I love Children’s Museums. They are so much fun and I remember loving them when I was a kid, so we decided to visit the Indianapolis Children’s Museum—and this is the World’s Largest Children’s Museum. The outside of this place was super cool. There were so many huge statues out front and we loved all the Dinos coming out of the building and the ones peeking in. They have a huge parking garage to park in that is free and you get to walk over. We got there a little after 10am and stayed till closing time at 5pm and still didn’t get to do everything. This place has 5 floors to explore, a carousel, a Ferris wheel, and a huge 7.5 acres Sports area!
Most Children’s Museums we visit are a lot of pretend play areas with some educational stuff sprinkled in, but this place had way more educational elements than we’ve ever experienced.
We learned about dinosaurs, trains, pop culture, children who made an impact on the world, fashion, space, and so much more! We didn’t stay at each section long because we knew our time would be coming to an end before we knew it. This is one of those places you can visit over and over again and find something new and exciting each time you go.
The kids loved the new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Exhibit and playing with all their games. It was super interactive and perfect for the younger ones! They had a fun little show you could attend and lots of places to see all the fun characters in an interactive way.
Some of the standout exhibits we visited included:
Dinosphere – This one was a huge hit. It’s an immersive dinosaur exhibit with real fossils, life like animatronics, and tons of hands-on activities. The space is designed to make you feel like you’re walking through a prehistoric world. The kids were completely fascinated by the life-sized T. rex and the fossil lab where they could watch paleontologists at work.
Beyond Spaceship Earth – This space-themed exhibit lets kids explore what life is like on the International Space Station. There’s a space capsule, astronaut suits to try on, and even a chance to “launch” into space. It was such a cool, educational experience.
The Power of Children – This exhibit focuses on the stories of young people who made a huge impact on the world, like Anne Frank and Ruby Bridges. It was so inspiring and a great way to spark meaningful conversations with the kids.
Carousel Wishes and Dreams – On the top floor, you’ll find a beautiful, fully restored carousel you can actually ride. It was such a sweet, magical moment. It was $2 per person and adults who were standing beside their kids or sitting were free. They also had a fun maze to go through, some old video games to play as well as a fun little interactive play area for the kids.
My kids loved the Playscape area where it is made for kids 5 and under. They had a fun climbing area called “The Pond” and a sand area and dig for some bone fossils. The also had a fun art area that the kids lucked upon getting into a fun art class and making a picture. They also had a fun wind tunnel and ball maze you can suck balls into tubes and it goes all around the room and pops back out.
American POP – A pop culture exhibit that had everything from vintage toys and comic books to fashion and music through the decades. This one was a nostalgic favorite for us adults too! I loved that they had a ton of toys from the 80s and 90s that I remembered
Outdoor Sports Experience – This outdoor area was incredible. It’s like a mini sports complex where kids can try out all kinds of sports—basketball, soccer, hockey, football, tennis or track—you name it. It’s super active and great for burning off energy. The kids played in the large Treehouse outside and that is also where the Ferris wheel is you could ride for an extra fee.
We had to eat lunch there and my goodness! Prices were outrageous! We just got a 4-piece chicken strip meal and an extra bottled drink to share and it was $25! They have a huge cafeteria with different options, but it was so expensive!
Your ticket is good for re-entry the same day, so next time we might pack a lunch or leave to eat somewhere nearby and come back.
All in all, it was such a fun and packed day. We definitely recommend this place for families, and honestly, it’s worth planning for a two-day visit if you really want to explore it all without rushing. There’s something for every age and interest, and it’s so much more than just a museum—it’s an adventure.
Let me know if have been here before and what was your favorite part?
XOXO
