Stimming is a self-stimulatory behavior common in autistic children. In this blog, we examine stimming in more detail: what causes it, how to manage it, and why children engage in these repetitive behaviors. 

What is Stimming, and Why Does My Autistic Child Stim?

What is stimming? 

Stimming, short for self-stimulatory behavior, refers to repetitive actions or movements. Every person stims in some way, whether hair twirling, drumming fingers, or more. Stimming behaviors aren’t always obvious to others, but they are more noticeable in autistic individuals. 

Although not restricted to autistic children, self-stim behaviors are one of the most obvious outward signs of autism and are part of the diagnostic criteria. Although stimming isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it can become out of control and cause problems for autistic children.  

This blog examines what causes stimming, the types of stimming in autism, managing stimming behaviors, and when you should intervene.  

What are the different types of stimming

 There are many different types of stimming in autism, and some children may be more inclined toward one form than another. According to WebMD, these are some of the most common types of stimming in autistic children: 

• Auditory stimming involves engaging with sounds, such as snapping fingers, repeatedly touching one’s ears, or listening to a specific sound on repeat. 
• Vocal stimming includes sounds created with one’s own voice or throat, such as repeated throat clearing, coughing, repeating a word, or humming. 
• Tactile stimming encompasses touch-based actions, such as rubbing or scratching the skin, opening and closing fists, tapping fingers on surfaces, or flapping hands and arms. 
• Visual stimming refers to behaviors that engage sight, like staring at lights for extended periods, frequent blinking, or eye-rolling. 
• Vestibular stimming involves balance or movement, such as pacing or spinning in place. 
• Olfactory stimming includes activities related to smell or taste, such as sniffing objects or people or chewing and licking items. 
• Full-body stimming involves movements that engage the whole body, like rocking back and forth or spinning around. 

Examples of stimming behaviors

In allistic individuals, stimming can look like: 

• Fingernail biting 
• Hair twirling 
• Knuckle biting 
• Finger drumming 
• Pencil tapping 
• Whistling 
• Foot tapping 

Some of the classic forms of autistic children include: 

• Staring at objects — especially anything with lights or movement 
• Rocking 
• Gazing off into space 
• Blinking repeatedly 
• Looking out of the corner of their eyes 
• Flipping lights on and off repeatedly 
• Random humming, shrieking, or making other vocal noises 
• Finger snapping, tapping, or putting their hands over their ears 
• Tapping on ears or objects 
• Covering and uncovering ears 
• Tasting or licking — including thumb-sucking, finger-sucking, or tasting something, one wouldn’t normally taste 
• Unusual or inappropriate smelling or sniffing 
• Repetitive blinking 
• Pacing 
• Pulling hair 
• Pacing or walking on toes 

What are repetitive behaviors? 

Scientists categorize repetitive behaviors into two groups. So-called “lower-order” repetitive behaviors include hand-flapping, fidgeting with objects, body rocking, and vocalizations such as grunting or repeating certain phrases. “Higher-order” repetitive behaviors include autism traits such as routines and rituals, insistence on sameness, and intense interests.  

Repetitive behaviors and stimming in toddlers are among the first signs of autism to emerge in young children. They are seen in people across the autism spectrum. They tend to be more pronounced in those with lower cognitive ability; however, repetitive behaviors have been recognized as part of autism since the condition was first described. 

Why do autistic kids stim?

The exact reason for stimming is not entirely known, but many professionals agree that it is a form of self-regulation. Autistic people frequently experience challenges with sensory processing. Based on their specific responses to sensory input, they may either be highly sensitive or show reduced sensitivity to factors like sounds, lights, textures, or smells. 

For instance, a child with a hypersensitive reaction to visual stimuli will experience sensory overload with flashing lights. However, a hyposensitive child may not react or even notice them.  

In these kinds of sensory experiences, stimming can: 

• Diminish overwhelming sensory input for those with heightened sensitivity. 
• Offer the required stimulation for individuals with lower sensitivity. 
• Assist in managing intense emotions (both positive and negative) that may be hard for an autistic individual to process. 
• Provide a means to cope with physical discomfort or pain. 

Stimming Triggers 

Certain situations and sensory input can trigger stimming in autistic children. Some of the most common stimming triggers include:  

• Anxiety and stress 
• Joy, happiness and excitement 
• Physical discomfort, such as tight shoes or itchy clothing 
• Frustration, anger, and unhappiness 
• Loud and crowded environments 
• Unfamiliar settings or people 
• Last-minute change in plans 

Should you be concerned or prevent your child from stimming?

Although it can be viewed as disruptive and socially unacceptable, an autistic stim is often very enjoyable for the individual and is a way to reduce stress. If the actions of stimming are deemed safe, they should not be stopped or reduced. There may be times when your child will function better if they are allowed to stim. However, in some instances, stimming can be deemed unsafe. 

Can Stimming be Harmful

In some cases, intense or constant repetitive behaviors prevent autistic children from engaging in important activities. Occasionally, they can result in self-harm or harm to others. 

Ask yourself the following questions to determine whether your child’s stimming is problematic: 

• Is it causing social isolation? 
• Is it disrupting your child’s schooling or ability to learn? 
• Does it impact other people in your family or your child’s learning environment? 
• Is it destructive or dangerous to your child or others? 

If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, then intervention may be necessary. However, you should aim to manage stimming and develop alternatives, rather than trying to control it or remove it altogether. You and your child may need support to stop or modify the behavior or reduce their reliance on it. 

How to manage stimming

At its core, stimming is a form of self-soothing and communication. It’s important to understand the reasons behind your child’s stimming before you implement management processes.  

If your child is engaging in disruptive or dangerous stimming, you can attempt to manage it by: 

• Try to eliminate or reduce the trigger. 
• Lower their stress and create a calming environment. 
• Stick to a routine. 
• Encourage better behavior and self-control. Positive reinforcement is always better than punishing behavior. 
• Teach an alternative behavior or modified behavior that meets the same needs. 
• Teach self-management tools. 
• Work with professionals like occupational therapists to learn new coping techniques. 
• Get professional assistance through ABA therapy. 

Many autistic children have sleep problems. This can impact their daily lives, moods, and behavior. In this blog, we explore why autism can impact sleep and provide tips on how to help your child get a better night’s rest. 

Autism and Difficulty Sleeping: Sleep Tips For Autistic Children 

Many children struggle with sleep issues that prevent them from getting a good night’s rest. We explore how autism can impact a child’s sleep and provide tips to help you address them. 

Autism Spectrum Disorder Sleep Problems

Many autistic children struggle with sleep issues, which, in turn, negatively affect other aspects of their lives. We explore how autism may affect your child’s sleep, how common autism and sleep issues are, the consequences for the child, and what helps with these sleeping issues. 

How does autism affect children’s sleep?

There are several common sleep issues that autistic children may have to deal with. These include: 

• Struggling to fall asleep 
• Not going to bed at a consistent time 
• Not getting the right quality of sleep 
• Waking up frequently during the night 
• Waking up too early 

How common are sleep issues for autistic children? 

A study from 2018 titled “The Relationship between Sleep Problems, Neurobiological Alterations, Core Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Psychiatric Comorbidities” has found that anywhere between 50% and 80% of autistic children have sleep difficulties. The link between autism and trouble sleeping is incredibly high, and, as you may no doubt guess, it can compound the difficulties that autistic children already have to deal with.  

What are the consequences of sleep loss for children with autism?

We’ve already touched on how poor sleep can negatively impact your loved one’s life. But what are the consequences of sleep loss or poor sleep in autistic children?  

If your autistic child is not getting enough rest, they may end up experiencing increased levels of: 

• Aggression 
• Depression 
• Irritability 
• Hyperactivity 
• Poor learning and cognitive performance
• Increased behavioral problems  

They may also struggle with other behavioral issues and lower learning and cognitive performance.  

And yes, many of these problems are not unique to autistic children. These issues can impact the lives of autistic adults, as well as allistic children and adults, but there’s no doubt that these challenges make things worse for many children on the autism spectrum.  

Now that we understand how lack of autism and sleep problems can be connected and affect each other, here’s some advice on how you can help your children get the rest they need at night. 

Tips for helping children rest well

Your autistic child needs to get the right amount of rest to tackle life at their best. Here are nine tips to help them get the right amount and the right quality of sleep. 

1. Set an appropriate and regular bedtime 

Setting and sticking to an appropriate bedtime isn’t only good advice for a parent with autistic children but for everyone. Taking this advice and implementing it will ensure your child’s natural circadian rhythm (the body’s processes that operate on a roughly 24-hour cycle) isn’t disrupted, which makes it easier to get to sleep at night. It also has numerous other health benefits and will ensure the mind operates at its best. 

2. Have a bedtime routine in place

Having a set of activities that you, your child, or both of you partake in can help your autistic child fall asleep. You’ll need to assess and ensure that you implement activities that aren’t stimulating and will help calm your child. Reading them a soothing bedtime story or singing them a relaxing lullaby are some of the possible activities that you can use to help your child drift off to sleep.  

A visual or written list of things that your child needs to do may also be beneficial and can help them stick to their routine. 

3. Set up the right kind of sleep environment

Your child must have a space that’s dedicated to sleep. This doesn’t necessarily mean you must forbid all activities or toys in the bedroom. Rather, ensure these activities are kept to a certain part of the room and don’t take place in bed. If certain things help your child sleep, such as a stuffed animal, these objects can be kept in or near the child’s bed.  

It’s also important the bed itself is set up in such a way that it encourages your child to sleep. Remember, autistic children can be extremely sensitive to certain sounds and textures. Ensure any bedding you use doesn’t cause your child any irritation or discomfort, either due to how it feels against them or the sound it makes when rubbing up against a person or other parts of the bed. 

The rest of the environment should also be conducive to sleep. This means it should be quiet, moderately cool, and dark or dimly lit. 

4. Ensure they don’t eat or drink too late at night

Eating or drinking certain things late is not a good idea because it disrupts the body’s circadian rhythm. Think of it this way: the body is effectively getting ready to “shut down” for the night when, all of a sudden, food arrives. This tells the body that it isn’t time for sleep but time to process the food. Only once the body is done processing the food can it return to a state where it’s ready to sleep.  

Not only is it a bad idea to eat too close to bedtime, but certain foods and drinks can also worsen the situation. Things like caffeine-filled sodas or sugary sweets can be incredibly disruptive and should be avoided at all costs.  

If your child is thirsty, water is fine; if they are hungry, you can give them a small portion of certain healthy foods, such as nuts or fruits that aren’t too sweet. Ensure your autistic child eats at least three hours before bedtime. 

5. Get a good amount of sunshine during the day, particularly in the morning 

Sunlight is another key element that affects the body’s circadian rhythm. It’s important to start the day with a good dose of sunlight so that your body knows it’s the morning and adjusts your circadian rhythm accordingly. This realignment of the circadian rhythm will also help the body know when it’s time to go to sleep, making it easier for your autistic child to fall asleep at the same time every day. 

6. Manage nap times to ensure your child is tired enough to go to sleep at night

If your autistic child naps too much during the day, they may struggle to go to sleep at the same time every night. Keep naps to 20 minutes or shorter to ensure your child can keep to their regular sleep schedule. 

7. Physical activity could be key to helping your child get to bed at night

The study “Potential of Physical Activity-Based Intervention on Sleep in Children With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder” has found that autistic children are likely to be less physically active than their allistic peers and that by ensuring children took part in exercise, parents could possibly increase the quality of their child’s sleep. While more research needs to be done to confirm the findings of this study, it is something you could try with your child to test and see if exercise helps your autistic child sleep better at night. 

8. Use sleep aids for autistic children 

If you’re wondering what is the best sleep aid for an autistic child, here are some of the devices that you may want to investigate further. 

• A weighted blanket: Studies show that weighted blankets can offer numerous benefits for autistic children, including helping them fall and stay asleep. 
• A white noise machine: A white noise machine can help your autistic child get a better night’s sleep by helping block any noises that might otherwise disturb them. 
• Blackout curtains: There are many sources of light, including unnatural ones, that can disrupt your autistic child’s sleep. Blackout curtains can help you maintain a consistent environment so that they can sleep well. Eye masks could also work if your child does not experience sensory discomfort while wearing them. 

9. Consider speaking to a specialist about medication

While many non-pharmaceutical interventions can help, you may find yourself still struggling to help your autistic child get to sleep. In these scenarios, speaking with an expert about pharmaceutical options, whether melatonin supplementation or another prescribed medication, is important. 

10. Keep a sleep diary

A sleep diary is useful for tracking your child’s sleeping patterns. You can establish any unusual sleep patterns and identify the factors influencing sleep. This allows you to track when you have put certain strategies in place and whether they are effective. A sleep diary is also useful for clinicians, doctors, and social workers to assess your child’s sleep quality better. 

Unlock your child’s potential with the Midwest’s leading autism therapy center 

At Lighthouse Autism Center, we offer a unique approach to autism therapy called Lighthouse Fusion®. This unique approach to autism treatment combines the best aspects of ABA and speech therapy to help your child perform at their best. Learn more about Lighthouse Fusion® ABA therapy and use our autism resources to discover how it can help your child improve their outcomes. 

A Guide for Parents of Children with Autism in Iowa

In Iowa, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), children with autism are entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) tailored to their needs. Key rights include receiving education in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and having active parental involvement in the development of their Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Your Child’s Rights Under the IDEA

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that requires public education agencies to provide eligible children with disabilities with a free appropriate education (FAPE).

Key Points:

• FAPE: . Your child has the right to a FAPE. This means special education and related services provided at public expense, under public supervision and direction, and without charge, that meet state education standards and are provided in accordance with an individualized education program (IEP).
• Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): this means that each public school district must, to the maximum extent appropriate, educate children with IEPs in the general education environment, unless the nature or severity of a child’s disability is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.
• Parental Rights: Parents have legal rights to receive notice and participate in decisions regarding the child’s education. They also have rights they may exercise to enforce their child’s right to receive a FAPE.

A Brief Overview of the Special Education Eligibility Process

Elopement is something often spoken about in the autism community. We look at what it is, how to prevent it, and what to do if your child tends to run out in the community or at home.

Elopement – What Is It?

We often hear the term elopement when talking about autistic children. Find out what it is, why autistic children elope, how to prevent it, and what to do should your child elope.  

What is elopement in autism?

Running away is a fairly well-known behavior in neurotypical children. It is often romanticized by a cute image of the little boy with his stick and wrapped lunch draped over his shoulder, moping along the railway tracks in an act of benign defiance.   

Unfortunately, the reality is much grimmer. Every year, we are confronted with stories of children escaping the relative safety of their homes and schools, and their pictures end up on the proverbial milk carton or worse.   

This scary and dangerous behavior is known as wandering and elopement. Though elopement isn’t uncommon for children in general, it is seen more often in autistic people and is often more of a safety concern.   

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Autism Association (NAA), the statistics on how many autistic individuals display elopement behavior are alarming:  

• 49% of autistic children elope  

• 35% attempt elopement at least once a week  

• 33% of autistic elopers cannot communicate basic information like name, address, or phone number  

• 90% of elopement deaths are drowning-related  

• 42% of autistic elopements aged nine or younger end in death  

These numbers are enough to drive any parent of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to despair, and the link between autism and elopement is alarming. That said, you are not completely without options to reduce your child’s risk of becoming one of these statistics.   

To mitigate the risk of losing your child or avoiding any harm, you must know the best elopement strategies for autism. You need to be clear on what eloping is, why ASD kids elope, watch for signs of elopement, take steps to prevent it, and, perhaps most importantly, know what to do if it does eventually happen.   

Why do autistic children elope?

The underlying reasons for both autistic and allistic (non-autistic) children to elope are fairly similar. Usually, a child is either trying to escape something they do not like or want or pursuing something desirable.   

According to a review of the assessment and treatment of elopement, Dr. Megan Boyle and Dr. Reesha Adamson of Missouri State University broke these two primary causes into four distinct reasons:  

1. To get away from a place, activity, or person (escape)  

2. To obtain access to an item, activity, or person  

3. To engage in an intrinsically pleasurable activity, such as running  

4. To gain attention  

While these may seem fairly universal to all children, some children with ASD, depending on age and developmental level, may lack the mental acuity, awareness, and intuition to avoid danger and discern a threatening situation from a safe one.   

This becomes even more dangerous when autistic children are non-verbal or non-responsive to unfamiliar stimuli, making it difficult for them to communicate with concerned passers-by or even potential predators.   

Prevention is better than cure

It is never guaranteed that you can prevent your child from eloping. However, there are a number of strategies that you can implement to reduce the risk of elopement in autistic individuals with low support needs or excellent social skills. Having an elopement prevention plan is key. 

Be vigilant

In most cases, caregivers or parents miss nuanced tell-tale signs that a child is about to elope. Keep an eye out for the following, especially if there is a history of elopement:  

• Persistent glances at the door or exit.  

• Signs of sensory overload or overstimulation.  

• Fixation on objects, activities, or people outside or away from the safe environment.  

• Plays for attention.  

Communicate

There is a high risk of elopement in the autism community, and if you are aware that your child is an elopement risk, it is crucial to inform all caregivers and provide them with a list of elopement signs and signals to watch out for. In some cases, a child with ASD may display consistently calm and complacent pliant behavior, leaving caregivers with a false sense of security. Let them know that regardless of your child’s compliance, there is a high risk of elopement. You might also consider a list of the places or things they tend to elope to, just in case. 

Functional Communication Training 

Functional Communication Training (FCT) is a process in which autistic children are given alternatives to problematic behavior like elopement to get what they need.  For instance, if they previously eloped to get attention, use FCT or communication tools to ensure they receive the right kind of attention in similar situations from their preferred person, possibly using visual aids as needed.   

In the case of escape, do not reprimand or punish the child for eloping; rather, assess what about the situation triggered the elopement and change the situation accordingly. Where the child simply enjoys a particular item or activity and elopes to engage with it (like running or trying to access a particular toy), consider introducing scheduled events so the child can anticipate it without indulging the impulse to elope to fulfill the desire.   

How to prepare for elopement

As mentioned earlier, elopement can be almost completely unavoidable despite your best efforts to prevent it. Thankfully, the CDC has created a list of tips to help you prevent elopement and aid in a prompt recovery should your child elope:    

• Never leave your child unsupervised.   

• Install specialized locks and alarms on doors.  

• Attach GPS tracking devices that trigger an alert if your child wanders from a specific location and track their whereabouts.  

• Inform neighbors, caregivers, family, etc., of your child’s propensity to elope.  

• Sew all basic information into your child’s clothing, such as their name, address, and phone number.  

• Increase vigilance when your child is exposed to a change in environment.  

• Help your child familiarize themselves with your environment so they know of safe places and trustworthy adults in the area in case they get lost.  

• Set up an emergency response plan.  

• Walk your child through their portion of the emergency plan so that they know what steps to take in case they are separated from you for any reason.  

• Teach your child safety commands such as “stop.”  

• Teach your child to swim.  

• Teach your child how to cross a street.  

• Meet with any healthcare providers who understand your child’s unique situation and ask for their expert advice.  

• Keep a current photo of your child at all times.  

• Immediately call first responders. 

Let Lighthouse Autism Center help you and your child

As the Midwest’s leading autism therapy institution, Lighthouse Autism Center provides world-leading autism resources alongside our groundbreaking  Lighthouse Fusion ABA Therapy program, which fuses the best of ABA and speech therapy into a unique clinical model to help you and your child navigate the world.  

We look at some of the activities in Indianapolis, Indiana that might be suitable for children, depending on their sensitivities.  

Fun Activities for Children in Indianapolis, Indiana

Finding child-friendly activities can sometimes be a struggle, especially for a child on the autism spectrum. Below is a list of activities for children in Indianapolis, Indiana, that you and your child can enjoy. 

Please use your discretion as to which activities you believe your autistic child can tolerate. Every child on the autism spectrum is truly different, and some of the activities below may be too overstimulating, while other activities may help if your child is sensory seeking. Work within the context of your child’s skills and interests when determining a fun and safe activity. 

New activities, especially in public, can provide a variety of benefits. Although many challenges may come with going out and trying new activities, these situations can be great opportunities to work on skills and social interactions. These activities can provide opportunities for autistic children to practice social and communication skills, fine and gross motor skills, motivation, confidence, independence, learning new skills, as well as more general skills that can be applied to other settings, such as school. While working on new skills is important, doing activities that bring enjoyment is also important.  

Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Indianapolis

Conner Prairie

The second Sunday of every month from 10 am-12 pm is a sensory-friendly time at Conner Prairie, specifically for families and individuals with sensory differences. Enjoy a calm environment at Conner Prairie and explore at your own pace. Anything that makes loud noises or has bright lights (e.g., the Dry Goods Store in CWJ) will be shut off unless specifically asked to be turned on. Access to the quiet space areas in the buildings and across the grounds will be highlighted for easy access. 

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is the world’s largest children’s museum. It is located at 3000 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, in the United Northwest Area neighborhood. It’s the perfect place for practicing talking to friends and responding to social cues.  

Indianapolis Zoo

The Indianapolis Zoo is a 64-acre non-profit zoo, public aquarium, and botanical garden in Indianapolis, Indiana. Incorporated in 1944, the Indianapolis Zoological Society established the first zoo at George Washington Park in 1964. 

Smiley Indoor Playground and Arcades

An indoor playground in Indianapolis designed for children 10 and under. The arcade area is for all ages. Smiley offers an indoor playground, arcades, and a large selection of food and nonalcoholic beverages. It’s also the top birthday party venue in the state. 

Greatimes Family Fun Park

Greatimes is a five-acre complex in Indianapolis with several outdoor attractions and a 22,000 sq. ft. indoor facility that includes a multi-level arcade room, several party rooms, and an indoor playland. They have activities for your whole family or group and are the #1 place in Indianapolis for birthday parties. They offer a variety of party packages and themes that allow you to customize your party to your wants and needs. 

Rhythm! Discovery Center

Rhythm! Discovery Center is the world’s only interactive drum and percussion museum. Founded in 2009, it is a creative vision of the Percussive Arts Society, the largest member-based international percussion organization in the world. Rhythm! features unique, interactive exhibits highlighting a rich collection of historic artifacts and hands-on percussion instruments and serves as the definitive place where the history of percussion is preserved, celebrated, and shared. 

The Children’s Maze

Large limestone blocks in a series of concentric circles create an interesting and green space in White River State Park that’s perfect for a picnic or a unique location for a photoshoot. White River State Park, located in downtown Indianapolis, boasts world-class attractions and destinations that offer distinctive experiences for every visitor. Green spaces, trails, trees, and waterways co-mingle alongside cultural, educational, and recreational attractions across 250 beautiful acres. 

Zip City Indy

Zip City Indianapolis has a ton of attractions for a day filled with family fun. From their indoor zip line park to their indoor trampoline park with trampoline dodgeball, it’s a place where you can be active and social while challenging yourself and others. You’ll find a ropes course, climbing walls, and laser tag in their over 70,000-square-foot facility, offering a mix of fun and challenging attractions guaranteed to get you moving all year round. These are fun, active games for autistic children who can manage a higher sensory load. 

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

If your child is interested in cars, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum will be a hit. It was built in 1956 on the grounds of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, to celebrate and preserve the automotive history of the Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500. Over 300 vehicles and over 55,000 related artifacts are on display, making the museum one of the best collections in the world. 

K1 Speed

K1 Speed is a chain of indoor racing centers with electric go-karting for all skill levels. This Indianapolis track features one of the longest straights that opens to superb overtaking opportunities, with plenty of twists and turns to challenge the most seasoned go-karting driver. Their two meeting rooms provide a perfect environment for parties, while the arcade games and air hockey table keep you entertained between racing sessions. The Paddock Lounge restaurant serves delicious food and beverages for all ages to keep you fueled. 

Indiana State Museum

The Indiana State Museum is located in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. It houses exhibits on the science, art, culture, and history of Indiana from prehistoric times to the present day. Mastodons and a Foucault pendulum are on display, and the frequent rotation of artifacts and ever-changing special exhibits means returning guests will have new experiences at each visit.  

Adrenaline Family Adventure Park

Adrenaline is a 50,000 sq. ft. indoor adventure park in the Fisher area with a wide selection of activities suitable for the whole family. Toddlers will enjoy the soft play area; the arcade offers over 40 of the latest games, and the trampolines and basketball courts will get the blood pumping. There are zip lines, rope courses, climbing walls, and ninja warriors courses to conquer. You’ll leave tired but happy. 

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Sky Zone Indianapolis is Indiana’s most extreme trampoline park. Explore the wall tramp, high-end air track, ninja course, stunt fall, trapeze, and aerial skills equipment. You can buy day passes, but if you’d like to return regularly, a monthly membership allows you daily access for almost the same price as a day pass. With so much to do and so much fun to be had by all family members, Sky Zone is the perfect outing. 

Holiday Park

One of Indianapolis’ oldest parks, Holliday Park, is located just six miles north of downtown and encompasses 94 acres of beautiful green space. Visitors can explore the nature center, play on one of the city’s best playgrounds, hike more than 3.5 miles of picturesque trails, or stroll around the one-of-a-kind Holliday Park Ruins. 

Holliday Park provides a getaway for nature lovers without having to leave the city. The wooded ravines contain natural springs and wetlands, a pond, a long stretch of the White River, a beech-maple forest, and over 400 species of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. Bird watchers have spotted more than 200 species while hiking the trails that wind through the forest. In addition, deer, foxes, beaver, rabbits, squirrels, and many other native animals reside in or pass through the park grounds. 

Climb Time Indy

Over 8,500 sq. ft. of climbing space, plus kids’ programs, private lessons, a pro shop, and more. Since 1997, Climb Time Indy has been dedicated to providing the best that rock climbing has to offer. It is a safe environment where climbers of all ability levels and ages can get better, learn more, and above all else, have fun climbing. Climb Time offers a wide range of difficulty levels, from very easy to moderate to extremely difficult, brought to you by some of the best route setters this side of the Mississippi. Routes are changed weekly to ensure there is always a new challenge. Whether you are looking for powerful bouldering, sustained routes, or just a day out with the family, Climb Time Indy has what you are looking for. 

The Park at Traders Point Northwest

As an extension of Traders Point Christian Church, The Park is designed to serve parents and caregivers while their kids play on indoor playground equipment. There is even a designated area for young kids to play and a sensory room to enjoy. The Park is an inclusive, safe, and engaging environment for all. It is structured for open play, so parents can enjoy the tables to get a little work done, read, or converse with others while the kids enjoy some play time. As an affiliate of Traders Point, The Park is available free of charge. When planning your visit, please bring your government-issued ID and socks for the kids. 

Kid’s Planet

Kid’s Planet is a quality family recreation center with a multi-level playground filled with jungle gyms, ball pits, arcade games, trampolines, slides, and tunnels. There is also a dedicated area for toddlers where they can play safely. If the older kids want to venture past the first floor, parents and caregivers can watch from designated adult zones—they are not allowed in the play area. Staff members readily assist children who lose their way or need a boost.  

Westermeier Commons Playground & Splashpad

The playground at Westermeier Commons has a futuristic design and offers children more than 25,000 sq. ft. of inclusive play space. Children using wheelchairs have access to lower-level amenities as well as upper-level features with the use of ramps. The playground also offers three cave-like areas to provide respite for children who need quieter spaces during play. Adjacent to the playground is a splash pad (open Memorial Day-September 30), which was designed to match the nature that surrounds it. 

The Waterpark

This amusement area offers heated pools with slides, simulated surfing, play areas, cabanas, and snacks. Surf the waves on the FlowRider®️, scale the wall of the AquaClimb®️, grab a treat from the snack bar, and enjoy your own private cabana in style. With features for every age and ability—from a kiddie pool to the lazy river to adventure slides—everything you need for a 5-star family-friendly day is right here! 

Cool Creek Park Nature Center

Park-based natural science center offers seasonal exhibits on habitat preservation and local wildlife. Cool Creek Park is one of Hamilton County’s most popular parks, with various features and activities. All family members are sure to enjoy this beautiful 90-acre park year-round. The park includes 4 miles of wooded trails, perfect for hiking, jogging, and bird watching. The scenic paved roads winding through the park are ideal for those who cycle and rollerblade. Looking for even more activities? Check out the playgrounds, soccer fields, and basketball court. For something slower-paced, spend time on the nature trails, wetlands, prairies, and benches along the trails. 

Hoosier Heights Indianapolis

Give wall climbing walls and bouldering a go at Hoosier Heights. And if any family member prefers not to climb, yoga classes, cardio equipment, and a weight room are also available.