More About Free & Low-Cost Screen Free Activities for Kids in Northwest Indiana! 🆓
Looking for free and cheap things to do in Northwest Indiana? Wondering how to fill your weekends with adventure while keeping it budget-friendly? You might be surprised by how many great screen free experiences fit the bill. From scenic beaches and nature trails to art walks, libraries, and community festivals, Northwest Indiana is full of free activities and hidden gems just waiting to be discovered.
💦 Splash Pads
Splash pads are one of the best free summer activities for kids in Northwest Indiana. Many city parks offer interactive fountains, and spray features perfect for cooling off on hot days.
👉 Look for locations marked 🪙 FREE:
Click for Details
🚲 Hike Bike & Explore Nature in NWI
Northwest Indiana offers miles of scenic trails perfect for hiking, biking, and exploring the outdoors with kids. From forest paths to dune landscapes, these trails offer fresh air and beautiful scenery year-round.
👉 Explore the trail guide:
Click for Details
🌷 Parks & Gardens
Local parks are some of the best places for free family fun. Many offer playgrounds, walking paths, picnic areas, and beautiful gardens.
👉 See parks to explore:
Click for Details
🌊 Beaches & Lakefront Parks
Lake Michigan provides some of the most beautiful beaches in the Midwest. Spend the day building sandcastles, collecting rocks, or simply enjoying the views.
👉 See public beaches:
Click for Details
🎨 Art Galleries & Museums
Many art galleries in Northwest Indiana offer free exhibitions, art walks, and opening receptions where families can explore artwork from regional artists.
👉 Click for Details
🏗️ Bricks & Minifigs
2141 Indianapolis Blvd, Schererville, IN 46375
(219) 384-3078
Bricks & Minifigs stores frequently offer free, kid-friendly LEGO activities, including monthly make-and-take events, building workshops, and in-store scavenger hunts. They also host LEGO derbies, bulk building sessions, and themed building clubs designed to foster creativity and community for young builders.
👉 Follow their page for upcoming events! Click for Details
📚 Local Libraries
Local libraries frequently host free story times, LEGO clubs, craft programs, and summer reading events for kids. These programs are designed for all ages and are a great way to connect with your community.
👉 Find upcoming events:
Click for Details
🎶 Free Community Events & Festivals
Northwest Indiana hosts many free events throughout the summer, and some offer free admission during certain hours.
• Summer Festivals
Click for Details
• Summer Concert Series
Click for Details
• Movies in the Park
Click for Details
• Porter County Fair — free before 12pm
Click for Details
• Lake County Fair — free before 3pm
Click for Details
🌽 Farmers Markets
Farmers markets are a great way to spend a morning exploring local vendors, listening to live music, and sampling fresh produce and homemade treats. Even if you’re just browsing, it’s a fun way to experience the community atmosphere.
Some markets have fantastic kids activities, like the Cedar Lake Farmers Market, and offer bounce houses, pony rides, foam parties, hamster balls, games & more!
👉 See our local guide:
Click for Details
🔨 Free Workshops
Local businesses offer free monthly workshops where kids can make something and take it home!
➼ Lowe's
3rd Saturday of Every Month 10am-1pm
Click for Details
➼ Home Depot
1st Saturday of Every Month at 9am
Registration: Click for Details
➼ JC Penney Kids Zone
2nd Saturday of Every Month 11am-12pm
Click for Details
🧪 Nearby Science Fun
Homewood Science Center
18022 Dixie Hwy, Homewood, IL
(708) 206-3369
Most programs, including STEM Saturdays and community events, are free thanks to community support.
Click for Details
🎟️ Free Admission Days
➼ Free National Park Days
May 25 – Memorial Day
June 14 – Flag Day
July 3–5 – Independence Day Weekend
August 25 – National Park Service Birthday
September 17 – Constitution Day
October 27 – Theodore Roosevelt Birthday
November 11 – Veterans Day
➼ Free Indiana State Park Days
May 4 – Start of Outdoor Recreation Season
November 28 – Free entry to Indiana DNR properties
➼ Free Fishing Days (No License Needed)
May 10
June 6–7
September 26
💳 Indiana Access Pass (Huge Savings for Families)
If your family qualifies for programs like SNAP, WIC, or Medicaid, the Indiana Access Pass allows entry to many major attractions for just $5 per person.
Participating locations include attractions such as children’s museums, art museums, historic sites, and science centers across Indiana.
👉 Apply here: Click for Details
🎲 More Free Fun
• Upcycle Arts & Crafts
• Picnic
• Geocaching
• Birding
• Pillow Fort
• Camp in the Backyard
• Hide and Seek
• Jump Rope
• Go Fish
• Board Games
• Bubbles
💦 Splash Pads
Splash pads are one of the best free summer activities for kids in Northwest Indiana. Many city parks offer interactive fountains, and spray features perfect for cooling off on hot days.
👉 Look for locations marked 🪙 FREE:
Click for Details
🚲 Hike Bike & Explore Nature in NWI
Northwest Indiana offers miles of scenic trails perfect for hiking, biking, and exploring the outdoors with kids. From forest paths to dune landscapes, these trails offer fresh air and beautiful scenery year-round.
👉 Explore the trail guide:
Click for Details
🌷 Parks & Gardens
Local parks are some of the best places for free family fun. Many offer playgrounds, walking paths, picnic areas, and beautiful gardens.
👉 See parks to explore:
Click for Details
🌊 Beaches & Lakefront Parks
Lake Michigan provides some of the most beautiful beaches in the Midwest. Spend the day building sandcastles, collecting rocks, or simply enjoying the views.
👉 See public beaches:
Click for Details
🎨 Art Galleries & Museums
Many art galleries in Northwest Indiana offer free exhibitions, art walks, and opening receptions where families can explore artwork from regional artists.
👉 Click for Details
🏗️ Bricks & Minifigs
2141 Indianapolis Blvd, Schererville, IN 46375
(219) 384-3078
Bricks & Minifigs stores frequently offer free, kid-friendly LEGO activities, including monthly make-and-take events, building workshops, and in-store scavenger hunts. They also host LEGO derbies, bulk building sessions, and themed building clubs designed to foster creativity and community for young builders.
👉 Follow their page for upcoming events! Click for Details
📚 Local Libraries
Local libraries frequently host free story times, LEGO clubs, craft programs, and summer reading events for kids. These programs are designed for all ages and are a great way to connect with your community.
👉 Find upcoming events:
Click for Details
🎶 Free Community Events & Festivals
Northwest Indiana hosts many free events throughout the summer, and some offer free admission during certain hours.
• Summer Festivals
Click for Details
• Summer Concert Series
Click for Details
• Movies in the Park
Click for Details
• Porter County Fair — free before 12pm
Click for Details
• Lake County Fair — free before 3pm
Click for Details
🌽 Farmers Markets
Farmers markets are a great way to spend a morning exploring local vendors, listening to live music, and sampling fresh produce and homemade treats. Even if you’re just browsing, it’s a fun way to experience the community atmosphere.
Some markets have fantastic kids activities, like the Cedar Lake Farmers Market, and offer bounce houses, pony rides, foam parties, hamster balls, games & more!
👉 See our local guide:
Click for Details
🔨 Free Workshops
Local businesses offer free monthly workshops where kids can make something and take it home!
➼ Lowe's
3rd Saturday of Every Month 10am-1pm
Click for Details
➼ Home Depot
1st Saturday of Every Month at 9am
Registration: Click for Details
➼ JC Penney Kids Zone
2nd Saturday of Every Month 11am-12pm
Click for Details
🧪 Nearby Science Fun
Homewood Science Center
18022 Dixie Hwy, Homewood, IL
(708) 206-3369
Most programs, including STEM Saturdays and community events, are free thanks to community support.
Click for Details
🎟️ Free Admission Days
➼ Free National Park Days
May 25 – Memorial Day
June 14 – Flag Day
July 3–5 – Independence Day Weekend
August 25 – National Park Service Birthday
September 17 – Constitution Day
October 27 – Theodore Roosevelt Birthday
November 11 – Veterans Day
➼ Free Indiana State Park Days
May 4 – Start of Outdoor Recreation Season
November 28 – Free entry to Indiana DNR properties
➼ Free Fishing Days (No License Needed)
May 10
June 6–7
September 26
💳 Indiana Access Pass (Huge Savings for Families)
If your family qualifies for programs like SNAP, WIC, or Medicaid, the Indiana Access Pass allows entry to many major attractions for just $5 per person.
Participating locations include attractions such as children’s museums, art museums, historic sites, and science centers across Indiana.
👉 Apply here: Click for Details
🎲 More Free Fun
• Upcycle Arts & Crafts
• Picnic
• Geocaching
• Birding
• Pillow Fort
• Camp in the Backyard
• Hide and Seek
• Jump Rope
• Go Fish
• Board Games
• Bubbles
Date & Time
April 30, 2026
Additional Dates
This event also occurs on:
05/14/2026, 05/28/2026, 06/11/2026, 06/25/2026 and 39 other dates
Communities
Add to My Calendar
More About Town Planner of NWI
The Town Planner of NWI is a wonderful community resource that brings homes & businesses together throughout Northwest Indiana by providing year-round information about your community.
The Town Planner calendar is mailed FREE via the USPS to over 106,000 homes across the region annually and offers superb savings from local businesses and organizations alongside gorgeous color photos of our area. Our calendars provide daily exposure as your business is put on display every day alongside important events and community information.
In addition to our annual printed calendar, we offer intuitive digital resources such as our website that is sourced locally from many Northwest Indiana businesses and organizations. It features all of the benefits of our calendar but makes it easy for the community to check events, click on local business links, and access coupons on the go.
You can also sign up for our FREE weekly e-newsletter to ensure that you never miss an event or chance to save money. Simply click on “newsletter” at the top of the page, fill in your zip code & email address!
The Town Planner calendar is mailed FREE via the USPS to over 106,000 homes across the region annually and offers superb savings from local businesses and organizations alongside gorgeous color photos of our area. Our calendars provide daily exposure as your business is put on display every day alongside important events and community information.
In addition to our annual printed calendar, we offer intuitive digital resources such as our website that is sourced locally from many Northwest Indiana businesses and organizations. It features all of the benefits of our calendar but makes it easy for the community to check events, click on local business links, and access coupons on the go.
You can also sign up for our FREE weekly e-newsletter to ensure that you never miss an event or chance to save money. Simply click on “newsletter” at the top of the page, fill in your zip code & email address!
Additional Details
Location
Town Planner of NWI
228 W. Lincoln Highway, #188
Schererville, Indiana 46375
Learn More
Did you know you can follow any of our 175 Special Interest calendars and stay informed better than ever before? See them here. You can also create your own public or private calendar here. Post events to your calendar and ours at the same time! Terms and conditions may vary based on the policies of your local Town Planner publisher.
To learn more, watch our intro video!
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