6 Reasons to Visit the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Being a Midwesterner all our lives, it was shocking that we never heard about the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis until this year. Only a three-hour drive from Chicago, we added it to our list of fun things to do this summer.

Typically, we plan a few adventures a year with our nephews to places like Branson and Springfield so this sounded like the perfect excuse to take a road trip to Indiana! Not only did we spend an entire day at the museum, but the kids were also asking to go back the next day.

Here are 6 reasons you need to add the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis to your bucket list.

1. It is the Biggest Children’s Museum in the WORLD.

Did you know the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the largest in the world? Here are the top 5 reasons you need to add the museum to your bucket list.
“Look at that!” They yelled out loud when we pulled up to the museum.

I was under the impression that the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis was the largest children’s museum in North America, but after doing more research I quickly realized it has the designation of the largest in the world. As we were driving in and spotted the most over-the-top entrances we’ve ever seen, I said to my husband, “I still can’t believe we never heard of this place until this year!”

The massive building is 472,900 square feet and sits on 29 acres with five floors of entertainment. It is not only the biggest but in my opinion, one of the top children’s museums to visit.

And we aren’t alone in that thought: 15 Best Children’s Museums in America.

Did you know the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the largest in the world? Here are the top 5 reasons you need to add the museum to your bucket list.
What it’s like in space!
 

With over 120,000 artifacts and tons of interactive exhibits throughout, the museum does a fantastic job entertaining all day long. When is the last time you can say you took the family to a museum for almost eight hours and everyone was begging to stay longer?

Make sure to plan beforehand to get the most out of your experience, read our 18 Tips for Visiting the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis next!

2. It has Something for Everyone.

Did you know the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the largest in the world? Here are the top 5 reasons you need to add the museum to your bucket list.
Check out these cars!

Typically when you see “childrens” museum, it is for a younger audience, but not the one in Indianapolis! This museum has something for everyone.

We visited with two boys, ages nine and eleven, and they enjoyed every single exhibit. To be honest so did we as adults.

Whether it’s touching a real Tyrannosaurus rex femur, learning about what it is like to be an astronaut, or uncovering some of the biggest mysteries on earth, the museum has a knack for keeping everyone’s attention.

Did you know the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the largest in the world? Here are the top 5 reasons you need to add the museum to your bucket list.
It’s real?! Touching a real T-rex femur bone at the Children’s Museum.

Looking for other things to do in the city?
Read about our favorite Things to Do in Indy with Kids here!

3. To be Inspired.

Did you know the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the largest in the world? Here are the top 5 reasons you need to add the museum to your bucket list.
Always fun to visit another country!

At the working lab, we talk to an actual paleontologist who had quite the discussion with the kids. He has their undivided attention about the new Jurassic Park movie and what he would consider realistic and what was completely exaggerated.

As we walk away, my oldest nephew asks if digging for fossils is a job he could do.

Then we head over to The Take Me There: China exhibit. After we learn how to say “hello” in Chinese – it is “Ni hao, pronounced “nee haow” in case you were wondering – both nephews announce they want to fly to China and see what it is like.

Museums are a fantastic way to learn and find inspiration without even realizing it is happening.

Did you know the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the largest in the world? Here are the top reasons you need to add the museum to your bucket list.
Pretending to be astronauts!

4. To get Active at the Sports Legend Experience.

Did you know the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the largest in the world? Here are the top 5 reasons you need to add the museum to your bucket list.
The Sports Legend Experience

The $38.5 million dollar permanent addition is jam-packed with things to do! We spent hours running, jumping, putting, pedaling, and shooting while outside exploring the twelve areas.

There is a miniature size baseball field, a street hockey rink, a football field, basketball courts, a soccer field, and pedal car race tracks; a basketball museum with an interactive hoops experience; a huge treehouse; miniature golf courses played with tennis balls and concession stands.

Did you know the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the largest in the world? Here are the top 5 reasons you need to add the museum to your bucket list.
Practice makes perfect!

5. They not only have Interesting Permanent Exhibits but Rotating Ones too.

Did you know the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the largest in the world? Here are the top 5 reasons you need to add the museum to your bucket list.
Who can build the fastest car?

When I saw that two of the temporary exhibits this summer are Hot Wheels and DC Super Heroes, I knew these would be favorites with the boys. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Hot Wheels set up racing zones with speed challenges and race tracks. The kids would have spent half the day in there if we weren’t pushing them to move on.

Did you know the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the largest in the world? Here are the top reasons you need to add the museum to your bucket list.
Who is going to win?

One of their top experiences was the Build-A-Car Challenge in the Racing Test Center.

We spent roughly 30 minutes, building then racing then rebuilding to get our top speeds documented. Our oldest nephew looked over at me with a taller stance and a huge smirk on his face when it was announced he almost beat the all-time high speed documented so far at the exhibit.

6. There are Cool Historical Artifacts and Instagram-worthy Photo Ops.

Did you know the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the largest in the world? Here are the top reasons you need to add the museum to your bucket list.
Is that Bumblebee?

The first thing we see after crossing the skywalk is the 16-foot Transformer, Bumblebee, from the first movie. Then, we turn around and spot a Batmobile in the corner.

“I hope I brought an extra battery for the camera.” I think to myself. I have a funny feeling we are going to take a bunch of pictures today. Throughout our visit, we discover a 55-ton steam engine, a working 1927 historical carousel, Terra Cotta soldiers from Shaanxi province, the largest water clock in North America, and Dale Chihuly’s largest permanently installed glass sculpture, to name a few.

Continue below to find out about discounts and free days!

Did you know the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the largest in the world? Here are the top reasons you need to add the museum to your bucket list.
Fireworks of Glass, a 43-foot tower

 

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Discounts

The Childrens Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 North Meridian Street, (317) 334-4000

  • FREE ADMISSION: MLK Day (January), President’s Day (February), El Dia de los Ninos (April), Christmas Eve and Day (December).
  • MILITARY DISCOUNT: 10% off the Plan Ahead Pricing. Must purchase at the museum.
  • $5 FIRST THURSDAY NIGHTS: First Thursday every month from 4PM-8PM.

Looking for other fun things to do in the Midwest?

Have you ever been to the Childrens Museum in Indianapolis? What did you think about your visit?

*Full Disclosure: We received complimentary tickets to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis but this in no way shaped my opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own based on our experience.*

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If you are visiting the Midwest, make sure to put the Children's Museum of Indianapolis on your bucket list.

Did you know the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the largest in the world? Here are the top reasons you need to add the museum to your Midwest bucket list.

Follow Angela:

Angela E. is a travel writer from the Chicagoland area who has visited all 50 states in the US and has traveled extensively around the world. She is passionate about exploring the great outdoors and hiking in particular. Her love for nature has taken her to some of the most beautiful locations on the planet. She has written extensively about her travels on her own website, Dang Travelers, and has been published in collaboration with other travel websites and multiple visitor bureaus around the country.

19 Responses

  1. Crystal

    This place is STILL on my bucket list to take the kids! It looks amazing and now I want to just zip on over to Indiana to visit!

  2. Carol Colborn

    We passed by this Museum in 2011 and was fascinated by the exterior animals. Didn’t know it is the largest in the world. I will plan on a family reunion in Indianapolis for my grandkids to enjoy it!

  3. Laura G

    Children’s museums are the best. We love them so much! I had no idea Indianapolis had the biggest one in the world! If you are ever in Munich, Germany, go to the Deutsche Museum. They have the whole basement with children activities!

  4. Erica

    Wow, this looks like such a blast! I love museums that are directed towards children, it’s such a great strategy to get the little guys into history and science from a young age. Good to know about the free admission days as well!

  5. Jing

    My sister and her family lives in Indiana and I’m sure they haven’t been here yet. I will pass on this post to my sister. I am sure my niece and nephew (3 and 5 years old) will find something to enjoy here.

  6. Navita

    Learning about Children’s Museum of Indianapolis for the first time and its impressive that it is the largest in the world for this category. 29 acres and five floors of entertainment! Wow! Its huge. Would love to share about it with my friends in US. In fact quite a few are in Chicago itself and since its just 3 hours from there, would be a good get away. Since it has something for everyone, even adults would have a great time here!

  7. Dom

    I still have fond memories of visiting the big Science Museum when I was growing up in Atlanta. It’s great to see that cities are still investing in this – they have such an impact on the minds of the youngin’s. 😊 I’ve not been to Indianapolis before but if I swing through I’ll need to pop in and make a visit. I mean, it is the biggest in the world right?

  8. Yukti

    My boys would love this place as it has cars and so many interesting stuff. Never knew that the biggest children museum of the world exists in Indianapolis. I would love to pretend like astronauts, so cool.

  9. Joanne

    Holy cow! This place is amazing! My three kids would LOVE this museum. They love children’s museums and we’ve visited many but none this big. The sports fields are just amazing! To have a place for hockey, football and baseball in one place is awesome.

  10. Janiel

    I didn’t realize how big the museum was! I am really impressed by how many items they have within the museum. How amazing would it be to take your kid that is afraid of flying and get them use to sitting inside the plane – so it isn’t as traumatic as when they step onto the plane.

  11. Mel Butler

    What a cool museum, I would go here and I don’t even have kids. I love all the interactions that they have for children to learn. How insane that you can touch a real Tyrannosaurus rex femur and that kids can learn about what it is like to be an astronaut.

  12. Deborah

    We live an hour away and have a membership, so we’ve been to the CM a lot! Visit the concierge booth and ask for a printed daily schedule of timed activities, then choose two or three. It’s a big place and you won’t be able to see it all in one day. A membership is totally worth the investment. Also, get your tickets two weeks in advance to save money on daily admission.

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