Kids are settling into their school routines, fall is just around the corner, and we have full schedule of things to do in September for your family to enjoy. Savor those lingering summer days outdoors or beat what’s left of the heat with some fun indoor activities. Let our list be your jumping-off point for all your September adventures!
Things to Do in September in Indy with Kids
Whether you’re looking for a quick activity to switch up your evening routine or a full day of weekend fun, you’ll find just something just right for your family in this guide.
Try One of Indy’s Best Burgers
For many Americans, nothing says “Labor Day Weekend” quite like a freshly grilled burger. Our extensive guide can help you find a fantastic local patty in your area. Treat your family to a night out and yourself to a break from cooking. Or, if Labor Day to you means a big backyard cookout surrounded by all your favorite people, gather those family members and friends and get grilling. Who’s to say that Indy’s Best Burger can’t come off of your own home grill?
Pick Apples at a Local Orchard
Can you believe it’s already apple season? Summer flew by and the first fall crops are ready for harvesting. Central Indiana has so many gorgeous apple orchards, each with its own unique flavors of apples and activities. Visit Tuttle Orchards to play in the newly updated FarmYard or take the scenic hayride at Anderson Orchard. Sample award-winning cider and attend a festival at Beasley’s Orchard or dive into a dozen fresh apple cider donuts at Stuckey Farms. The leaves may not be showing much color yet, but we are READY for all those fall feels!
Witness a Hot Air Balloon Glow
If your children have ever squealed with delight at the sight of a hot air balloon floating in the distance, just wait until you see their faces when they see these magical aircraft up close. Conner Prairie’s popular Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival is back on September 6-8, with both free and paid opportunities to experience the wonder of a hot air balloon race. You can also grab tickets for the Kiwanis Balloon Fest, which features live music, skydivers, fireworks, and more, on September 27-28.
Play at the Children’s Museum for Free
Fiesta de la Familia at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is September 15 and everyone is invited! Snag your free ticket ahead of time, starting September 5, to ensure your spot. Expect free activities, performances, and displays celebrating Latin American culture throughout the museum, in addition to all the fabulous exhibits you can find every day. Don’t miss this party at the world’s best children’s museum!
Register Your Toddler for a Parent and Me Class
The big kids are back in school, but there are plenty of learning opportunities around for the babies and toddlers too! These tiny ones learn through life and play, but a special class or experience just for them (and a caregiver) can create beautiful moments for them and memories for you. Try storytime at your local library, a swimming class at Goldfish Swim School or Big Blue Swim School, or a music program at The Music Playhouse.
Shop at an Art Festival
The Indy area is home to two phenomenal art festivals scheduled in September! Penrod Arts Fair at Newfields is known as “Indiana’s Nicest Day,” and is the largest single-day art fair in the country. Stroll the booths to see stunning work by professional artists, visit vendor booths, grab a drink at the Beer Garden or Wine Terrace, hear live music, and play and create in the Children’s Area. Penrod Arts Fair is on September 7, 2024.
The Carmel International Arts Festival draws thousands of visitors every year and takes over Carmel’s Main Street and the surrounding area on September 28-29. You’ll need advance tickets to attend Penrod, but the Carmel International Arts Festival is free!
Check Out a New-to-You Zoo
Obviously, we love the Indianapolis Zoo, but there are more animal adventures to be had throughout our state! Get out of town and visit a zoo you’ve never seen before. The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is world-class. Columbian Park Zoo in Lafayette is a budget-friendly day trip option just over one hour from downtown Indy. Or plan a weekend getaway with a stop at the Potawatami Zoo in South Bend. Each zoo has its own unique inhabitants to meet, so it’s worth visiting them all!
Chill Out At a $2 Movie at Regal Cinemas
While many of the discount summer movie series have ended for the year, there is one theater chain in our area that offers affordable family movies year-round! Head to a local Regal Cinemas theater for Saturday Morning Kids Flicks. Each week features a new family-friendly movie during the first showtime of the day and tickets are just $2 each. If you’re looking for a relaxing way to chill out on the weekend, this program gives families great value.
Catch One of the Last Games of the Season at Victory Field
The Indianapolis Indians wrap up their season of 2024 home games on September 15. If your kids earned a free ticket from the Indianapolis Public Library Summer Reading Program, don’t let those go unused! You’ve got seven chances this month to catch one of the last games of the year: September 1 & 10-15. Take advantage of some of our favorite promotions, like Kids Eat Free Sundays or Tuesday Dollar Menu, and Friday Fireworks. Take the kids out to the ballgame for a last summer sports hurrah!
Zip Through the Trees
Catch a breeze as you fly through the trees at a Central Indiana zipline course. Head for Eagle Creek Park on Indy’s northwest side to try the Go Ape Treetop Adventure and experience the city’s largest park from the skies. Hamilton County also has its very own zipline course at the extensive Strawtown Koteewi Park. Koteewi Aerial Adventures is even offering a BOGO deal for Labor Day Weekend and you can get discounts every Sunday and Monday. Book ahead to ensure your spot!
Shop a Consignment Sale
It’s that time of year again! Score amazing deals on kids’ clothes, toys, sports equipment, and more at one of Central Indiana’s consignment sales. You’ll find gently used products and even brand-new items with tags still attached, priced to sell at up to 90% off retail cost! Save some space in your budget, spend your dollars with local sellers, and do the planet a favor while you’re at it. Shopping second-hand just makes sense when you’ve got a growing crew of kiddos!
Savor a Day at a Kid-Friendly Winery
Southern Indiana is home to the gorgeous Oliver Winery and kids are totally welcome! Reserve a flight or picnic package and spend the day enjoying the beautiful wooded grounds. The patio space often hosts live music or guided tasting experiences. In the shop, you can try a few varieties at the counter or shop for bottles of your favorites to take home. Kids love playing on the picnic grounds and exploring around the pond. If you’re looking for a kid-friendly winery a little closer to home, try Urban Vines in Westfield or Daniel’s Vineyard in McCordsville.
Watch a Movie Outdoors
Shorter days mean nightfall arrives a little closer to bedtime for the younger members of the family. It’s the perfect time to catch an outdoor movie! Noblesville’s Federal Hill Commons will host free films on September 6 (Elemental) and 13 (Transformers: Rise of the Beasts). If you’re on the south side, head to Greenwood’s Old City Park on September 6 (Migration) or 27 (Kung Fu Panda 4) for movies beginning at sundown. Don’t forget to bring your own chairs, blankets, and snacks!
Take a Tour at Hunter’s Honey Farm
What could be sweeter than a behind-the-scenes look at how honey is created and harvested, complete with samples? Visit Hunter’s Honey Farm in Martinsville for a private or group tour of the hives, the honey house, or the forested property. You can even book experiences like bottling your own honey bear or rolling a beeswax candle. We can also guarantee you’ll want to take home some goodies from the farm’s well-stocked gift shop. For an extra exciting experience at Hunter’s Honey Farm, stop by on September 21 for the Honey Harvest Festival.
Go On a StoryWalk
Maybe you’ve come across those temporary posters or signposts stationed around your favorite local park depicting seemingly random pages from children’s books. Maybe you even just continued on your way, without realizing you’d encountered a StoryWalk! Central Indiana parks departments frequently team up with local libraries to facilitate these special experiences where families can engage with a thoughtfully chosen story while out and about in nature. Start with Page 1 and follow the book as it continues down the trail. Check out our guide to find a StoryWalk location near you!
Get Cooking with Kids
Help your little sous chef take their kitchen skills to the next level by signing them up for a cooking class. Whether your child loves baking, cooking up comfort foods, or exploring international cuisines, there’s a learning experience to suit in Indianapolis. Try Sprouts Cooking School in Carmel, known for its classes designed just for kids. Or pique your child’s interest in French patisserie with a class at Macaron Bar on Mass Ave. The Indianapolis Public Library even has a few free classes for teens and families on the calendar in September!
Battle It Out in a Laser Tag Arena
Older kids and teens love the excitement and intensity of a high-adrenaline game of laser tag! Low lighting, glowing decor, and futuristic scenery all set the stage for a day that’s sure to be a blast. Gather friends and family or jump into a game with other visitors. Laser tag venues often feature well-stocked arcades, bowling alleys, or other entertainment, so you can make a full day of your trip.
Dig Into Nature
The end of summer is a great time to join a nature class or program and learn a little more about the world around you. Check your local Parks and Recreation Department’s program guide for current offerings! Try Knee-High Naturalists or Family Evening Hikes in Carmel or Hike & Seek at Eagle Creek Park in Indy. Families with preschoolers will also love Wee Wonders in the Wild at Newfields, which is offered three times throughout September. As a bonus, your registration fee includes general admission to the museum for the child and one accompanying adult!
Start Booking Your Christmas Experiences
If you or your children have your hearts set on any specific Christmas shows or experiences, now might be the time to start booking your reservations! Even if your favorites aren’t available yet, take note of when ticket sales will open so you can be sure to snag your spot. Some holiday attractions go on sale as early as July and sell out quickly. For example, holiday train rides, like the Nickel Plate Express or the Polar Express ride in French Lick, are hot ticket experiences that you’ll want to book immediately!
Looking Ahead: Pumpkin harvest time is coming soon!
Our events calendar is packed full of activities that are too good to miss!
