There are so many things to do in Carmel with kids! From museums to water parks and cooking classes to music lessons, Carmel has it all! Check out our list of places to visit and play for the day with your little ones. We’ve also made a list of clubs to join or weekly lessons to sign up for to develop a budding interest or skill.
Things to do in Carmel with Kids: Places to Visit and Play
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 adult. 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.
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. They have a special Children’s Garden with 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 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.
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.
Off the Wall Sports Bounce Houses
1423 Chase Court, Carmel
Off the Wall Sports in an indoor soccer and flag football facility. They offer camps, leagues, and classes for everyone from ages 18 months to adult. 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!
Things to do in Carmel with Kids: Clubs and Lessons
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.
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, 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!
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 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.
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 band, glee club, piano, drums, ukulele, and guitar.
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 Parent’s Night Out where kids can play games, assemble puzzles, build robotics, and more.
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!
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.
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.
What are your favorite things to do in Carmel with kids? Share comments and photos with us below, or tag us on social media using #PLAYindy. Follow Indy with Kids on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for all of the best ideas and things to do with kids in Indy!
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