Central to Us - the Indianapolis Public Library

Possibly my favorite all-weather place to take the kids is the central Indianapolis Public Library. I have been meeting a friend there weekly for months to let the kids run free and it is like a wonderland for kids with a variety of activities for them.

First stop is usually the theater - a green screen where they dance or play on the stage while seeing themselves take part in the video on the screen. They can be skateboarding or raking or escaping crocodiles in the jungle. Then there are the half dozen computers where they can play all kinds of interactive games. There is a magnet wall with a TV showing something educational if you choose and egg chairs that usually get rolled around.

Of course, unbelievably, there are books too. And one of our favorite things - story time. The only thing to watch for is large school groups on some days who push us out of some areas or our story time. But it's also great the schools are taking advantage and introducing kids to the wonders of the library.

Definitely put this on your to do list if you haven't. Parking is either metered on the street (25c for 20 minutes) or in the garage (only $2 for up to 3 hours). More details here:

Central Library
One Library Square 40 E. St. Clair St. Indianapolis, IN 46204 317-275-4100 www.imcpl.org	Hours Monday - Thursday: 9am - 9pm Friday: 9am - 6pm Saturday: 9am - 5pm Sunday: 1pm - 5pm

Butterflies at the Zoo

How frugal the Indianapolis Zoo is, is probably a matter of discussion. Compared to other zoos, it's parking and entrance fees seem a bit much, for no guarantee of which animals you may be able to see and for way overpriced food, drink and rides. Still, for locals with kids, a zoo family membership pays off, despite heat and cold limiting visits.

One thing that makes a zoo membership worthwhile is the Hilbert Conservatory, which is open most of the year. Today we skipped over the masses crowding to see the newly-opened komodo dragons exhibit and paid a visit to the butterflies. The boys were briefly enticed by the dragon pictures, but were absolutely enthralled with the butterflies. They ran around amazed. When Ethan saw one just sitting flapping its wings, he declared, "Look, he's clapping. So happy. Says so many people come to see me."

After spotting a sickly one, my husband didn't really set the best example of following the "no touch" rule. Isaac amazed me with how gently he would coax them on his fingers. I did have to keep Ethan away a bit more though. Sadly, we didn't have the camera yet again.

The Conservatory grounds are also beautiful and we spent some time out there, walking through the "maze" and crossing bridges. Not as much exploring to do as the Indianapolis Museum of Art but worth a visit every now and then, especially for special exhibits. The trains at Christmas are a whole other story...!

More info on admission and how to get there at www.indianapoliszoo.com

IMA – not just for adults

Like many parents, when school’s out, our search is on for ways to tire out – I mean, keep active – the kids. And like many parents, job cutbacks force us to be more creative in that search for free or nearly free family fun.

Moving here with twin infant boys, I thought I knew everything for kids in Indianapolis. Then another twin mom suggested we go to the Indianapolis Museum of Art grounds. And how nice it was to be able to find out that I didn’t know everything.

My practically 4-year-olds were not so impressed at first. “Where’s the park?” they wanted to know. But that didn’t stop them from running around the massive numbers and “love” sculpture (no, of course they didn’t climb up…). I, meanwhile, was impressed by the size of the grounds but still wondered what else there was to see until my friend told us to meet them down by the ravine.

The boys saw the trails and they were off, explorers a la Little Einsteins. We wound around on cobbled stone (surviving a little trip down some steps), fighting our way through the jungle and creeping past bears until we came upon the garden grounds of the Lilly House. This led us down to the canal and fish pond that looked enticingly cool on a hot day. The boys continued their exploring, and after a picnic lunch next to the house were disappointed we couldn’t stay to explore all the paths. We certainly will go back again 9and hopefully add pics) and next time we may even check out the museum – it’s also free after all.

The run-down (and no, they are not paying me!):

Indianapolis Museum of Art

4000 Michigan Road

http://www.imamuseum.org/

Free general admission to the museum and Lilly House

Free parking and grounds open to the public