Parents in Indianapolis don’t have to worry about their kids becoming obese during the summer break. The Indiana capital--and the state’s largest city with over 808,000 people--has healthy options with physical activity to keep kids busy and off the sofa. They’ll learn sports that they can play for a lifetime. Other summer activities include arts and outdoor programs.
Golf
The First Tee of Indianapolis is a program designed to teach golf and life skills to kids 7 to 16. The nine core values of the program are confidence, courtesy, honesty, integrity, judgment, perseverance, respect, responsibility and sportsmanship. First Tee takes place at the Eagle Creek Golf Club and at the South Grove Golf Course.
Swimming
During the summer, the Indianapolis Parks and Recreation Department operates over a dozen outdoor pools and three indoor pools. Kids have options beyond the open swimming sessions. The pools offer swim lessons, swim teams and children’s playhouse areas with waterfalls and small slides. Parents can take swim lessons with their tots between the ages of 6 months and 36 months. Preschoolers between 3 and 5 can take water adjustment classes. The two programs teach kids how to feel comfortable in the water. Additionally, kids between 11 and 15 can learn how to become a lifeguard.
Minor League Baseball
Kids will see tomorrow’s stars at an Indianapolis Indians minor league baseball game. The team is the Class AAA affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Indians have 72 home games at Victory Field from early April to early September. Once a year, kids 14 and under can participate in a clinic with players and coaches before a game. The team's promotions throughout the season include free baseball card night and an autograph night, in which players sign before a game. The team’s mascot Rowdie--a red bear--entertains fans during games. The team, founded in 1902, has had nine former players make the Baseball Hall of Fame, including well known personality Bob Uecker.
Camps
The city’s parks and recreation department offers a range of summer day camps for kids. The traditional camp includes arts and crafts, sports and guest speakers. Specialized programs include a theater camp that trains future actors, environmental camps that feature hiking and learning about wildlife and a camp that teaches outdoor survival skills.
Museums
Museums throughout the city have summer activities for kids. The Indiana State Museum offers a range of week-long camps. They include a “We the People: Discovering Democracy” camp for kids 11 to 14, in which campers act as senators and congressman and pass bills. Another camp teaches kids 9 to 13 how to crochet, cross-stitch, knit and quilt. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis’ programs include a free family night that celebrates music and a musical performance. The museum also has “The Business of Barbie Weeklong Summer Adventure” that teaches different careers to kids 4 to 6 using Barbie as a focus point. The “Cool Tools and Mean Machines Weeklong Summer Adventure” explains to kids 4 to 6 how machines are made.
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