Things to Do in May

THINGS TO DO //

MAY 2021

PLEASE NOTE DUE TO COVID-19, THESE EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CHECK TO VERIFY EVENTS ARE STILL BEING HELD AS SCHEDULED BEFORE MAKING PLANS TO ATTEND BY CALLING OR VISITING THE BUSINESS OR EVENT WEBSITE.

SAT 01 May Animal Race Series: Millipedes It's May, and that means Indy has racing fever! The Earth Discovery Center is once again getting in on the action! These races are free with park admission and will take place outdoors near the Earth Discovery Center. • Location: Eagle Creek Park, Time: 1:30-2:15 pm, eaglecreekpark.org

Take and Explore: Garden Bring the kids to the park to enjoy some time exploring the outdoors and learning about gardens and gardening. Packets can be picked up at the Conservatory front desk for $4, and activities/ crafts can be done throughout the park. Packets geared towards ages 5-10. • Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, Time: 10 am-1 pm,

garfieldgardensconservatory.org

SAT 01-SUN 02 Greater

Indianapolis Garage Sale & Marketplace The largest indoor garage sale in the nation returns to Indy. Treasure seekers will find antiques, collectibles, jewelry, new and gently used clothing, arts and crafts, furniture, electronics and more. $4-$7. • Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds, Time: See website, indianastatefair.

com

SUN 02 Sensory-friendly Sundays @ Conner Prairie The first Sunday of every month, exhibit components that make noise will be turned off. All quiet spaces can be utilized and staff trained in Sensory Friendly Practices will be on hand in case anyone needs assistance. • Location: Conner Prairie, Time: 10 am-Noon, connerprairie.org *SN *ONGOING

MON 03 Good Morning Songs & Rhymes Start the day off right with songs and rhymes in this online children's program. • Location: Virtual, Time: 11-11:15 am,

plainfieldlibrary.net FREE

TUES 04 Homeschool Tuesday: Art + Nature Get ready for outdoor adventures and exploring what art and nature have in common. Examine patterns and color while creating nature sculptures and more. • Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 10 am-Noon & 1:30-3:30 pm, indianamuseum.org

Small Wonders: Farm Life Preschoolers are invited to learn, play and discover in the museum during this hour-long class. Build your child’s sense of wonder and playfulness as they engage in storytelling, hands-on activities, music, art and more. • Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 10-11 am, indianamuseum.org

WED 05 Playdate with a Book Play with your library friends and have fun developing early literacy skills! We will read all types of stories, sing songs, and demonstrate a craft or activity that can be done together with materials

you already have at home. • Location: Virtual, Time: 3-3:45 pm, attend.indypl.org FREE

Preschool Music & Movement A wide range of activities supporting early literacy, including chanting, singing, dancing, action songs and stories, rhythm practice, creative movement and role playing. • Location: Westfield Washington Public Library, Time: 10:30-11 am, wwpl.

librarycalendar.com FREE

THURS 06 After School Playdate: Block Party Calling all kid builders! Bring your LEGO, Duplos, K’nex, or anything you enjoy building with and join Learning Curve Activity Guides for a chance to show off your creations and build something new every week. • Location: Virtual, Time: 4:30-5:15 pm,

attend.indypl.org FREE

First Thursday Night @ The Children’s Museum On the first Thursday of every month, admission to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is just $6 per person. • Location: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Time: 4-8 pm, childrensmuseum.org

FRI 07 Mindfulness Minute for Kids and Families Kids of all ages and their caregivers are invited to tune in for a moment of calm and focus. The Learning Curve staff and occasional guests will lead mindful breathing exercises, movement inspired by yoga, brief guided meditations, and uplifting conversation to take into the weekend. • Location: Virtual, Time: 12-12:30 pm, attend.indypl.org FREE

Reading Ready Time: NinjaZone Get your kids moving! NinjaZone Coach Mike leads an energy filled session combining the coordination of gymnastics with the creativity of freestyle movement. Exercise stimulates a child’s executive functioning skills, critical to learning and school success. • Location: Virtual, Time: 10-10:45 am, attend.indypl.org FREE

Star Wars Storytime Join a Jedi Librarian for a galactic storytime! • Location: Virtual, Time: 10:30-11 am, hepl.lib.in.us FREE

SAT 08 Digital Maker Lab Let’s make together! Kids ages 6-11 are invited to join the Learning Curve online for STEM art projects, crafts, recipes, and experiments. Use household objects and materials to learn about everyday physics, chemistry, engineering and more. • Location: Virtual, Time: 3-4 pm, attend.indypl.org

FREE

Gather in the Garden: Planting Join a naturalist as she leads visitors through planting fruits and vegetables in a raised bed. Participants will learn how to sow seeds, transplant plants and will be hands-on in helping to plant one of the raised beds in Blake’s Garden. This program is drop-in, so no registration required. • Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, Time: 2-3 pm,

garfieldgardensconservatory.org FREE

Make It Take It: Mother’s Day Does your child need a last minute gift for that special mother figure in their life? If so, drop-in to the Maker Space to decorate a small gift that will be gift wrapped before leaving. $1 per item which includes wrapping materials. • Location: Westfield Washington Public Library, Time: 12-3 pm, wwpl.

librarycalendar.com

TUES 11 Jungle Tales A fun indoor or outdoor program (weather dependent) where preschoolers and kindergarteners learn about the jungle or local nature! This program includes: stories, games, crafts and outdoor exploration. Pre-registration required, ages 2-5, $4. • Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, Time: 10-11 am,

garfieldgardensconservatory.org

WED 12 Hike & Seek A true immersive experience for preschoolers. There is no set theme for these hikes. We will hike at the pace of our tiniest walkers, stopping to investigate things that interest us along the way. Ages 2-6. • Location: Eagle Creek Park Lilly Lake, Time: 9:30-10:30 am, eaglecreekpark.org

THURS 13 Baby Love Story Time Stories, songs, rhymes, finger-plays,and play time for babies accompanied by a caregiver. Siblings welcome. • Location: Westfield Washington Public Library, Time: 10:30-11:30 am, wwpl.librarycalendar.

com FREE

FRI 14 Friday Night Frog Watch Learn about frogs and frog calls, and visit a pond to search for the frogs themselves! Bring bright flashlights, wear old shoes/boots, and a rain jacket if raining. Age 3+; $5/person; pre-registration required. • Location: Eagle Creek Park Earth Discovery Center, Time: 9-10:30 pm, eaglecreekpark.org

Reading Ready Time: The Dino Guys Dinosaur fanatic in your house? Join Mookie and Josh, The Dino Guys, as they explore the wonderful world of the magnificent Mezozoic megafauna. • Location: Virtual, Time: 10-10:45 am,

attend.indypl.org FREE

SAT 15 Bird Walk Join a park naturalist on a walk through the park in search of birds. Whether you've never been on a bird walk before or consider yourself an expert birder, this event is open to all. Pre-registration required, $5. • Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, Time: 8:30-9:30 am, garfieldgardensconservatory.org

Digital Maker Lab Kids ages 6-11 are invited to join the Learning Curve online for STEM art projects, crafts, recipes, and experiments. Use household objects and materials to learn about everyday physics, chemistry, engineering and more. • Location: Virtual, Time: 3-4 pm, attend.indypl.org FREE

Small Wonders: Farm Life Preschoolers are invited to learn, play and discover in the museum during this hour-long class. Build your child’s sense of wonder and playfulness as they engage in storytelling, hands-on activities, music, art and more. • Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 10-11 am, indianamuseum.org

SAT 15-SUN 16 Locally Made!

This new community festival will feature a cavalcade of Indy musicians, one-of-a-kind visual artists, spoken word artists, and performances by Young Actors Theatre and other local organizations. Guests will also find a collection of artful culinary offerings, with everything from gourmet burgers, ice cream, local beer, wine, coffees and more offered up by local favorites. • Location: Indianapolis Art Center ARTSPARK, locallymadeindy.com

MON 17 Preschool Storytime: Racers, Start Your Engines! Stop by the library any time on May 12-17 to pick up a craft packet at the Children's Desk. Pre-registration required. Visit the website to find the YouTube link to the storytime, which begins at 10 am. • Location: Virtual, Time: 10 am, bburglibrary.net FREE

WED 19 Family BINGO Night Kids, bring your parents or grandparents for an intergenerational fun night with classic BINGO games! • Location: Westfield Washington Public Library, Time: 6-7 pm, wwpl.librarycalendar.com FREE

Little Green Thumbs Young ones will learn about gardening and have the chance to help plant, grow and harvest in a vegetable garden. There will also be a story, craft and time to explore. Pre-registration required, ages 2-5, $5. • Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, Time: 10-11 am,

garfieldgardensconservatory.org

THURS 20 After School Playdate: Block Party Calling all kid builders! Bring your LEGO, Duplos, K’nex, or anything you enjoy building with and join Learning Curve Activity Guides for a chance to show off your creations and build something new every week. • Location: Virtual, Time: 4:30-5:15 pm, attend.indypl.org FREE FRI 21 Mindfulness Minute for Kids and Families Kids of all ages and their caregivers are invited to tune in for a moment of calm and focus. The Learning Curve staff and occasional guests will lead mindful breathing exercises, movement inspired by yoga, brief guided meditations, and uplifting conversation to take into the weekend. • Location: Virtual, Time: 12-12:30 pm,

attend.indypl.org FREE

SAT 22 Butterfly Planters Create a beautiful planter that butterflies will love. Learn what plants butterflies and caterpillars love and help attract them to your yard. Registration required by May 15, $12. • Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, Time: 2-3 pm, garfieldgardensconservatory.org

Indiana Peony Festival Celebrate our state flower at Indiana's inaugural Peony Festival! Activities include peony judging, floral arranging, bouquet-off, peony growers, food trucks, downtown Noblesville scavenger hunt & special offerings, potted plants, local art and more. • Location: Seminary Park in Noblesville, Time: 11 am-4 pm, facebook.com/

Indiana-Peony-Festival-100278985467365 FREE

Peanut Butter & Jam: Martinie’s Boogie Three Piano trio performs classic rock ‘n’ roll and boogie-woogie tunes for young children and their families. Ages 1-7, $10. • Location: Center for the Performing Arts, 10:30-11:15 am,

thecenterpresents.org

Summer Concert Series @ Fort Harrison An evening of music performed by local musicians. Lay out a blanket or set up some camping chairs on the sledding hill (across from the Sycamore Shelter) and enjoy! • Location: Fort Harrison State Park, Time: 7-8 pm, on.in.gov/

fortharrison

MON 24 Online Kids Cooking Class: Springtime Pudding Cups Learn how to make a worm-y pudding cup by following along with a recipe in this online children's program. • Location: Virtual, Time: 11-11:15 am,

plainfieldlibrary.net FREE

TUES 25 Story Time Puppet Show Join us for The Very Hungry Caterpillar puppet show! Registration required. • Location: Westfield Washington Public Library, Time: 10:30-11:30 am, wwpl.

librarycalendar.com FREE

Tiny Tadpoles: Snakes Join us for pre-k fun outside in nature, social distance style. Learn what a snake eats, feel a snake shed, do a snake craft, meet and greet with a live snake, and eat a snakey snack. Ages 3-6. $5, pre-registration required. • Location: Southeastway Park, Time: 10-11 am, facebook.

com/SoutheastwayPark

WED 26 StoryWalk at Harrison Park: Plant the Tiny Seed Families can enjoy a nature walk and springtime story at Harrison Park, located diagonally across from the West Branch of CCPL. • Location: Harrison Park in Carmel, Time: All day, carmelclaylibrary.org FREE

Zoopolis 500 Tortoises, start your engines! This unique annual event and race-fan favorite includes a morning of family-friendly festivities leading up to the “Greatest Spectacle in Tortoise Racing.” • Location: Indianapolis Zoo, Time: 10:30 am-12:30 pm, indianapoliszoo.com

THURS 27 Toddler Time: Animals at Night Discover animals that are active at night! See where they live and how they navigate through the dark. Plus, experience a glow-in-thedark art project and more. Ages 18-36 months. • Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 10-11 am,

indianamuseum.org

FRI 28 Reading Ready Time: NinjaZone Get your kids moving! NinjaZone Coach Mike leads an energy filled session combining the coordination of gymnastics with the creativity of freestyle movement. Exercise stimulates a child’s executive functioning skills, critical to learning and school success. • Location: Virtual, Time: 10-10:45 am,

attend.indypl.org FREE

Storytime in the Garden Learn about nature through a story reading. Afterward, children are encouraged to stay and explore the garden. Ages 2-8 years old. • Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, Time: 10-10:30 am, garfieldgardensconservatory.org

FREE

SAT 29 May Animal Race Series: Minnows It's May, and that means Indy had racing fever! The Earth Discovery Center is once again getting in on the action! These races are free with park admission and will take place outdoors near the Earth Discovery Center. • Location: Eagle Creek Park, Time: 1:30-2:15 pm, eaglecreekpark.org

Take and Explore: Garden Bring the kids to the park to enjoy some time exploring the outdoors and learning about gardens and gardening. Packets can be picked up at the Conservatory front desk for $4, and activities/crafts can be done throughout the park. Packets geared towards ages 5-10. • Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, Time: 10 am-1 pm, garfieldgardensconservatory.org

ONGOING EVENTS

Power: Hoosier Women in Art Exhibition May 7-29. Who runs the world? Girls! Featuring artwork in a variety of mediums, this show will explore the theme of “power” through the lens of diverse female and female-identifying artists. Discover who and what power means to these artists and how it translates in their work. • Location: Garfield Park Arts Center, gpacarts.org

Naturally Inspired Art Show May 28-Aug 18. Enjoy a beautiful display of artwork inspired by the animals at the Indianapolis Zoo. Displayed for the summer in the Schaefer Rotunda at White River Gardens, the art show is included with Zoo admission. • Location: Indianapolis Zoo White River Gardens, indianapoliszoo.com/white-river-

gardens

Your Superpowers Through Sept. 26. Children and families join forces with Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and other members of DC’s Justice League to explore this exhibit that’s returning to The Children’s Museum. Super heroes-in-training develop new skills and learn the importance of teamwork at the Hall of Justice as they work side-by-side with their favorite DC Super Heroes to solve problems and catch Super-Villains in a series of fast-paced challenges. • Location: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis,

childrensmuseum.org

Butterfly Kaleidoscope Through Sept. 6. The White River indoor gardens are transformed into a tropical paradise filled with more than 40 colorful species of butterflies and moths. • Location: White River Gardens, indianapoliszoo.com/

white-river-gardens

You Are There 1920: Celebrate

Indianapolis! Through April 2, 2022. Guests can step back in time to a re-created scene where costumed museum theater actors portray characters who worked on the city’s centennial pageant, planning outfits for 2,000 performers. Visitors can explore a variety of topics with exhibit actors, such as Native Americans and Indian removal, the first pioneers, city development and expansion, local businesses and more. • Location: Indiana History Center,

indianahistory.org

State of Nature: Picturing Indiana Biodiversity Through Sept. 19. A fine art/ natural history exhibit featuring artifacts from Indiana’s prehistory, alongside visual art documenting biodiversity in Indiana, and looking at humans’ impact on the environment. • Location: Indiana State Museum,

indianamuseum.org

First Thursday Night First Thursday of Every Month. Get in on everything extraordinary during First Thursday Nights! Explore five floors of fun for only $6 per person! The capacity will continue to be limited. Every visitor will need an advance ticket. Reserve your ticket today! • Location: The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, childrensmuseum.org

Sensory-friendly Sundays @ Conner Prairie The first Sunday of every month, exhibit components that make noise will be turned off. All quiet spaces can be utilized and staff trained in Sensory Friendly Practices will be on hand in case anyone needs assistance. • Location: Conner Prairie, Time: 10 am-Noon, connerprairie.org *SN

Dora and Diego—Let's Explore! Through July 25. Come on! ¡Vámanos! Nickelodeon’s Dora and Diego—Let’s Explore! takes you on an active adventure in the enchanting world of Dora the Explorer, her animal-rescuing cousin Diego, and their friends. • Location: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, childrensmuseum.org

INDY'S CHILDfun & WACKY calendar 05.2021

SUN MON TUES WEDS THURS FRI SAT

2 3 4

BABY DAY LUMPY RUG DAY STAR WARS DAY CINCO DE MAYO BEVERAGE DAY ROAST LEG OF LAMB

DAY

WORLD DONKEY DAY

9

LOST SOCK MEMORIAL DAY

10

STAY UP ALL NIGHT

DAY

11

EAT WHAT YOU WANT DAY

16 17

DRAWING DAY WORLD BAKING DAY

18

MUSEUM DAY

5

12

LIMERICK DAY

19

MAY RAY

DAY

TURTLE DAY

23 24

BROTHER'S DAY

WATER A FLOWER DAY MEMORIAL DAY

31 25

TAP DANCE DAY

PAPER

26

AIRPLANE

DAY

6

SPACE DAY

7

13

FROG JUMPING

DAY

14

CHICKEN DANCE

DAY INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMY DAY

20 21

WORLD BEE DAY

27

PIZZA PARTY DAY

28

SHERLOCK HOLMES DAY

SUNSCREEN DAY HAMBURGER DAY

PAPER CLIP DAY