WE LOVE SEEING YOUR PHOTOS OF LOCAL KIDS LIVING THEIR BEST LIVES AROUND INDY! HERE ARE SOME OF OUR FAVORITE SUBMISSIONS WE RECEIVED THIS MONTH.
WORDS BY NICOLE SIPE
This weekend’s hiking excursion with my family reminded me about the importance of early childhood enrichment.
When my children were young, I wanted them to be exposed to nature as much as possible. I was born and raised in the city, so “nature” wasn’t something I grew up with as a child. I didn’t even know creek stomping existed until I moved to the Midwest.
But I wanted things to be different for my kids — I wanted them to embrace the outdoors. So, when they were young, I would sign them up for classes at nature centers, we’d go to parks several times a week, we’d play in the creek in the summer, and they both went to a preschool where the kids played outside every day, no matter the weather. (The school’s unofficial motto was, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes.”)
My push for outdoor activities when my kids were young seems to have paid off, if this weekend’s hiking trip is any indication. While on our hike, they both enthusiastically marched around the woods, undeterred by burrs and sticker bushes. They balanced on boulders, forged through streams, and
just enjoyed themselves in nature. When they saw a snake in the water, they didn’t do what I did, which was muffle a scream. Instead, they observed the snake with curiosity and awe, until the little guy swam away. I love that my kids feel so at home in the great outdoors. I feel like early exposure helped set them on the right path.
This month’s article, 5 Perks of Preschool Enrichment Programs on page 28, talks about the importance of getting kids involved in activities early, and why it’s so important to do so. Organized programs are great, of course. But any type of activity that your little one is engaged in will help sharpen their skills and help them develop into confident, well rounded people.
With the cooler fall weather, now is a great time to get out and do your own outdoor exploring with your family. Hopefully your hikes stay snake-free!
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Age: 4.5 years old
My favorites:
COLOR / Pink, purple + red
FOOD / String cheese + apples
SPORT / Tennis
ICE CREAM / Strawberry
MOVIE / Anything with a princess!
BOOK / Sophia SNACK / Chocolate covered raisins
RESTAURANT / Freddy's
SUPER HERO / Ghost Spider
SCHOOL SUBJECT / Art
My favorite thing to do with my family: Make paper airplanes and play outside!
My one wish would be: To be a princess!
One thing I am really good at is: Gymnastics!
When I grow up, I want to be: A princess!
Stay wary on the Prairie! The Headless Horseman rides again at Conner Prairie, every Thursday through Sunday from October 3-27. Enjoy family fun for all ages at this beloved festival, featuring 16 nights of spooktacular
That’s approximately how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop.
thrills, long and short corn mazes, entertainment, live performances and delicious themed food and drinks, including sweet treats from the Apple Store. New experiences in 2024 include fire art performances, two new carnival rides, and an updated Barrel Train Ride through a musical pumpkin patch for young kids.
To purchase tickets, visit connerprairie.org
Experience a Día de los Muertos celebration at the Eiteljorg Museum on Saturday, Oct. 26! This Indigenous Mexican tradition gathers people to remember friends and relatives who have passed on in a joyful celebration. Guests can enjoy musical performances, educational exhibits, art, crafts, food and vendors selling cultural items, such as clothing and sugar skulls.
The Eiteljorg will be open extended hours on Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome, and admission is free! For more information, visit eiteljorg.org/dia-de-muertos
You can eat almost all parts of a pumpkin, including the shell, the flesh, the leaves, the flowers, and even the seeds!
For nearly two decades, the Indianapolis Colts have proudly offered Blue’s School Shows, a program that goes far beyond the field, bringing excitement, energy, and valuable lessons into classrooms across Indiana. Blue, the Colts’ iconic mascot, has visited more than 2,000 elementary and high schools, captivating students with interactive performances that educate, entertain, and inspire. These shows, offered during both the fall and spring semesters, ensure students benefit from meaningful, fun-filled learning throughout the academic year.
“Blue’s School Shows are all about building connections with students through positive messages that they can relate to and carry forward in their lives. Whether it’s learning to stand up to bullying, take care of their health, or develop a love for reading, our goal is to empower students to be their best selves,” says Trey Mock, Colts Mascot Program Manager.
Blue’s School Shows are curriculum-aligned presentations that combine entertainment with life lessons, focusing on themes that are so much bigger than football. The program includes three unique shows, each created to resonate with a specific age group:
Geared toward high school and middle school students, this program encourages students to choose love over judgment and bullying, offering vital lessons on authenticity and connection in a social media-driven world. Blue uses humor and heart to inspire teens to embrace who they are and build meaningful relationships with others.
This interactive show brings Colts cheerleaders and players into the classroom via satellite to discuss the importance of a balanced diet, 60 minutes of physical activity a day, standing up against bullying, and working hard in school. The 30-minute show is offered free to 40 schools across the state, thanks to its sponsors.
In celebration of the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day, Blue visits seven schools in early March to promote literacy. During these visits, Blue brings his book, Blue’s Road Trip Through Indiana, to life, encouraging students to read regularly and master essential skills.
As Blue’s School Shows continue to reach more students across the state, the program remains a testament to the Colts’ commitment to community outreach and youth development.
“Every time Blue steps into a school, the energy is electric. The students light up, and you can feel the excitement in the room. It’s amazing how these shows make such a big impact while being so fun and engaging for the kids,” adds Maddy Reed, Colts Mascot Program Sr. Coordinator.
The Colts team works with schools to find convenient dates, ensuring a memorable and educational experience for every student. Schools interested in hosting a Blue’s School Show can easily schedule a visit through the Colts’ official mascot website, Colts.com/Blue
Get ready for a familyfriendly evening for Colts Kids and their families to celebrate Halloween! For the Boo! will feature trick-or-treating, Halloween-themed photo opportunities, games, music, face painting and more. Families are encouraged to come dressed in their best costumes and enjoy a night of spooky fun and interactive activities.
For the Boo! is open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets can be downloaded at Colts.com/Halloween while supplies last. Admission is $5 for adults, while children 17 and under can attend for free. All children must be accompanied by an adult, and all bags will be subject to search upon entry.
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 5 6-10 p.m.
WHERE: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis
PARKING:
Free parking is available in the South Lot. Parking is available on a first come, first served basis. Guests are encouraged to carpool.
Four great reasons why The Gateway to the West should be your next family trip.
ess than four hours from Indianapolis, St. Louis is a Midwest destination with many must-see spots for a fantastic family adventure. From iconic attractions to local gems, here are some of the best things for families to do in St. Louis.
1. Visit the tallest national monument in the U.S.
When you think of St. Louis, you probably think of the Gateway Arch, the world’s tallest arch and the tallest national monument in the country. Gateway Arch National Park is where you can get-up close to this stainless steel monument, and take a 4-minute tram ride up 630 feet to the top. Once at the top, peep out the windows to see breathtaking views of downtown St. Louis on one side, and the Mississippi River on the other.
Back on solid ground, you’ll want to explore the Museum at the Gateway Arch, which features six themed exhibit areas that trace the story of the Native Americans, explorers and pioneers who made America possible.
WORDS BY NICOLE SIPE
2. Get lost at one of the weirdest and wackiest museums ever imagined
The City Museum is a one-of-akind architectural wonderland that was once an old shoe factory. This downtown St. Louis attraction is like a child’s fever-dream — a magical place that isn’t just a museum but an awe-inspiring playground for all ages, full of surprises at every turn.
Imagine exploring tunnels, wiggling through caves, and zooming down slides both indoors and outdoors. Climb aboard a school bus that’s perched precariously over the edge of the building, wander through an enchanted forest, parkour around the skateless skatepark, experience the thrill of a circus, and even ride a Ferris wheel on the rooftop while admiring a vintage plane. It’s nonstop fun, and perfect for adventurous kids who love to climb and test their limits.
Spanning more than 1,300 acres, Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the U.S. This park is home to many of the city’s major cultural institutions, and amazingly, almost everything in Forest Park can be visited free of charge.
A highlight of Forest Park is the Saint Louis Zoo, a world-class destination with more than 14,000 animals from around the world, many that are rare and endangered. A popular exhibit is Sea Lion Sound, where you can walk through an underwater tunnel into the
seal and sea lions’ habitat. Another museum that’s popular with families is the Saint Louis Science Center, which houses a wide range of exhibits about the wonders of science. Explore Earth’s ecosystems, unravel the mysteries of the human body, attend a live science demonstration, play and learn about video games, see a giant replica of a T.Rex dinosaur and much more.
The first train pulled into the St. Louis Union Station in 1894, and the last one departed in 1978. Now, this iconic landmark has been transformed into a vibrant entertainment destination.
One of Union Station’s main attractions is the St. Louis Aquarium, which opened in 2019. The aquarium features dozens of exhibits, highlighting everything from local river ecosystems to shark habitats.
Union Station is an all-in-one destination for family fun. You can take a ride on The Wheel, a 200-foothigh Ferris wheel that offers panoramic views of the city from the gondolas. Or take adventure to new heights at the indoor Ropes Course, snap silly selfies at Selfie Express, explore the Mirror Maze, play a round of mini golf, hop a ride on a carousel and lots more.
Union Station is a great place to play and stay. The St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, is a beautiful and historic hotel that just steps away from all of the action. Bonus: There’s a free light show on the soaring ceilings of the Grand Hall at the hotel every hour.
WORDS BY JENNIFER THOMPSON
t’s that time of year again for all things ghoulish and fun! Halloween night is a time that we prepare for and look forward to, and for those of us who have children with food allergies, it’s also a night that might cause some worry. We want to keep our children safe, and the thought of them ringing a bell to accept candy that might trigger a severe allergic reaction can cause even the most relaxed of parents to feel a surge of anxiety.
We don’t want to stop our kids from this memorable childhood experience, but we want to keep them protected from harm. The good news is that there are some things we can do to minimize the risk of exposure to those foods their bodies cannot tolerate.
Be sure to talk with your child beforehand about the fact that they might receive candy that could harm them. If your child is more visual, print off pictures of the candy they should avoid and make sure they know that they can’t eat those candies under any circumstance. Also, make sure they know this list may not be all encompassing. So, to be safe, don’t eat any candy they aren’t familiar with. You don’t want to make Halloween any scarier than it already is, but you do want to emphasize the importance of following this rule.
Let them know what they can eat.
Have a conversation beforehand about some of the candies they can eat. Let them know that if they want a piece or two while walking around, those are the ones they know are safe. Be sure they are aware that all the rest will be checked out when you get home.
Instead of waiting on the sidewalk, escort them to the door and keep your eyes open for what candy is being passed out. That way, you can see what is going into their buckets and also be sure they aren’t sneaking any unwanted candy into
their mouths between the long walk from the doorstep to the sidewalk. This is especially important for the younger kids who can’t yet fully understand what is safe and what is not.
Before the big night of treats, have them pick out a couple bags of their favorite candies that are safe for them to eat. Carry a bag of your own and if they are handed a candy they cannot eat, have your child drop that piece into your bag with the promise that they can trade that candy in once they get home for the candy they love that is there waiting for them.
Carry medicine, if necessary.
This one might be obvious, but like always: Be sure you have your child’s medications onhand that they would use in case of an accidental food exposure, like Benadryl or an EpiPen.
It’s not easy managing food allergies, and is definitely something that needs to be taken very seriously. It may feel overwhelming, but with forethought, preparation and conversation, Halloween can be just as fun for kids with allergies as it is for those without.
How to have a fun Halloween, even if your child has aged out of this popular pastime.
y children are 18, 16, 14 and 12. This might be a controversial subject for some, but the majority of my kids still enjoy trick-or-treating. Now, before you start throwing stones (or candy bars) in protest, hear me out.
There is a reason I have let my children trick-or-treat through their middle and high school years. It’s because I feel that kids now are encouraged to grow up entirely too fast. There is something sweet about allowing kids to put on a costume for a night and spend an evening doing something that resembles those early years of childhood, when times were simple and dressing up as your favorite character was sometimes a daily occurrence. I don’t see any issue with my kids maintaining their innocence and youth for as long as possible, joining in some clean family fun, and stocking up on delicious mini-candy bars and endless little bags of Skittles in the process.
I can see from the kids walking my neighborhood, and from conversations I have had with other parents of tweens and teens, that trick-or-treating teens are becoming more accepted than they were when I was a child. When I was younger, it felt like there was an unwritten rule that you couldn’t trick-ortreat as a teen. But now, I think we are collectively seeing that it’s not all bad for the big kids to be out there with the little kids
WORDS BY RACHAEL DUPREE
— as long as they are kind, not grabbing fist-fulls of candy and obeying all the rules of gathering treats. (No tricks, please!)
I realize not every child is like mine, and not all kids are interested in ringing doorbells and collecting M&Ms. If you find that your child no longer desires to dress like Yoda with their orange pumpkin bucket in hand, you might grieve for a second. Your next thought will likely be, “So, now what?”
Don’t worry! There are plenty of alternatives for children who have aged-out of trick-ortreating. The good news is that these are spooktacular ways to spend a Halloween evening, too.
Maybe your tween or teen wants to get dressed up, but not necessarily go door-to-door. Encourage them to have a friend over and stay behind in costume to answer the door
and hand out candy. Everyone knows it’s way more fun to have someone in costume open the door than someone just hanging out in their PJs.
If your child is old enough to drive, see if there is a local trunkor-treat happening nearby. Encourage your kid to pick a fun theme, decorate their trunk and get a costume to go along with the theme of choice. They can even choose themed music to play while they hand out candy to the kids walking through.
Your teen can invite friends, decorate Halloween inspired cookies, enjoy Halloween treats, listen to music, sing karaoke, whatever their hearts desire (within age appropriate reason of course.)
If your child is old enough and doesn’t scare easily, you can gather with popcorn, soda and their favorite candy, and have a fall or spooky movie night. This can be a family affair, or invite some friends. The more the merrier!
Invite friends for a Halloween themed bake-off competition. Have them bring a cake, pie or other goulish treat, and have judges decide their favorite. You can even get a little trophy or prize bucket of candy for the winner to take home.
Host a bonfire complete with s’mores and hotdogs to roast on sticks!
Again, if your child doesn’t scare easily, they could always head to a haunted house or other local Halloween inspired event.
Our oldest is in college this year, and I think I can say with confidence that she won’t be going door-to-door, but I know that doesn’t mean the fun has stopped. There will come a time when our kids hang up their orange pumpkin buckets, but the good news is that there are lots of alternatives to going door-to-door. And the even better news is: With a lot of those alternatives, you don’t need to worry about what the weather will be like!
Dates: September 14 – October 31
Enjoy fall family fun on the farm with seven weekends of Fall Festivals! Featuring a corn maze, hayrides to the u-pick pumpkin patch, apple cannons, barnyard bonanza activity area, music, food, and more! Activities are available EVERY DAY from September 14th through October 31st!
(317) 745-4876 | beasleys-orchard.com
2304 E Main St, Danville, IN 46122
Dates: September 21-22, 28-29 and October 3-6, 10-13, 17-20, 24-27
Step into a world of fall magic at Dull's Tree Farm and Pumpkin Harvest, where we’re all about crafting unforgettable memories with top-notch service. Your admission grants you access to over 45 thrilling activities, including our Tractor Drive, the action-packed Sports Shed, an exhilarating Ropes Range, giant slides, a scenic hayride, a sprawling pumpkin patch, a challenging corn maze, barrel train rides, a tire mountain, adorable farm animals, the lively barnyard bouncers, and so much more! Each admission comes with a coupon for one of these fantastic treats: a round on the Country Air Cannons, a ride on the electric tractors, pumpkin decorating, face painting, or $2 off at one of our food locations.
(765) 325-2418 | dullstreefarm.com 1765 W. Blubaugh Avenue, Thorntown, IN 46071
Dates: Open Year Round
Fall is a great time to visit the Honey Farm where we are busy harvesting, extracting and bottling this year's honey crop. Visitors can take a guided tour of the Honey House, bottle their own honey bear, roll their own Beeswax candle, or even visit a live beehive with a beekeeper. (Reservations required) Our gift shop has over 50 varieties of honey with free samples while you watch the bees make honey in our live observation hive. After Thanksgiving, we offer ‘choose and cut’ Christmas trees.
(765) 537-9430 | HuntersHoneyFarm.com
6501 W Honey Lane, Martinsville, IN 46151
Dates: September 27 – October 27
Experience the Farm this fall at Kelsay Farms! Enjoy hayrides, pumpkins, campfires, fall activities, Moo Choo Express train rides, Straw Bale Mountain climbing, Corn Crib playing and much more. Interact with our farm animals including pigs, goats, cows, donkeys, sheep, chickens, ducks and a mini horse. Enjoy shopping at our Country Store for local products and merchandise. Last of all enjoy our delicious snacks including grilled cheese, milkshakes, apple cider slushies and caramel apples. Stay up to date on Facebook or Instagram.
kelsayfarms.com
6848 N 250 E, Whiteland, IN 46184
Dates: Through October 31
Tuttle Orchards is your go-to for fall fun! In September enjoy picking your own apples and create a custom flower bouquet in our expanded cut flower area. In October, visit the pumpkin patch. All fall you can enjoy our NEW AND IMPROVED FarmYard area, apple cider slushies, caramel apples, donuts, and shop locally made goods in the Farm Store. Tuttle’s Grill will be serving meals Monday through Saturdays. Think our Apple Cider Bratwurst, Pulled Pork Sandwich with apple butter BBQ, Smoked Chicken Tacos, and MORE! We are CLOSED SUNDAYS. For the latest updates, check our website before visiting!
(317) 326-2278 | indianapolisorchard.com/fall 5717 N 300 W, Greenfield, IN 46140
Dates: September 27 – October 31
Pick a pumpkin, take a hayride, explore the corn maze, fire the air cannon, play in the kid’s zone, dig for fossils, mine for gems, jump and giggle on the bounce pad, take a spin on the cow train, visit our barnyard friends and enjoy yummy fall treats in our farm store. We can’t wait to see you for Piney Acres Farm’s 2024 Fall Pumpkin Roundup! Located just minutes from Indianapolis in Hancock County.
(317) 326-1700 | pineyacresfarm.com
1115 E. 1000 N., Fortville, IN 46040
Dates: September 21 – October 27
Three locations? Triple the fun! Admission to each of these includes access to the corn maze, pumpkin patch, treehouse village, jumping pillow, hayrides, zip lines, petting zoo, food, and more. The full-size trains at all locations are a must-see!
(844) 516-6837 | larkranch.com
3 Locations:
1611 N. Meridian Rd, Greenfield, IN 46140
3145 Killion Mill Road, Loogootee, IN 47553
1565 St Johns Church Rd NE, Lanesville, IN 47136
Dates: September 21-22, 28-29 and October 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27
Enjoy hayrides, scavenger hunt corn mazes, bounce houses, 37’ slide, human pig races, new mini golf, pedal carts, huge petting zoo, huge pumpkin jump pad, playgrounds, rides, country store full of fall decor, fudge, candles and more. Bluegrass music, pork sandwich meals, concessions, mums, pumpkins everywhere and the largest, colorful gourd selection around! Lots of fun for all ages! Admission includes all activities! Children ages 2 and younger free. Discount for military members, veterans, and anyone aged 65 and older. To see a video of the festival, visit our Facebook page. Hours: 10am-7pm / Mon-Fri, Oct 2-25, 1-5pm (317) 773-9078 | Russell-Farms.com
12290 E 191st St, Noblesville, IN 46060
Dates: September & October
Hay rides to one of our many pumpkin patches are a tradition at our Raymond street location, where we also feature Tyranny our pumpkin chomping dinosaur, farm & exotic animals, pony rides, corn maze, straw mountain, a spinning pumpkin, train ride, human hamster wheel, mega mountain slide, caramel apples, fresh baked goods and Apple Cider Slushies! Come check out one of our live bands on Saturday and Sunday too! Also selling beautiful fall décor like funky pumpkins, gourds, straw bales and corn stalks. All of this and more fall family fun!
(317) 356-6995 | watermansfamilyfarm.com
7010 East Raymond St., Indianapolis, IN 46239 1100 IN-37, Greenwood, IN 46142
Dates: October 10th through 31st
At The Children’s Museum Guild’s 59th Annual Haunted House, you’ll have the once-in-anightmare chance to explore the town where Halloween villains live during their “offseason.” The classic villains—mad scientists, witches, zombies, werewolves, and more—are back. And they’re just DYING to meet you.! Organized by The Children’s Museum Guild, the 59th Annual Haunted House, BOOville, is presented by Old National Bank. Phone: (317) 334-4000
(317) 334-4000 | childrensmuseum.org/ haunted-house
3000 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208
Dates: Throughout October
It’s almost time for all things spooky, haunted and Halloween! At the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, we have spooktacular events for every interest and scare level this October. In Indianapolis, enjoy a night of spooky and magical fun during Night at the Boo Bash Family Fright Night, or venture through the museum to visit some of the creepiest artifacts in our collection during Twilight Tales: Beyond the Grave (ages 18+) and Strange Encounters (all ages). At our state historic sites located throughout Indiana, experience Ghost Stories Under the October Sky, Twilight Adventures, Owl-oween, plus a whole bunch of Halloween Hullaballoo!
(317) 232-1637 | indianamuseum.org/ spooky-season
650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204
Dates: Saturday, October 12
Don't miss the fall festivities at The Arts in Autumn! This must-see event for the whole family features a variety of local artists and vendors, a movie screening, trick-or-treating and more. Event activities take place in Carmel's vibrant public gathering hub, Midtown Plaza and adjacent Indiana Design Center, where the Touch-aTruck will be located for kids to explore a variety of big-rig vehicles. The Arts in Autumn is free and open to the public.
(317) 571-4244 | carmel.in.gov
Midtown Plaza: 365 Monon Boulevard, Carmel, IN 46032
Dates: Sat., October 19, Noon – 5pm
ARTSPARK will come alive with art, art activities, food, and more! Featuring artwork, wares, and artisanal goods from over 50 Indiana artists with one-of-a-kind work. Guests can participate in art activities while enjoying a sampling of local artists and artisans, food trucks, local beer, and a variety of wine for purchase. This event is very family-friendly, so bring the whole family! Admission is FREE and open to the public! Kids can enjoy free creative activities and pumpkin painting! While you’re there try out one of our Make It Take Its in either glass blowing or raku ceramics, presale tickets available now.
(317) 255-2464 | IndyArtCenter.org
820 E. 67th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46220
Dates: October 3-2, Thursdays – Sundays
Kick off fall with Indiana’s favorite tradition – the Headless Horseman festival at Conner Prairie! Enjoy the Trail of Terror maze through the cornfield, take in family fun at the midway, grab sweets from the Apple Store, and of course take the iconic hayride through Conner Prairie’s grounds where you’ll encounter the Headless Horseman himself! Grab your tickets now – if you dare!
(317) 776-6000 | connerprairie.org/explore/ things-to-do/headless-horseman/ 13400 Allisonville Rd, Fishers, IN 46038
Fall Break Camp at Wright's is a great way to spend time away from school - at the gym! Find a Wright's location nearest you and sign up for a flipping good time during your Fall Break!
Southeast Greenwood: October 7 - 11
Center Grove: October 14 - 18
Fishers (Newest Location!): October 14 - 18
Noblesville: October 14 - 18
Westfield: October 21 - 25
Text or call us or sign up online!
(317) 888-4805 | wrightsgymnastics.com/camps
Fall is here, and to celebrate Indy Parks is offering a variety of themed activities for the whole family. Join us for public, group, and scary hayrides at Southeastway and Eagle Creek Parks, and don’t miss out on Owl Fest, Eagle Creek Park Foundation’s largest fundraiser, on October 26th - 27th for live animal programs, “owl prowl” hikes, and more. Visit Indy Parks’ “Scariest” haunted house at Ellenberger Park from October 24th - 26th, or take part in one of our many arts activities, including pumpkin carving, nature writing, knitting, and fall collage. There’s something for everyone at Indy Parks this fall! parks.indy.gov
Multiple Locations
Dates: September 25 – October 31, Every Wednesday-Sunday
Times: 2-7pm Wed/Thur/Sun, 2-9pm Fri-Sat
Something new is brewing at this year’s ZooBoo. Visitors are invited to journey inside the Zoo’s new Leeward Manor – a family-friendly experience with magic and tricks around every corner. ZooBoo offers 29 days of spooktacular fun including Halloween themed activities, animal chats, trickor-treating and so much more!
(317) 630-2001 | indianapoliszoo.com/ zoo-events/zooboo
1200 W Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46222
Dates: September & October
During the month of October, S&H will offer trick-or-treating every Saturday and other fall activities, such as crafts, games, dress up, pumpkin carving, hay rides, site decorating contest and lots more. S&H’s Fall Market will be open, where guests can find pumpkins, hay bales, corn stalks, gourds and lots more seasonal items for sale. The last weekend of October (10/25-10/27) is Zombie Prom Weekend! Get ready to dress up as a zombie and dance the weekend away. Check out our website and Facebook page. Now Booking.
(317) 326-3208 | Sandhcampground.com 2573 W 100 N., Greenfield, IN 46140
Dates: September – November
The South Shore of Lake Michigan is only a short drive from Indy. Plan a day at the Indiana Dunes National Park where you can explore miles of hiking and biking trails, camp under the stars or climb massive sand dunes. Visit local orchards or u-pick farms to hunt for the perfect pumpkin, pick a bushel of apples, stroll through a corn maze while sipping delicious cider, and enjoy many other harvest-time activities. You won't believe you're still in Indiana! Fall in love with the South Shore and start planning your fall getaway now at alongthesouthshore.com
(219) 989-7979 | alongthesouthshore.com
7770 Corinne Dr., Hammond, IN 46323
Dates: Fall/Winter 2: 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10 Fall/Winter 3: 11/24, 12/1, 12/8, 12/1
Ice Barn's Learn to Skate program is for skaters aged 4 and up. LTS is the perfect way to learn or brush up on basic skills (like correct falling and stopping), so the skater can safely and confidently enjoy the benefits of ice skating.
Registration Website: programs.icebarnindy.com/ program/learn-to-skate/1865
(317) 804-2025 | icebarnindy.com
17341 Westfield Park Road, Westfield, IN 46074
Dates: Year Round
Up for an awesome fall getaway (that isn’t far away)? Home to the legendary Ohio Renaissance Festival, the Ohio Sauerkraut Festival, Country AppleFest, Kings Island's Halloween Haunt, an amazing assortment of farms and farm markets & more incredible fall-time fun, Warren County, Ohio is your place to play this season! Read up on more Southwest Ohio happenings and plan an unforgettable autumn adventure today at OhiosLargestPlayground.com!
(513) 204-1900 | OhiosLargestPlayground.com
et ready for a spinechilling journey across some of the most haunted locations in the country with Witch Way Road Trip, the Children’s Museum Guild Haunted House! This year, the guild celebrates 60 years of hauntingly great fun with the longest-running haunted house in the nation. From October 10 to 31, families can embark on a crosscountry adventure filled with ghostly encounters and eerie experiences.
Witch Way Road Trip is an homage to the iconic Route 66, taking families through a series of haunted destinations. From eerie neighborhoods to treacherous highways, the adventure begins on Erie Avenue, where shadowy figures lurk in haunted houses, leaving you questioning what’s real. Each room also has a fun fact to find and read.
Next, you’ll merge onto Hazardous Highway, where skeletons drive recklessly around bright orange construction cones, making every turn a potential danger. The journey then leads to the Ghastly Gas Station, where a creepy attendant struggles with an old rusty gas pump. Inside the convenience store, the snacks look eerily lifelike, with fingers cooking on the hotdog roller.
WORDS BY KIMBERLY HARMS , THE CHILDRENS MUSEUM OF INDIANAPOLIS
At Eyesore Attractions, you can snap photos of bizarre sights, like the world’s largest ball of earwax and an enormous dog collection. The serene look of Scary Stables is deceiving, with possessed animals and terrifying noises coming from the cornfield.
As the visit ends, check into the Bug and Breakfast Motel, where hundreds of roaches crawl around the rundown room. If you prefer the outdoors, pitch a tent at the Rotting Corpse Campground, but beware of Bigfoot hiding among the pine trees.
Hungry? The Dead End Diner’s dreadful reputation is confirmed by the cook in the kitchen and the spaghetti that looks suspiciously like worms. As you near your final destination, pass through the Decomposing Desert, where scavenging vultures and skeletal remains of animals add to the eerie atmosphere.
Before reaching the end, take a detour to the Sinister Seawalk, where winning a carnival game earns you a frightening prize, and the ferris wheel seems anything but safe. Finally, arrive at Boneyard Beach, where relaxation is a challenge amidst rotting fish, dead sea creatures, and skeletal remains.
The friendly witches understand that taking little ones to a haunted house can be exciting and daunting. With the right preparation, you can make sure they have a fun and memorable time.
“If your child has not had experience with a haunted house before, prepare them by reading Halloween books, trying on scary costumes, or watching children’s movies with scarier scenes,” says Elyse Handel, early educational manager at The
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. “This can help gauge what they can handle at this age.”
Let your child decide if they want to enter and give them the option to leave if they feel uncomfortable. Create a comfort plan just in case things don’t go well. Bring a favorite stuffed animal or blanket for security and stay by their side throughout the experience.
After the adventure, talk about the experience with your child. Praise their bravery and discuss their favorite parts. Remind them that everything they saw was pretend and created for fun.
The Hays & Sons Friendly Hours are geared for a younger audience, but can be enjoyed by all age groups. The lights are on, upbeat music is playing, and volunteers are dressed in friendly costumes and pass out candy and fun giveaways. An added bonus for those attending friendly hours on October 16, 23 and 30: Each child visitor will receive a free bicycle helmet.
If your child is older and ready to walk through with lights off and some scares, the AAA Frightening Hours are an exhilarating journey filled with thrills and chills.
Dates: October 10-31
Tickets: $9 general admission ($8 members) Website: childrensmuseum.org/ exhibits/haunted-house
With plenty of sunny days left this year, it’s important to keep moving and have some fun. Thankfully, Indy Parks and Recreation offers a range of playgrounds big and small, and that number is still growing! We know how important play is for building imagination, social skills, and coordination, which is why we’ve been hard at work improving playgrounds for Indianapolis residents to enjoy.
In October 2021 Mayor Joe Hogsett announced $16.7 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to build new playgrounds at parks across the city. For many of these parks, the improvements will replace play features that are decades old. This project includes a special focus on small neighborhood parks, perfect for taking the kids after school or on a weekend picnic.
Thanks to $80 million from the Lilly Endowment, plans are underway to upgrade 42 parks across all townships in Indianapolis. These
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projects include everything from sports fields and courts to splash pads and trails, and building new playgrounds at 18 additional neighborhood parks. In total, this means we’ll be replacing playgrounds at over 40% of our Indianapolis parks!
These projects will transform parks across our city, making them safer and more enjoyable for the whole family. Many of our new additions, including the playground at Rev. Charles R. Williams Park, include sensoryfriendly play features, adaptive swings, and wheelchair access. The new Frederick Douglass Park playground is a must-visit. It features one of our tallest climbing structures, along with a huge slide and a wooden imaginative space. Along the outside rim of the playground are musical instruments for exploring and outdoor workout machines for parents and caregivers to use while watching kiddos play. There is truly something for everyone, which is why Indy Parks playgrounds are the place to be!
Breast cancer doesn’t just affect older women. Here’s how to increase the chance of early detection.
Women between 20 and 49 don’t often consider breast cancer to be a real danger. Yet as the incidence continues to rise within this age group, it’s critical for women to know what they can do to maximize the odds of detection. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women between 20 and 49, underscoring the importance of discovering cancer early.
“It’s hard to take care of a family when you’re battling breast cancer,” says Cati Diamond Stone, who was diagnosed at age 35. Stone experienced the challenges of raising a young child while juggling a household, career and treatment. She is now VP Community Health for Susan G. Komen, the breast cancer foundation with a mission to build awareness and support research to combat it.
To increase the chance of early detection, follow four guidelines of breast self-awareness: know your risk, know your normal, get screened and lead a healthy lifestyle.
Have open conversations with relatives to learn your family history of cancer and other serious ailments. Share that information with your doctor who can recommend when to begin mammograms and will know when symptoms might indicate something more serious.
For Stone, her sisters and daughter now know their own risk of breast cancer and are more likely to take critical symptoms seriously. “It’s all about enabling informed decision making,” she says. Those without access to their family history
may want to explore genetic counseling. Although genetic testing kits can be purchased over the counter, a test should be administered by a counselor who can interpret the results and discuss next steps if there’s a variant or mutation.
Every person is unique, so every person should know how their own breasts normally look and feel. Changes like dimpling, swelling or rashes may indicate something more serious. Knowing your normal is the best indicator of whether something may be off.
New mothers in particular should pay attention to how their body is changing and whether something seems unusual. “I don’t think I had a good sense of what my normal was [after giving birth],” Stone says. “Certainly, our breasts don’t look and feel the same way after nursing as before.”
For those with average risk, breast cancer screening begins at age 40. Doctors may recommend earlier screening based on family history and risk factors. They also may recommend more intense screening — like an MRI or ultrasound
— for women with dense breast tissue. When breast cancer is detected early, there is a 99 percent fiveyear relative survival rate.
Exercising regularly and getting enough sleep may be challenging for parents and caregivers, but they’re important factors in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Other choices like limiting alcohol intake and eating healthy foods may be easier to control. Maintaining a healthy weight, breastfeeding and quitting smoking can also help reduce the possibility of breast cancer.
A breast cancer diagnosis will impact one out of every eight women in their lifetime. Fertility, self-confidence and emotional well-being can all take a toll beyond the cancer diagnosis.
Chemotherapy can damage ovaries or trigger early menopause, changing hormone levels and intensifying symptoms. If women want to get pregnant after facing breast cancer, they may not have that option if aggressive cancer requires urgent treatment and there isn’t enough time for egg harvesting.
Treatment can cause physical changes that can impact self-image, lower self-esteem and diminish confidence. Even when changes are temporary, they may affect how a woman feels about her body long-term.
Stone discovered her biggest challenge was emotional. When she was diagnosed, she found that juggling a
career and her family, which included a 16-month-old, was already difficult. “Add a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment into that mix, and it can really take a toll on you mentally,” she says.
Many organizations are dedicated to breast cancer awareness and resources. While many are available through medical facilities, others provide connections beyond specific healthcare systems.
In the Indianapolis area, Cancer Support Community Indiana (cancersupport indy.org) offers resources and support for those impacted by any type of cancer, while IWIN Foundation (iwinfoundation.org ) alleviates emotional, financial and physical challenges for women with breast cancer.
Komen offers telehealth patient navigation to anyone across the country, helping patients and caregivers navigate through a complicated health care system. It was created to guide patients between various experts, such as an oncologist, pharmacy, primary care physician, treatment center and gynecologists. “It’s hard to know who to call and when, and how to connect those dots,” Stone says. To reach Komen’s Patient Care Center, call 877-GO KOMEN or email helpline@komen.org
Stone believes that utilizing available resources and seeking help is the best way to move forward after a diagnosis. “You can only gain something by reaching out for support,” she says
Programs like dance, art, and music classes provide lots of learning opportunities for children.
WORDS BY LINDSAY CONNER
GYMNASTICS, ART CLASS, STORYTIME, SOCCER, COOKING LESSONS — A PRESCHOOLER’S CALENDAR CAN GET PACKED WITH EXCITING ACTIVITIES! BUT ENRICHMENT CLASSES OFFER MORE THAN JUST A WAY TO FILL TIME; THEY PROVIDE A FUN ENVIRONMENT WHERE YOUNG CHILDREN CAN LEARN, GROW AND THRIVE.
Thinking about signing your little one up for sports, an arts workshop, or music class? There aremany hidden perks to preschool enrichment programs that make them worth the investment of time and money. These experiences will help your child develop the skills they need to thrive as they get ready for kindergarten!
Did you know that a preschooler’s brain forms connections faster in the first five years than at any other time in their life?
Enrichment classes are the perfect way to expose kids to new and exciting activities during this crucial time of growth.
Whether it's learning to skate, practicing ballet, or painting their first masterpiece, these activities challenge young minds and bodies to grow. For example, Indy’s Dance Connection offers classes for children un-
der 5 that help improve balance, coordination and confidence through movement. Plus, enrichment programs let kids explore different interests and discover their passions early on — whether it’s a lifelong love of dance or realizing that sports just aren’t their thing.
Sampling age-appropriate classes is a great experiment for preschoolers (and their parents!) to expose them to things they wouldn't otherwise get to try until they reach school age. Whether they love or hate their chosen program, learning to stick it out will help your child navigate new situations, and overcome obstacles in a supportive environment.
Enrichment classes help children develop social skills by encouraging play and teamwork. Learning to share, take turns, and work together with
peers teaches valuable life skills like problem-solving and communication. Plus, interacting with other adults — like coaches or teachers — prepares them for future relationships with authority figures.
Not only do kids learn through their own interactions, but they can learn a great deal through observation. In enrichment classes, preschoolers can watch other children’s behaviors and see what gets positively reinforced and what doesn’t as they learn to navigate a classroom environment for the first time.
Serving kids 18 months through Kindergarten, the Indianapolis Children’s Choir’s Early Childhood Program promotes imagination, discovery, and play through music. Children sing and learn while bonding with friends in the classroom. But the benefits aren’t limited to musical knowledge; there’s an emphasis on social-emotional skills that can help them work together with their peers and follow directions from trained early childhood educators.
While enrichment classes may seem like fun and games, they’re also helping children build important cognitive and motor skills. Whether they’re learning the rules of a new game or creating an art project, these activities engage children’s brains, improving language development, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor control.
For example, studies show that early exposure to music accelerates brain development, particularly in language and reading. Meanwhile, physical activities like gymnastics or karate enhance gross motor skills, coordination, and focus—essential abilities as they prepare for structured classroom environments. Finally, early music education has been shown to improve memory and mathematical learning, as well as improving cognitive, social, and emotional skills—all important as kids prepare for more structured school environments.
Entering a new environment can bring out some big feelings in preschoolers, often leading to dreaded meltdowns. Facing a new challenge in a supportive environment with peers, caregivers, and their family around can be the best kind of challenge. With parents watching from the sidelines, kids learn to navigate challenges and feel proud of their accomplishments. In enrichment programs, kids are encouraged to take risks and make mistakes in a low-pressure environment, which helps them develop a growth mindset. As they accomplish small goals, they gain confidence in their abilities, laying the foundation for a positive attitude toward learning. All the while, instructors are nearby to help preschoolers break a big challenge into small steps, like blowing bubbles in the water before learning to jump in the pool feet first! Instructors can help model positive self-talk through these challenges and how to regulate their emotions when frustration kicks in.
Perhaps one of the most lasting benefits of preschool enrichment is the love for learning that it brings. By exploring new activities through handson experiences, children begin to associate education with fun and discovery. Whether they’re experimenting with science or getting creative with paints, these moments help cultivate curiosity and a positive attitude toward learning that lasts well beyond preschool. When your little one is excited to explore and learn, they’re setting the stage for future academic success — and a lifelong passion for knowledge!
The Orchard School has been a staple of Progressive education in Indianapolis since 1922. Located on a beautiful 43-acre wooded campus, Orchard offers a unique, hands-on learning experience for preschool through eighth grade. Here, we focus on the whole child, blending academics with the arts, outdoor education, physical activity, and a strong sense of community.
At Orchard, learning is active and fun! We tap into kids' natural curiosity through engaging, childcentered activities that make school something to look forward to every day. From math and science to art and music, our students get a well-rounded education that helps them grow into confident, thoughtful individuals who love learning.
Our strategic plan, "The Orchard School’s Next 100 Years," keeps us moving forward with exciting initiatives like expanding environmental education and creating an even stronger sense of belonging for every family. We're committed to investing in our students, staff, and campus to make sure Orchard continues to be a place where kids thrive.
One thing that sets Orchard apart is our focus on character and community. Learning at Orchard goes beyond the classroom—our students actively participate in projects that emphasize teamwork, collaboration, and the importance of giving back. This hands-on approach helps them develop a deep sense of responsibility and compassion, which is why Orchard graduates are known for making a positive impact wherever they go.
We invite you to explore what makes Orchard such a special place for your child. Feel free to reach out to admissions@orchard.org with any questions!
The Orchard School
615 W 64th St., Indianapolis, IN 46260
Phone: (317) 251-9253
Website: orchard.org
Grades: Preschool - Grade 8
Enrollment: 500
Class Size: 15-18 students
Student/Teacher Ratio: 8:1
Financial Assistance Offered: YES
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025
Admissions Contact: Director of Admissions Jessica Aiyasami, jaiyasami@orchard.org
A St. Richard’s Episcopal School education provides a transformational experience through our engaging and challenging curriculum while developing global citizens who love learning, embrace diversity and live Episcopal values.
Students thrive with small class sizes and personal attention from outstanding faculty as they learn knowledge and values for a lifetime. St. Richard's is known for its comprehensive program focused on the whole child, developing students intellectually, socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
Our exceptional, well-qualified teachers routinely go above and beyond to support their students, providing a superior foundation for further education. St. Richard’s is a community where children are known, families are engaged, and genuine care and respect for each child is evident. We serve students PK (age 3) thru Grade 8.
St. Richard's Episcopal School
33 East 33rd St., Indianapolis, IN 46205
Phone: (317) 926-0425
Website: sresdragons.org
Christ-centered, Pre-K – 8th Grade School
The Oaks Academy is a Christ-centered school for Pre-k – 8th grade students, with three locations. The faculty at the Oaks foster an environment where relationships come first and every student is known and loved. Students and families enjoy a vibrant school community that is both racially and socioeconomically diverse. The small class sizes and carefully selected curriculum promote growth in students both in forming habits of learning as well as in social and emotional maturity.
Brebeuf Jesuit, a Catholic and Jesuit school, provides an excellent college preparatory education for a lifetime of service by forming leaders who are intellectually competent, open to growth, loving, religious, and committed to promoting justice. In lieu of an open house, Brebeuf offers smaller, more personal events, each of which focuses on a different key aspect of student life. This more intimate setting allows prospective students and families to experience firsthand the optimal size of Brebeuf’s school community. Spend an afternoon on campus to attend information sessions and connect with
The Oaks Academy
Brookside Campus (K-5): 3092
Brookside Parkway North Drive Indianapolis, IN 46218 // Fall Creek Campus (K-5): 2301 North Park Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46205
// Martindale-Brightwood Campus (Pre-K Education Center & Middle School): 1301 East 16th Street Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone: (317) 931-3043
Website: theoaksacademy.org
faculty, staff, and students to gain a deeper understanding of the transformational experience ahead at Brebeuf Jesuit. Learn more at brebeuf.org/visit.
Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School
2801 W. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN 46268
Phone: (317) 524-7050
Website: brebeuf.org/visit
Sycamore School is Indiana’s only accredited, private, independent school for gifted students in Preschool through 8th grade. We understand that gifted children need a special education, and our mission reflects this: “Sycamore School exists so that academically gifted students can experience the enriched, accelerated education they need to reach their potential and to lead responsible, constructive, fulfilling lives.”
Few schools in the country have such a clear focus and unique commitment to providing an appropriate education for gifted learners. All that we do, in and out of the classroom, is focused on helping gifted students realize their fullest potential while being known and loved.
Our dedicated teachers are specifically trained and experienced in the education of gifted children. They understand the intellectual, social, and emotional needs of these children. Our faculty and administrative staff write and develop our curriculum in order to incorporate the most current research and best practices in education for gifted learners.
At Sycamore, gifted learners find a home. It is important for our brightest students to have an intellectual peer group, and at Sycamore they find one. At Sycamore, we nurture minds, hearts, bodies, gifts, and talents. We are a place “where gifted kids thrive.”
Sycamore School
1750 West 64th St., Indianapolis, IN 46260
Phone: (317) 202-2500
Website: sycamoreschool.org
Grades: Preschool - 8th
Enrollment: 398
Class Size:
15 students (Preschool), 16 students (PreK), 20 students (K-8th)
Student/Teacher Ratio: 5:1 (Preschool), 6:1 (PreK), 10:1 (K-8th)
Financial Assistance
Offered: YES
($1,050,000 to 20% of student body in 24-25)
Application Deadline: February 1, 2025
Admissions Contact: admissions@ sycamoreschool.org
At this IB World School, we offer a distinctive approach to education. Our smaller classes, personalized attention, and differentiated instruction allow ISI to establish a solid educational foundation where students take charge of their own learning and connect major concepts across disciplines. With immersive language programs in French, Mandarin, and Spanish and enriched cultural experiences, our students are fully equipped to embrace all that the world has to offer.
We are proud to be the only Indiana school offering the full-continuum IB curriculum to all students from ages 3 to Grade 12 along with offering immersion and dual language programs in French, Mandarin, Spanish, and English. The IB is a globally recognized program encouraging both personal development and academic achievement.
With a robust student life, ISI offers over 50 clubs and activities and 20 sports teams at the Upper School, and over 25 enrichment clubs at the Lower School. Students begin working with College Counseling in Grade 8. ISI graduates have a 100% college acceptance rate and an average of 30 college credits.
After all, why stop at the Crossroads of America when you’re prepared to go anywhere?
International School of Indiana
Unified Campus Coming Fall 2022: 4330 N Michigan Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46208
Phone: (317) 923-1951
Website: isind.org
Independent Day School for Students with Language-based
Fortune Academy is an independent day school for 1–12th grade students with language-based learning differences, such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and executive functioning function difficulties. Located on the Historic Fort Ben Campus, our program is designed for students with average and above intelligence who simply process information differently than expected in a conventional classroom. At Fortune, we understand our students' distinct academic, social, and emotional needs and celebrate their individual learning styles. The school is designed to provide an environment that nurtures each child's development, builds upon their unique strengths, and offers remediation in areas of weakness.
Heritage Christian School desires to partner with Christian families to provide a Christ-centered education with strong, college-prep academics and intentional discipleship of students in preschool-12th grade. Our extraordinary teachers, coaches, and staff are committed to creating a secure and loving learning community where a student’s educational experiences prepare and equip them for wherever the Lord leads them. Our faculty and staff seek to teach, mentor, and train within a Biblical worldview to instill a lifelong commitment to Christ. We combine big school opportunities with sensible class sizes, a strong curriculum that is aligned across grade levels, and teachers who are intentional about seeing students succeed both in and outside of the classroom.
Fortune Academy
5626 Lawton Loop E. Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46216
Phone: (317) 377-0544
Website: thefortuneacademy.org
Heritage Christian School
6401 E. 75th St., Indianapolis, IN 46250
Phone: (317) 849-3441
Website: heritagechristian.net
“From the moment a child begins the educational journey in Lawrence Township, a world of excellence awaits. Rigorous curriculum, innovative instruction, and an abundance of resources provide opportunities for growth and challenge each student to achieve utmost success.”
– Dr. Shawn A. Smith, Superintendent of Schools
Award winning programs abound, with classrooms striving to meet the needs of all students through varied instructional pathways and strategies. A winning tradition starts early. Students are guided along on their individual paths, ensuring a strong education in a first class learning environment.
A Winning Tradition.
• Academic Excellence – National Merit Finalist, Indiana Academic All Stars and tens of millions of dollars annually in scholarships
• 4 NAEYC Accredited Early Learning Centers
• 23 National Certifications offered through electives at McKenzie Center for Innovation & Technology
• $400 Million Blue Ribbon Facilities Plan
• 1:1 Technology for All K-12 Students
• Internationally recognized bilingual education Pre-K through Grade 12
• 48 State Championships | 7 National Championships
• 13x Best Community for music education
Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township
Lawrence Central High School:
7300 E 56th St, Indianapolis, IN 46226
Lawrence North High School: 802 Hague Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46256
McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology: 7250 E 75th St, Indianapolis, IN 46256
Website: ltschools.org
OPEN HOUSES
Lawrence Central: November 8th, 6-8 PM
Lawrence North: November 13th, 6-8 PM
MCIT: November 19th, 6-7:30 PM
Our Mission: Preparing students spiritually and skillfully for life ahead.
Our Community Values: Faithful - Caring - Partners
Scripture charges parents to raise their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Eph 6:4). Choosing the right educational partner for that work has never mattered more. In a culture whose values are ever more blatantly aligned against biblical truth—especially in education where values are being directly indoctrinated—Legacy stands to partner with parents in upholding biblical truth while providing an outstanding education for their children.
Our unwavering focus is on orienting students toward eternal life in Christ while training them for a life of worship and obedience in service to Him. We do that alongside an education that goes far beyond content, rich in developing the critical skills for thriving, navigating, problem solving, and leading in the complex, continually-changing world around them.
Legacy Christian School
470 Lakeview Drive, Noblesville, IN 46060
Phone: (317) 776-4186
Website: LegacyChristianSchools.org
University High School, now celebrating its 25th year, is a premier college preparatory school in Central Indiana. Signature programs like one-to-one mentoring, daily community meetings, and January Term create the unique culture of our school. Our faculty are recognized as leaders in their content areas and in the practice of education, and several schools, some much older, are looking to University for inspiration in an increasingly complex educational landscape.
And, to aid in all our work, University has a tremendous asset: its heart.
The entrepreneurial spirit that founded University is as alive today as it was at the school's inception. We continue to blaze new trails centered on the idea of student engagement. Our alumni consistently speak of how well-prepared University made them, for college and for life. Most importantly, University's consistent focus on reflection and personal growth remains the driving force behind our ability to change, to adapt, and to grow.
Schedule a visit at universityhighschool.org/visit
University High School
2825 W. 116th St., Carmel, IN 46032
Phone: (317) 733-4475
Website: universityhighschool.org
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 350
Class Size: Average 15-20
Student/Teacher Ratio: 10:1
Financial Assistance
Offered: YES
Application Deadline: Early Admission –October 15, 2024
Regular Admission –December 1, 2024
Admissions Contact: Director of Admission
Taylor Newell, tnewell@universityhighschool.org
Director of Admission
Ashley Crockett Lohr, acrockettlohr@university highschool.org
FIND THE RIGHT MATCH BY VISITING AN UPCOMING OPEN HOUSE TO GET ALL YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
A CHILDREN’S HABITAT MONTESSORI SCHOOL
801 W. 73rd St., Indianapolis, IN 46260 (317) 726-5584
childrens-habitat.org
Open House Dates: Saturday, November 16, 2024, 1–3pm; Saturday, February 8, 2025, 1–3pm
BREBEUF JESUIT
PREPARATORY SCHOO L
2801 W. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN 46268 (317) 524-7050
brebeuf.org
Brebeuf Jesuit Sunday Series Dates: Sunday, November 3, 2024 1:00-3:00 pm or Schedule Your Own Meet and Greet Session atbrebeuf.org/admissions/visit
CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL
5225 E 56th St., Indianapolis, IN 46226 (317) 542-1481 gocathedral.com
Open House: October 3, 5-8:00 pm
FORTUNE ACADEMY
5626 Lawton Loop East Drive, Indianapolis, IN, 46216 (317) 377-0544 thefortuneacademy.org
In Person and Virtual Available; please call for a tour.
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
6401 E. 75th Street Indianapolis, IN 46250 (317) 849.3441 heritagechristian.net/admissions/ visit
Open House Date: Thursday, October 24, 2024 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm for Grades: 1-12
PREPARATORY SCHOOL
110 E. 16th Street, Indianapolis IN 46202 (317) 231-0010
herronprep.org/enrollment/ visit-and-events
Weekly tours and bi-weekly information sessions available for sign up!
4330 N Michigan Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46208 (317) 255-1951
isind.org
Middle and High School Open
Shadow Day: October 1 and November 14
Upper School Info Session: October 17, November 21
Lower School Info Session: October 10 and November 7 Visit isind.org/admissions/ visit to schedule a tour.
470 Lakeview Drive, Noblesville, IN 46060 (317) 776-4186
Admissions@lcsmail.org
LegacyChristianSchools.org
Open House Date: Wednesday, October 9th from 5:30-7:30pm
6501 Sunnyside Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46236 (317) 423-8200 ltschools.org
Open Houses:
Lawrence Central High School: November 8th from 6-8 pm
Lawrence North High School: November 13th from 6-8 pm
McKenzie Center for Innovation & Technology:
November 19th from 6-7:30 pm
838 East 65th St., Indianapolis, IN 46220 (317) 319-8228 saplingindy.com Call for a tour.
OAKS
Brookside Campus (K - 5): 3092
Brookside Parkway North Drive Indianapolis, IN 46218 Fall Creek Campus (K - 5): 2301 North Park Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46205
Martindale-Brightwood Campus (Pre-K and Grades 6-8): 1301 East 16th Street Indianapolis, IN 46202 (317) 610-0880 theoaksacademy.org
Open House Dates: Fall Creek, Lower School: November 13, 4 – 6 pm
Brookside, Lower School
October 10, 8 - 9:30 am & November 14, 4 – 6 pm Pre-K Center
October 23, 9 - 10:30 am & November 19, 9 - 10:30 am Middle School
November 7, 9 - 10:30 am
ST. RICHARDS
EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
33 East 33rd St., Indianapolis, IN 46205 (317) 926-0425 sresdragons.org
Open House: November 7th from 8:30am-10:00am or come for a personalized tour
615 W 64th St., Indianapolis, IN 46260 (317) 251-9253 orchard.org
Open House: Thursday, October 24th, 6:30 PM to 8:30pm; Thursday, November 21st, 8:30am to 10am; Sunday, January 26th, 1pm to 3pm
SYCAMORE SCHOOL
1750 W 64th St., Indianapolis, IN 46260 (317) 202-2500 sycamoreschool.org
Open House Date: Sunday, October 27 from Noon - 2 pm
2825 W. 116th St., Carmel, IN 46032 (317) 733-4475 universityhighschool.org
Open House: Sunday, November 3, 2024, 2-4 p.m. Sunday, May 4, 2025, 2-4 p.m.
Located within the iconic The Stutz building is another hidden gem of the Circle City — The Stutz Car Museum. The 10,000 squarefoot museum features about a dozen classic cars, including nine on loan from the personal collection of Turner Woodard, an artist, philanthropist and auto collector.
The Stutz Car Museum is a fun place to visit for car lovers of all ages. The classic cars on display include the 1914-1923 Stutz Bearcat, 1920 Stutz Fire Engine, 1926 Stutz Speedster, 1928 Stutz Black Hawk, 1973 Stutz Blackhawk, and various other vehicles that speak to the Indianapolis automotive history. The building itself, The Stutz, dates back to 1912 when it was constructed by Harry Stutz, who founded the Stutz Motor Car Company. It served as a car production site until 1935, when it was forced to close because of the Great Depression.
Eli Lilly and Co. then purchased the complex in 1940 and used it for packaging until 1982, then remained vacant until 1993 when Turner Woodard purchased it as his hub for artists and businesses. Developer SomeraRoad then acquired the property in 2021 and turned it into the 441,000 square foot retail, restaurant, office space, museum and growing list of space it is today.
The Stutz Car Museum is free and open to the public Thursday and Friday from 4-8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. It’s best to double check before heading to the museum because it occasionally closes for private events during public hours. Visitors can call 317-488-7374 to confirm.
1060 N. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis thestutz.com
Carmel Montessori School is located Meridian in Carmel. Our directress is American Montessori Certified with 18 years head-teaching experience and we a a full member of the American Montessori Society. We offer a beautiful, peaceful and positive Montessori learning environment. Extended days available. 1402 W. Main St., Carmel, IN 46032, Contact: Emily & Scott Rudicel, Phone: (317) 580-0699, Email: info@ carmelmontessori.com, carmelmontessori. com
Starting Line Preschool, The Right Start for A Lifelong Love of Learning! Our strong academic-based curriculum prepares and encourages your child to succeed in school while discovering learning is fun! All of our classes focus on an introduction to colors, number and letters with exciting art and science projects. Math, social studies and sight words are taught in the older classes.Develop Social Awareness & Friendships, Build Confidence and Master Academic Skills for Kinder- garten. 110 Third Ave NE, Carmel, IN 46032, Contact: Diane Atkins, Phone: (317) 753-9397, Email: dkatkins22@ msn.com, startinglinepreschool.com
IUPUI Center for Young Children offers childcare and early childhood education for children ages six weeks to five years old and believes children learn through play, experiences, and interaction with their environment and peers. 321 Limestone St., Indianapolis, IN 46202, Phone: 317-274- 3508, childcare.iupui. edu/index.html
St. Richards Episcopal School education provides students aged 3 through grade 8, a transformational experience through our engaging and challenging curriculum while developing global citizens who love learning, embrace diversity and live Episcopal values. Students thrive with small class sizes and personal attention from outstanding faculty as they learn knowledge and values for a lifetime. 33 East 33rd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46205, Phone: (317) 926-0425, Contact: Kim Napier, Director of Admissions, Email: knapier@ sresdragons.org, sresdragons.org
The Oaks Academy is a Christcentered school (Pre-K through 8th grade) that exists to provide a rich, classical education to children of diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds, preparing them to succeed in a rigorous secondary educational program and to demonstrate spiritual, social and emotional maturity. Multiple locations; Contact: Jody Barbour, Phone: 317-610-0880; Email: admissons@theoaksacademy.org; theoaksacademy.org
Beth – El Zedeck Early Childhood Center, where we believe in the power of play, including risky play! We strive to achieve and implement the most developmentally appropriate practices to help our youngest students learn and be successful in their early education. We achieve that by implementing a play based curriculum and providing lots of love and care!. Cost/Tuition: Please call or email for full brochure. Hours/Dates: Flexible Hours. Full Time/Part-Time available. Ages/Grades: 12 months old+, 18 months old+, 2s+, 3s+, 4s+, PreKindergarten (3 day or 5 day option) Before/After School Care: Before and After School Care. Early drop off as early as 7:30 am and late pick up anytime up until 6:00pm/5:30 pm on Fridays. 600 W. 70th St., Indianapolis, IN 46260, Contact: ECC Office, Phone: (317) 259-6854, Fax: 317-2596849 or Email: cfuller@bez613.org
Children’s Day In Nursery
Preschool is a fully inclusive early childhood program with an emphasis on Christian values and learning through play. It is designed to offer children ages 9 months to 5 years a positive and developmentally appropriate first school experience in the care of experienced and loving caregivers. We play and learn! Classes are offered Tuesday through Friday from 9 am to 2:30 pm during the school year. In the summer, we transition to an elementary school age summer camp. And we also offer a Fall and Spring soccer league for young kids. Please call, e-mail or visit our website for further information and registration forms. 5500 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208, Phone: (317) 253-0472, cdi@meridianstreet.org, meridianstreet.org
International School of Indiana is a non-profit, independent school that offers the International Baccalaureate curriculum to all preschool through grade 12 students on our newly unified campus. With lessons taught in English, French, Mandarin, and Spanish, our curriculum helps students excel
academically while learning to become responsible citizens and effective leaders. ISI also offers a wide range of sports, clubs, and arts programs for students of all ages. High school students participate in a comprehensive four-year college counseling program, leading to a 100% college acceptance rate. 4330 N. Michigan Rd.; Phone: (317) 923-1951, ext. 334; email: admissions@isind.org; isind.org
The Orchard School, an independent, non-sectarian, progressive school, emphasizing experiential learning. Orchard teachers engage the natural curiosity of children, develop academic excellence, and provide leadership experience through well-rounded education. Orchard’s diverse community and commitment to multicultural education inspires responsible, global citizenship. Founded in 1922. NAIS, ISACS, NAEYC accredited. 615 W. 64th St., Indianapolis, IN 46260, Contact: Jessica Aiyasami, Director of Admissions, Phone: (317) 713-5717, Fax: (317) 254-8454, Email: jaiyasami@orchard.org, orchard.org
Sapling offers a year round Reggio-inspired preschool for children ages 2 to 5 in conjunction with extended after care hours for working families. We empower children to discover themselves and the world around them as they become critical thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and collaborative community members. We value our students and their passions, curiosities, and joys. Their interests guide the holistic, emergent curriculum and our learning environment. For more information or to explore our virtual tour, please visit our website or facebook.com/saplingindy. To schedule a private tour, please call (317) 319-8228, Contact: Kelsey Livingston, Email: Kelsey@sap lingindy.com, Saplingindy.com
Sycamore School, Indiana's only accredited, independent, private school for Preschool - 8th grade gifted students, teachers trained in gifted education deliver a curriculum designed to challenge and engage gifted learners. Art, music, Spanish, physical education, technology, extensive field trips, athletics, financial aid, and after school activities are offered. 1750 W. 64th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260, Contact: Duane Emery, Director of Enrollment Management, Phone: (317) 202-2500, Email: emery.duane@ sycamoreschool.org, sycamoreschool.org
MSD of Lawrence Township is located in the northeast corner of Indianapolis, Lawrence is a residential suburban community of 95,000+ and home to Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park and Geist Reservoir. With families from widely diverse cultural, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds, the Lawrence community values and embraces diversity as one of its greatest strengths. Lawrence Township strives to be the district of destination, a reputation built over the years based on the district's award-winning staff, accomplished administrators, high-achieving students, supportive community, and innovative educational programs. 6501 Sunnyside Road, Indianapolis, IN 46236; Phone: (317) 423-8200; Email: danaaltemeyer@msdlt.k12.in.us, LTschools.org
Curtis Wilson Primary School and Academy, the elementary school program of Beech Tree House Center for Child Development, Inc., promotes the emotional, physical, intellectual, social, and spiritual development of each child. Our exceptional teaching staff is dedicated to presenting a challenging and enthusiastic learning environment that recognizes each unique learner. With a dedication to personal excellence, all members of our school family are challenged to practice and exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in daily life. Stateaccredited with exemplary ratings. Preschool - Fifth Grade, cwpsa.com / 7850 South Emerson Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46237 / (317) 882-8636 / Email: jhaywood-rollins@ beechtreehouse.com
Kids 360° Early Learning Academy is a first-of-its-kind preschool. With movement at its core, our preschool offers an expansive, state-of-the-art learning environment designed to facilitate optimal learning for the whole child. At Kids 360° Early Learning Academy, we see things differently than other early education centers. We love to see kids moving while their imaginations run wild! We believe that all kids deserve to build strong bodies, brains, and muscles, so we created a strategic environment designed to foster intentional movement and learning while teaching from the inside out. 360 E 186th St., Westfield, IN 46074, Phone: (317) 888-4805, Email: support@kids360preschool.com, kids360preschool.com
Easterseals Crossroads offers comprehensive disability services for people of all ages. Early Intervention, Autism Services, PT, OT, Speech Therapy, Feeding/ Swallowing issues, Augmentative Comm-unication, Assistive Technology, Multi-sensory Therapy Rooms, Summer Camps, Life/Social Skills Groups, Deaf Community Services, Autism Family Resource Center. 4740 Kingsway Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46205, Phone: (317) 466-1000, Email: info@easterseals crossroads.org, eastersealscrossroads.org
St. Mary’s Early Childhood Center The Preschool Program at St. Mary’s Early Childhood Center is Reggio-inspired, nationally accredited, state licensed and Level 4 on Indiana’s quality rating scale. For over 60 years, St. Mary’s has provided the highest-quality preschool experiences that will transition into a foundation for lifelong success. Call or click today to enroll for the 2024 –2025 school year! NEW! Broad Ripple:
4186 Broadway St, Indianapolis, IN 46205; Downtown: 901 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St, Indianapolis, IN 46202; Fort Harrison: 9230 Hawkins Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46216, (317) 635-1491, stmarysecc.org, info@ stmarysecc.org
Interested in being part of our monthly guide? Email
Becca@indyschild.com for more details.
After not being able to get hygiene products, this Indy mom is making sure all families have access to the hygiene products they need.
WORDS BY SAMANTHA KUPIAINEN
leven years ago, Chris tina Huffines was a single mother to her three children when she found herself at a food pantry, noticing they didn’t provide the hygiene products she needed. If anything, she needed the hygiene products just as much as the perishable items.
As a solution to accommodate the lack of hygiene products available to her, she turned into a self-proclaimed “crazy couponer” to obtain the products her family really needed. Somewhere along the way, she morphed her situation into a non-profit, ensuring other families are not without hygiene products. Today, that solution is more formally known as Indy Hygiene Hub, a non-profit that aims to provide basic hygiene products to individuals and families across Indiana, free of charge.
“I realized you couldn’t get hygiene products, and if you could, then you could only get one or two items, and then these were items that also food stamps didn’t cover,” Huffines says. “Back then, I became one of those crazy couponers and started couponing for different hygiene products. I realized that if I was in need of those items, there must be other families in need. Then I just started posting on pay-it-forward sites.”
People started reaching out to Huffines for free hygiene products, and she started meeting people at gas stations to give them bags of hygiene products. In present day, Huffines serves as Indy Hygiene Hub's founder and president, but also works full-time for a functional medicine practice.
“It grew pretty quickly,” Huffines says. “I got involved with my church and we had our first event and we got our first pantry space. Fast forward to COVID and we grew very quickly, very large, and then I had to start ordering stuff in bulk at wholesale. Now we are reaching 500+ families a month.”
According to Provisions Promise, a nonprofit that distributes personal care items to people in need, one in three families in the United States find it “hard to afford basic household items,” which includes hygiene products.
Indy Hygiene Hub provides a variety of hygiene products to those in need, including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, laundry soap, diapers, wipes, pads and tampons.
To utilize its services, patrons can go online to the Indy Hygiene Hub website (indyhygienehub.org ) and register. The third Saturday of each month is the monthly drive-thru pantry from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at 9511 Angola Court, Indianapolis. Valid photo IDs are required, but no further documentation is necessary beyond that.
“Any family can come from all over the state,” Huffines says. “It’s not county based; we help anybody. They just need to come. If they haven’t pre-registered, then we’ll have them fill out the form when they come. When they come, they can get all the items they need.”
As for funding, Indy Hygiene Hub is funded through its annual gala and individuals who make monthly donations, as well as the occasional business that will run donation drives for hygiene products for them.
Indy Hygiene Hub continues to grow, and Huffines hopes to use her non-profit as a way to educate people on the importance of hygiene poverty, and the need that surrounds it.
“Most people still don’t realize that food stamps don't cover diapers, pads and tampons,” Huffines says. “Eventually I want to have my own community center where families can come to one place to get all of their needs met, whether it's to get food, hygiene products, clothes, whatever the items may be. I just want to have one center in the North Indy location area.”
To utilize Indy Hygiene Hub or make a donation, visit indyhygienehub.org
TUES 01
Movies at Midtown: Inside
Out Enjoy an outdoor movie shown on the big video screen in Midtown Plaza. Location: Midtown Plaza Carmel, Time: Noon & 6 pm, midtownplaza carmel.com
Toddler Cooking Introduce your toddler to cooking. We'll provide the materials and instruction for a simple recipe to enjoy together! Location: Plainfield-Guilford Library, Time: 5 pm, plainfieldlibrary.net *F
WED 02
Mushroom Mayhem Enjoy a fungi-focused walk through the woods! Mushrooms are a valuable part of the ecosystem and are a sign of a healthy forest. On our walk you will learn what mushrooms are, what makes them unique and where to find them. Location: Flowing Well Park, Time: 6 pm, carmelclayparks.com *F
Small Wonders: Harvest
Time What is harvest like on the farm? Find out how food is grown and experiment with ways to use plants that we don’t eat. Other activities include sensory play and an interactive story time. Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 10 am, indianamuseum.org
Storytime at Cool Creek
Falling, fluttering, so the leaves do fly. Fall is here, so enjoy a nature-inspired storytime! We will read a story, sing some songs, and enjoy a fun kid’s craft. Location: Cool Creek Nature Center, Time: 10:30 am, hamiltoncounty.in.gov *F
THURS 03
Baby Love Storytime Stories, songs, rhymes, finger-plays, and play time for babies (infant-18 months) accompanied by a caregiver. Siblings welcome. Registration required. Location: Westfield Washington Public Library, Time: 10:30-11:30 am, wwpl.lib. in.us *F
Free Community Movie
Series: Mean Girls Enjoy a free movie — no ticket required! Concessions available for purchase. Location: Schrott Center for the Arts, Time: 7 pm, butlerartscenter.org *F
THURS 03 ‒ SUN 06
James Whitcomb Riley
Festival
One of the largest craft festivals in the state of Indiana, celebrating the birth of James Whitcomb Riley, the Hoosier Poet. Enjoy kids activities, food, flea market booths, fine arts, decorated pumpkins,
a parade and more. Location: Downtown Greenfield, rileyfestival.com
FRI 04
Carmel Oktoberfest Celebrate Oktoberfest Friday with German-style food and drinks, games and live music by Der Polktaz. Peruse the Carmel City Center shops and vendors while enjoying this family-friendly evening. Location: Carmel City Center, Time: 6-10 pm, carmel.in.gov
Epicurean Indy - An International Food Festival
A celebration of Indianapolis’ own international food, beverage, art and music, with 15+ food and drink vendors, musicians, and artists in conjunction with First Friday open studios. Location: The Stutz, Time: 5:30-8:30 pm, instagram.com/ tasteindianapolis *F
Mother and Son Bonfire
Night Grab your flannels and gather around the fire for a memorable night. Activities include s’mores, crafts, a scavenger hunt, bat presentation and hayrides. Location: Arbuckle Acres Park, Time: 6-9 pm, brownsburg.org
at Craig Park in Greenwood
SAT 05
Barktoberfest Bring your furry friend and help support the Humane Society of Hamilton County. Find pet-related vendors, food vendors, activities for humans and dogs, a canine agility course, adoptable pets and pet costume contests. Location: Asa Bales Park in Westfield, Time: 11 am, westfieldwelcome.com
Brewfari Leave the little ones at home and enjoy an adults night out at the zoo! Sample a selection of brews, enjoy Halloween-themed activities and music, and get up close with the animals at this adults-only evening. Location: Indianapolis Zoo, Time: 8-11 pm, indianapoliszoo.com
Broad Ripple Fall Art Walk Featuring neighborhood galleries, boutiques, restaurants, offices and shops, each hosting their own unique art exhibit or live music. Location: Broad Ripple, Time: 2 pm, broadrippleindy.org
Buddy Walk A family-friendly event open to all children and adults with Down syndrome, their families, friends and local supporters. Location: Celebration Plaza in White River State Park, Time: 9 am-Noon, dsindiana.org/ buddywalk *SN
Germanfest Discover your inner German at this family-friendly festival. Activities and food will be scattered throughout the Athenaeum grounds, centering on Michigan and New Jersey Streets. Enter south of the Rathskeller Biergarten. Festivities include Durstig games, live wiener dog races, traditional German food and beverages, and Zwergenland for children. Location: Athenaeum, Time: 12-6 pm, athenaeumindy.org
Harvest Time Hayrides Kick off autumn with a day of fall activities, food and fun, including a bonfire at the Old Barn, apple launching, wagon hay rides, a pumpkin patch, bounce houses, vendor market, food trucks and more. Location: Avon Town Hall Park, Time: 4-8 pm, avonindiana.gov
Monument Circle Art Fair
This family-friendly public event showcases the work of regional artists, plus music, food and more. Location: Monument Circle, Time: 10 am-5 pm, monumentcircleart.org *F
Peanut Butter & Jam: Silly
Safaris Not-So-Scary Animal Show
Come and see your favorite scary animals and see for yourself why they aren't so scary after all. We are taught to be afraid of snakes, spiders, bugs and birds, but meeting them up close makes them so much more friendly. Location: The Studio Theatre, Time: 10:30 am, thecenterpresents.org
Potter’s Bridge Fall Festival
Enjoy autumn at this family-friendly festival! Listen to live music, visit 90+ art and food booths, watch your little ones play in the KidZone, or simply take in the natural beauty of the most scenic park on the White River Greenway trail. Location: Potter’s Bridge Park, Time: 10 am-5 pm, hamiltoncounty. in.gov *F
Young Explorers: Pumpkin Patch Explorers Experience the changing seasons by working together on Halloween-inspired creations and pumpkin-based art projects. And of course, we will check out some spooky science! Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 1 pm, indianamuseum.org
SAT 05 ‒ SUN 06
Pumpkin Festival Enjoy pumpkin decorating, pumpkin photo ops, special snack items for purchase, plus family favorites like the tube slide, jumping pillows, wagon rides, corn maze, and more. Location: Stuckey Farm, stuckeyfarm.com
SUN 06
Circulating Sounds Concert: Tomás Lozano Enjoy a Spanish guitar and vocal performance of famed Mexican poet, José Emilio Pacheco. Location: Central Library, Time: 2 pm, indypl.org *F
MON 07
Baby Cafe: Lapsit Storytime Come meet other parents and caregivers while enjoying a lap-sit storytime with your baby, ages 0-18 months! Location: Plainfield-Guilford Library, Time: 6 pm, plainfieldlibrary.net *F
Play with Patterns with WFYI and PBS Kids An interactive preschool program that introduces children to patterns through stories, music, games and more! Explore math skills and creativity with trusted content from PBS Kids. Location: Warren Branch Library, Time: 10:30 am, indypl.org *F
08
Jungle Tales Bring your preschooler to this program with a focus on the natural world. Enjoy a different nature-related story, activity and craft each month. $5; registration required. Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, Time: 10-11 am, garfieldgardensconservatory.org
Movies at Midtown: Monsters vs. Aliens Enjoy an outdoor movie shown on the big video screen in Midtown Plaza. Location: Midtown Plaza Carmel, Time: Noon & 6 pm, midtownplazacarmel.com
WED 09
Alphabet Art Boost your preschooler's imagination and letter knowledge through an engaging art project with Jeremy South of Ripple Mobile Arts. Location: West Perry Branch Library, Time: 10:30 am, indypl.org *F
Fall’s Fruits & Leaves Have you seen the “Indiana Banana,” tasted a native persimmon from Indiana, or smelled the leaves of the “Indiana Forsythia”? Join us as we feel, smell, taste and see Indiana’s treasures of the fall! After the presentation, we will go on a hike to look for these treasures in the woods. $10; 3rd grade and older. Location: Cool Creek Nature Center, Time: 1 pm, hamiltoncounty.in.gov
THURS 10
Preschool Story Hour: Spiders We will read a book, enjoy a craft, and participate in a fun activity all related to the theme of the day!
Location: Taylor Center of Natural History, Time: 11 am, hamiltoncounty.in.gov *F
Puppet Show: The Tortoise and the Hare Experience the excitement of live puppet theater in this original retelling of the classic Aesop's tale by Adzooks Puppets. Cheer on the Tortoise and the Hare as they learn that there are no losers when it comes to friendship. Location: East Washington Branch Library, Time: 10:30 am, indypl.org *F
THURS 10 ‒ SUN 13
Morgan County Fall Foliage Festival A Martinsville tradition featuring a carnival, craft fair, 5K run/ walk, car show and a parade on Sunday. Location: Morgan County Courthouse lawn, morgancountyfallfoliagefestival.com
FRI 11
Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert Experience Jim Henson’s original masterpiece Labyrinth like never before! Watch the full movie, as a live band performs in sync with David Bowie’s original vocals, playing the songs and score composed by Bowie and Trevor Jones. Feel the power of the music from the cult classic live!
Location: Old National Centre, Time: 7:30 pm, murattheatreoldnational.com
Night at the Boo Bash Bring your family and friends and dress in your most creative costume for a chance to win a grand prize. Gear up for a spooktacular night of dancing, candy and fun activities for all ages like light play and a scream booth!
Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 6-8 pm, indianamuseum.org
SAT 12
The Arts in Autumn Featuring food vendors, arts and crafts merchants, family activities, a screening of Hotel Transylvania at 2 p.m., live entertainment, a custom photo booth, a dog costume contest and a variety of City of Carmel
SAT-SUN, OCTOBER 05-06 PUMPKIN FESTIVAL at Stuckey Farm
giveaways. Event attendees and their pets are invited to dress up in their favorite costumes. Location: Midtown Plaza Carmel, Time: 2-6 pm, midtownplazacarmel.com *F
Celebrate Science Indiana A STEM-packed festival featuring more than 50 hands-on activity booths, engaging talks on computer game development and Antarctica, and the fan-favorite "Chemistry is a Blast" show, plus an Early Education Kids Zone, perfect for our youngest science enthusiasts. Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds, Time: 9:30 am, celebratescienceindiana.org
Cottage Home Block Party
The greatest block party in the city is back! Enjoy food trucks, kids' activities, beer & wine, artist vendors, live music on two stages and lots more. Location: 700 blocks of Dorman St. & Highland Ave., Time: 5-11 pm, facebook.com/ CottageHomeIndy
Fall Trees Tour Experience fall color at Crown Hill! On this arborist-led tour, take a closer look at some of the remarkable trees in the cemetery, giving you a chance to appreciate the views and learn about the physiology behind the season of letting go. Participants of all ages will be able to collect leaves. $10. Location: Crown Hill Cemetery, Time: 10 am, crownhillhf.org
Pioneer Fall Fest Enjoy a day of pioneer fun! Join a “quilting bee,” make a corn husk doll and fresh butter, and learn all about pioneer plants. Location: Strawtown Koteewi Park, Time: 1-4 pm, hamiltoncounty.in.gov *F
Fall Foliage Express All aboard for a relaxing fall family train ride! Passengers will enjoy the scenic countryside of northern Hamilton County while riding in a 1956 train car. Each ticket includes a sweet fall treat and local apple cider. Fall cocktails, beer and wine will be available for purchase in all train cars. Location: Nickel Plate Express, Time: 1:30 & 3 pm, nickelplateexpress.com
Baby & Toddler Storytime
Babies and toddlers and their grownups are invited for stories, songs, coloring/crafts, and playtime. Location: Fort Ben Branch Library, Time: 10:30 am, indypl.org *F
Messy Mondays You and your little one can make a mess and explore science and art through hands-on, sensory focused projects. Children will learn about a variety of STEAM topics that promote learning through play. Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 10 am, indianamuseum.org
TUES 15
Free Community Movie
Series: Twilight Enjoy a free movie — no ticket required! Concessions available for purchase. Location: Schrott Center for the Arts, Time: 7 pm, butlerartscenter.org *F
National Mushroom Day with Meggy Mushroom Enjoy a reading of Toadstool School, followed by a mushroom inspired craft and short nature hike to look for some mushrooms. Location: Cool Creek Nature Center, Time: 10:30 am, hamiltoncounty. in.gov
Trail Tales: Wicked Webs
Explore the world outside with your little ones during this 60-minute, staff led program. Each month introduces a new topic through story time, exploration in nature, and hands-on activities. $5. Ages 3-5. Location: Holliday Park, Time: 10 am, indypark.org
WED 16
Fall Break Frolic for the Fam
Bring the whole family for some wholesome fun in the park! Go on a guided nature hike and learn about the changes happening in nature, do a craft, learn about owls and dissect a pellet, and end with some cider by a fire. Hike is stroller-friendly. $6. Location: Southeastway Park, Time: 10 am, indyparks.org
AUTUMNTIDINGS
FALL FEST at Monon 30
Folksy Flute and Strings
Butler University’s professor of flute and ISO member Alistair Howlett will join ISO string players for a delightful program inspired by folk songs, along with Mozart’s Quartet for flute and strings. Location: Robertson Hall at Butler University, Time: 7:30 pm, butlerarts center.org *F
Twilight Tales: Strange
Encounters Enjoy – in the dark – a night of family-friendly mystery and spooky intrigue! Decorate your own candy bag, help solve a mystery, and find hidden clues throughout the galleries as you explore the museum by flashlight. Costumes are encouraged! Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 7 pm, indianamuseum.org
17
Little Haunt on the Prairie Spooky yet age-appropriate Halloween activities for kids and their families! Come in costume and enjoy nature interpretation, entertainment, a hayride, food for purchase, and activities for the little ones as they trick-or-treat their way through this spooky event. $5. Location: Cool Creek Nature Center, Time: 5-8:30 pm, hamiltoncounty.in.gov/296/Parks-andRecreation
Movies at Midtown: Coco
Enjoy an outdoor movie shown on the big video screen in Midtown Plaza. Location: Midtown Plaza Carmel, Time: 6 pm, midtownplazacarmel.com
FRI 18
Garden Storytime Meet in Blake’s Children’s Garden and learn about nature through a story reading. After the reading, children are encouraged to stay and explore the garden. Ages 2-8. Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, Time: 10:30 am, garfieldgardensconservatory.org *F
Good Night Forest Play
Group Immerse yourself in the fun of nighttime in the early morning! Before the museum opens to the public, children and their caregivers can explore, play and interact with other families at Good Night Forest, a nature-inspired experience created especially for little ones. Ages 6 and younger. Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 9-10 am, indianamuseum.org
Hayrides @ Eagle Creek
Enjoy a 40-minute trip around the fields, forest, and roadways of the park on a wagon ride. Bring your own blankets. $10. Location: Eagle Creek Park, indyparks.org
Monster Mash Trick or treaters can don their costumes for a spooktacular celebration. Highlights include trick or treating, music, food and much more! Location: Craig Park in Greenwood, Time: 6:30-8:30 pm, greenwood.in.gov *F
SAT 19
Autumntidings Fall Fest A celebration of all things fall with live music, delicious food, an orchard stand with pumpkin painting, fresh cider, craft cider and beer tastings, caramel apples and more fall festivities. Location: Monon 30, Time: 1-6 pm, autumntidingsfallfest.com
Bilingual Campfire & Story
Time Join a bilingual naturalist and learn about local plants, insects, animals and more in both English and Spanish. Location: Holliday Park, Time: 2 pm, hollidaypark.org *F
Boo ‘N Brew Fall Festival
Stroll down Clay Terrace collecting goodies from retailers and sampling treats from restaurants. Children can enjoy face painting, balloon artists, Silly Safari shows, and horse drawn carriage hayrides. Parents can delight in the beer garden while enjoying live music. Location: Clay Terrace, Time: 2-6 pm, clayterrace.com *F
Fall Colors Festival Enjoy hands-on activities for all ages, such as axe-throwing, throwing an atlatl (an ancient hunting weapon), hayrides, yard games, crafts and more! Location: McCloud Nature Park, Time: 10 am-3 pm, hendrickscountyparks.org *F
Family Camp Family Camp is designed to give you the confidence to take your family out camping. We will have classes on cooking, setting up equipment, gear choices, and a host of other topics to get you started on your camping adventure. Location: White River Campground, hamiltoncounty. in.gov
Wizard Express Climb aboard for a magical journey into the wizarding world. Brush up on local wizarding news, learn some new spells and enjoy treats. All excursions board at platform 8¾ in Noblesville. All tickets include an activity, wand and butter beverage. Location: Nickel Plate Express, nickelplateexpress.com
SUN 20
Box Turtle Recess See box turtles out of their enclosure and exploring a new area. Depending on the number of visitors in attendance, you may have the opportunity to touch the box turtles during this program. Location: Eagle Creek Park, Time: 2 pm, indyparks.org *F
Healthy Start: Family
Wellness Fair
Get a healthy start for your baby with informational sessions, free vision screening, and fun giveaways. Planned sessions include childbirth education, feeding and lactation, safe sleep and infant care. Location: Plainfield-Guilford Library, Time: 2-4 pm, plainfieldlibrary.net *F
Nature Sunday School: Fall Colors In the fall trees reveal their true colors. Learn about the chemistry of the colors and what these colors mean. Location: Cool Creek Nature Center, Time: 2-3 pm, hamiltoncounty. in.gov *F
@ Indiana State Museum Visit the museum for an experience especially tailored towards individuals with sensory processing needs. Social narratives and sensory bags are available at the ticket counter and sensory based activities will be set up throughout the museum. Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 3-5 pm, indianamuseum.org *SN
Family Bingo Night Kids, bring your parents or grandparents for a fun intergenerational night with classic bingo games! Location: Westfield Washington Public Library, Time: 6 pm, wwpl.lib.in.us *F
Fish Friends with Clint Kowalik Explore life as a fish with Clint in this preschool program. Children will hear fish stories, learn fascinating facts about fish and their habitats, and even get the chance to catch a fish! Location: Beech Grove Branch Library, Time: 11 am, indypl.org *F
TUES 22
Movies at Midtown: Zootopia
Enjoy an outdoor movie shown on the big video screen in Midtown Plaza. Location: Midtown Plaza Carmel, Time: Noon & 6 pm, midtownplazacarmel.com
The Slightly Haunted Puppet Show This Halloween program features Melchior Marionettes performing in full view of the audience. The cast includes dancing ghosts and skeletons, a juggling scarecrow, and Esmerelda the witch, while Dracula welcomes visitors from a second story ghost house. Location: Irving Theatre, Time: 6:30 pm, attheirving. com *F
WED 23
Baby ArtsPlay Little ones will be engaged through stories and songs with sensory play and body movement activities! Help your 6 month-36 month child with their motor skills, emergent language, spatial awareness, and object permanence in this workshop with teaching artist Amauunet Ashé from Arts for Learning. Location: Michigan Road Branch Library, Time: 10:30 am, indypl.org *F
Sensory Storytime: Spooky Stories Everyone is welcome at this sensory-friendly program! We will read stories, sing songs, and enjoy play activities to engage all children and all abilities. Location: Plainfield-Guilford Library, Time: 4:30 pm, plainfieldlibrary. ne t *F *SN
WED 23 ‒
Haunted/Less Haunted Conservatory Ages 8+: Get spooked as you walk through the Haunted Conservatory, complete with scary music, decorations and ghouls! 7-9 p.m. Under 8: Bring the little ones in their costumes for Halloween fun during less scary daylight hours of the Haunted Conservatory. There will be no scarers. Just tropical plants all decked out for Halloween. 5:30-7 p.m.
Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, garfieldgardensconservatory.org
THURS 24
Fall Colors Hike Explore the stunning foliage and learn about the magic behind the changing leaves and identify some trees along the way. Perfect for all ages, this guided hike is on a paved trail with some slopes.
Location: Arbuckle Acres Park, Time: 1 pm, brownsburg.org
Fall Evening Campfire Enjoy a cozy evening around the fire and a short guided hike after dark. Snacks and hot beverages will be provided; guests are welcome to bring any musical instruments, sweet treats, or family-friendly stories to share around the fire. Location: Taylor Center of Natural History, Time: 6-8 pm, hamiltoncounty.in.gov
Trick-or-Treat on Simmons
Street Dress up and bring the whole family for a fun trick-or-treat experience at your library! Location: Plainfield-Guilford Library, Time: 5-7 pm, plainfieldlibrary.net *F
THURS 24 ‒ MON 28
Hauntless Halloween Join Holliday Park staff and actors or an enchantingly fun fall evening. Families hike along candlelit trails and meet magical talking forest creatures, then return to the backyard of the Nature Center for a campfire, refreshments and activities. Registration required. Location: Holliday Park, Time: 5-8 pm, hollidaypark.org
FRI 25
Celebrate Diwali: Festival of Lights Drop in for stories, songs, activities and a craft celebrating this Indian festival. Location: Carmel Clay Public Library, Time: 10-11:30 am, carmelclaylibrary.org *F
Family Game Night Bring your friends and your favorite games along for an epic night of laughter and camaraderie. Whether you're into card games, board games, or yard games, all are encouraged. $1. Location: Garfield Burrello Family Center, Time: 5-7:45 pm, indyparks.org
Halloween at Riverside Park
Need a fun safe place for your little ones to trick or treat? Enjoy a boo-tastic time at the park! Location: Riverside Park, Time: 6:30-8 pm, indyparks. org *F
Halloween Festival Need a fun, safe place for your little goblins to have some spooky fun? There will be lots of table games, prizes, face painting, contests, food, candy and so much more. Location: Christian Park, Time: 6 pm, indyparks.org *F
Haunted Moonlight Egg
Hunt Dare to venture out into the moonlight for a monster egg hunt (search for plastic eggs with candy and prizes inside), games, crafts, refreshments and a howling great time! Bring a flashlight and dress appropriately. If you wear a costume, you get an extra special prize. Ages 4-13. Location: Broad Ripple Park, Time: 7-8:30 pm, indyparks.org
Trick or Treating in the Plaza Enjoy a community-wide trick-or-treating event! Afterward, gather on the Great Lawn for a movie. Location: Grand Junction Plaza, Time: 5:30-7:30 pm, westfieldwelcome.com *F
FRI 25 ‒ THURS 31
Festival of Jack-o-Lanterns
The Riley Gardens pathways will be dotted with individually carved pumpkins for a candlelit walking tour. Guests are invited to tour the grounds at their leisure. Location: JW Riley Boyhood Home and Museum, Time: 7-9 pm, greenfieldin.org
SAT 26
78th Annual Historic Irvington Halloween Festival A week of Halloween events, including a run, masquerade ball, contests, Halloween-themed movies, storytelling, ghost tours, live theater, bike rides, a haunted puppet show and more. The festival culminates with a street fair which includes over 120 vendors, live-music and a costume parade. Location: Downtown Irvington, irvingtonhalloween.com
Boo Bash Celebrate Halloween with free live music and entertainment, food trucks, games and activities, and more! Come in costume for some great photo opportunities with City of Fishers departments and vendors. Location: Nickel Plate District AMP, Time: 10 am-2 pm, playfishers.com *F
Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) Celebration Enjoy free admission during a day of celebration with performances, art-making, Mercado vendors, community groups, and a community-curated art and altar display. Location: Eiteljorg Museum, Time: 10 am, eiteljorg.org *F
Halloween Parade Enjoy a Halloween parade through downtown Greenwood! All ages are welcome. Wear your costumes and line the street along the route for a parade of trick or treating. Location: Downtown Greenwood, Time: 5 pm, greenwood. in.gov
Howl-o-ween Dog Egg Hunt
Dress up your pooch and have your dog search for eggs filled with Three Dog Bakery treats and prizes. Event is planned outdoors. Location: Broad Ripple Park, indyparks.org
Sensory-friendly Trick-orTreat Trail If trick-or-treating is difficult for your child, here’s a sensory-friendly solution! Put on your favorite costume and don’t forget your bag for candy. Friendly volunteers will be dressed in non-frightening masks or costumes along a fully accessible trail. Enjoy the festive fall experience at your own pace. Only trick or treaters need to be registered, but preregistration is required. Location: River Heritage Park, Time: 1-3 pm, carmelclayparks.com *SN
THURS, OCTOBER 24
FALL COLORS HIKE at Arbuckle Acres Park
Spooky Skate
Enjoy an adaptive/ sensory-friendly Halloween skate! Lights are turned down, music is softened, and the 'scary' is toned back for a ghoulishly good time! Wheelchairs permitted, skate walkers
available, and there will be ice sleds on hand for those with ambulatory needs. Location: Ice Arena at Perry Park, 6-7 pm, indyparks.org *F *SN
SAT 26 ‒ SUN 27
Indy Island Haunted House
Spooktacular fun at the scariest lights-off haunted house in Indy Parks! Dare to enter a haunted house filled with spine-chilling screams, dark corridors and lurking shadows. Ages 5+. $5. Location: Indy Island Center, Time: 5-9 pm, indyparks.org
Nightmare Before
Christmas Market Wear a costume for $5 admission to shop among vendors, go tent-or-treating, play some pumpkin bowling, and enjoy holiday foods at the snack barn. Location: Stuckey Farm, stuckeyfarm.com
Pumpkinliner Enjoy a round trip from Connersville's Grand Central Station to the pumpkin patch. Your ticket includes round trip train service, a hay ride to and from the patch, and a pumpkin for each child 12 and under. Location: Whitewater Valley Railroad, whitewatervalleyrr.org
Trick or Treat on the Rails
Embark on a 65-minute train journey while dressed in your finest Halloween attire. As you board the train, be delighted by friendly characters distributing candy and seize the opportunity to capture memorable photos with them. Tickets include a pumpkin donut and fresh apple cider. Location: Nickel Plate Express, nickelplateexpress.com
SUN 27
Children’s Halloween Party
Participate in games and the annual contest for best costumes for children and adults. Location: Scottish Rite Cathedral, Time: 2-4 pm, aasr-indy.org
Princess Tea Enjoy an enchanting afternoon filled with tea and treats fit for royalty. Dress up as your favorite princess, wear your glamorous tiara and enjoy a delightful tea party with special appearances from beloved princess characters. Location: Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael, Time: 12-3 pm, feinsteinshc.com
TUES 29
Gold Over America Tour
This celebration of world-class gymnastics, starring Simone Biles and America’s best gymnasts, is designed to inspire the next generation of champions. Location: Gainbridge
Fieldhouse, Time: 7:30 pm, goldoveramericatour.com
WED 30
Creepy Creatures Put on your Halloween costume and come learn about some creepy and not-so-creepy creatures. Have fun meeting live critters and doing a craft. $6; registration required. Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, Time: 10 am, garfieldgardensconservatory.org
Spooky Storytime Enjoy spooky stories, songs and a fun craft. Don't forget to dress up in your favorite spooky costume! Ages 1-5. Location: Hussey-Mayfield Library-Whitestown, Time: 10:30 am, hmmpl.org *F
Taylor Swift Party Celebrate
Taylor and make some final preparations for her Indianapolis Eras Tour shows! Participate in Swifty Singo, get a photo at the selfie station, relax with Taylor-themed coloring sheets, make friendship bracelets and more. $10. Location: Washington Township Pavilion Center, Time: 6-9 pm, washingtontwpparks.org
Trick or Treating @ the Burrello Family Center Enjoy a variety of Halloween-themed tables, fun games, and lively music throughout the night. Location: Garfield Burrello Family Center, Time: 5:30 pm, indyparks.org
THURS 31
Drop-In Craft: Halloween! Come create a Halloween-themed craft with colorful paper, crayons and glue! Ages 2-5. Location: Carmel Clay Public Library, Time: 10-11:30 am, carmelclaylibrary.org *F
Toddler Time: A (Not So)
Spooky Halloween Explore the seasonal changes and all-thingsHalloween! From spooky investigations to pumpkin art projects, we’ll have fun getting ready for the spooky season. Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 9 am, indianamuseum.org
Headless Horseman Festival Oct. 3-27. Conner Prairie’s annual fall festival is full of activities, shows and spooktacular family fun. Take an adventure on our haunted hayride where you’ll get chased down by the Headless Horseman! Location: Conner Prairie, connerprairie.org
Fiddler on the Roof Oct. 10-Nov. 24. Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor milkman, and five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and encourage traditional values in a changing world. Location: Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, beefandboards. com
Children’s Museum Guild’s Haunted House: Witch Way Road Trip Oct. 10-31. Pack your bags and get ready to head out on a Witch Way Road Trip, a cross-country journey along Route 60. But with so many bumps in the road, will you make it to your final destination, Boneyard Beach? Location: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, childrensmuseum.org
Boo-La-La! An Indianapolis Spooktacular Oct. 11-27. Enjoy a spooky journey around the world! Look forward to hearing scary stories, meeting monsters, and learning about superstitions from different cultures. Location: Fonseca Theatre, fonsecatheatre. org
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Through Oct. 13. A motley crew of wonderfully unique and impassioned young spellers each yearn to be the next county champion. With clever songs, quirky characters, and uproarious humor, this captivating musical comedy is a silly celebration of the thrill of victory, the irony of defeat, and the gift of being true to yourself. Location: Indiana Repertory Theatre, irtlive.com
Russell Farms Country Fall Festival Sept. 21-Oct. 27. Enjoy a fall country festival jam-packed with fun activities for all ages, including a petting zoo, hay wagon rides to the pumpkin patch, scavenger hunt corn mazes, miniature golf, slides, several playground areas, lasso a bull, and many more activities! Location: Russell Farms Pumpkin Patch, russell-farms.com
Piney Acres Fall on the Farm Through Oct. 30. This 73 acre farm is full of wide open space where families can connect and enjoy relaxed farm fun activities, both educational and entertaining. Fall activities include hayrides, corn mazes, gem mining, play n’ explore areas, barnyard animal visits and autumn treats in the farm store. Location: Piney Acres Farm, pineyacresfarm.com
Good Night Forest Through Oct. 31. Step into a beloved children’s storybook as you encounter whimsical scenes and engaging sensory activities in this new nature-inspired experience. Designed to help build confidence and cultivate scientific curiosity, children will discover and learn about animals that emerge in their neighborhoods and local forests after the sun goes down. Location: Indiana State Museum, indianamuseum.org
Waterman’s Fall Harvest Festival Through Oct. 31. A yearly fall celebration with hayrides to the pumpkin patch, a corn maze, tire mountain, outdoor gaming area, Toddler Town and much more. Location: Waterman’s Family Farm, watermansfamilyfarm.com
ZooBoo Sept. 25-Oct. 31. Enjoy Halloween activities, amazing animals and pumpkins galore! Fall weather means active animals, colorful foliage and a new season to explore. Combine that with engaging, hands-free activities, spooktacular costumes and trick-or-treating — plus, the chance to boogie-woogie to a live DJ — and you’ve got an unforgettable family tradition. Wed., Thurs. & Sun., 2-7 pm; Fri. & Sat., 2-9 pm. Location: Indianapolis Zoo, indianapoliszoo.com
Harvest Nights Through Nov. 2. A spooky, not scary, spectacle featuring glowing gourds galore, friendly spirits, fog-filled forests and lots more. Location: Newfields, discovernewfields.org
McCloud Prairie Maze Through Oct. 31. Celebrate Hendricks County this fall with a trip through the bicentennial-themed prairie maze. The correct route through the maze results in a hike of approximately 2/3 of a mile. Free and appropriate for all ages! Location: McCloud Nature Park, hendrickscountyparks.org
Beasley’s Orchard Fall Festival Sept. 14-Oct. 31. Celebrate the season and enjoy some fall family fun on the farm with a corn maze, hayrides, straw mountain, apple cannon, pumpkin patch and more. Location: Beasley’s Orchard, beasleysorchard.com
