About 20 minutes south of Indianapolis, you will find the communities of Franklin and Whiteland. If you haven’t been there before, you need to make plans! There are tons of things to do with kids. From bowling and go-karts to museums and beautiful parks; you can find it all in Franklin and Whiteland. Franklin has a beautifully quaint, bustling downtown with loads of small businesses to explore. Whiteland is rapidly expanding with new businesses opening all the time. You can find something to do all year round there.
10 Pins
27 West Monroe Street
Have you ever tried out duckpin bowling? You use a small bowling ball to knock the ten pins down; perfect for the little hands of kids! 10 Pins offers six lanes for mini bowling and arcade games to keep the kids busy. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase and they even serve Greek’s Pizzeria pizza. Above the bowling alley there is a room available for rent called The Loft perfect for birthdays!
Toodleydoo Toys
1 West Jefferson Street
Toodleydoo Toys specializes in unique toys and books. These are not the toys you will see at the big box stores. My kids and I love coming here and perusing the shelves and making wish lists for birthdays and Christmas. This is the best place to come and buy a special gift or treat for the kids. Toodleydoo also hosts events throughout the year such as story time and Santa visits.
Franklin Family Aquatic Center
396 Branigin Boulevard
For those blisteringly hot summer days, check out the Franklin Family Aquatic Center. This place is an absolute blast for kids. There is a great section for the little ones with a zero depth entry pool and tons of fun water features in the splash area. For older kids, check out the Olympic sized pool, where diving and water basketball are featured as well as the 190-foot water slide.
Province Park
389 East Monroe Street
Province Park is a big beautiful park located within walking distance of the main downtown Franklin area. This park features walking paths, a creek, basketball courts and two playgrounds. One of the playgrounds is fenced in which is great for those little ones who wander off. A gazebo, picnic tables, and shelters are all available so make sure to pack that perfect picnic.
The Historic Artcraft Theater
57 North Main Street
Regular showing are on hold for now but the theater schedules special events and viewings throughout the week. . You can also rent out the theater and choose from a variety of movie selections. Once they fully reopen, you will be able to choose from their full schedule of movies including the Cans for Kids events. This is a can food drive where kids can donate cans and watch classic Looney Toons cartoons on the big screen. On Friday and Saturday evenings, you can bring the kids by to grab some delicious concessions. Indiana grown popcorn is always featured and they always have a specialty (non-alcoholic) drink for purchase
Franklin Farmers Market
Parking Lot 2 Blocks West of the Courthouse
Everyone loves a farmers market! Kids can learn so much from meeting the farmers and vendors. Show kids the different types of products available and have them pick something new to bring home and give a try. The farmers market also has live music and different ready to eat treats available for purchase.
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
1172 North Main Street
Urban Air is filled to the brim with things for kids to do. If your kids have lots of energy, take them there! Urban Air offers so much more than just a trampoline park; bumper cars, a rope course, climbing walls, playground and an arcade are just some of the activities that kids can do. There iare so many options, you’ll probably have to come back for a second visit to do it all. A café is also available to help with the hungry kids. There are a variety of tickets types available depending on the age of the kids and how many attractions you are interested in.
Blue Heron Park and Wetlands
US 31 and Franklin Lakes Boulevard
This park is a full of interesting things for kids to explore. Plenty of wildlife can be seen in the wetland preserve. Paved and dirt trails run throughout the park offering kids an outlet to get extra energy out and explore the world around them. A disc golf course is also located on the grounds. The playground is inclusive so everyone can have fun!
Franklin Skate Club
2680 North Morton Street
Roller Skating is such a classic fun way to spend quality family time. Grab the kids and your skates if you have them (you can rent some too) and head over to Franklin Skate Club. On Wednesday and Sunday evenings take advantage of the $12.00 family admission. Skate rental is only $2.00! On Saturdays mornings, you can bring your kids in for beginning skate lessons as well for just $5.00. Great prices and great fun!
Hiway Lanes Bowling Center
400 North Morton Street
If you are looking to bring your kids out to bowl, head over to Hiway Lanes. They have lots of great options to help kids learn how to bowl. Every lane has bumpers and you can borrow a ball ramp as well. 7 lb. balls are reserved for kids and are kept behind the counter so be sure to go up and ask for one. Hiway Lanes will happily host a birthday party, they have kids’ leagues and cosmic bowling. There is something for everyone!
Hoosier Cupboard Candy, Snacks, and Ice Cream
370 East Jefferson Street
Hoosier Cupboard is inside of an old train depot that dates back to 1909. With over 500 different types of chocolates and candies along with 22 flavors of ice cream this sweet spot is filled with every child’s dream! There is also a small train museum inside the shop.
Johnson County Museum of History
135 North Main Street
The Johnson County Museum of History should not be missed. This museum is great for upper elementary kids who are learning about Indiana History. The exhibits features items from pioneer days, the Civil War, as well as many medical and pharmaceutical items from the 1940s and 50s. There are dress up clothes from the pioneer days for kids to try on, a life size replica of a wagon, and a museum scavenger hunt. Don’t miss the cabin in the parking lot. An added bonus? The museum is free!
Canary Creek Cinemas
870 Mallory Parkway
This hometown movie theater is a great place to see the latest movie. Enjoy lower prices on tickets and concessions. The cinema has eight theaters and also offer drive in movies during those warm summer evenings. Drive around to the back of the building for the drive in movie area.
Dollie’s Farm
3961 North 425 East
If you are looking for something calming and beautiful to go do with your kids, head out to Dollie’s Farm. The farm grows lavender, it is gorgeous and the smell is out of this world. This is a u pick farm where you can go out in the rows of flowers and snip the stems that look best to you. Events are offered around the year. The Autumn Blooms event is one that should not be missed. There are pumpkins everywhere available for purchase, a pumpkin patch to pick your own and events set up all around the farm.
Whiteland With Kids
Rascal’s Fun Zone
629 US 31
Rascal’s Fun Zone is full of ways to keep kids entertained. There are indoor and outdoor activities here perfect for year round fun. Go-Karts, 2 mini-golf courses, and blaster boats are available outside. If you head inside, you will find more go-karts, mini-bowling, bumper cars and an arcade. Wristbands for unlimited play are available or you can pay by the hour or by the attraction. All of the options make it easy for you to find what works best for your family.
Proctor Park
499 Tracy Road
Proctor Park is a great park located in Whiteland. It features a stocked “Catch and Release” pond if you are interested in teaching your kids how to fish. There are also 2 playgrounds and shelters here giving your family lots of play choices. Bring a picnic lunch and make an afternoon of it.
Grassy Creek Disc Golf Course
309 Mooreland Drive
Older kids will enjoy the challenge of disc golf. This course features a front 9 and back 9 that are great for beginners. The grounds are beautifully kept with nice baskets as well. Grassy Creek is a great place to enjoy some fresh air and play a competitive game.
Garden of Gas Station Signs
649 Brewer Street
This will definitely catch everyone’s eyes. Alan Ray Whitaker has been collected retro gas station signs since 2003. There are dozens of free standing signs set on 18-foot-tall poles. The signs range in date from 1934 to 1961. It is worth a drive by to see and if Alan is around stop in and see what he has on display inside the building. There you will find more signs, pinball machines, neon clocks and other retro items. Definitely a unique experience!
Kelsay Farms
6848 North 250 East
Kelsay Farms is the place to be during the Harvest season. There are so many things for kids to do including a petting zoo, a giant bounce pillow, a 7-acre corn maze, and pumpkin patch. Enjoy some delicious snacks like a milkshake or sandwich. On popular weekends, there is live music and other added activities like face painting.
Whiteland Raceway Park
654 North Front Street
Whiteland Raceway Park gained new ownership in 2019 and ever since then, improvements have been made to this racing destination. For teenagers interested in racing and go-karts, this is a great place to develop their skills and try their hand at a competitive race. Drivers must be 14 years and older. If you want to come and see the races, there is a full schedule of competitive races to come and see for the 2021 year.
The next time you’re sitting around trying to figure out what to do with the kids, why not head South of Indy and try something new! Franklin and Whiteland will keep the entire family busy with a variety of fun activities! Looking for some grown-up ideas? Check out these date night ideas in Franklin and Whiteland to inspire you.
