Free and low-cost family activities in Indiana

23 entries for Indiana (2 programs and places, 21 Museums for All participants) plus the multi-state programs below. Last verified 2026-10-17. Coverage is growing; this is not a complete list.

Verify before you go. Free days, prices and eligibility change; confirm with the organizer.

Parks, places and programs in Indiana

Indiana State Parks: gate fees and annual entrance pass

Low costOutdoorsIndiana

Indiana State Parks charge a daily gate fee per noncommercial vehicle (driver and passengers included): $7 for Indiana plates and $15 for out-of-state plates at most parks (Prophetstown $8/$16; Indiana Dunes $7/$20). An annual entrance pass is $50 (Indiana) or $120 (non-resident), valid Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. Indiana DNR says the Every Kid Outdoors program applies only to federal sites in Indiana, not Indiana State Parks.

Who it's for: Everyone

How: Pay at the gate or buy an annual pass online or at a park. Camping and other fees are separate.

Falls of the Ohio Interpretive Center and ORV areas have separate fees.

Source: official page · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Indiana State Parks: free annual pass for qualifying foster families and Gold Star families

FreeOutdoorsIndiana

Indiana DNR offers a free annual state park entrance pass to qualifying foster families, and Gold Star family members who are Indiana residents qualify for a free annual entrance pass. Annual passes admit the cardholder and everyone with them in a single private noncommercial vehicle.

Who it's for: Qualifying foster families; Indiana resident Gold Star family members

How: Complete the application form linked from the DNR page and submit it to [email protected].

Source: official page · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Museums for All participants in Indiana (21)

Per the official participating-museums list (retrieved 2026-10-17): visitors showing a SNAP EBT card and photo ID get reduced admission from free to $5 for up to four people per card. The official list does not state each museum's own price, so confirm hours and prices with the museum before you go.

Auburn Cord Deusenberg Automobile Museum Auburn, IN
The Barker Mansion Michigan City, IN
CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center Terre Haute, IN
Children’s Museum of South Bend South Bend, IN
Fort Wayne History Center Fort Wayne, IN
Fort Wayne Museum of Art Fort Wayne, IN
Friendship Botanic Gardens Michigan City, IN
Hayes Arboretum Richmond, IN
The History Museum South Bend, IN
Imagination Station Lafayette, IN
International Monster Truck Museum & Hall of Fame Butler, IN
Kids Discovery Factory Batesville, IN
kidscommons Columbus’ community children’s museum Columbus, IN
Koch Family Children’s Museum of Evansville Evansville, IN
Lubeznik Center for the Arts Michigan City, IN
Minnetrista Muncie, IN
Science Central Fort Wayne, IN
Studebaker National Museum South Bend, IN
Swope Art Museum Terre Haute, IN
Wabash County Historical Museum Wabash, IN
Whitley County Historical Museum Columbia City, IN

Programs that apply in many states

Some of these list examples from specific libraries or states; check that the program is offered where you live.

Museums for All (SNAP EBT card admission)

Low costProgram / passMultiple states

Free to $5 admission for up to 4 people per SNAP EBT card at participating museums (1,600+ nationwide). EBT cards from any state are accepted.

Who it's for: EBT cardholders

How: Bring your EBT card and a photo ID. No registration. Each museum sets its own rate and some ask for walk-in purchase, so check the museum page.

Participating list by state: see source. Rates vary by museum.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Bank of America Museums on Us

Free days / free for someProgram / passMultiple states

Free general admission on the first full weekend of every month to Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank credit or debit cardholders at participating museums. Next weekend: Nov 7-8, 2026.

Who it's for: Bank of America / Merrill cardholders

How: Show your active card and a government photo ID. One general admission per cardholder; special exhibitions excluded. Check the museum's listing on the Bank of America map.

Not a Bank of America endorsement; this is an informational listing with no affiliation.

Source: official page · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Every Kid Outdoors (4th grade pass)

FreeProgram / passMultiple states

2026-27 school year pass: free entry at federal lands and waters (national parks, wildlife refuges, etc.) for the 4th grader, all children under 16 and up to 3 adults in one private vehicle. Expires Aug 31, 2027.

Who it's for: Families with a 4th grader

How: The 4th grader completes a short online activity and prints a paper voucher at EveryKidOutdoors.gov (we never collect any information). Does not cover state parks, parking, camping or tours.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Library museum and park passes

DiscountedProgram / passMultiple states

Many public libraries lend or reserve free or discounted passes for museums, zoos, farms and parks. Examples: Boston Public Library lists Boston Children's Museum at $12 per person for up to 4; Oxford (MA) and Athol (MA) list free-admission passes to several museums; Attleboro (MA) lists a free RISD Museum pass.

Who it's for: Library cardholders (rules vary by library)

How: Search your own library's website for 'museum passes'. Each library has its own pass list, reservation system and return rules. Passes are limited and set by the participating attractions.

Example pages only; your library's list will differ.

Source: official page · more · more · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

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