, especially in the spring and summer. It is jam-packed with outdoor fun and activities, including a playground, splash pad, and sports courts and tables. The plaza has open seating for eating, gathering, listening to live music, and watching a film on the big screen. There are plenty of restaurants, shops, public restrooms, and ample street parking as well as a free parking garage. Midtown Plaza Carmel is located right along the Monon Trail, so when you’re done, stroll over to the Carmel Arts & Design District or rent a bike to explore up and down the trail.

Monon Greenway

96th Street to 146th Street, Carmel
Walk, run, bike, or bring your pets on Carmel’s five-mile section of the Monon Trail. Monon Boulevard and Midtown Plaza Carmel are also a part of the Monon Greenway and showcase a gaming area, splash pad, playground, public seating area, restaurants, shops, public art, ping pong tables, and shuffleboard. The Monon Trail connects to a few of the many biking and hiking trails to explore in Carmel.

Walking and Biking Paths

Carmel is one of the easiest places in Central Indiana to explore on foot or by bike, especially with kids. The city is known for its extensive trail system, including the popular Monon Greenway, which runs right through Carmel and connects neighborhoods, parks, playgrounds, and local restaurants. Families love using the paths for stroller walks, bike rides, scooter adventures, and casual family outings. Along the way, you’ll find public art, green spaces, and plenty of spots to stop and rest, making Carmel’s walking and biking paths a simple and free way to get outside together.

Carmel Arts & Design District

30 West Main Street, Carmel
The Carmel Arts & Design District, formerly known as Downtown Carmel, is a bustling area in the middle of the city at the intersection of Main Street and the Monon Trail. There are countless restaurants, shops, activities, and things to do and see here. It is walkable to several other parts of Carmel and is busy year-round with active hikers, bikers, and strollers. Carmel is known for its beautiful outdoor public art, and spotting sculptures as you walk or bike around town is a fun way to explore with kids. You’ll find art installations throughout the Arts & Design District, Midtown Plaza, and along many of the city’s trails and roundabouts. Kids love turning it into a scavenger hunt, seeing which pieces they recognize, and talking about what they think the artwork represents.

Splash Pads and Water Fun

Midtown Plaza Splash Pad

The Midtown Plaza Splash Pad is a favorite warm-weather stop for families visiting Carmel. Located in the heart of Midtown, this free splash pad is perfect for kids who need to cool off while still having plenty of space to run and play. The area also features open green space, seating for parents, and easy access to nearby restaurants and events.

The Waterpark at the Monon Community Center

1195 Central Park Drive W, Carmel
If your family loves water, The Waterpark at the Monon Community Center is a place you need to visit. Unlike most pools, this water park is very park-like with lots of green space to dry off and enjoy a warm day. They even have rentable cabanas. The Waterpark features two large slides, a lap pool and activity pool, a separate toddler pool, FlowRider simulated surfing, and my personal favorite, the lazy river. Concessions are available, but they also have picnic tables if you want to bring your own food and drink. In the winter, they also have an indoor activity pool inside the Monon Community Center. Day passes and memberships are available.

Classes and Programs for Kids in Carmel

Music, Art, and Creative Classes

MyArt Carmel Art School

841 South Rangeline Road, Suite 300, Carmel
Let your little artist explore their creativity at MyArt, with a workshop, camp, or canvas painting event. These are great for everyone, with instructor-led activities to bring out the inner artist for every skill level. All activities are available for ages 5 and up, and registration is required.

School of Rock Carmel

626 S. Rangeline Road, Carmel
Learn the ins and outs of your chosen instrument, as well as how to perform like a rock star! School of Rock will foster your child’s self-confidence and encourage collaboration in a group while performing. In-person classes and camps are available for ages 7-18, as well as online for all ages.

B2R Bach to Rock

2480 E. 146th Street, Carmel
Is there a future rock star or DJ in your household? B2R offers musical opportunities for everyone, from toddler to teen, beginner to experienced. You can take individual music lessons in guitar, bass, voice, drums, piano, and keyboard, or try the exciting DJ lessons. Group lessons are also available for DJs, rock bands, glee clubs, piano, drums, ukulele, and guitar.

A Sewing Studio

12775 Horseferry Road, Carmel
Support your little fashionista’s passion by teaching them to sew! A Sewing Studio offers weekly classes, in which students learn terminology, machine skills, hands-on use of a pattern, and project assembly. Classes are available for children ages 7-16, with workshops for adults offered as well. While most classes are ongoing, there are one-time classes available. Check out their website, they fill up fast!

Sports and Movement Classes

Gymboree

12524 N Gray Road, Carmel
Gymboree is known for its play-and-learn philosophy and its fantastic programming for babies and preschoolers. Did you know they also offer open gym times nearly every day for drop-in play? It’s a fantastic way for kids to get out and play with other children, enjoy toddler-friendly climbing equipment and toys, and run and jump in ways kids can’t at home.

Carmel USA Wrestling

520 E Main Street, Carmel
If your kiddo needs to be super active, wrestling is an excellent choice to consider! Wrestling helps with coordination, body awareness, balance, and building core strength as well as confidence. Carmel USA Wrestling has camp options for children as young as kindergarten all the way through 8th grade. Strength training is also available here for ages 9 and up. This awesome cardio activity takes place mostly in the winter at Carmel High School, perfect for when the kids are cooped up inside!

Goldfish Swim School

271 Merchants Square Drive, Suite A-110, Carmel
Swimming is a great activity to keep the kids active year-round, and the pool at Goldfish Swim School is kept a “shiver-free” 90 degrees! The training and instructors here inspire water safety and confidence for the entire family. Classes are available for children from 4 months to 12 years old, and they even offer a competitive swim team for the more advanced swimmers. If you want to test the waters before signing up, check out their regular family swim sessions, usually available on Friday or Saturday nights.

STEM and Learning Programs

Code Ninjas

2436 East 146th Street, Suite A112 Carmel
Do your kids love video games? Take advantage of that passion and expand their knowledge on the science behind the game! Code Ninjas offers online and in-person classes to develop coding skills and create video games for ages 5-14. Occasionally, Code Ninjas offers a Parents’ Night Out where kids can play games, assemble puzzles, build robotics, and more.

Sprouts Cooking School

13190 Hazel Dell Parkway, Carmel
Is your child obsessed with a cooking challenge show? Do they always want to help in the kitchen? Here’s your chance to inspire your budding chef while teaching them useful life skills. Sprouts Cooking School has equipment perfectly sized for children, helping them to build confidence in the kitchen. Not only do they learn kitchen skills and get to make their recipes in-class, but they also take their creations and recipe cards home to share. Check out their full line-up of classes for families and children ages 3 and up. Reservations are required as the classes are small and intimate!

 

Cake Bake Shop

800 South Rangeline Road, Carmel
Cake Bake Shop is a dream come true for those with a sweet tooth, featuring a fairy-tale-like decor and an array of exquisite cakes and pastries that will enchant children and parents alike. The floral arrangements, chandeliers, and fancy teapots make dining here a dream. Waitstaff will sprinkle children’s food with edible glitter to add to the magical experience.

This list is just a sampling of the many things to do in Carmel with kids! Whether you sign up for lessons, join a club, or take advantage of the free parks, trails, and attractions around town, you’ll be amazed at all that Carmel has to offer.

Ashley Toler contributed to this article. Updated December 29, 2025.