Or add Indianapolis’s kids’ events to your calendar: subscribe once and new weeks appear on their own. (Google Calendar: paste that link’s address into “Other calendars → From URL”.) We keep your email and the city, nothing else; every note has a one-click stop.
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100 ideas near “Indianapolis, IN”
Subscribe once and new weeks appear on their own. Google Calendar: copy that button’s link address into “Other calendars → From URL”.
Kids and families, stop by the 3rd floor to immerse yourself in the world of science and tech exploration. Discover something new by exploring robots, LEGOs, STEM apps, crafts, games, and more at your own pace.
Join us for our last concert of the year in Central Library featuring long-time favorite, the Indianapolis Chamber Players. This live hour of classical music will leave you inspired - and Vladimir's knowledge of composers and music will leave you impressed!
Create whimsical art together that celebrates family holidays and traditions using found objects and art supplies. Participants will hear a short story before diving into artmaking and creative expression!
Family Glow Session! All Children 2-17 yrs old MUST Wear Skates at ALL Times Celebrating a birthday? We’re also booking birthday parties — let us help you throw a party they’ll never forget! […]
Babies and toddlers are exposed to sensory play, songs, and the beginnings of social play in this program with an expert from Gymboree! This program is open to babies and toddlers 6 months - 36 months.
Baby and Toddler storytime is a great way to help your infant and toddler foster physical skills, early language, and early literacy skills as well as increase the bond between the parent or caregiver and the young child.
Children 3-6 are invited to join members of Ballet INitiative for a story and a short ballet experience. This program features their upcoming production of The Nutcracker with a Twist.
Join others to create yarn pompoms that become part of a large-scale fiber art piece called The Village. This artwork will eventually be 24 feet wide and 8 feet high, and represents the best of Indianapolis Arts. It can't be made without assistance from each other.
Explore the world of waterways by tackling hands-on challenges that uncover the power and complexity of rivers. Build bridges and dams, design a boat, and test your creativity and problem-solving skills. This program is designed for kids ages 6-12.
Join other teens and choose your own fun! We play games, make art and crafts, and do other fun activities. Meet us in the Community Room to grab a snack and make new friends!
Kids ages 7 and up are invited to join us on the 3rd floor for Minecraft Club! Stop by to mine, build, and interact with fellow Minecrafters using the library’s laptops or iPads. Jump into our premade world or create one entirely of your own!
Casual play every Monday evening 5:30-8 p.m. in the Atrium of Central Library. Free Unrated Blitz Tournament from 6-8 p.m. Chess sets and clocks provided. All ages welcome. All skill levels welcome.
Join us for an evening of crafting, conversation, and creativity! You can bring your current creative project to work on, use our supplies to start something new, or follow along with a craft tutorial that’s new each month!
Help us commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States by adding your contribution to a collaborative art project. Each project invites reflection on civic life and the shared American experience.
Join us virtually for stories, songs, and fun in both Farsi and English! Storytime will last about 30 minutes. Can't wait to see you!
Middle school students are invited to a free program series to sharpen skills and gain confidence through learning about debate! This series will be led by Park Tudor junior and debate champion, Penelope Guevara!
Exactly what it sounds like. The Nora Branch will put out 4 big tables in our community room and anyone can come in and use them for gaming/homework/studying/socializing, etc. The room is open to anyone who is interested. Please ask at the information desk.
Join us on the 2nd Monday of each month at 6 p.m. to discuss a book from the YALSA Teens’ Top Ten of 2025! (you do not need to be part of the Teen Library Council to join) November 9: The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson December 14: Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth
Roll and Move it Mondays! $8.00 Admission $6.00 Additional for Skate Rental $3.00 Spectator Fee Non-Skating Chaperones 18yrs+ ONLY All Skaters 2-17 Years old are Required to Pay for Admission […]
Young children and their caregivers are invited to join us for stories, songs, and fun. Stay after stories are finished for some literacy activities and play time.
Learn easy gardening basics like planting, soil, and plant care, plus simple hacks for creating your own garden at home, whether you’ve got a backyard, balcony, or just a sunny windowsill.
This event is part of an ongoing game campaign. Keep an eye out for more opportunities for new players.
Jump start the school week and meet new friends by making Monday Night an Occasion for fun! Families will enjoy an hour of play together with either art, board games, play dough, or small world building activities on most Monday nights at 6:30 p.m.
Babies from birth to 18 months are invited for stories, lap bounces, songs, and other early literacy activities!
Preschoolers ages 3 - 5 and an adult are invited for an active class featuring stories, songs and rhymes that focus on early literacy skills and school preparedness.
Play with clay! Join Jeremy South of Ripple Mobile Arts to explore art inspired by picture books. Children ages 3-6 will create their own masterpiece using clay and other materials. Dress to mess!
Babies and toddlers are exposed to sensory play, songs, and the beginnings of social play in this program with an expert from Gymboree! This program is open to babies and toddlers 6 months - 36 months.
Babies up to 24 months and an adult are invited for stories, songs, fingerplays, and fun! Each session is followed by playtime with special toys designed just for babies.
Families with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers are invited for stories, songs, engaging activities, and much more! Program occurs every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.
Join others to create yarn pompoms that become part of a large-scale fiber art piece called The Village. This artwork will eventually be 24 feet wide and 8 feet high, and represents the best of Indianapolis Arts. It can't be made without assistance from each other.
Join us for an out-of-this-world virtual conversation with New York Times bestselling authors Kelly and Zach Weinersmith as they dive into their book, A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through?
Tweens and teens in grades 6-12 are invited to hang out and join us for art projects, games, studying, reading, and snacks.
Hang out after school! Teens age 13-18 are welcome for snacks, coloring, video games, and board games. All sorts of arts and crafts available too: paint, sculpt, draw, crochet/knit, origami and more!
Learning begins with curiosity and wonder. Experiment alongside your young scientist as you investigate science topics through hands-on stations. Encourage exploration, spark curiosity, and build confidence as you learn together. For ages 3-8.
Teens ages 13-17 are invited to join online and play Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition) with Teen Central! New and experienced players welcome. Every two weeks, a new 1.5-hour adventure will be ready to challenge our explorers. Materials will be provided.
Ready for adventure? Join our group and dive into a world of imagination, strategy, and storytelling. Whether you’re a first-time player or a seasoned adventurer, all are welcome! Dice and supplies are provided.
Calling all ADVENTURERS! First-time players or experienced adventurers, join us to explore Dungeons and Dragons. Game materials and dice provided, just bring your imagination!
Join us for a concert featuring the Encomium Ensemble. This live hour of classical music is so easy to enjoy from the comfort of a Library branch.
Discover the untold story of Herbert Hawkins and the community connections that shaped life on Indiana Avenue, followed by an exploration of the Avenue’s rich history, people, places, and legacy with the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis and Indianapolis Public Library.
Join us for a fun evening of board games for the whole family! Families are invited to play Pokémon CTG or board games and have fun while hanging out with friends and family. Enjoy our collection of classic and modern board, card, and dice games for kids and families.
First time players or experienced adventurers, join us to explore Dungeons and Dragons. Game materials and dice provided, just bring your imagination! Ages 12 and up.
Young children will enjoy books, songs, and games in this bilingual storytime in English and Spanish! / ¡Los niños pequeños disfrutarán de libros, canciones y juegos en esta hora de cuentos bilingüe en inglés y español!
Beginning or reluctant readers ages 6 - 11 are invited to read to a registered therapy dog who loves to listen to stories. It's a great way to improve a child's reading skills and self-confidence. Register online or call the branch at 317-275-4410, ext. 4.
Tuesday Night Roll Out! $8.00 Admission $6.00 Additional for Skate Rental $3.00 Spectator Fee Non-Skating Chaperones 18yrs+ ONLY All Skaters 2-17 Years old are Required to Pay for Admission AND […]
Babies and toddlers up to 36 months along with their grownup are invited to join us for stories, songs, and fun! Children are welcome to wear pajamas and bring their favorite stuffed animal.
Families with children of all ages are invited to listen to stories, sing songs and participate in movement activities.
Children aged 3-5, and their families, are invited to a half-hour of stories, songs, and rhymes, followed by playtime, art, and social time with other families!
Children ages 3-5 and a caregiver are invited for stories, songs, crafts, and more! No registration is required.
Babies, toddlers, preschoolers and an adult are invited for stories, songs, fingerplays and play time.
Babies and toddlers, birth through age 3, with an adult are invited to enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, movement, and more. It's a great way to introduce little ones to a lifelong love of reading. No registration is required.
Create, explore, cooperate or compete using various types of building blocks! One type of blocks for younger children and one type for older children will be available at each session. Different types of kid-friendly building materials each time! Staff lead, inspire and support learning.
Babies and toddlers up to age 3 with an adult are invited for an active class featuring stories, songs, and rhymes followed by socialization and playtime with age appropriate toys.
Little hands will create their own tiny terrarium. Grow and learn about plants together in this hands-on workshop. Dress to mess!
Babies and toddlers are exposed to sensory play, songs, and the beginnings of social play in this program with an expert from Gymboree! This program is open to babies and toddlers 6 months - 36 months.
Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families will enjoy a traditional library storytime with books, felt boards, movement activities, and a hootenanny-style song sing.
Children age 2 to 4 years old and their adult are invited to storytime with books, songs, dancing, crafts,and fun! The session is followed by playtime and interaction.
Children ages 0-5 and their caregivers are invited to join us for stories, songs, and fun. Stay after stories are finished for some literacy activities and playtime.
Families with children ages 3 - 6 are invited for a fun-filled storytime featuring stories, music and activities! A hands-on activity will follow. No Registration Required!
Babies and toddlers up to 36 months and an adult are invited for stories, songs, toys, and more.
Learning begins with curiosity and wonder. Experiment alongside your young scientist as you investigate science topics through hands-on stations. Encourage exploration, spark curiosity, and build confidence as you learn together. For ages 3-8.
Play with clay! Join Jeremy South of Ripple Mobile Arts to explore art inspired by picture books. Children ages 3-6 will create their own masterpiece using clay and other materials. Dress to mess!
Stay after Sunshine Storytime for an open-ended sensory, loose parts, nature, and heuristic playtime!
Young children will enjoy books, songs, and games in this bilingual storytime in English and Spanish! / ¡Los niños pequeños disfrutarán de libros, canciones y juegos en esta hora de cuentos bilingüe en inglés y español!
Babies, toddlers and preschoolers with an adult are invited for interactive stories and songs followed by playtime.
Join us for an eye-opening conversation with veteran journalist Paul Vigna as we examine his provocative book, The Almightier: How Money Became God, Greed Became Virtue, and Debt Became Sin. Explore the question: How did money go from a tool of commerce into the dominant faith of modern society?
Kids and families, stop by the 3rd floor to immerse yourself in the world of science and tech exploration. Discover something new by exploring robots, LEGOs, STEM apps, crafts, games, and more at your own pace.
Children and families of all ages are invited to drop in to the East 38th Street Library to play a variety of games. Games are provided. Children 10 years old and younger should bring a grown-up with them to this program.
Explore multiple art techniques while designing and creating custom magnetic bookmarks. Learn how magnets work while creating a one-of-a-kind piece of functional art that kids can use and enjoy every day! this program is designed for kids ages 6-12.
Children ages 0-2 and a caregiver are invited for a story, songs, rhymes, and activities designed with our littlest patrons in mind! No registration is required.
Preschoolers ages 3-5 and their caregivers are invited for stories, songs, and fun! Daycares/Preschools are welcome at storytime. Please contact the Children's Librarian at 317-275-4357 at least 2 days prior to storytime to allow us to plan for your group.
Join us at the Spades Park branch for storytime every Thursday morning!
Preschoolers, ages 3-6, are invited for stories, songs, games, and other early literacy activities!
Children birth to 5 yrs and a caregiver are invited for a storytime filled with rhymes, songs and activities that promote early childhood development.
Play with clay! Join Jeremy South of Ripple Mobile Arts to explore art inspired by picture books. Children ages 3-6 will create their own masterpiece using clay and other materials. Dress to mess!
Babies and toddlers are exposed to sensory play, songs, and the beginnings of social play in this program with an expert from Gymboree! This program is open to babies and toddlers 6 months - 36 months.
Apples, cinnamon and maple syrup! What do they have in common? They all come from trees! In this storytime, discover how people, animals, and insects depend on trees for food and shelter. Perfect for children ages 2-6 and their caregiver.
Preschoolers, toddlers, and their caregivers are invited for stories, fingerplays, crafts and activities. No registration is required.
Babies up to 24 months and an adult are invited for stories, songs, fingerplays, and fun! Each session is followed by playtime with special toys designed just for babies.
Caregivers and children up to 5 years of age are invited to visit the library and participate in book-themed play. Caregivers can get to know other caregivers with young children. Books, toys, and games will be provided. Program occurs every Thursday at 10:30 am.
Preschoolers and their families are invited for weekly stories, crafts and more. Families and homeschoolers are welcome to attend.
Children 3-6 are invited to join members of Ballet INitiative for a story and a short ballet experience. This program features their upcoming production of The Nutcracker with a Twist.
Children ages 0-5 and their caregivers are invited to join us for stories, songs, and fun. Stay after stories are finished for literacy activities and playtime!
Teens, ages 12-17, are welcome to come hang out for an evening of low-pressure gaming. Meet some new friends and join in for a round of Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, Just Dance, or one of our other games on our Switch or Switch 2!
Hang out after school! Teens age 13-18 are welcome for snacks, coloring, video games, and board games. All sorts of arts and crafts available too: paint, sculpt, draw, crochet/knit, origami and more!
Explore multiple art techniques while designing and creating custom magnetic bookmarks. Learn how magnets work while creating a one-of-a-kind piece of functional art that kids can use and enjoy every day! this program is designed for kids ages 6-12.
Learn basic woodworking skills – how to measure, mark, and use tools safely. Start with raw materials and leave with a sense of accomplishment, pride, and a planter box! All materials, tools, and equipment are provided. Closed toe shoes are recommended.
Students will be provided with a safe space and time to decompress after school with the opportunity to develop friendships.
Hang out with us after school! Join us for arts and crafts projects, coloring, games, studying and snacks. Bring friends and make new friends. No registration - teens ages 12–18 are welcome!
Join us and the Marion County Health Department - Nutrition Services as we learn about the benefits of cooking with herbs and spices.
Learn easy gardening basics like planting, soil, and plant care, plus simple hacks for creating your own garden at home, whether you’ve got a backyard, balcony, or just a sunny windowsill.
Children ages 8 to 14 with an interest in math will be challenged to solve problems and puzzles individually and as a group.
November is a special time for taking stock of the gardening year, reflecting on the previous season and looking forward to a little rest before next year! To mark the month, we have an annual mini swap-meet to trade seeds, plants, tools, books, and the extras that accrue through our year. Join us!
Mother Goose is on the loose! Babies up to 24 months and an adult are invited for stories, songs, fingerplays, and fun! Each session is followed by playtime just for babies.
Apples, cinnamon and maple syrup! What do they have in common? They all come from trees! In this storytime, discover how people, animals, and insects depend on trees for food and shelter. Perfect for children ages 2-6 and their caregiver.
Babies and toddlers are exposed to sensory play, songs, and the beginnings of social play in this program with an expert from Gymboree! This program is open to babies and toddlers 6 months - 36 months.
Stop in for some stories, music, and fun! Children ages 0-5 and their caregivers are invited to join Kid Central for a storytime! Afterward, all are welcome to stay for some open playtime.
Enjoy hands-on STEM activities and a delicious pizza lunch in a fun, high-energy environment! (Purchase Tickets Here: $14.00 ONLINE ) ($15.00 at the door) $3.00 spectator fee: Non Skating Adults […]
Play with clay! Join Jeremy South of Ripple Mobile Arts to explore art inspired by picture books. Children ages 3-6 will create their own masterpiece using clay and other materials. Dress to mess!
Indianapolis is the racing capital, home to the Indianapolis 500 and the Speedway museum, and to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, the largest in the world. The Indianapolis Zoo, White River State Park and the Canal Walk are downtown, and Conner Prairie's living history park is north of the city. Indianapolis Public Library's Central Library is on the Monument Circle axis.
Holiday events for kids in Indianapolis, 2026: tree lightings, light displays, Santa visits and gingerbread workshops, day by day.
123 children’s events are on in Indianapolis in the next seven days, read every night from the calendars of Indianapolis Public Library (27 branches, 597 upcoming programmes), plus Indianapolis Zoo & Aquarium, Indianapolis Zoo, Indianapolis, Skateland and White River State Park. Library programmes are free. Museum and zoo events say “admission may apply”; check the venue for prices.
The same calendars serve Beech Grove, Lawrence and Speedway, so searching any of those names finds the same events.
29 places to collect. Tap “I'm here” when you're at one and the stamp goes in your book; collect 5 and print the certificate.
Stamps live on your phone. Open your passport to see them all, print the certificate, or save them to your email.
Yes and no. Every event, time, address and link is open to anyone. An account only lets you save outings you plan to go to.
Each library and venue calendar is re-read every night, so a cancelled storytime disappears within a day. Times are shown in Indianapolis’s own time zone.
Babies and toddlers, preschoolers, early grades, tweens and teens. Pick an age range above to narrow the list; leave them all off to see everything.
More in Indiana: Anderson, Bloomington, Carmel, Columbus, Elkhart, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Muncie, South Bend, Terre Haute.