Showing posts with label Indianapolis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indianapolis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indianapolis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indianapolis. Show all posts

Speedway Indiana: Things to do & Activities

Family Friendly Things to do with Kids in Speedway, Indiana

We love Speedway, Indiana. We attended church in Speedway for several years and have attended many events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. We're sharing our favorite places to go and things to do in Speedway with kids. Enjoy!


Speedway Indiana: Things to do & Activities
Speedway Indiana: Things to do & Activities.



Things to do in Indiana: fuelperks Gas Station


This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Market District and GetGo. All opinions are 100% mine.

We recently had the opportunity to visit Carmel's Market District GetGo®. These gas station all-in-one stores are popping up all over the greater Indianapolis area and we've been anxious to try one. With the new fuelperks + program, it seemed like a great time for a visit. When you're off looking for things to do in Indiana, you'll need gas and snack for sure- you'll want to check this out. Here's a little about the experience. Enjoy!



Things to do in Indiana: fuelperks Gas Station


Field Trips in Indiana

Indiana Field Trip Ideas

Though these field trips are in Indiana, they make great ideas for field trips in your home state or great ideas for places to visit while on a vacation. If you are looking for Indiana Field Trips, leave a note in the comments, and we'll share more fun ideas. Tried and true. Enjoy!

Field Trips in Indiana
Field Trips in Indiana.

Field trips are an excellent way to connect student learning to the world outside of school. Gaining knowledge is the goal of the educational process. However, when gaining that knowledge mainly takes place in the classroom and from books, it can seem disconnected from the purpose of that knowledge.  

The purpose, of course, is to prepare the student for success as a grown-up. Part of that preparation should be helping the students understand why and how gaining knowledge is going to aid them in their future when they are grown and on their own.  The better they understand why their education matters, the more likely they are to be engaged in the learning process.

What kind of field trips are out there? Where can you take students that will help them grasp how what they are learning in class is going to be integral to their success as an adult? The following is a list of fun trips that are in or nearby Indianapolis. The links provided take you to the website where you can find information about the educational opportunities that are offered.


  • Exotic Feline Rescue Center – Located in Center Point, IN, it is located just over an hour away from Indianapolis. It offers classroom presentations at grade level, with fun and interactive materials. Field trips include a walking tour of the facility, which covers around 20 acres. Phone: 812-835-1130.
Website:  Exotic Feline Rescue Center


  • Trader’s Point Creamery – On the northwest side of Indianapolis, Trader’s Point Creamery is a working farm which specializes in grass fed cattle. They offer tours year round which include viewing the milking process.  Phone: 317-733-1700
Website:  Trader's Point Creamery

  • Waterman’s Farm, Raymond St. Location  - A great fall destination for pumpkin picking and other Halloween activities.  In June, they offer strawberry picking field trips. During summer, field trips are customized to your group’s specific interests. Phone 317-357-2989
Website:  Waterman's Family Farm


  • Kelsay Farms – Located 30 minutes south of Indianapolis, in New Whiteland, IN.  Kelsay Farms is a working dairy farm that offers tours that last about 2 hours. Children learn about milking, feeding, and caring for dairy cows. Phone: 317-535-4136
Website:  Kelsay Farms

  • United States District Court – A trip to a courthouse offers kids a chance to learn about history, law, civics and government.  The Southern District Court offers and opportunity for kids to interact with a judge, provided the tour is booked early enough in advance. Phone: 317-229-3792
Website:  United States District Court (Indiana)


  • McCloud Nature Park – This Hendricks County Park offers field trip opportunities on a variety of topics. Rocks, Insects, Birds, Maple Syrup and Geomorphology are just some of the subject matter from which to choose. Phone: 765-676-5437
Website:  McCloud Nature Park


  • Fire Station Tour, Town of Plainfield – Since most kids love fire trucks Fire Station fieldtrips are a big hit. The Town of Plainfield offers Fire House Tours where kids can learn about the day to day routines of fire fighters and the equipment that they operate. Phone: 317-839-6939 x18
Website: Plainfield Fire Station or your local fire station.


  • West Central Conservancy – Learn how waste water is treated at Avon’s West Central Conservancy. This fieldtrip shows how science is used to make the world a cleaner place. Phone:  317-272-3944 
Website:  West Central Conservancy or your local water plant.

Are there any great field trips that you and your children have experienced? I would love to hear about 
them! Post about the tours you enjoyed in the comments.








Recommended:

Eagle Creek Park
Magic School Bus Electric Field Trip*
Conner Prairie Interactive History Park
Spring Mill State Park
Field Trip to Niagara Falls
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
For more ideas see our Homeschool Projects page.



ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products. *We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Chitika, Google Adsense, and Social Spark ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)

Best Parks in Indiana for Kids and Families

What is the Best Park in Indianapolis Area?


If you're like us, you probably go park hopping and hop from park to park, trying to find the best park in Indiana for kids. We've been all around the state, but we stick mostly to the greater Indianapolis Area. So, what is the best park in the Indianapolis area to have the best summer ever? You decide, we've shared our favorite Indiana park experiences!


Best Park in Indiana for Kids

Best Park in Indiana for Kids.


Finding your way to the best park takes planning. Before we make the trek, we consult Google and add the address to maps. After a visit to Walmart, we pack a bag with sunscreen, bug spray, water, bread, peanut butter, jelly, and grapes! Notice, I don't mention sandwiches. We are always in a hurry to get started, so I just grab the basics and we make the sandwiches at the park!


The Indianapolis Zoo is always a fun option. For hot summer days, be sure to bring a towel,  plenty of sunscreen, and a change of clothes, so you can enjoy the splash pad. Also, check the zoo's website for daily deals. They offer lower ticket prices on slow days.


If you prefer free options, we've got 'em. Keep reading for the best parks in Indiana. 

Have the best summer ever at one of these great Indiana parks!


Plainfield, Indiana: Hummel Park


There are many little parks tucked away in Plainfield, but several of the city parks are all in one place! From Main Street (State Road 40) to Hadley Road, you'll find a skate park, an older park with a merry-go-round, baseball diamonds, an old-fashioned curly slide, and even a little gazebo for weddings. Coming from State Rd. 40, Hummel Park is on the right just before Hadley Road.

Plainfield, Indiana: Hummel Park

Plainfield, Indiana: Hummel Park.


Hummel Park in Plainfield is full of surprises. White Lick Creek runs through it, there are hiking and biking trails, a play area, a splash pad, and so many things to do. When you cross the bridge over the creek, you'll find an amazing wedding pavilion and additional play spaces.


Walk or bike the path around East Co. Rd. 600 S, and you'll discover a lake perfect for fishing.

Indianapolis, Indiana: Garfield Park


Garfield Park is one of the most beautiful city parks. There are many free things to do scheduled year around. They also offer activities that only cost a few dollars per person.

Indianapolis, Indiana: Garfield Park



They have an awesome pool at the Burrello Family Center. It also has gyms, food, and seasonal special events. The Garfield Park Arts Center offers many classes for children and adults. In the past we even taught a few drama classes here. Don't miss their Halloween and Christmas events.


Things to do at Garfield Park: Halloween
Things to do at Garfield Park: Halloween.

Indianapolis, Indiana: Eagle Creek Park


Is as big as state park! Eagle Creek Park offers a beach, many playgrounds, shelters, wedding pavilions, an ornithology center, a yoga retreat, canoeing, a zip line, and an earth science center... all for the price to park your car. Read more about it: Things to do at Eagle Creek Park.


Indianapolis, Indiana: 100 Acre Woods

Indianapolis, Indiana: 100 Acre Woods
Indianapolis, Indiana: 100 Acre Woods.


Avon, Indiana: Washington Township Park


Offers a fishing lake, beautiful trails with bridges, a splash pad, wedding area, playground, sledding hill, and seasonal events.


Danville, Indiana: Ellis Park


Offers a nearby public pool, playground, baseball diamonds, wading creek, and seasonal events including a holiday light display.


Mooresville, Indiana: Pioneer Park


Offers a seated zip line, a pool, many playgrounds, camps, hiking and bike trails, baseball diamonds, and seasonal events. This is our pick for the best city park in Indiana.

Mooresville Park PoolMooresville Park Pool.

Halloween Trail activities at Pioneer Park in Mooresville.
Halloween Trail Activities at Pioneer Park in Mooresville.


Speedway Indiana: Park


Offers a nearby soccer field (at the school), a unique playground, a gazebo, and seasonal events.

Meadowood Park in Speedway
Meadowood Park in Speedway. Photo from Speedway Daily Photo.


New Castle, Indiana: Memorial Park


This is a huge county park. It offers a sledding hill, fishing lakes, more adorable ducks and geese than you can imagine, many shelters for events, 4-H events, several playground areas, a beautiful golf course, an amphitheater, and so much more.

Memorial Park New Castle IndianaMemorial Park New Castle Indiana.


Noblesville, Indiana: Forest Park


Offers a pool, a train museum and train rides, camps, hiking and bike trails, sand volleyball fields, baseball diamonds, a carousel, mini golf, and seasonal events.

Noblesville Forest Park CarouselNoblesville Forest Park Carousel. Photo by Erinne Sikcih.


Spring Mill, Indiana: Spring Mill State Park


This historical park is 90 minutes from Indianapolis, but worth the drive. Beautiful historic buildings include the old mill and a blacksmith shop. The park also has picnic shelters, hiking trails, and playgrounds.

Spring Mill State Park
Spring Mill State Park.



Recommended:





Plan an Indy 500 Race Theme for a Kid's Birthday Party or Special School Activity

Indy 500 Theme Race Party with Cardboard Racecars

The Play Connection, Inc. (my alter ego) did lots of fun preschool activities that are great for a birthday party or for kids' outdoor pe games. Due to the proximity of Indianapolis, an Indy 500 racing theme is always popular in May. Plan Indy 500 kid activities for a fun field day at school, and make your own race cars from cardboard boxes. Enjoy!

This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience.*


Indy 500 Activities for Kids
Indy 500 Activities for Kids.



Use recycled household items as props  including a plastic milk jug for a gas can.
Use recycled household items as props- 
including a plastic milk jug for a gas can.


Ideas on how to plan an Indy 500 Race Birthday Party: 

  • Purchase inexpensive, large, black buckets to use in a pit stop race game. 
  • Recycle a milk jug, paint it black with spray paint or acrylics, and use duct tape or paint to spell out G-A-S.
  •  Turn a milk crate upside down to use as a Winner's Circle.
  • Hang a race banner (we got ours at the Dollar Tree).
  • Make 9 colored race flags for a realistic race experience.


How to make cardboard Cars for party or pretend play.
Trick out your cardboard car with paper plate wheels or 
fancy, cardboard fan wheels.

Wondering 'what do the flags mean or stand for in the Indy 500 race'?  

  • Green means go! Of course, you already knew that! Just like shouting "Green Light", the green flag is waved to signal the start of the race. It is also used to for restarts after a caution flag.
  • Yellow flag signals caution for a hazard. It could be an accident, debris, rain, maybe a silly goose got loose on the track. The pace car hops on the track to lead the other cars in safety. When we play Red Light, Green Light, we use yellow to signal walk very slowly.
  • Red flag STOP! Do not pass go, do not collect $100 dollars. A red light means freeze in your tracks. It is for accident or rain conditions.  Head straight to the pits or stay parked. No repairs, tire changes, or gassing up allowed. In other words, no fair cheating!
  • Red flag with a yellow "X" means the pits are closed to all vehicles.
  • Black flag means a penalty to a car on the track. Don't break the rules! It's also used for mechanical failures.
  • Black flag with a white "X" black-flag penalty.  Your car isn't keeping score anymore.
  • Blue flag or blue flag with yellow diagonal stripe Get out of the way, slow poke, a faster driver is about to pass. We use a blue light in our game to signal to turn around and walk backward toward the finish line.
  • White flag the end is near! It's the FINAL lap.
  • Checkered flag  Hooray! We have a winner. This flag means the race is over.
For our race car game of Red Light, Green Light, we purchased dowel rods and squares of fabric from Joann's Fabrics. To attach, rub glue on the dowel, wrap one end of fabric around the dowel, and staple as close to the stick as possible.

Let the kids paint and decorate their cardboard box cars.
Lay out aluminum foil, tissue paper, paper plates, and colored duct tape.  
Let the kids' diy imagination run wild.

On your mark, get set, go! Mark off a track with chalk, tape, or use cornstarch paint in the grass. Get your flags ready to wave. Have parents or helpers use a stopwatch to track each child's time. No need to compete against others. Race around several times for your best lap. Now the fun begins!




How to Pretend Play Race Red Light, Green Light Game
On your mark, get set, let the games begin!

How to Play Pretend Pit Stop


Get parents and teachers involved with the fun. Before the game begins, designate a pit crew for each "driver". 


During a caution flag, have everyone pull into the pits. One member of the crew must run around the car 4 times checking pretending to check tires. 

Another crew member will take the pre-filled milk "Gas" jug (water) and pour it into the black bucket. 

Then, the crew members must use a funnel to re-fill the jug. Have the driver time the crew for even more giggles. When all the water is gone, the drivers can take off again.

Measure the water in the jugs to see which pit crew wins a prize. Just pour it back into the buckets, and see which one retained the most water (gas).


A game of Red Light, Green Light is fun around the track too.


Recommended Reading:

Things to do in Indiana: Indy 500 Race Activities for Kids

Eat My Dust! Henry Ford's First Race* 


Sign up for our free newsletter













ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)


So, who wants to go to the circus with me?

When is the Circus in Indy?

The Circus is coming to Indy! Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey presented Dragons in 2012.  Click here to find out:  When is the circus coming to town? Enjoy!

Answer this question from previous post in the comment section below:  How far away can a lion's roar be heard?




What is an all-access Circus pass?



Tickets include an all-access pass to the preview show: Ringling Bros.® Animal Open HouseSM Opening 90 minutes before show time, the Ringling Bros. Animal Open HouseSM is FREE to all ticketholders. An hour before show time, audiences can join Ringling Bros. talented performers and learn new circus skills at the All Access Pre-show, FREE with your ticket!  Audience members can get up close and personal with Ringling Bros. performers to take photos, get autographs and learn circus skills. 


Meet some of Ringling Bros. majestic animals, see a pachyderm paint a portrait and learn more about Ringling Bros. commitment to elephant conservation at the All Access Pre-show. The All Access Pre-show is the only place where you can register for a chance to win a masterpiece created by one of Ringling Bros. artistic Asian elephants.







ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)