18 Tips for Visiting the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

So you’ve figured out that the Children’s Museum is one of the best things to do in Indianapolis, now what? Since it is the world’s largest children’s museum and has multiple floors with tons of activities, your best bet is to BE PREPARED.

Here are expert tips for your visit.

Here are some expert tips for visiting the Children's Museum of Indianapolis! It is a must-do when visiting Indianapolis so why not be prepared?

Know Before You Go: Everything You Need to Know to Enjoy your Trip to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

1. Arrive early to get a good parking spot. You’ll need to start early anyway; it is a big museum.

2. Purchase your tickets online to skip waiting once you arrive. Added bonus: you will get the advance discounted rate.

3. Parking is free in the attached garage. Park on the 2nd or 3rd floor close to the walkway, if you can, to save a few steps at the beginning of the day.

4. Wear sneakers/gym shoes. Do not wear flip-flops or open-toed shoes. Everything is interactive and there’s a lot of walking and standing on your feet so be ready.

5. Have a plan in case of a missing person in the group. Pick a meeting place so no one gets lost. It is a big and busy place so it’s always good to have a rendezvous point.

6. Bring snacks and a refillable water bottle to refill at the water fountain stations.

7. Check hours for the season you are visiting. The Sports Legends Experience is open after the museum closes so do that last. Outdoor experiences are weather dependent and it is closed during the winter season from early November to mid-March.

8. Stay organized and plan ahead. Take a look at the exhibits beforehand to figure out which areas are a priority since you might not get to experience them all.

9. Look at the schedule for daily shows and programs. The day we visited there were 37 timed events for the day! Most of them are included with your ticket. You can check the Full Calendar online beforehand to pick out a few things you’d like to incorporate on your visit.

10. See the FREE live performance. We missed this one because I didn’t do my research. Make sure to get your tickets ahead of time (they are free but required) from the Lower Level ticket booth. It’s a great way to get off your feet for a bit while still experiencing something new. The tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis.

11. Free WiFi is available throughout the museum. Don’t forget to use a Private Virtual Network for security any time you are on public WiFi. A VPN encrypts your data and anonymizes your location.  This is useful when on open WiFi networks where other users could easily spy on your web connection. With a VPN, your connection is completely safe and anonymous.

12. Rememeber there is an End-of-Day Parade with Rex starting on Level 4 at 4:45 PM.

13. Bring a hat, sunscreen and/or rain jacket for outside fun.

14. If you are looking to save money and don’t mind a few extra steps, either bring a lunch or head outside for a meal.

15. Parents, bring a caffeinated drink for after lunch. I was really wishing I had a pick-me-up for the afternoon.

16. There are so many great photo opportunities, don’t forget to share your photos with #atTCM.

17. Free Days: Free Admission – MLK Day (January), President’s Day (February), El Dia de los Ninos (April), Christmas Eve and Day (December).

18. Discounts: Military – 10% off the Plan Ahead Pricing. Must purchase at the museum. $5 Thursday Nights – First Thursday every month from 4 PM-8 PM. The museum highly recommends buying your tickets in advance online as these days may be a little crowded.

And remember make memories and have fun!

Looking for other Family Travel Ideas in the Midwest?

Take the kids on a night to remember  where knights defend their honor and maidens swoon, tour a Jelly Belly factory before eating chicken and waffles, or eat at a restaurant situated right on an airstrip where you can see planes taking off and landing.

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Have you ever visited? What are your tips for visiting the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis?

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A top thing to do while in Indianapolis, the Children's Museum is the largest in the WORLD! Here are expert tips for visiting the museum.

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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.

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