Free Summer Activities for Indianapolis Teenage Kids

Getting your teen aged kids outside may not be an easy task but children in Indianapolis have a variety of summer activities to choose from. Don't let them tell you there is nothing to do or guilt trip you into giving them more cash, because many of these Indianapolis summer activities are free.

Parks are Great Free Summer Activities

Teenagers can be given a pep talk and shoved out the door on their way to one of the many free Indianapolis parks including the unique Holiday Park. Here they can hike, fish, and take advantage of the many public grills so they learn a useful skill like cooking during their free summer activities. You can always suggest they cook the fish they catch; a little mercury from White River never hurt a kid...that bad. This is also keeping with the get in shape theme, as fish are a lean source of protein.

Indianapolis State Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument

No Indianapolis teenager should omit a visit to the free Indiana State Soldiers and Sailors Monument on The Circle in downtown Indy. This is another one of those multi-faceted free summer activities. The educational value is off the charts with displays that commemorate those fallen in virtually every war up to and including World War I. The limestone monument has elaborate awe-inspiring carvings that even a teen ager has to appreciate. According to The German Americans of Indianapolis website the stairs leading to the glass balcony require a journey of 230ft. Remember to call ahead and let the staff know the elevator should be out of order for the giggling group of teenagers arriving soon. After all, these summer activities are for getting in shape and saving money.

Work for Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels announced that 2,000 summer jobs for those between the ages of 16 and 24 were being created with the Indiana DNR by virtue of federal economic stimulus money. Could there be more perfect summer activities for an Indianapolis teenager than a job? This is better than free, it is $8.50 an hour. It is also outdoor work that would surely help their fitness level, while teaching them the value of a dollar. You might want to remind their teenage brains to drink plenty of water as the heat index in Indianapolis gets mighty oppressive at times. There are family income restrictions on these positions so check out Indianapolis Eyewitness News for more details.

There you have it, a few summer actiities for Indianapolis parents to get their teenagers off their sofa, into shape and perhaps even a few dollars in their pockets. Good luck dragging them away from the video game!