Things for Little Kids to Do in Fort Wayne, Indiana

Activities for Young Scientists

• Fort Wayne's Science Central is a science museum with exhibits and specialized activities for young children. The Half-Pint Science class is a 1.5-hour program for ages 2 to 5 accompanied by an adult. Kids are treated to four hands-on science activities with themes such as creepy critters, transportation, outer space and the human body. If you're just visiting and don't want to sign up for a class, your family can explore the 35,000 square feet of exhibit space. This includes a tidal pool and a hands-on area just for ages 2 to 7. If your budding biologist wants to get out in nature, the Lindenwood Nature Preserve has a pond, 110 acres of wooded areas and stroller-accessible trails.

Visual Arts Attractions

• If your pint-sized Picasso enjoys everything artsy, the Fort Wayne Museum of Art's Early Learning Center is the place to be. The classroom family area features drawing, building and reading centers. Young children can create their own portraits, draw on an eight-foot whiteboard and display their own art on the Magnetic Tree Gallery. The museum also offers a staff-led, play-centered program for kids 8 and under. This program is held four times a year and features different topics that appeal to young children. If you're looking for a class-based activity, the Community Arts Academy at the Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne campus offers visual arts classes for children in preschool and up.

Animal Activities

• The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals. Families can take a walk through the zoo or enjoy a special program. For example, as of the date of publication seasonal activities included Wild Zoo Halloween weekends featuring trick-or-treating, pumpkin decoration, watching animals eat pumpkins and a magic show. The Fox Island Park is home to hundreds of species of animals. With seasonal ponds, marshy areas, prairie spaces and wetland forests, this park has plenty of places to observe animals. It features a Nature Center with a treehouse exhibit and a bird observation building.

Outdoor Playgrounds for Everyone

• The Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation's Boundless Playground at Kreager Park is an inclusive outdoor play area designed to accommodate children of all abilities. It features "pods" for three different age groups. The Alpha Pod is made specifically for children ages 2 to 5. It features equipment that encourages both solitary and social types of play. The Beta Pod offers children ages 2 to 12 the chance to play with a fossilized T-Rex and includes an electronic physical activity game that promotes movement along with team competition. The Gamma Pod is a play space for children ages 5 to 12. The area includes equipment for group and individual play along with a multi-use rocker that holds up to two wheelchairs.