Free 2009 Summer Activities for Kids in Indianapolis

Looking for free summer activities for kids in Indianapolis need not be difficult. From fun family outings to summer-long undertakings, Indianapolis area kids have plenty of free or nearly free local summer activities that can mean the difference between spending summer vacation bored or getting out and enjoying a taste of Indy. Most of these free summer activities for kids in Indianapolis are also educational.

Kids can bowl free. Free bowling is offered through Kidsbowlfree.com. Kids can bowl two games per day all summer long at Woodland Bowl, Western Bowl, Southern Bowl, Jubilee Bowl, and Expo Bowl. Family passes are also available for a moderate fee. You can get more information at kidsbowlfree.com. You must sign up for this bowling program to enjoy this free summer activity. Bowling is one of the best summer activities for children because the kids can stay active but remain in the safety of an air conditioned building.

The art museum is still free! This summer, the IMA offers extensive exhibits for your family to enjoy. Consider an afternoon enjoying the Indianapolis Museum of Art with your children. The doors are open to the public 11am - 5pm. Stop by on a Saturday or Sunday at 1:00pm, and you can enjoy a tour of the beautiful gardens. In addition, you and your family can visit the Lilly House. Enjoying fine art together is an incredible opportunity to open a new world of imagination and great conversation. Though not considered one of the most well-known activities for kids in Indianapolis, interactive and video-based exhibits keep kids interested and entertained.

Indianapolis City Market is a great place for kids to learn about the Indianapolis cultural district. This free summer activity for kids in Indianapolis boasts incredible sights and smells! An afternoon at City Market is quite memorable; I went there as a child and still remember the experience.

Tour the Indianapolis History District! Families can get in touch with world military history at the War Memorial Museum, Soldiers and Sailors Monument, University Park, and USS Indianapolis Memorial. The museums included in the Indianapolis History District have many interesting military-themed displays and exhibits using actual combat gear. This is one of the best educational activities for kids because it allows kids to see close-up the various military items that were used in the wars as well as learn more about the Hoosiers who fought and sometimes died in the line of battle.

Visit the Indianapolis Children's museum. On the first Thursday of the month from 4-8pm, the Children's museum is open to families at no charge. This provides families with an opportunity to visit without paying a high entrance fee. Currently, the Children's Museum has several exhibits including a planetarium, a glass art display, an extensive collection of model trains, a science area, preschool playscape, and even a carousel. The carousel is reasonably priced, but not included with free admission. There are plenty of free summer activities for kids in Indianapolis at the Children's Museum.

The Marion County public library is offering several programs free for area kids throughout the summer. This year, the programs include both African culture and crafts as well as a Summer Showtime Films series, libraries across Indy are offering several fun free summer activities for kids that are both educational and enlightening.

Several Indy churches are offering free children's programs again this summer. Vacation Bible school is a free summer activities for kids "favorite" for many families who seek a greater understanding of Christian ideals. Most do not charge for the program.

Indy parks is offering a four-week Brazilian arts academy for the summer of 2009 as well as several other free summer activities for kids in Indianapolis, but if you can't make it for a particular time, consider just checking out what Indianapolis parks offers year round. Indianapolis is home to some great properties with wonderful summer opportunities for children looking for something fun to do this summer.

The Summer Movie Programs offered by area movie theatres are always a hit. Typically both Kerasotes and AMC offer some sort of a free movie camp for kids. Usually the movies offered for free viewing are movies from a few seasons back but they are always family titles that are great summer activities for kids, especially on hot summer days.

If you've never wandered south of Indianapolis to visit Brown County, Indiana, this may be your year to venture there with your family. Typically a popular Autumn destination, Brown County and its quaint gem of a town, Nashville offers families a wonderful place to visit that doesn't have to cost anything. If you love browsing unique shops and looking at lovely historical buildings. Nashville even has its own puppet show as well as other activities for kids to enjoy, both free and for a minimal cost.

The Indiana DNR offers many properties where you and your children can hike, bike, camp, or fish, all great free summer activities for kids in Indianapolis. Though fishing requires the purchase of a license for adults, kids can fish free. There are many properties that require no entrance fee and a few that only charge for the carload. Eagle Creek reservoir is one of the local Indy sites, but there are many others in the greater Indianapolis area.

For a minimal annual fee, your child can become part of the Indianapolis Boys & Girls Clubs. The center offers great opportunities for all children in the Indy area. Be sure to check out the Boys and Girls Clubs of Indianapolis website to find out which free summer activities for kids in Indianapolis are available for your child's age group.

Keeping Indianapolis area children busy during the summer will make school breaks even more memorable. There are more summer activities for kids in Indianapolis than you might think; most are perfect for the whole family. Have a safe and happy summer!