Are you looking for fun ways to spend quality time with the newest addition to your family? The Circle City has a ton of great opportunities for you and your baby to explore together.
Whether you want an educational experience or an outdoor adventure for your little one, you’re sure to have fun with one of these activities to do with your baby in Indianapolis!
Discover Fun at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
You and your little one won’t want to miss out on a visit to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis—the largest children’s museum in the world! With a number of seasonal and year-round exhibits and events, there is always something to discover.
Be sure you take your baby to check out the Playscape, the museum’s permanent exhibit for kids five and under. There, they can explore an underwater pond habitat, create artwork, build with blocks, and play in Babyscape—a padded play space filled with toys for the museum’s youngest visitors.
Meet New Animal Friends at the Indianapolis Zoo
Little ones of all ages love the Indianapolis Zoo, and it’s the perfect place to introduce your baby to new sights and sounds. You’ll both love seeing fascinating exhibits up close and looking at the wide range of animals, from playful dolphins to majestic elephants.
The zoo also has plenty of amenities for parents and babies, including the Nursing Moms Nest and Mamava Lactation Suite—a private room for moms who are pumping and breastfeeding that includes comfortable seating, a fold-down table, and outlets. Stroller rentals and self-sanitizing diaper-changing tables also make a day out with your baby even easier.
Enjoy Learning & Play During Library Visits
Your little one won’t be reading books on his or her own for a while, but the library is a great place to introduce them to the fun of learning and reading!
The Indianapolis Public Library and Carmel Clay Public Library have many locations and a ton of great events and activities specifically for babies and toddlers. Choose from a variety of Storytimes filled with stories, songs, dancing, puppets, playing, and more! It’s the perfect opportunity to make their early library experiences fun and exciting.
Experience the Gardens at Garfield Park’s Conservatory
Take a break from the hustling city environment to explore nature at the Garfield Park Conservatory. You and your baby will love experiencing the calming sounds of nature and looking at the vibrant colors of the conservatory’s exotic plants and flowers.
The conservatory also offers free Garden Storytime events where your child can learn about nature through stories and exploration. Be sure to visit the various educational displays throughout the year to see what’s blooming!
Stroll the Keystone Fashion Mall
Spend some time with your little one as you shop at some of your favorite stores in the Keystone Fashion Mall.
With two play areas to keep a baby busy, family restrooms, and a Nursing Mother’s Lounge located on the first floor near the food court, this is a simple stress-free outing.
Dining options, ranging from family-friendly restaurants to the bustling food court, make it easy to refuel after shopping, playing, or just strolling through the mall. Be sure to keep a lookout for special family-friendly events as well, especially around the holidays.
Jam Out Together in a Music Class
There are many places in Indianapolis and the surrounding area for you and your baby to strike up a beat.
Early childhood music education classes, like Music Playhouse in Carmel, Indiana, are a great way to introduce little minds to the joy of music and support your baby’s holistic development.
Both you and your baby will love the music and movement activities that strengthen their motor skills and cognitive and social development.
Enjoy a Fun Pick-Me-Up with Baby-Friendly Coffee Shops
If you’re in need of a coffee or simply want to treat yourself and your little one, consider stopping into a baby-friendly coffee shop.
Rose and Lois Coffee Shop in Carmel, Indiana even has a play area for kids and offers non-coffee options for children. It’s the perfect place for both of you to sip on delicious drinks and get in some play time while hanging out in a welcoming and relaxing environment.
Get Active with Local Trails, Parks, and Pools
A list of things to do with your baby in Indianapolis wouldn’t be complete without the many local trails and parks.
Indy Parks and Recreation offers a whopping 216 parks, 130 playgrounds, and 53 miles of trails that you can enjoy with your baby. You can even find parks in the area that are specifically tailored for your little ones, like Simon Moon Park in Westfield, Indiana and Meadowlark Park and Flowing Well Park in Carmel, Indiana. Whether you decide to take a relaxing walk, attend an event, enjoy baby-friendly playground equipment, or have a nice picnic, you’re sure to have a great time.
And, don’t forget to cool off with local pools and splash pads. There are a number of locations around the city to take mommy-and-me swim lessons and enjoy a day of fun in the water.
Get Festive with Seasonal Events
There’s nothing much cuter than a baby experiencing the festivities of each holiday or season!
Throughout the year, you can stop by the Indiana State Fair, pick a pumpkin at a local pumpkin patch, gaze at the beautiful winter lights and decorations around the holidays, and so much more.
Festivals and other seasonal events are a fun way to spend quality time with your little one and a great way for them to enjoy new and exciting experiences.
Record Memories with Professional Photography Sessions
While you’re busy with all the fun and exploration, don’t forget to capture the precious moments with professional photo sessions!
Kaitlin Mendoza Photography specializes in newborn sessions and milestone photos to help you highlight your baby’s growing features in a beautiful and artistic way.
During a milestone session (3, 6, 9 month or one year), you’ll be incorporated in some of the photos, get a choice of doing them outdoors or in the studio, enjoy several outfit changes for your little one, and be able to use provided props, such as a Moses basket or an antique high chair that is perfect for those first birthday cake-smash photos.
Quality photography sessions are the perfect opportunity to commemorate important memories with stunning images that you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
You’ll never regret spending as much time as possible with your little one! So, whether you’re discovering new places, exploring nature, or capturing memories, these activities to do with your baby in Indianapolis are the perfect way to bond and have fun.
Which activity will you try first?
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