Published May 1, 2025
Buckle up, folks, the Indy 500 is almost here! And did you know? Not only is it the biggest auto race in the entire country—it’s the biggest single-day sporting event in the entire WORLD. No wonder the whole city goes bananas for racecars this month. And as you might imagine, there’s lots you can do with your family to get involved in the excitement, even if you don’t actually go to the race itself.
500 Festival Kids’ Day
Saturday, May 10, 2025
This FREE event is a huge, outdoor festival on Monument Circle with lots of music, dancing, crafting, workshops, and other fun activities specifically designed for kids. There’s also an obstacle course, a fitness area, and a kids’ race called the Rookie Run (your kids will have to sign up for the race in advance). Appearances by the Pacers, the Fever, and the 500 Festival Princesses add to the excitement and make this event an absolute “must.” Oh, and did we mention, it’s FREE!
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
Recently re-opened after a huge renovation, the IMS Museum is a fun way for your kids to learn more about the race—from inside the famous track, itself! They’ll get an up-close look at famous racecars and drivers, incredible historical photos, and rare memorabilia. They’ll also learn more about past winners, the history of the race, and see how much it’s grown over the years. The tickets do get a little pricey, but they give free passes to active-duty military and Bank of America customers, and they’re part of the Access Pass program.
Watch the Race with Your Family
As has been the case for most years, Indy residents won’t be able to watch the race while it’s happening live. But you can catch it on Fox59 later in the day, and that would be a great excuse to gather the family, make a bunch of fun snacks, and get into the excitement from home. Maybe even make some race-themed decorations the day before and deck out the living room for that race-day party vibe. You might even want to place some friendly, non-monetary bets: Have your kids do a little research on the drivers and pick their favorite to win. How fast do they think the highest average speed will be? How many laps will be completed? How many times will the commentators say the word “rookie?” How long will the race last? What color will the winning car be? Will the winner drink milk or something else? Have little prizes ready for the winner in each category—maybe a favorite candy, some stickers, books, craft sets, etc. Or maybe the winner gets to skip a night of doing dishes or chooses the movie for the next family movie night.
Do 500 of Something
In the Indy 500, they drive 500 miles around a track. So, invite your kids to do 500 of something—although, maybe not all at once. 500 is a pretty big number, after all. Will they try to do 500 pushups in the weeks leading up to the race? 500 sit-ups? Read 500 pages of a book (or probably several) this year? Collect 500 stickers or learn about 500 different types of animals? Whatever they do, they’ll find that doing 500 of anything takes a lot of hard work, determination, and time. So, they’ll gain a new respect for the drivers, and learn valuable lessons about perseverance.
Read About Willy T. Ribbs
The Indy 500 started all the way back in 1911. But it wasn’t until 1991 that the first Black driver participated—the amazing Willy T. Ribbs, who was also the first Black person to drive a Formula One car. Willy’s path to the race wasn’t always easy, and he faced challenge after challenge. But he stuck with it, never lost hope, and ultimately made history.
Draw a Racecar
If you’ve got some creative types on your hands, there’s no end to the fun race-themed craft projects they can dive into. To get them started, how about having them draw a racecar? The tutorial below has easy-to-follow steps, and also has a coloring page, for kids who aren’t quite yet at drawing age, or who just want to skip to the colorful part.
Organize a Race
The Indy 500, of course, is all about the cars. But at the end of the day, it’s a race! So, have your kids organize a race of their own—that could be as simple as running, or with bikes or rollerblades. Maybe they race against their friends, siblings, or neighbors. Or maybe they race against themselves by setting up a timer and trying to beat their personal best. But a good-old-fashioned race is a great way to stay in shape, get in the spirit, and most importantly, have fun.
Become an Expert
When you live in Indianapolis, the 500 will be a topic of conversation every single May. Give your kids the ability to participate in those conversations by encouraging them to learn more about our city’s most famous event. The article below has everything they’d ever need to know about the race. Plus, it’s written for kids, so it’s easy to process. Share this link with your kids and help them learn about the biggest day in Indy.
The Indy 500 is a lot of fun for Hoosiers of all ages, even if you don’t go to the race. Between all of the events and parties, plus the creative ways you can celebrate at home, May is truly one of the most exciting months in Indy. And if you’re looking for more ways to rev your engines, don’t forget about the library! They also have fun suggestions for crafts, plus a whole bunch of books and audiobooks on the subject. Check them out here…and happy racing!
Tags: Indianapolis Events, Indy 500, Indy Fun