KIDS

26 fun and festive things to do with your kids in Indianapolis during the holidays

Chris Sims
IndyStar

There is plenty of fun to be had with your kids during the holiday season. Make it one to remember. 

If you want to include Santa in your holiday fun, apparently he's everywhere because... well, he's Santa!

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The Circle of Lights on Monument Circle.

Here are 26 activities to enjoy with your kids during the holidays:

Indianapolis

"A Christmas Story" Day: Celebrate the Christmas classic set in Indiana from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 22 at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis. Enjoy ornament crafts, mad libs, trivia decoder puzzles and more. Cost is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors 60 and older and $5 for ages 5 to 17. For more information, visit indianahistory.org.

Christmas at the Zoo: Check out the tunnel of lights, see Santa's sleigh and his reindeer and meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at The Indianapolis Zoo, 1200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 to 10 p.m Friday and Saturday from Nov. 23 to Dec. 30. Cost ranges from $6.95 to $13.70 online. Children 2 and under are free. Prices increase at the gate. For more information, visit www.indianapoliszoo.com.

Christmas at the Zoo at the Indianapolis Zoo ranks among the best in the country.

Cookies for Santa Kids Cooking Class: Decorate Christmas cookies, make cookie dough to take home and close with a lunch buffet from 9:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 22 at Maggiano's Little Italy, 3550 E. 86th St., Indianapolis. Adult supervision required. Cost ranges from $20 for adults to $35 for kids ages three and older. 

Festival of Trees: Check out 80 elaborately decorated trees and vote for your favorite from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Jan. 5 at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis. Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Cost is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors 60 and older and $5 for ages 5 to 17. For more information, visit indianahistory.org.

Hanukkah Palooza: Sing Hanukkah while enjoying latkes and sufganiyot before the candle lighting from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, 6501 N. Meridian St. Also, play games and and make arts and crafts. The event is free. For more information, visit ihcindy.org.

Jingle Rails: Watch model trains run through various landscapes including Historic Route 66, Hilbert Circle Theatre and the Indiana State Fair through Jan. 21 at the Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St., Indianapolis. Cost is $13 online or $15 at the door for ages 18 and older, $8 for ages 5 to 17 and ages 4 and under are free. Eiteljorg members are free. For more information, visit eiteljorg.org/exhibitions/jingle-rails.

Jolly Days Winter Wonderland: Ride the 47-foot-long Yule Slide, meet Santa and Jingles the Jolly Bear, explore an ice castle and more from Nov. 23 through Jan. 6 at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N. Meridian St.. Free with museum admission. Cost ranges from $12.75 to $24 online. Prices may be higher at the door. Admission is free on Dec. 24. For more information, visit www.childrensmuseum.org.

Lights at the Brickyard: Catch 3 million bright lights on a 2-mile course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 4790 West 16th St., Indianapolis. The Speedy Pass online price is $50. The on-site price is $50 Monday through Wednesday and $60 Thursday through Sunday. For more information, visit www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.

A look at Indianapolis Motor Speedway's new holiday attraction Lights at the Brickyard on Nov. 16, 2016.

Roll'n with Santa: Santa's skate party features skating with an African American Santa and an opportunity for pictures from 7 to 10 p.m. Dec. 21 at Skateland, 3902 N. Glen Arm Rd., Indianapolis. Cost is $8 for admission and $4 for skate rental. For more information, visit www.unitedskates.com.

S'mores with Santa: Meet Santa, make and eat s'mores, create ornaments, try a scavenger hunt and more at 1 p.m. Dec. 22 at Post Road English Garden, 1105 N. Post Rd., Indianapolis. Admission is $5. An instant family photo and postcard is an additional $5. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/375162536550986.

Santa's Holiday Breakfast: Enjoy a festive breakfast featuring live music with seating options at 8, 8:30 and 9 a.m Dec. 22 at the Indiana State Museum. Hop on the Santa Claus Express and swing by Santa's house. Cost is $33 for adults, $24.25 for ages 3 to 12 and free for ages 3 and under. Online reservations required. For more information, visit www.indianamuseum.org

Season Cereal Cinema: Munch on a cereal buffet while watching "The Muppet Christmas Carol" at 10 a.m. Dec. 22 in The Toby at Newfields, 4000 Michigan Rd., Indianapolis. Cost is $6 for ages 6 and older. Ages 5 and under are free. Discounted general admission available after the movie. For more information, visit discovernewfields.org.

Skate with Santa and Friends: Skate and take pictures with Santa from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 22 at Skateland, 3902 N. Glen Arm Rd., Indianapolis. Admission is $5 for the first session and $8 for the second session. Skate rental is $4. For more information, visit www.unitedskates.com.

Skate with Santa: Skate with Santa, Frosty and reindeer from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at Skateland, 3902 N. Glen Arm Rd., Indianapolis. Cost is $5 for admission and $4 for skate rental. For more information, visit www.unitedskates.com.

Winterlights at Newfields: Enjoy Christmas lights, warm drinks and handmade s'mores at Newfields, 4000 Michigan Rd., Indianapolis. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 18 through Jan. 6. Cost is $25 for adults, $17 for ages 6 to 17 and ages 5 and under are free. Save $5 when ordering online. For more information, visit discovernewfields.org.

North

Christkindlmarkt: Enjoy all the holiday food, drinks, gifts, and decorations of a German Christmas from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and noon to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 23 at 10 Center Green, Carmel. Admission is free. Food and other items for purchase at vendor booths. For more information, visit www.carmelchristkindlmarkt.com.

Federal Hill Commons Ice Plaza: Enjoy ice skating with friends and family through Jan. 7 at Federal Hill Common, 175 Logan St., Noblesville. Open 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 21. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec 22 through Jan. 7. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. New Year's Day. Cost is $15 per person. For more information, visit www.federalhillcommons.com.

Fishers Winter Wonderland: Watch ice-carving demonstrations, the annual tree lighting, live reindeer and even a sensory-friendly area for children with special needs from 2 to 8 p.m. Dec. 1 at Nickel Plate District Amphitheater, 6 Municipal Dr., Fishers. The event is free. Enjoy the lights through Dec. 31. For more information, visit www.playfishers.com.

Lights Over Seminary: Listen to carolers, visit arts and craft booths and watch the official lighting of Seminary Park from 5:45 to 8 p.m. Dec. 7 at 200 S. 10th St., Noblesville. The event is free. Lights will remain through Dec. 31. For more information, visit noblesvillepreservation.com.

Nickel Plate Express Reindeer Ride: Sing carols and visit with Santa during an 1 hour, 15 minute train ride decked out in lights from Nov. 23 to Dec. 23 with the Nickel Plate Express, 105 E. Main St., Atlanta. Cost ranges from $20 to $35 per person. For more information, visit nickelplateexpress.com.

Reynolds Farm Christmas light display: Drive through the Christmas light tradition from Nov. 20 to Jan. 1 at Reynolds Farm Equipment, 12501 Reynolds Dr., Fishers, celebrating 26 years of holiday joy in Hamilton County. The event is free. Donations accepted. For more information, visit www.reynoldsfarmequipment.com.

Sleigh Rides at Clay Terrace: Enjoy complimentary sleigh rides from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 at Clay Terrace, 14390 Clay Terrace Blvd., Carmel. Pick up is in front of Holiday Warming Station next to Meridian Music. For more information, visit clayterrace.com.

The Ice at Center Green: Enjoy skating with the family through Mar. 10 at The Ice at Center Green, 10 Center Green, Carmel. Hours vary. Cost is $10 per session for ages 11 and older and $8 per session for ages 10 and under. Skate rental is $4. for more information, visit www.theiceatcentergreen.com.

South

Santa Claus Parade: Visit Santa and get a picture from 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 23 at the New Whiteland Fire Department, 500 Sweetbriar Ave. Find a spot on the city streets to catch the Santa Claus Parade from 6 to 9 p.m. For more information, visit newwhiteland.in.gov.

West

Christmas Movie in Your PJs: Watch "Merry Christmas Charlie Brown" in your pajamas at 11 a.m. Dec. 22 at The Royal Theater, 59 S. Washington St., Danville. The event is free on a first-come, first-serve basis. Concessions available for purchase. For more information, visit www.visithendrickscounty.com.

Winterland Holiday Light Display: Drive through a holiday light experience featuring the 12 Days of Christmas, fishing penguins and more from 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 23 through Dec. 28 at Ellis Park, 49 N. Wayne St., Danville. Cost is $5 Monday through Thursday and $10 Friday through Sunday. For more information, visit www.visithendrickscounty.com.