[lakin11]

Okay as summer is quickly approaching we are looking to do more things away from home. I know Indiana has to have some great things for families to do that some of us probably don't know about.
Lets get a list started of some things people can do.

Thomas the Tank Engine
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This is in my hometown and up until now have only seen the commotion from afar, never actually participated. Now that we have the kids I'd like to do this. Its not the cheapest option, but unique in that Thomas does not go to many places in the US....I know people have come from all over, not just IN!

Of course there is the Indy Zoo EDITED TO REMOVE FEE BASED SERVICE WEBSITE but if thats too expensive, a smaller (not greatest, but doable) zoo is the Me Zoo EDITED TO REMOVE RETAIL WEBSITE

Children's Museum EDITED TO REMOVE RETAIL WEBSITE
Turkey Run State Park http://www.turkeyrunstatepark.com/

List of Indiana State parks
http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/prope...tateparks.html
State page http://www.in.gov/ai/recreation/

I know these are a few places we've gone or resources we've used, but I know there are plenty of "hidden" jewels in our backyards. While we'd love to take our kids to Disney, etc its just not in the budget right now. We know there are plenty of things to do around here if we just look. Anyone else have any good ideas?

[gregorysparents]

What an awesome idea - what "cheap" things to do in Indiana.

We only have about six hours with Gregory on the Sundays that we are able to get him (April 9th, 23rd and May 7th and 21st). We are not able to take him back to our house - so where we pick him up at is less than an hour from Ft. Wayne.

Having said the above.....we took Gregory, my mom, my younger sister, my niece and my nephew to the Ft. Wayne zoo last Sunday. It is really a nice zoo. Not very expensive at all. In fact, for adults, I think it's like $7 or $7.50. I forget what the prices are for kids. You can get thru the zoo in four hours or so. Plus - there is only ONE place to buy "gifts". For "rides", there is a small train, pony rides and merry go round. There is also some sort of a jeep that you can "drive" around a track that goes the some animal areas. Each of these "rides" cost $2 per person. I noticed that there was a DQ and another type of eating space in the zoo. The zoo is VERY and I mean VERY clean.

Christina

[Nicole Elaine]

I would like to add my (short) list of fun things to do to the list

For people in northern Indiana (South Bend/Mishawaka/Elkhart area), Silver Hawks games are a great idea. The Silver Hawks are our local (semi-pro? I think) baseball team. They have "dollar mondays" where admission is $1, hot dogs are $1, and pepsi is $1. Can't get cheaper/more fun than that!
We don't even have kids yet (bio or foster) and we love going. EDITED TO REMOVE RETAIL WEBSITE
We also have a new basketball team here called "Elkhart Express". They play at Northside Gym in Elkhart and I've heard that those games are a lot of fun! Their website is here:
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[lakin11]

bumping this up a little.....anyone else have some ideas?

[StorkWatcher]

STATE PARKS! They're all over (Brown Co, Henry Co, who knows where all!) They're usually cheap, you can camp/fish/swim/hike/trail ride at most, and it's good to get those kiddies outdoors and moving!

I"m all about zoos. We have a private, small one near us not far from Muncie which lets you get up close to the animals, has a petting zoo, camel and pony rides, feed the bears, bird and large cat shows, etc. It's called the ME's Zoo.

There's a water park near Lafayette somewhere, I think still.

Think free/no cost programs - many parks and recreation depts have arts and crafts or nature programs for little kids. Libraries also usually offer summer programs for kids and families - reading programs are great to keep them learning all summer.

Have a neighborhood carnival - sell lemonade, have backyard obstacle course/whiffle ball/kick ball game/kick the can, sidewalk chalk art show, bubble blowing contest, water balloon races/tosses, etc.

When we were small we got to spend a week at grandma's house up north. They'd take us to church carnivals and cake walks, to U-Pick berry farms, and just let us play all day.

[lakin11]

I've been informed that since the above links can lead to where you can buy something ei: tickets, they are considered retail, therefore against TOS. So if you want the links, PM me.

[rysmom]

Southern Indiana:
Marengo Cave
Holiday World/Splashin' Safari Amusement Park-They have 3 of the best wooden roller coasters around!
That's all I can think of right now.

[tpakra]

Storkwatcher- I'm not sure if you're talking about Indiana Beach or Tropicanoe Cove (I think that's what it's called). Indiana Beach is in Monticello, kind of close to Lafayette, the other is in Lafayette. Basically it's a big pool with a couple of slides. I've never been, but will probably go this year when J gets a little older.

We got a flier in the mail the other day that said all the 'cool things' to do in our area this summer, and I put it aside to post. Unfortunately, my well meaning husband was helping me pick up the house and he threw it out. Here's what I can remember:

-Columbia Park Zoo, in Lafayette, not very big, but probably fun for little ones.

-Imagination Station, in Lafayette, kind of like a kids science museum.

-Tons of parks around here

-Children's Museum in Lafayette

-There's a new go-cart track and arcade here on 52, but I can't remember the name of it.

[Jeanie1]

In Fishers the public swimming pool is really nice, with two kid sized water slides, two big water slides, a baby section that has a graduated soft rubber bottom right next to the kids' water slides so it is easier to watch older and younger kids together. It also has those big mushroom fountains and some other sprinkler like things. It's called Sahms and is kinda tricky to find on the internet so it's better to call information and get directions from the people who work there. With a $4 admission for adults and less for kids it's hard to beat! Sometimes the big water parks get overwhelming because it's so hard to keep track of more than one kid but this is small enough to not be super stressful on mom.

Also, Muncie has an awesome Children's Museum geared to younger kids (0-7) that is cheap and really fun. Again, smaller is sometimes better when you are trying to have a relaxing day with your kids!