Saving Family Fun

Free Weekend Events – Jan 4-6

by savingfamilyfun

Mayor Ballard’s Polar Bear Pedall II

Ongoing Events

Holiday Night Lights

The Indy Star compiled a list an map of homes with outstanding light displays.

Circle of Lights @ Monument Circle

Take in the holiday display downtown until January 12, 2013

Christmas at Lilly House @ IMA

Christmas at Lilly House uses the American country house setting to explore the decorative ideas of the 1930s and 1940s. Until January 6, 2013

Friday, Jan 4

Saturday, Jan 5

Polar Bear Pedal II @ Indy Bike Hub

This will be the second year Mayor Ballard will lead the winter season bicycle ride and we want to make it even bigger. This year the ride will start at the Indy Bike Hub located in the east wing of the City Market and will highlight bike lanes and facilities Downtown and on the Southside.

Registration/Check-In 9 a.m. Ride Starts 10 a.m.

All Ages

Free

Barks to Books @ Pike Library

Beginning or struggling young readers are invited to read to a patient and non-judgmental therapy dog for a 15-minute session. It’s a great way to improve a child’s confidence and competence.

10:15 am – 12:00 pm

Ages 6-11

Free

Kids Workshop @ Home Depot

Free Kids Workshops to Learn, Create & Craft at The Home Depot. All kids get to keep their craft and receive a FREE Kids Workshop Apron, commemorative pin and certificate of achievement.

9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Ages 5-12

Free

Science Odyssey Activities: The Human Body Puzzle @ Central Library

Join Activity Guides in the Learning Curve for a variety of brain-building activities using laptops, webcams, drawing tablets, books and more.

11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

All Ages

Free

Preschool Yoga Classes @ Eagle Library

Children ages 6 and under are invited to have fun exercising and learning yoga poses from a certified instructor from the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis.

1 p.m.

Ages 6 and under

Free- Must register

Sunday, Jan 6

Science Odyssey Activities: The Human Body Puzzle @Central Library

Join Activity Guides in the Learning Curve for a variety of brain-building activities using laptops, webcams, drawing tablets, books and more.

1 p.m. & 4 p.m.

All Ages

Free

Free Indy Events – Winter Break Edition

by savingfamilyfun

Christmas lights (1) (Photo credit: Wikipedia

Winter Break doesn’t have to be spent at home….try these FREE events for kids.

Ongoing Events

Holiday Night Lights

The Indy Star compiled a list an map of homes with outstanding light displays.

Circle of Lights @ Monument Circle

Take in the holiday display downtown

Christmas at Lilly House @ IMA

Christmas at Lilly House uses the American country house setting to explore the decorative ideas of the 1930s and 1940s

Monday, Dec 24

Museum Special Days @ Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Enjoy free admission on Christmas Eve.

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

All Ages

Free

Tuesday, Dec 25

Christmas Day @ Home

Enjoy

Probably wasn’t free

Wednesday, Dec 26

Winterfest @ Indiana Historical Society

Enjoy family-friendly crafts and activities, face painting and special performances each day from jugglers, magicians, dancers and musicians.

All Ages

Free

Thursday, Dec 27

Winterfest @ Indiana Historical Society

Enjoy family-friendly crafts and activities, face painting and special performances each day from jugglers, magicians, dancers and musicians.

All Ages

Free

Friday, Dec 28

Winterfest @ Indiana Historical Society

Enjoy family-friendly crafts and activities, face painting and special performances each day from jugglers, magicians, dancers and musicians.

All Ages

Free

A Beginner’s Guide to Zombie Apocalypse Survival: Create A Zombie Caricature @ Eagle Library

Teens ages 13 – 17 are invited as artists from Art With a Heart guide them through the steps of identifying and drawing the unique features of the walking dead.

3 p.m.

Ages 13-17

Free

Saturday, Dec 29

Winterfest @ Indiana Historical Society

Enjoy family-friendly crafts and activities, face painting and special performances each day from jugglers, magicians, dancers and musicians.

All Ages

Free

Science Odyssey Activities: The Human Body Puzzle @ Central Library

Join Activity Guides in the Learning Curve for a variety of brain-building activities using laptops, webcams, drawing tablets, books and more.

11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

All Ages

Free

Sunday, Dec 30

Science Odyssey Activities: The Human Body Puzzle @ Central Library

Join Activity Guides in the Learning Curve for a variety of brain-building activities using laptops, webcams, drawing tablets, books and more.

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

All Ages

Free

Monday, Dec 31

Free Weekend Events in Indy, Dec 7-9

by savingfamilyfun

A very busy weekend of Free events for kids in Indianapolis. Great holiday traditions could get started with so many holiday activities. Don’t forget the Free Holiday Activities in Indy through the month of December.

Friday, Dec 7

City Sidewalks with Free Ice Skating @ Georgia Street

FREE outdoor ice skating, local artisans, holiday performances, a live nativity scene, fresh-cut Christmas trees and Santa all come to Georgia Street!

2 p.m. – 8 p.m

All Ages

Free

Saturday, Dec 8

City Sidewalks with Free Ice Skating @ Georgia Street

FREE outdoor ice skating, local artisans, holiday performances, a live nativity scene, fresh-cut Christmas trees and Santa all come to Georgia Street!

noon – 8 p.m

All Ages

Free

Christmas @ Garfield Park

Oh what fun it is to visit the Conservatory to meet Santa and see Conservatory Crossing, the holiday train and poinsettia show. Jingle all the way to the Arts Center to make toys with Santa’s elves. You can also dash through the snow to the Burrello Family Center where Mrs. Claus will have some tasty treats. All activities are free.

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

All Ages

Free

Rowdie Claus Holiday Party @ Victory Field

Rowdie will have art projects and crafts for kids from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m inside Victory Field suite level. Enjoy festive food and drinks and get a free photo with Rowdie Claus.

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

School Age Children

Free

Santa Comes to Fountain Square @Fountain Square Library

Families are invited to PNC Bank in historic Fountain Square for carriage rides, photos with Santa, and a craft program at the Fountain Square Branch.

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Families

Free

Build a Gingerbread House @ Lowe’s Hardware Stores

The holidays are right around the corner! Bring your child to Lowe’s and they can build a cool Gingerbread House!

10 a.m.

School Age

Free – with registration

Central Library’s 5th Anniversary Celebration! @ Central Library

The entire community is invited to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the beautifully transformed Central Library with a variety of free activities for all ages.

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

All Ages

Free

Bleed Blue Blood Drive @ Lucas Oil Stadium

the 2012 blood drive will include a free health fair and other family-friendly activities to create an informative and fun experience for all who attend. There will be opportunities to tour the field, chances to win prizes, and appearances by Colts Cheerleaders and Blue, the official mascot of the Colts. A blood donation appointment is not required to enjoy the other event activities.

8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

All Ages

Free entrance and Free Parking available

Sunday, Dec 9

City Sidewalks with Free Ice Skating @ Georgia Street

FREE outdoor ice skating, local artisans, holiday performances, a live nativity scene, fresh-cut Christmas trees and Santa all come to Georgia Street!

noon – 8 p.m

All Ages

Free

Central Library’s 5th Anniversary Celebration! @ Central Library

The entire community is invited to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the beautifully transformed Central Library with a variety of free activities for all ages.

12 noon-5 p.m.

All Ages

Free

Free Weekend Events, November 30 – Dec 2

by savingfamilyfun

A lot of hands on activities this weekend, remember they are all free. If you are looking for more festive activities, check out the list of Free Holiday Activities in Indy.

Friday, Nov 30:

Not much going on today….

Saturday, Dec 1:

Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic @ Lowe’s stores

Bring your kids into Lowe’s to build Sandman’s Plane from DreamWorks Animation’s new movie Rise of the Guardians!

10 a.m.

School Age Children

Free (must register)

Lilly Scientist in Residence Series: Discover the Amazing Human Body@ Central Library

Children of all ages, teens and families are invited to learn how our muscles and bones work together in perfect harmony to enable us to do amazing things.

2 – 3:30 p.m.

All Ages

Free

Science Odyssey Activities: The Human Body Puzzle @ Central Library

Children of all ages, teens and families are invited to join Activity Guides in the Learning Curve for a variety of brain-building activities using laptops, webcams, drawing tablets, books and more.

11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

All Ages

Free

Sunday, Dec 2:

Science Odyssey Activities: The Human Body Puzzle @ Central Library

Children of all ages, teens and families are invited to join Activity Guides in the Learning Curve for a variety of brain-building activities using laptops, webcams, drawing tablets, books and more.

1-4 p.m.

All Ages

Free

Journey Through Eastern Europe: Romanian Folk Masks @ Nora Library

Children ages 5 and up and families are invited to explore Romanian folk tales and sculpt their own mini mask puppet using a variety of materials during this two-hour program.

2 p.m.

5 and up

Free

Free Weekend Events, November 23-25

by savingfamilyfun

Thanksgiving weekend is full of family time. If you are looking to get out with the kids try these free events. If you are looking for ways to celebrate the season, don’t forget to check out all of the Free Holiday Activities in In dy.

Friday, Nov 23:

Circle of Lights @ Monument Circle

Entertainment beginning at 6 p.m. | Televised show 7 – 8 p.m. | Light-up 7:45

All Ages

Free

Saturday, Nov 24:

Santa’s Arrival 2012 @ Indianapolis International Airport

Santa is making a special stop at the Indianapolis International Airport.

11 a-2 p

All Ages

Free

IMA Community Day: A Feast for the Eyes@ Indianapolis Museum of Art

Enjoy activities and tours highlighting works of art depicting food, objects created for serving food, making art that looks like food, and hearing a taste of spicy music.

11 a- 4p

School Age

Free

Science Odyssey Activities: The Human Body Puzzle @ Central Library

Children of all ages, teens and families are invited to join Activity Guides in the Learning Curve for a variety of brain-building activities using laptops, webcams, drawing tablets, books and more.

11 a- 4 p

All Ages

Free

Sunday, Nov 25:

Science Odyssey Activities: The Human Body Puzzle @ Central Library

Children of all ages, teens and families are invited to join Activity Guides in the Learning Curve for a variety of brain-building activities using laptops, webcams, drawing tablets, books and more.

1 p- 4 p

All Ages

Free

Free Holiday Activities in Indy

by savingfamilyfun

All of the following Christmas and Holiday events are Free. These could make a great start to holiday traditions. Are there any family traditions you enjoy this time of year?

IMA Winter Solstice

~~Circle of Lights @ Monument Circle~~

Nov. 23

More than 100,000 spectators are expected for the FREE Circle of Lights® presented by the Contractors of Quality Connection and Electrical Workers of IBEW 481 ceremonial lighting and holiday kickoff on that Friday. Live entertainment, chosen from statewide auditions and national acts, begins at 6 p.m. with the televised show running from 7 – 8 p.m. The actual Monument light-up will occur at approximately 7:45 p.m

~~Santa’s Arrival 2012 @ Indianapolis International Airport~~

Nov. 24

Did you know Santa practices his route every year to make sure his reindeer are ready for the main event? It’s true. And as part of his travels around the world, he’s making a special stop at the Indianapolis International Airport on November 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

~~Target Free Family Night @ the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis~~

Dec. 6

Sponsored generously by Target, the first Thursday of each month The Children’s Museum opens free of charge from 4 to 8 p.m. Learn about winter traditions from all over the world, the people who celebrate them, and the toys that help to make them special. Take a ride on the Yule Slide and visit Jolly Days.

~~City Sidewalks on Georgia Street @ Downtown~~

Dec. 7-9

FREE outdoor ice skating, local artisans, holiday performances, a live nativity scene, fresh-cut Christmas trees and Santa all come to Georgia Street!

~~Christmas @ Garfield Park~~

Dec. 8

~~Rowdie Claus Holiday Party @ Victory Field~~

Dec. 8

Rowdie will have art projects and crafts for kids from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m inside
Victory Field suite level. Enjoy festive food and drinks and get a free photo with Rowdie Claus.

~~Santa Comes to Fountain Square @Fountain Square Library~~

Dec 8.

Families are invited to PNC Bank in historic Fountain Square for carriage rides, photos with Santa, and a craft program at the Fountain Square Branch.

~~Holiday Classical Concerts @ IMCPL~~

Dec. 8, 9, 12,15

Individuals of all ages are invited to enjoy their favorite holiday classics and carols performed by a chamber ensemble of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.

~~Receive a letter from Santa @ Monument Circle~~

Nov 14 – Dec 13

Little boys and girls send a letter through Santa’s Mailbox on the Circle! Each year, this holiday mailbox is placed for children of all ages to drop off their letters addressed to Santa. From the North Pole, Santa himself will personally answer each letter with a return address… faster than Rudolph the reindeer can fly! Note – it’s very important that each letter has a return address so Santa can send his reply. (A self-addressed, stamped envelope is also appreciated.)

Winter Solstice @ IMA

Dec. 20

Celebrate the season with IMA’s annual Winter Solstice celebration. Step outside for an ice carving demonstration, art-making, and music. Warm up in the Lilly House with historic holiday decorations music, then finish up your shopping at the Greenhouse and Museum. Cozy up to the bonfire with hot chocolate and holiday treats available for purchase from Nourish Café. Free parking.

Museum Special Days @ Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Dec 24

Enjoy free admission and holiday activities on this special day at the museum.

Winterfest 2012 @ Indiana Historical Society

Dec 26-29

Enjoy family-friendly crafts and activities, face painting and special performances each day from jugglers, magicians, dancers and musicians.

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Week Ahead November 19-22

by savingfamilyfun

Even with the Thanksgiving Holiday, there are several FREE children’s events this week…

Don’t forget to check your local library for story times.

Mon., Nov 19:

Paws to Read @ Eagle Library: 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm, Ages 6-11

A Beginner’s Guide to Zombie Apocalypse Survival: Zombie Stage Makeup @ Garfield Park Library: 6:00 pm, Ages 12-17 (must register)

Tues., Nov 20:

A Beginner’s Guide to Zombie Apocalypse Survival: Apocalypse Food Preparation @ College Ave Library: 6 pm, Ages 13-17 (must register)

Wed., Nov 21:

Preschool Art Workshop presented by Art With a Heart @ Brightwood Library: 11 am, Ages 3-6 (must register)

Thurs., Nov 22:

Free Weekend Events, November 9-11

by savingfamilyfun

This weekend brings a large festival with opportunities for everyone.

Friday, Nov 9:

Couldn’t find anything, but Saturday and Sunday are full.

Saturday, Nov 10:

Just Say Play, Spirit & Place Festival @ Ruth Lilly Health Education Center

Bring the whole family for a whirlwind of physical fun! Test your hula-hooping skills and dribble basketballs around cones. Learn balance and strength exercises.

9 a.m.- 12p.m.

All Ages

Free

“Live the Game!” Spirit & Place Festival@ Garfield Park

Imagine that YOU are the game piece in life-sized board games!

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

All Ages

Free

Horse Play!, Spirit & Place Festival @ United Methodist Church

Kids can wrangle their reading skills as they embark on horse adventures to improve literacy.

1p.m.-4p.m.

All Ages

Free

Hold It! Family Activity @ Indianapolis Museum of Art

Discover carts filled with objects everyone can hold and see up close.

1p.m.-3p.m.

All Ages

Free

Science Odyssey Activities: The Human Body Puzzle @ Central Library

Children of all ages, teens and families are invited to join Activity Guides in the Learning Curve for a variety of brain-building activities using laptops, webcams, drawing tablets, books and more.

11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

All Ages

Free

Sunday, Nov 11:

The Great Pumpkin Fling Thing, Spirit & Place Festival @ Garfield Park Arts Center

Watch as pumpkins are flung across the sky by catapults created by Ivy Tech students. Children of all ages can make their own miniature catapults and trebuchets and decorate their own pumpkins to join the pumpkin flinging fun.

11a.m.-2p.m.

All Ages

Free

Rumpelstiltskin: Ultimate Bully @ Central Library

Families and children of all ages are invited for a performance of “Rumpelstiltskin: Ultimate Bully” by the resident company of the Indianapolis Opera.

3pm.m

All Ages

Free

Art in the Park @ Indianapolis Museum of Art

Free Weekend Events, July 13-15

by savingfamilyfun

This weekend’s free events includes the arts, exercise and a bike ride. What do you plan to do? Don’t forget to check the Indianapolis-Marion County Library, they have many story times and workshops that are not listed below….

Old New Bike (Photo credit: joeldinda)

Friday, July 13:

Summer Lunch Bunch @ Brightwood Library

Children ages 18 and younger are invited to enjoy a free and nutritious lunch along with a story time.

12:30-1:30p

Ages 18 and yonger

Free

Automaton Creation Workshop @College Ave. Library

Create an automaton figure with moving parts, such as arms and legs, and decorate it in the style of author and illustrator Brian Selznick.

Ages 6-12

Free – must register

Saturday, July 14:

Little Red Door’s Big Red Bash @ Military Park

The event will feature health screenings, family fun zone with bounce houses and other activities for kids of all ages, food truck rally, healthy food samples, zip line and so much more.

10a-2p

All Ages

Free

Saturday at the Park @ 100 Acres

Get a little exercise while making up games with new friends at Free Basket.

All Ages

Free

Indy Criterium Festival @ Downtown Indy

Bring your kids out to have fun and learn about bike safety at the Indy Criterium Kids Zone.

12-2

All Ages

Free

Hold It! Family Activity @ Indianapolis Museum of Art

Hold it! is a hands-on experience for visitors of all ages.

1p-3p

All Ages

Free

Star(lite) Art Cart: Facilitated Art Making @ Indianapolis Museum of Art

Become a young inventor! Design and sketch a gadget for the future.

Noon-4pm

All Ages

Free

Sunday, July 15:

Experiment with an old, yet fun photo process using the sun as a tool for cool blue prints.

Noon-4pm

All Ages

Free

Science of Silica Workshop @ Nora Library

Explore the science of glass blowing using everyday kitchen objects with artist Abby Gitlitz.

Ages 6-15

Free – must register