MARCH 2023

with chaotic exuberance as an inclusive performance, designed to create a welcoming experience that is intended for patrons who have social, cognitive or physical challenges that create sensory sensitivities. An ASL interpreter will also be available. • Location: The Tarkington, Time: 10 am & 2 pm, thecenterpresents.org *SN

Family Literacy Day Explore the galleries with your children and experience literacy-centered activities, from interactive read-alongs in galleries to engaging storytelling performances and openended, hands-on STEAM projects. Story times will be offered in several languages, including Spanish and American Sign Language. • Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 10 am-5 pm, indianamuseum.org

Maple Syrup Day Enjoy a hands-on experience while discovering the rich, delicious history of maple sugaring. Learn how to tap a tree, watch a demonstration of the process as it was done in pioneer days, and take a visit to the Sugar Shack to learn how syrup is made today. • Location: McCloud Nature Park, Time: 9 am-3 pm, hendrickscountyparks. org FREE

The Monon Town Musicians: A Children's Opera Enjoy a variation of the classic children's story "The Bremen Town Musicians" as told through opera. This story weaves in the music of famous composers like Mozart and Verdi while teaching children about believing in themselves and understanding others. • Location: Irvington Branch Library, Time: 11-11:45 am, indypl.org FREE

Sap to Syrup Day Help celebrate the magic of maple trees! Journey around to different maple discovery stations learning how to make maple syrup. Try a syrup taste test, complete a craft, and enjoy a delicious Sugar Maker's Sundae (trust us, you'll love it!). • Location: Holliday Park, Time: 10 am-2 pm, indypark.org

Sappy Saturday Freezing nights and warmer days cause the maple sap to flow up into the tree. Together your family will learn how to tap a maple tree, make maple syrup and maple sugar candy! Taste real maple syrup made right here in Central Park, or using your own sugar maple tree at home. $15. • Location: Monon Community Center, Time: 2-3 pm, carmelclayparks.com

Spring Formal Adults and children ages 7-12 are invited to enjoy a night of fun with dancing, a themed photo booth, light refreshments, and more activities at this semi-formal event! $25. • Location: Fishers Maker Playground, Time: 6-8 pm, playfishers.com

MON 06 Bilingual Storytime:

Spanish Join Señora Laura as she presents bilingual storytime in English and Spanish. Preschoolers will enjoy books, songs and games! • Location: Nora Branch Library, Time: 10:30-11 am, indypl.org FREE

Drum It Out! Kids will discover their own rhythm through hand-drumming and recreational music-making activities. Self-esteem, teamwork, reading skills, and creative self-expression are all addressed in this music program from trained health rhythms facilitator Jalynn Simmons with Arts for Learning Indiana. • Location: Haughville Branch Library, Time: 4:30-5:15 pm, indypl.org FREE

TUES 07 Small Wonders: Syrup

Stories Learn easy ways to engage your preschooler in nature and scientific exploration. Each class introduces a new topic through hands-on activities, hikes and crafts, and provides ideas for exploring at home. $7; ages 3-5. • Location: Holliday Park, Time: 10-11 am, indyparks.org

Toddler Storytime: The Wonky

Donkey Kids ages 0-3 can listen to a story and participate in a craft that goes along with the book. • Location: Pecar Park Nature Center, Time: 10-10:45 am, washingtontwpparks.org

WED 08 Small Wonders:

Chemistry of Slime It’s slime time! Explore the properties of slime by creating your own slime-y substance. Use slime to complete science experiments and create colorful and sticky art. • Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 10-11 am, indianamuseum.org

THURS 09 Library Babies For kids aged 0-12 months and their caregivers. Enjoy rhymes, songs and stories for infants. • Location: Carmel Library, Time: 9:30, 10:30 & 11:30 am, carmelclaylibrary.org FREE

FRI 10–SAT 11 Indy Kids Sale Find new and gently used children’s clothing up to teen sizes, toys, furniture and gear. • Location: Finch Creek Fieldhouse, indykidssale.com

SAT 11 Gingerbread Eggstravaganza Make from scratch your very own delicious spring gingerbread house to enjoy throughout the Easter season. Your house will be decorated with all kinds of sweets that will be provided for you. All houses will be made with graham crackers for easier handling and decorating. $11. • Location: Broad Ripple Park, Time: 10-11:15 am, indyparks.org

Wizard Night @ Indy Fuel Get ready for a magical time! Meet some of your favorite wizard characters and watch the Fuel duel the evil Toledo Walleye. • Location: Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Time: 7 pm, indyfuelhockey.com

Young Explorers: Plants & Seeds Investigate plants and seeds through hands-on experiments, work on a garden project with others and get ready for fun in a garden-inspired sensory play station! • Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 1-2:30 pm, indianamuseum.org

SAT 11–SUN 19 Indiana Flower & Patio Show Nine days of home improvement inspiration, practical advice and great deals. • Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds, indianaflowerandpatioshow.com

SUN 12 Family Concert: Mariachi Sol Jalisciense Enjoy a fun afternoon filled with music and dancing. Mariachi Sol Jalisciense, a local Indianapolis Mariachi group, will delight us with our favorite songs accompanied by a dancing duo. • Location: Central Library, Time: 2-3 pm, indypl.org FREE

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 13 I Love Rock and Roll! Come rock with us! We will read books about rock and roll music and do a related craft. • Location: PlainfieldGuilford Township Public Library, Time: 5-5:30 pm, plainfieldlibrary.net FREE

Story Time with Station #82

Westfield Fire Department Join the fun as Battalion Chief Jason Maners, from Station #82 WFD, reads stories. You’ll get to see a real fire truck, too! • Location: Westfield Washington Public Library, Time: 10:30-11:30 am, wwpl.lib.in.us FREE

TUES 14 Jungle Tales Enjoy a fun program where little ones learn about animals and nature. This program includes: stories, games, crafts and outdoor exploration. Registration required. $5. Ages 2-5. • Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, Time: 10-11 am, garfieldgardensconservatory.org

Pi Day Celebration Celebrate our favorite mathematical constant, pi, with a slice of pie! Bring a homemade pie for others to vote on, or stop by to just grab a slice! • Location: Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library, Time: 4-7 pm, plainfieldlibrary.net FREE

Children birth through age 5 and their caregiver can join Kindermusik of Indianapolis in this music and movement class. Adults will bond with their child through singing, dancing, and instrument playing. There's room for everyone to grow in this family program! • Location: Michigan Road Branch Library, Time: 10:30-11 am, indypl.org FREE

SAT 18

8TH ANNUAL CIRCLE CITY DONUT DASH 5K AT FOWLING WAREHOUSE

TUES 14–SUN 19 Les Miserables

Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption–a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. This epic and uplifting story has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history. • Location: Clowes Memorial Hall, butlerartscenter.org

WED 15 Reading Ready Time: The Dance Show Join Dance Kaleidoscope as professional contemporary dancers bring to life the concepts of shape, space, pattern, and rhythm in this high-energy performance. • Location: Virtual, Time: 10 am, indypl.org FREE

St. Patty’s Bingo Come out for a night of St. Patrick's themed Bingo! Wear green and enjoy some light refreshments while playing. Registration is required but all ages welcome! $2. • Location: Chuck Klein Community Center, Time: 5:30-7 pm, indyparks.org

WED 15 –SAT 18 Here We Grow

Again Indy West Find great deals on everything kids during this four-day consignment sale. • Location: Hendricks County Fairgrounds, herewegrowagain.com/indywest

THURS 16 25th Annual Greening of the Canal As a kick-off to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Shamrock Run Walk, join the community in turning the canal green, plus live entertainment and food trucks. • Location: Canal Walk, Time: 5 pm, indystpats.com FREE

Bilingual Music, Movement & Storytelling See storytelling come to life with creative body poses and live music inspired by nature and animals. • Location: Martindale-Brightwood Branch Library, Time: 1-1:45 pm, indypl.org FREE

Littles Program: Little Leprechauns

Bring your little one in for seasonal themed fun! Celebrate with crafts, games and fun activities. Ages 2 to 5; $12. • Location: Forest Park Lodge, Time: 10-11 am, noblesvilleparks.org

Young Scientists Children ages 6-10 are invited to learn about topics in science, technology, engineering and math through fun and interactive activities. • Location: Garfield Park Branch Library, Time: 4:30-5:30 pm, indypl.org FREE

Run Fun events for the whole family Friday evening, and a 5-mile run and 3-mile hike on Saturday morning. Participants will scramble, run, jump, ford, climb or walk along the trails of Holliday Park to Marott Woods Nature Preserve and back again. • Location: Holliday Park, hollidaypark.org

Donut Dash 5K Not your typical 5K! Participants take on the challenge of consuming a dozen donut holes halfway, before racing back to the finish. • Location: Fowling Warehouse, Time: 9 am, circlecitydonut dash5k.itsyourrace.com

Critter Chat Drop by Blake’s Garden to meet a resident critter! • Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, 2-2:30 pm, indyparks.org FREE

Family Discovery Day: Agriculture

Talk with a local farmer to find out how food and fiber products are produced and learn about farming tools and machinery. Plant something new and meet some of the animals who live on the farm, and discover bountiful career paths. Explore the Watanabe Gardens and unearth what the land has to offer. • Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 10 am-5 pm, indianamuseum.org

Now open for the season! Experience sports like never before with 12 outdoor sports experiences and 3 indoor exhibits encompassing physical fitness and awe-inspiring sports history. • Location: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Time: 10 am-5 pm, childrensmuseum.org

Peking Acrobats featuring The Shanghai Circus A troupe of 20 performers is accompanied by colorful lighting effects and musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments, creating an exuberant entertainment event with the festive pageantry of a Chinese carnival. • Location: The Palladium, Time: 8 pm, thecenterpresents.org

Shamrock Express Families can enjoy a special themed treat and green beverage (nonalcoholic and alcoholic). While on board, hear Irish music and maybe catch a glimpse at a live leprechaun.

• Location: Nickel Plate Express, Time: 1 & 3 pm, nickelplateexpress.com

SAT

SAT, MAR 18

SHAMROCK EXPRESS AT THE NICKEL PLATE EXPRESS

MON 20 Kids, Grands and Gardens

Grow seeds and stories with us! Plant carrot seeds together and share a family story about something that grows in a garden. • Location: Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library, Time: 5-5:30 pm, plainfieldlibrary.net FREE

Messy Mondays Discover STEAM topics through messy and fun activities. Explore several hands-on stations and learn while playing. • Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 10-11 am, indianamuseum.org

TUES 21 Pajama Storytime Families with children ages 3-8 are invited for a fun-filled storytime featuring stories, music, and activities! Children can wear their pajamas and bring their favorite stuffie for bedtime stories! • Location: Eagle Branch Library, Time: 7-8 pm, indypl.org FREE

WED 22 French Storytime Build bilingual skills and vocabulary! We'll read a book and introduce young learners to new vocabulary in English and French. • Location: Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library, Time: 5-5:45 pm, plainfieldlibrary.net FREE

FRI 17 St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Tent Party Enjoy Irish-themed floats and helium balloons, school marching bands, pipe and drum bands, Irish dancers, food trucks, and a large heated tent in the American Legion Mall. • Location: Downtown North Street between Meridian and Pennsylvania, Time: 11:30 am, indystpats.com FREE

See more than 65,000 square feet of spectacular creations all built from LEGO bricks by local LEGO enthusiasts. • Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds, brickworld.com/brickworld-indianapolis

SUN 19 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

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 23 Family Game Night Enjoy an exciting evening of various games and activities. • Location: Martindale-Brightwood Branch Library, Time: 4:30-5:30 pm, indypl.org FREE

THURS 23–SUN 26 Whale of a Sale

Find great deals on all things kids and baby, including clothing, toys, accessories and more.

• Location: Grand Park Sports Campus, whale-sale.com

SAT 25 Adaptive/Inclusive Easter

Egg Hunt This very special Easter egg hunt for ages 5-10 features a variety of arts & craft activities, stuffed plastic eggs with prizes, stuffed animals, and a sweet treat. Rumor has it that the Easter Bunny might make an appearance. $5; registration required. • Location: Rhodius Park, Time: 11:30 am-1:30 pm, indyparks.org *SN

Peanut Butter & Jam: The Monon Town Musicians with Indy Opera

Loosely based on a Brothers Grimm fairy tale, four wandering animals set out individually to become solo musicians in a nearby talent show. Upon meeting, the animals discover to their surprise that, although they differ on what they prefer to sing, they are even stronger as a group, differences and all! • Location: The Studio Theatre, Time: 10:30 am, thecenterpresents.org

Tot Shabbat Singing, movement, music and more at a fun Shabbat service for newborns to 3-year-olds and their families and friends. Older siblings are welcome, too!

• Location: Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, Time:10-11 am, bez613.org

SUN 26 Family Fun Day & Kids Eat

Free @ Indy Fuel Enjoy a fun afternoon with the family! Kids eat free, and enjoy a post-game skate with the team after the game! It’s also Tooth Fairy Appreciation Day, where the Fuel will pay homage to the tooth fairy and all the hockey smiles that keep her in business! • Location: Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Time: 3 pm, indyfuelhockey.com

MON 27 Story Time with Miss Beckie Enjoy stories, songs, finger-plays, rhymes and puppets. Strengthen early literacy skills and encourage the joy of learning. Each program ends with a fun craft or an activity. • Location: Westfield Washington Public Library, Time: 10:30-11:30 am, wwpl. lib.in.us FREE

TUES 28 As the Ice Melts: Fishin’ with Clint Where do fish go when it's freezing, literally? Join Clint to learn more about what happens under the ice for fish and other critters, and how things change as the ice melts. • Location: Haughville Branch Library, Time: 4:30-5:30 pm, indypl.org FREE

WED 29 Little Explorers: Wake-up

Time! Calling all little ones who are ready to explore! Enjoy a short walk around the park, exploring nature as we go. We will also have activities and crafts available during or after the walk. $4; registration required. • Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, Time: 10-11 am, garfieldgardensconservatory.org

THURS 30 Act It Out Storytime

Children ages 3-6 will join React Kids to act out classic fairytales and nursery rhymes! Can you be one of the Three Billy Goats Gruff or the Itsy Bitsy Spider? After reading the story, act it out! • Location: Franklin Road Branch Library, Time: 10:30-11 am, indypl.org FREE

Toddler Time: Color Creations

Explore all the colors of the rainbow through hands-on learning like messy color mixing and colorful sensory play. • Location: Indiana State Museum, Time: 10-11 am, indianamuseum.org

FRI 31 Flashlight EGG-streme Hunt

Teens and adults, this egg hunt isjust for you! Hunt eggs by flashlight as the sun sets and enjoy Peeps s’mores around the campfire. Finding eggs is only part of the challenge: The eggs have clues to the scavenger hunt, and the completed scavenger hunt can be redeemed for prizes! • Location: McCloud Nature Park, Time: 8-10 pm, hendrickscountyparks.org

Moonlight Madness Egg Hunt Hop on out to Broad Ripple Park for an 'egg-stra' special flashlight surprise egg hunt with a special egg hunt show. Games, arts, crafts and refreshments are all part of this fun program. Bring a flashlight! $11. • Location: Broad Ripple Park, Time: 7:30-8:45 pm, indyparks.org

Springing Forward: An Exhibition

Featuring IPS Students March 3-25 Young artists from local schools will demonstrate how they are springing forward into the year, as we head into warmer weather and sunny skies.Visit the gallery this month in support of contributing students and become inspired by youthful imagination. • Location: Garfield Park Arts Center, gpacarts.org

Chuck Taylor All Star March 4-Jan. 27, 2025 Charles Hollis Taylor, better known as “Chuck” Taylor — the man behind the name on the Converse All Star shoe — is a Hoosier who devoted his life to basketball, with his fame extending beyond the bounds of the game. This exhibit explores the story of the man and the shoe through a variety of immersive experiences and remarkable artifacts and images. • Location: Indiana Historical Society, indianahistory.org

Wanda’s Monster: A Family Musical

March 11-April 16 This warm-hearted musical tells the story of an imaginative little girl named Wanda and her unexpected bond with a fuzzy, purple monster as she learns acceptance and friendship. • Location: Lilly Theatre at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, childrensmuseum.org

Minecraft: The Exhibition March 11-Aug. 6 Step inside the world of Minecraft, the best-selling video game of all time! In Minecraft: The Exhibition, you'll enjoy an immersive experience featuring characters and scenes from the game. Learn fundamental skills and moves to become the ultimate Minecraft expert, and embark on a quest to build a better world–both digitally and in real life! • Location: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, childrensmuseum.org

Oedipus Through March 18 As a plague ravages Thebes, the citizens turn to their leadership. Oedipus is an extraordinary hero: courageous, flawed, determined to do what he must to protect his community—even if it means his own undoing. From the mists of Greece comes this compelling story of fate, human nature, and the devastating peril of secrets. • Location: Indiana Repertory Theatre, irvlive.com

Footloose Through March 26 The explosive movie musical bursts onto the stage! Footloose celebrates the exhilaration of youth, the wisdom of listening to one another, and the power of forgiveness. • Location: Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, beefandboards.com xZOOberance Spring Festival

March 23-April 16 The Bicentennial Pavilion will be buzzing with live music and dancing, along with spring-centric art and fun, socially distanced activities. • Location: Indianapolis Zoo, indianapoliszoo.com

Gnome Away from Home March 25-April 8 See this whimsical display of garden gnomes and try to spot them all! This year’s theme is “Game On,” allowing visitors to enjoy the gnomes’ take on popular board games. • Location: Garfield Park Conservatory, garfieldgardensconservatory.org

Dinosaur Train: The Traveling Exhibit Through 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

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.