A kid’s perfect day in Indianapolis

Let the kids plan a day of fun-filled activities.

Adults and kids interacting with a chimpanzee through a glass

The chimpanzees at the Indianapolis Zoo are very social and like interacting with humans.

Photo by Cody Mattox/Indianapolis Zoo

Table of Contents

Sorry, but — NO ADULTS ALLOWED — this one is for the kids. Grown-up, please hand this over to your little one. Got it, kiddo? Let’s plan a family day together. Here’s a fun schedule for you to try.

Morning

Be a chef and cook breakfast for the adults at home. The night before, ask your family to choose from one of these recipes. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if any of the instructions seem confusing.

While you eat, talk about your plan for the day. Ask your family to help you prepare a backpack with things you’ll need. We suggest bringing:

🍫 Plenty of snacks like granola bars or some popcorn from Just Pop In
💧 A water bottle
🧢 A hat

If you have time before heading to lunch, check out the Indianapolis Colts Canal Playspace on the Canal downtown.

Afternoon

For lunch, head to Clancy’s Hamburgers at The Garage Food Hall and try the yummy mini burgers. After you’ve filled your belly, spend the afternoon exploring the Indianapolis Zoo. We love feeding the giraffes, watching the dolphin show, and interacting with the chimpanzees.

Evening

Wrap up the day with a family dinner. Head to one of our local farmers’ markets to pick out foods you can make together. Over dinner, talk about everything you did today. Ask questions like:

🧠 What was something new you learned?
🤡 What was something funny that happened?
👀 What would we do differently if we did that again?
👍 What do you definitely want to do again? (And again and again…)

Grown-ups — take pictures along the way and share them with us. Also, send us more family friendly recommendations and we may just feature them in an upcoming newsletter.

More from INDYtoday
Like your Diet Coke jazzed up with creamers, syrups, and fruit purees? Here’s where you can find trendy dirty sodas around Indianapolis (without waiting in the line at Swig.)
Keep local love growing this spring with native plants that will support pollinators, save water, and make your yard or garden look beautiful.
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting women in Indianapolis making history through their work happening right now.
Chase the rainbow at these St. Patrick’s Day events around the Circle City.
Did you know Indianapolis used to have its own gossip newspaper, ala Lady Whistledown from “Bridgerton?” Here’s a brief history of “The Locomotive.”
Dining in Indy is always a fresh experience with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
We stumbled upon records of a long-lost bookstore and publishing company with the name of W.K. Stewart that was owned by a relative of Kurt Vonnegut. Here’s everything we know — and what we’re still trying to find out.
Enjoy dinner and a show when you visit one of these local hibachi restaurants.
Help conserve water and lower the cost of your bills by building an eco-friendly rainwater collection system in your backyard.