Indianapolis Winter Bucket List

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Disclosure: This guide is sponsored by the Children's Dental Center.

winter bucket list indianapolis

Here we go again – we are entering another winter season. You may find yourself still processing the last few years and now as we return to a sense of normalcy, you may find yourself staying mostly indoors again. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t have some family fun! Our annual Winter Bucket List will keep you and your family entertained. There is still so much to do whether you are a homebody or you’d like to get out of the house this winter. Grab your family members, your list, and check these items off to help pass the time this winter! We’re still all in this together.


1. Bundle up and go for a walk.

In the last few years, we all made it more of a priority to get outside and move our bodies. Why not keep this habit going? Hold a competition to see who can get dressed for outdoors the quickest. Who can throw a snowball the farthest?

2. Cosmic Kids Yoga is still a great resource for indoor exercise during the winter.

We love Cosmic Kids Yoga in our house! These videos grew in popularity during our Covid era and the “brain breaks” are more fun than ever. They can help you and your kids get out of a winter funk. Check out the YouTube channel here. We recommend starting with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle class!

3. Have an indoor family picnic!

This is an easy one to check off your Winter Bucket List. Changing up your lunch or dinner scenery keeps the day interesting and you’ll feel less cooped up.

4. Visit The Children’s Museum.

The Children’s Museum’s mission is to “create extraordinary learning experiences across the arts, sciences, and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families.” And they sure do that! Head to the Children’s Museum and let those kids roam. Check out their current exhibits here.

5. Enjoy Disney Plus as a family.

Disney Plus came out a few months before the pandemic hit and has no doubt kept many families entertained since (including ours). New movies and tv shows are being added on a regular basis, so enjoy them together snuggled up in the blankets! Our favorites are Bluey, all things Frozen, and Zootopia. And heads up – new Bluey episodes are coming out January 12th.

6. Head to an indoor play place and get that energy out.

We have got a round-up for you! There are several places in Indianapolis and surrounding areas for your kids to run and be free while staying warm inside. Our guide to indoor play areas can help you out if you’re stuck on ideas on what to do on a cold day.

7. Donate all those old toys your kids don’t play with anymore.

If your house looks like mine, it is currently a minefield of old toys and new. Do a toy clean-up and check out our post on places to donate items.

8. Conner Prairie has two great at-home resources available for free.

Check-in with Conner Prairie at Home as they update their page with content to enjoy from the comfort of your home. The Conner Prairie Learning Portal provides modules for students to include in their lesson plans and for history buffs to learn and engage virtually. There are free options as well as a subscription.

9. Have a dance party in your living room!

Keep that summer concert spirit alive and enjoy a “concert” in your pajamas. Pull up YouTube, find your favorite music videos, and get to dancing! Disney Plus has multiple live shows and singalongs, including the Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl, to enjoy together.

10. Do a family game night with some of your favorite classics.

Put the phones down, turn off the TV, and enjoy a good ol’ family game night. Start with the classics like Monopoly, Sorry, and Yahtzee – all the classics you grew up playing. We recently got a fun game called Storytime Chess that we’ve been enjoying lately. Highly recommend!

11. You can still golf during the winter months.

For those missing the lush greens of golf season – head to Top Golf for fun, food, and drinks in safely-spaced hitting bays. A couple other fun options for golfing fun is Back 9 Golf and X Golf Carmel (for the more serious golfers). Bring your own clubs to use the state-of-the-art golf simulator, “playing” at the world’s best courses.

12. Have a Gift Card Day.

We are bringing back “Gift Card Day” for this year’s Winter Bucket List! Using only gift cards you got during the holidays, treat yourself to a day of shopping and eating.

13. Give back.

Some ideas for giving back during the winter season are: Volunteering with your child, hosting a pajama and book drive for the Pajama Program, and research ways to donate to Wheeler Mission. The Indy Book Project and Indy Reads are other great local options, as well.

14. Join the Indianapolis Moms Book Club.

The Indianapolis Moms Book Club is back for its fourth year! If you have a reading goal for 2024, or miss interacting with other readers while discussing good books, join us on Facebook and Instagram. We read one book a month and meet in person at Liter House at the end of the month.

15. Reconnect with your significant other on a date night.

Book a sitter, get out just the two of you, and talk about anything except being a parent. Up the ante, book an igloo at Urban Vines, and sit back and enjoy each other’s company.

16. Enjoy the popular hot chocolate bombs.

Hot chocolate bombs have become all the rage during the winter months. Jump on the bandwagon and enjoy this yummy treat as a family. Check out our local roundup here!

17. Plan a visit to the Eiteljorg Museum.

The Jingle Rails Adventure continues through January 15th. See a list of additional exhibitions here.

18. Take your mind off of everything and do a puzzle.

You’ll be surprised at how stress-relieving it can be! Silver in the City has some great puzzles to choose from.

19. Visit the Indiana State Museum.

The Indiana State Museum is another great option if you want to get out of the house and enjoy the downtown museum or their eleven historic sites across the state. They also have a YouTube channel for people to enjoy while at home.

20. Outdoor adventures at Perfect North.

Take advantage of all the winter outdoor activities at Perfect North Slopes. They even have a page dedicated to first-timers, with tips for your first day, what to wear, and what to bring.


Click on the below image to download your Winter Bucket Checklist!

Share with us! What is on your family’s winter bucket list?

Children’s Dental Center

The Children’s Dental Center opened in Fishers, Indiana in March of 2007. They are located minutes from I-69 and are easily accessible by residents of Central Indiana, including the areas of Indianapolis, Noblesville, and Carmel. For more information and to schedule your next appointment, check out their website and contact information below!

winter bucket list indianapolis

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