Things to Do in January

SUN 01 First Day Hike at the Fort Start your New Year off right by participating in Indiana State Park's traditional First Day Hike! Wear warm clothes, comfortable shoes, and meet the naturalist at the Delaware Lake picnic shelter to join this 2-mile hike on a paved loop. Dogs permitted on leash. Hot cocoa provided while supplies last. • Location: Fort Harrison State Park, Time: 1-2:30 pm,

Scien-Tots Little scientists and their caregivers will investigate STEM concepts, (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) through a story and hands-on exploration at learning stations in this lab-style program. Ages 2-4; registration required. • Location: Noblesville Library, Time: 9:30-10:15 am, hepl.

TUES 02 Tiny Tinkerers Make, learn and share together! This interactive storytime encourages building, play and early literacy skills for young children and their caregivers. • Location: Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library, Time: 10-10:30 am, plainfieldlibrary.net FREE

WED 04 Storytime at Cool Creek Nature Center Winter is on its way and the animals are staying warm and cozy at the nature center. Enjoy a fun nature-inspired storytime and a nature-related kids craft. • Location: Cool Creek Nature Center, Time: 10:30-11:30 am, hamiltoncounty.in.gov

THURS 05 First Thursday Night @ The Children’s Museum On the first Thursday of every month, it's just $6 admission per person! • Location: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Time: 4-8 pm, childrensmuseum.org Newfields Community Day Enjoy free admission to Newfields on the first Thursday of the month. Advance ticket is required. • Location: Newfields, Time: 11 am-8 pm, discovernewfields.org FREE

FRI 06 Pajama-Rama Put on your cutest pair of pajamas, grab your favorite teddy bear, pack up a blanket, and enjoy a fun program for toddlers and preschoolers. • Location: Cool Creek Nature Center, Time: 7-7:45 pm, hamiltoncounty.in.gov

SAT 07 Peanut Butter and Jam: Animals of the North Pole Meet Jingle John, a reindeer herder from the Scandinavian Sami culture, as he introduces you to amazing animals of the Arctic Circle, one of the coldest, harshest environments on the planet. • Location: The Center for the Performing Arts, Time: 10:30 & 11:15 am,

Story Castle Cinema: The Snow Queen Enjoy a free family-friendly movie in the Story Castle! • Location: Westfield Washington Public Library, Time: 1-3 pm, wwpl.lib.in.us FREE

SUN 08 Meet a Raptor Join a naturalist at the Ornithology Center to discover the world of raptors! You will meet one of our Raptor Ambassadors and see a special training demonstration. • Location: Eagle Creek Park, Time: 2:30-3 pm, indyparks.org

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

MON 09 Messy Munchkins Listen to a story, then squish and smush your way into the benefits of messy play. Dress for mess! Ages 2-5. Registration required. • Location: Noblesville Library, Time: 10-11 am, hepl.lib.in.us FREE

Tales for Twos and Threes Enjoy exhilarating books, stories and rhymes. Free tickets are required and will be available—first come, first served—at the Kids Desk 30 minutes prior to start time. • Location: Carmel Clay Library, Time: 10:30-11 am, carmelclaylibrary.org FREE

TUES 10 Family Game Night Families and children of all ages are invited to drop in any time to make new friends while playing board games or solving puzzles. Games and puzzles will be provided. • Location: Haughville Branch Library, Time: 6-7:30 pm, indypl.org FREE

Jungle Tales Bring your preschooler to this program with a focus on the natural world. Join us for a different nature-related story, activity and craft each month. Registration required. $5. Ages 2-6. • Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, Time: 10-11 am,

Small Wonders: Building Blocks What can you build with blocks? Create engineering designs and block-inspired art, take part in an interactive story time and more. • Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 10-11 am, indianamuseum.org

WED 11 Little Ones Storytime Enjoy an active storytime and lively songs for ages 12-14 months. Free tickets are required and will be available—first come, first served—at the Kids Desk thirty minutes prior to the scheduled program start time. • Location: Carmel Clay Library, Time: 10:30-10:50 am, carmelclaylibrary.org FREE

THURS 12 Library Babies Enjoy rhymes, songs, and stories for infants ages 0-12 months. • Location: Carmel Clay Library, Time: 10:30-10:50 am, carmelclaylibrary.org FREE

Preschool Story Hour: Bobcats Preschoolers (ages 2-5) can join in on an hour of fun! We will read a book, do 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-Noon, hamiltoncounty.in.gov FREE

SAT 14 Critter Chat Drop by Blake’s Garden to meet a resident critter! • Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, 2 pm, indyparks.org FREE

Family Fort Building Guided by a park naturalist, build a shelter or a fort with your family using natural materials found in the woods. Dress for the weather and for mud as this is a rain or shine program! • Location: McCloud Nature Park, Time: 2-4 pm, hendrickscountyparks.org FREE

A Feast for Your Own Eyes Enjoy an enchanting production by deaf performing artist, Peter Cook, whose work incorporates American Sign Language, pantomime, storytelling, acting, and movement. Using nonverbal methods of storytelling, Cook creates community for both deaf and hearing audiences. • Location: Indiana History Center, Time: 7 pm, storytellingarts.org

Star Wars Night @ Indy Fuel The Fuel will battle the dark side (Kalamazoo Wings) in their galactic Star Wars jerseys, which fans can bid on after the game. Meet your favorite Star Wars characters and get ready for the best night in the entire galaxy! • Location: Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Time: 7 pm, indyfuelhockey.com

SAT 14—SUN 15 Greater

Indianapolis Garage Sale & Marketplace The largest garage sale in the nation is a bargain hunter’s paradise, with more than 600 booths in two pavilions, offering a plethora of items at unbelievable prices. • Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds, garagesaleandmarketplace.com

SUN 15 Family Concert Series: Teddy Bear Concert with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Young children and their families are invited to an introduction to the orchestra through story, movement and live music. Teddy bears welcome! • Location: Central Library, Time: 3-4 pm, indypl.org FREE

Harlem Globetrotters Your favorite Globetrotter stars are bringing out their amazing basketball skill, outrageous athleticism and a non-stop good time as they go headto-head against the Washington Generals who will stop at nothing to try and defeat the world’s winningest team! • Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Time: 12:30 & 5:30 pm, gainbridgefieldhouse.com

MON 16 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration The Ice at Carter Green will have special hours on this day for the community to come and enjoy the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday! • Location: Carter Green in Carmel, theiceatcartergreen.org

Free Admission @ The Children’s Museum Celebrate the life, achievements and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with free admission. • Location: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Time: 10 am, childrensmuseum.org FREE

Free Admission @ Eiteljorg Museum Celebrate MLK Day with free admission to Eiteljorg Museum, and the final day of Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure. • Location: Eiteljorg Museum, Time: 10 am-5 pm, eiteljorg.

Free Admission @ Indiana State Museum Celebrate Dr. King’s dream and explore the ongoing struggle for civil rights with free admission to ISM. Videos will highlight Dr. King’s most iconic speeches, and activities and performances will explore civil and human rights. Reflect on what you can do to ensure the dream lives on. • Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 10 am-5 pm, indianamuseum.org FREE

Martin Luther King Jr. Day @ Conner Prairie Enjoy free admission to honor and celebrate identity, belonging, community and love. Through music, art, activism and elevation of female voices, visitors can come together to pledge to BE love – for ourselves, for others, and for the future. Experience inspirational programming throughout the day and take part in the joy of community. • Location: Conner Prairie, Time: 10 am-5 pm,

TUES 17 Toddler & Preschool Storytime Children ages 2-5 and an adult are invited for stories, songs, and rhymes. • Location: Nora Branch Library, Time: 10:30-11:30 am, indypl.org

WED 18 Cozy Movie Night A night to drink some hot cocoa or cider, eat cookies, and watch a movie while staying cozy inside with those you love. BYOB (bring your own blankets!) Registration required. $3. • Location: Chuck Klein Sports Complex, Time: 6-8 pm, indyparks.org

Nature Preschool Explorers: Squirrels, Snowmen and Walking the Woods January 18th is World Snowman Day, the 20th is Take a Walk Outdoors Day, and the 21st is Squirrel Appreciation Day! We will celebrate all three on a winter hike. • Location: Cool Creek Nature Center, Time: 10:30 am, hamiltoncounty.in.gov FREE THURS 19 Little Snowflakes Bring your little one in for seasonal themed fun! Celebrate the season with crafts, games and fun activities. Ages 2 to 5. • Location: Forest Park, Time: 2-3 pm,

WED 18—SUN 22 Disney on Ice Presents: Find Your Hero Discover the hero inside us all with this magical adventure for the whole family! Audiences will discover what it truly means to be a hero as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and friends from around the Disney Kingdom come together to take families on a journey through timeless tales. • Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse,

FRI 20 Penguin Awareness Day Celebrate Penguin Awareness Day with crafts, coloring and activities all day in the Ornithology Center classroom. • Location: Eagle Creek Park, Time: 10 am-4 pm, indyparks.org FREE

FRI 20—SUN 29 Indianapolis

Home Show The largest home show in Indy, this show features landscaping companies, remodeling contractors, interior design companies and more. • Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds,

SAT 21 Comic Book in a Day Workshop Explore the world of color and experiment with different media, styles and approaches to using color to tell a story. No artistic skills required: You don't even have to be able to color inside the lines. Ages 8+. • Location: Hamilton East Public Library, 9 am-5 pm pm, nickelplatearts.org

Squirrely Saturday Join us on National Squirrel Day to learn all about squirrels! Bring the family along for a squirrely afternoon. Families will have the opportunity to make a squirrel track out of plaster, use stamps to tell a story in the snow, and learn the different species of squirrel in Indiana and the United States. • Location: Monon Community Center, Time: 1-2 pm, carmelclayparks.com

Story Castle Cinema: Snow Dogs Enjoy a free family-friendly movie in the Story Castle! • Location: Westfield Washington Public Library, Time: 1-3 pm, wwpl.lib.in.us FREE

Featuring carving demonstrations by professional ice carvers, plus events like a Big Block carving competition, fast-paced carve-off on stage, a Carmel Fire Department chili cook-off, skating to a live DJ, and more. • Location: Carter Green in Carmel, Time: 11:30 am-9 pm, theiceatcartergreen.com FREE

SUN 22 Family Fun Day @ Indy Fuel Members of Nitro’s Kids Club run the show by helping the emcee, PA announcer and taking over various other game day jobs! All kids 12 and under eat free. Stick around after the game and enjoy a post-game skate with the team. • Location: Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Time: 3 pm, indyfuelhockey.com

TUES 24 Book Buddies Bring a buddy for a storytime playdate at the library! Enjoy stories, activities and crafts based on each week's special theme. For kids ages 4-6 on their own. • Location: Carmel Clay Library, Time: 10:30-11 am,

Domino Chain Reaction Club Let's have some fun setting up dominoes and knocking them down! Grades 2-5. • Location: Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library, Time: 4-5 pm, hmmpl.org FREE

WED 25 Little Explorers: Wild Winter! Enjoy a short walk around the park, exploring nature as you go. There will also be activities and crafts available during or after the walk. This month’s theme is having fun outdoors in winter. Registration required. $4. • Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, Time: 10-11 am,

Movin’ & Groovin’ If your preschooler likes music and movement, try out this fun musical program! We will enjoy action songs, dancing, singing, playing percussion instruments and other musical props. • Location: Fishers Library, Time: 2-2:30 pm, hepl.lib.in.us FREE

THURS 26 Sensory Skate Day A sensory-friendly event for families, especially designed for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder or any type of special need. • Location: The Ice at Carter Green, Time: 5-7 pm, theiceatcartergreen.com *SN

Toddler Time: Feathered Friends Take a closer look at our feathered friends – birds! Create feathered art, engineer a nest and more. • Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 10-11 am,

SAT 28 Build a Bug Learn about bug biology, meet real (friendly!) insects and arthropods, and craft your own realistic or imaginary bug to take home with you. • Location: Taylor Center of Natural History, Time: 1-3 pm, hamiltoncounty.in.gov FREE

Ugly Duckling The U.K.-based theater group Tutti Frutti brings to life Hans Christian Andersen’s well-known tale with a menagerie of mischievous SUN 29 Carmel Symphony Orchestra Presents: Family Fun Experience an interactive family-style concert, where children can sit on stage during the concert with CSO musicians as they play excerpts from some of the world’s greatest orchestral classics. After the concert, kids can try various musical instruments on display in an “instrument petting zoo.” • Location: The Palladium, Time: 3 pm, thecenterpresents.org

Free Admission to Garfield Park Conservatory In appreciation of all the wonderful visitors and supporters, admission to the Conservatory is FREE on this day. Enjoy a unique tropical experience, including waterfalls, orchids, animals and more — all for free! • Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, Time: 1-5 pm,

TUES 31 STEAM Storytime: A Fun Family Book Club Read The Three Little Pigs and build a strong house that we will test against the Big Bad Wolf. Registration required. • Location: Carmel Clay Library, Time: 6-7 pm, carmelclaylibrary.

Sleek: The Art of the Helmet Through Jan. 8 This exhibition explores themes such as art, engineering and storytelling, and features helmets from racing history from current drivers, and nine designed by local artists. • Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, imsmuseum.org

Flyin’ West Jan. 11-Feb. 5 Four brave female African American homesteaders and pioneers settle together in the all-Black town of Nicodemus, Kansas. Fighting a harsh and unforgiving wilderness, they work hard to till the soil and build better lives for themselves. Their courage is tested when an unexpected and deadly threat invades their home in this surprising story set in the Old West. • Location: Indiana Repertory Theatre, irtlive.com

Circle of Lights Through Jan. 13 Bask in holiday glory “Shining A Light,” a multi-million dollar update of lighting, staging, audio and video technology that transforms the Circle into a life-size snow globe, enhancing Circle of Lights like never before. • Location: Monument Circle, visitindy.com

Inspired by the Dunes Jan. 28-June 25 Frank Dudley’s artwork – inspired by the beauty of the Indiana Dunes – helped to preserve the rare ecosystem where people visit to explore, study, enjoy and create. • Location: Indiana State Museum,

DOMINO CHAIN REACTION CLUB AT HUSSEY-MAYFIELD MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY

Dinosaur Train: The Traveling Exhibit Jan. 28-July 30 Based on the popular PBS KIDS TV series, Dinosaur Train, this exhibit explores the basics of science through fun, hands-on activities. • Location: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, childrensmuseum.org

The Ice Rink at Holliday Park Through Jan. 29 Indy’s newest winter tradition! As the only outdoor skating rink in Marion County, this is the perfect destination for family outings, date night, and creating memories with your friends. • Location: Holliday Park, hollidaypark.org

Scooby-Doo Mansion Mayhem Through Jan. 31 Shaggy, Scooby, Fred, Daphne, and Velma have another mystery on their hands. A jewel-thieving ghost has evaded the local police force and was last seen in this very mysterious mansion. Enter the mansion and immerse yourself into a unique adventure where you can enter the world of Scooby-Doo! • Location: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, childrensmuseum.org

Clue Through Feb. 5 A hilarious farce-meetsmurder mystery based on the classic Hasbro board game and 1985 film. Six mysterious guests assemble at a remote mansion for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu. This comedy whodunit will leave you in stitches as you figure out who did it, where and with what! • Location: Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, beefandboards.com

Snow Days Exhibition Through Feb. 5 For many, winter is a time to tell stories during long nights, gather with loved ones and celebrate important traditions. Artwork in the exhibition will explore all of these aspects of winter and more. • Location: The Eiteljorg, eiteljorg.org

Oh Look It's Magic! ADHD Advocacy Magic Show Through Sept. 1 Having ADHD can be madness! With the help of magic, Jordan Allen will tell you how he has found to navigate the madness. This is one of the first and only ADHD advocacy magic shows that aims to entertain and educate, and written and performed by an ADHD performer. • Location: Athenaeum Theatre,

PLEASE NOTE We work hard to ensure our calendar and guide information is accurate. Occasionally, event specifics change after we go to press. Therefore, we encourage our readers to call locations or visit them on the web to verify information.