How to Visit Eiteljorg Museum Family Days in Indianapolis

The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis offers more than just art exhibitions—it provides immersive, educational, and culturally rich experiences designed specifically for families. Among its most beloved offerings are the monthly Family Days, a free, hands-on program that invites visitors of all ages to engage with Native American and Western heritage through interactive activities, live demonstrations, storytelling, art-making, and performances. For families seeking meaningful, screen-free enrichment, Eiteljorg Museum Family Days represent a unique opportunity to connect with history, culture, and creativity in a welcoming, inclusive environment. This guide walks you through everything you need to know to plan, prepare for, and maximize your visit to Eiteljorg Museum Family Days in Indianapolis—whether you’re a local resident or traveling from out of town.

Step-by-Step Guide

Planning a successful visit to Eiteljorg Museum Family Days requires more than just showing up. While the events are free and open to the public, thoughtful preparation ensures a smooth, rewarding experience for everyone in your group. Follow these detailed steps to make the most of your day.

Step 1: Confirm the Date and Time

Eiteljorg Museum Family Days occur on the first Saturday of every month, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. These events are weather-dependent and occasionally subject to change due to holidays or special museum programming. Always verify the current month’s schedule on the official Eiteljorg Museum website before making plans. The museum’s Events Calendar is updated regularly and includes details about that month’s theme, featured artists, and special guests. Avoid relying on third-party sites or outdated social media posts—official sources are the most accurate.

Step 2: Check for Special Themes

Each Family Day centers around a unique cultural theme tied to Native American or Western traditions. Past themes have included “Powwow Culture,” “Native American Storytelling,” “Cowboy Poetry,” “Traditional Basket Weaving,” and “Indigenous Games and Sports.” Knowing the theme ahead of time allows you to prepare questions, bring relevant books or media for discussion, and help children connect with the activities on a deeper level. For example, if the theme is “Native American Music,” you might listen to traditional flute or drumming recordings at home beforehand to spark curiosity.

Step 3: Plan Your Route and Transportation

The Eiteljorg Museum is located at 500 West Washington Street in downtown Indianapolis, adjacent to the Circle Centre Mall and near the Indiana State Museum. If you’re driving, the museum offers a discounted parking rate of $5 for visitors with museum validation, available at the museum’s front desk. Nearby public parking garages include the Circle Centre Garage, the City Market Garage, and the Indiana Convention Center Garage. All are within a five-minute walk.

Public transit is also a convenient option. IndyGo buses

2, #3, #4, #10, and #12 stop within two blocks of the museum. Use the IndyGo Trip Planner app to map your route in real time. For families with strollers or mobility needs, the museum is fully ADA-compliant, with elevators, accessible restrooms, and wide pathways throughout the galleries.

Step 4: Arrive Early to Avoid Crowds

While Family Days are free and open to all, they attract large crowds—especially during spring and fall. Arriving between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. gives you the best chance to participate in activities before lines form. Popular stations such as beadwork, pottery, and storytelling often have limited space or materials, and early arrivals are more likely to complete multiple hands-on projects. If you arrive after noon, expect longer wait times and fewer available supplies.

Step 5: Register for Workshops (If Required)

Some activities, particularly those led by guest artists or involving limited materials (like miniature drum-making or traditional dance lessons), require advance registration. While most Family Day activities are first-come, first-served, the museum occasionally offers a few reserved spots for in-depth workshops. Check the event page on the Eiteljorg website 48 hours before the event to see if any sessions require sign-up. Registration is typically done online and is free of charge.

Step 6: Pack Essentials for a Full-Day Visit

Family Days are designed to be immersive and can last several hours. Bring the following essentials:

• Water bottles – The museum has water fountains, but having your own helps avoid lines.
• Snacks – While the museum café is open, bringing simple snacks (fruit, granola bars) helps manage hunger between activities.
• Comfortable shoes – You’ll be walking, standing, and moving between stations.
• Weather-appropriate clothing – If you plan to walk around downtown afterward, check the forecast.
• Small backpack or tote – To carry art projects, brochures, and souvenirs.
• Camera or smartphone – Capture memories, but be respectful of cultural sensitivities; ask before photographing performers or artists at work.

Step 7: Navigate the Museum Layout

Upon entering, head to the Family Day information desk near the main lobby. Volunteers will provide a printed activity map and a list of scheduled performances. The museum is organized into three main zones:

1. Exhibition Galleries – Rotating exhibits on Native American art, Western history, and contemporary Indigenous artists.
2. Family Activity Zone – Located in the atrium and adjacent classrooms, this area hosts hands-on crafts, games, and demonstrations.
3. Performance Stage – A dedicated space for live music, dance, storytelling, and cultural presentations.

Use the map to prioritize activities based on your children’s interests. For example, if your child loves art, focus on the craft stations. If they enjoy movement, time your visit around scheduled dance performances.

Step 8: Engage with Artists and Educators

One of the most valuable aspects of Family Days is direct interaction with Native American artists, historians, and cultural practitioners. Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Artists are eager to share their knowledge and often explain the significance behind their techniques. For example, a Hopi potter might describe how clay is gathered from sacred land, or a Lakota storyteller might explain the moral lessons in a traditional tale. These conversations leave lasting impressions and foster cultural understanding.

Step 9: Participate in All Activity Stations

Family Days typically include 8–12 activity stations. Common offerings include:

• Native beadwork and jewelry making
• Traditional drumming and rhythm exercises
• Storytelling circles with tribal elders
• Indigenous games like hoop and pole or hand games
• Mask-making and regalia decoration
• Western cowboy poetry readings
• Rock art tracing and petroglyph rubbing
• Native plant identification and herbal medicine demos

Encourage children to rotate through at least four stations. Completing a “passport” (provided at the information desk) by getting stamps at each station can turn the visit into a fun scavenger hunt. Completed passports can be exchanged for a small museum souvenir.

Step 10: Explore the Permanent Exhibits

After the Family Day activities, take time to explore the museum’s permanent collections. Highlights include:

• “The West as America” – A thought-provoking exhibit on how Western expansion was portrayed in 19th-century art.
• “Native American Art: Tradition and Innovation” – A rotating showcase of contemporary Indigenous artists.
• “The Eiteljorg Collection of Western Art” – Featuring works by Frederic Remington and Charles Russell.

Many exhibits include interactive touchscreens, audio guides (available at the front desk), and child-friendly captions. Consider downloading the museum’s free mobile app for an enhanced self-guided tour.

Step 11: Visit the Museum Store

The Eiteljorg Museum Store offers a curated selection of authentic Native American and Western art, books, jewelry, and children’s educational materials. All proceeds support the museum’s educational programs. Look for items made by artists featured during Family Days—these make meaningful keepsakes. Many items are labeled with the artist’s tribal affiliation and story, adding depth to your purchase.

Step 12: Provide Feedback and Stay Connected

After your visit, consider filling out the brief feedback form available at the exit or online. Your input helps the museum improve future Family Days. You can also sign up for the museum’s email newsletter to receive advance notices about upcoming events, seasonal themes, and volunteer opportunities. Following the museum on Instagram or Facebook also gives you behind-the-scenes glimpses and real-time updates.

Best Practices

Maximizing your Family Day experience goes beyond logistics—it involves mindset, respect, and intentionality. Here are the best practices to ensure your visit is not only enjoyable but also culturally responsible and educationally impactful.

Practice Cultural Respect

Native American cultures are diverse, living traditions—not relics of the past. Avoid treating cultural practices as costumes or entertainment. If a performer is wearing regalia, do not touch it without permission. Do not ask individuals to “perform” their culture on demand. Instead, listen, observe, and ask thoughtful questions like, “Can you tell me about the meaning behind this design?” or “How did you learn this tradition?”

Model Curiosity Over Assumptions

Children absorb attitudes from adults. If you approach the event with genuine curiosity and humility, your children will too. Avoid phrases like “That’s so exotic” or “I didn’t know they still did that.” Instead, say, “That’s fascinating—how long have you been doing this?” or “I’d love to learn more about where this comes from.”

Engage All Age Groups

Family Days are designed for all ages, but activities vary in complexity. For toddlers, focus on sensory experiences: drumming, fabric textures, storytelling. For school-age children, encourage participation in crafts and games. Teens may enjoy deeper conversations with artists or exploring the historical context of the exhibits. Bring activities that appeal to each child’s developmental stage.

Limit Screen Time

While it’s tempting to let children scroll through devices during downtime, Family Days are an ideal opportunity to unplug. Encourage observation, conversation, and hands-on engagement. If you need to use your phone, do so to take photos of art or to look up additional information—not for games or social media.

Use the “I Notice, I Wonder” Technique

For parents and educators, a powerful educational tool is the “I Notice, I Wonder” method. After viewing an artifact or performance, ask your child:

• “What do you notice?” – Encourages observation skills.
• “What do you wonder?” – Promotes critical thinking and curiosity.

This approach transforms passive viewing into active learning and can be used before, during, and after the visit.

Plan for Emotional Moments

Some exhibits or stories may touch on difficult histories—colonization, displacement, cultural erasure. Be prepared to answer questions honestly but age-appropriately. The museum provides discussion guides for parents on its website. You might say, “This art shows how strong and creative these people were, even when things were hard. They kept their traditions alive, and that’s something to honor.”

Bring Siblings Together

If you have multiple children, assign them “buddy roles.” For example, the older child can help the younger one with a craft, or both can take turns asking questions to an artist. This builds cooperation and shared responsibility.

Extend the Learning at Home

Family Days don’t end when you leave the museum. Create a simple “Family Day Journal” where each member draws or writes one thing they learned. Find a book from the museum’s recommended reading list (available online) and read it together. Watch a short documentary like “We Are Still Here” or “Dancing With the Wind” to reinforce the themes.

Tools and Resources

Successful planning for Eiteljorg Museum Family Days relies on leveraging the right tools and resources. Below is a curated list of digital and physical resources to enhance your experience.

Official Eiteljorg Museum Website

The primary resource for all event details, including dates, themes, parking, and accessibility information, is www.eiteljorg.org. The Events Calendar is updated monthly and includes downloadable PDFs of activity maps and schedules.

Mobile App: Eiteljorg Museum Guide

Download the free Eiteljorg Museum app (available on iOS and Android) for audio tours, exhibit descriptions, and real-time updates on Family Day activities. The app includes a map with location pins for each activity station and a timer feature to help you manage your visit.

Recommended Reading List

Prepare your family with age-appropriate books that align with the monthly theme. The museum curates a reading list each month. Recent favorites include:

• For Ages 3–7: “We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga” by Traci Sorell (Cherokee)
• For Ages 8–12: “The Girl Who Danced with the Moon” by Joseph Bruchac (Abenaki)
• For Teens and Adults: “An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States for Young People” by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

All titles are available at Indianapolis Public Library branches and through Hoopla or Libby apps with a library card.

Printable Activity Sheets

Download free, printable activity sheets from the museum’s Education Resources page. These include word searches, matching games, and coloring pages featuring Native American symbols and Western landscapes. Use them before your visit to build anticipation or after to reinforce learning.

Local Cultural Organizations

Connect with Indiana-based Native American communities for deeper context:

• Native American Indian Association of Indiana – Offers cultural events and educational outreach.
• Indianapolis Public Schools Native American Education Program – Provides classroom resources and family workshops.
• Indiana Historical Society – Hosts complementary exhibits on regional Indigenous history.

Accessibility Tools

The museum provides:

• Free sensory kits (noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools) at the front desk.
• Large-print and braille versions of exhibit labels.
• ASL-interpreted performances upon request (notify the museum 48 hours in advance).

Volunteer Opportunities

Consider becoming a Family Day volunteer. The museum trains community members to assist with activities, guide tours, or help at the information desk. It’s a meaningful way to deepen your connection to the museum and support cultural education.

Real Examples

Real experiences illustrate how families have transformed their visits into lasting memories. Here are three authentic examples from past Eiteljorg Museum Family Days.

Example 1: The Johnson Family – First-Time Visitors

The Johnsons, a family of four from Carmel, Indiana, attended their first Family Day with two children ages 5 and 9. They arrived at 10:15 a.m. and immediately headed to the beadwork station, where a Navajo artist taught them how to string tiny seed beads into patterns. The 9-year-old made a bracelet she still wears daily. At the storytelling circle, the family listened to a Seneca elder recount a creation myth. The 5-year-old asked, “Did the turtle really hold up the world?” The elder smiled and said, “In our way of seeing, yes—and the turtle still holds it today.” That moment sparked months of bedtime stories about animals and the earth. The family returned the next month and now volunteers at the information desk.

Example 2: The Rivera Family – Out-of-Town Visitors

The Riveras traveled from Chicago for a weekend trip and scheduled their visit to coincide with a Family Day themed “Native American Music.” Their 7-year-old daughter, who plays violin, was fascinated by the Native flute performance. Afterward, she asked the musician how the flute was made. He showed her a piece of cedar and explained how the sound is created by the breath and the hole placement. The family bought a handmade flute from the museum store and now play it together every Sunday. They later wrote a letter to the museum, which was featured in their quarterly newsletter.

Example 3: The Thompson Classroom – School Group Visit

A third-grade class from Lawrence, Indiana, visited as part of a cultural studies unit. Their teacher, Ms. Thompson, used the museum’s pre-visit curriculum to teach about tribal nations before arriving. During Family Day, students participated in a traditional hoop dance and then wrote poems inspired by the movement. One student wrote: “The hoop spins like the sun, and I am the wind that makes it fly.” The class later presented their poems at a school assembly, and the museum invited them back for a private tour. The experience became the highlight of their school year.

FAQs

Are Eiteljorg Museum Family Days really free?

Yes. Admission to Family Days is always free for everyone, including parking validation. There are no tickets required. Donations are welcome but not required.

Do I need to reserve a spot for Family Days?

Most activities are walk-in only. However, a few workshops (like drum-making or dance classes) may require online registration. Check the event page 48 hours before the event for details.

Is the museum stroller-friendly?

Yes. All galleries and activity areas are fully accessible to strollers and wheelchairs. Elevators and ramps are available throughout the building.

Can I bring food into the museum?

You may bring sealed snacks and water bottles. Full meals are not permitted in the galleries, but there is a designated picnic area outside near the sculpture garden.

Are there restrooms and changing tables?

Yes. Family restrooms with changing tables are located on every floor, near the elevators and in the Family Activity Zone.

What if it rains on Family Day?

Family Days are held indoors. All activities take place within the museum building, so weather does not affect the event.

Can I bring a pet?

Service animals are welcome. Emotional support animals and pets are not permitted inside the museum for the safety of artifacts and other visitors.

How long should I plan to stay?

Most families spend 2–4 hours. You can come and go as you please, but to experience all activities, plan for at least three hours.

Is there a place to store strollers or bags?

Yes. A complimentary coat and bag check is available near the main entrance.

Do you offer tours in Spanish or other languages?

While most materials are in English, the museum can arrange for bilingual guides upon request. Contact the education department in advance to arrange language support.

Can I take photos?

Photography is allowed for personal use in most areas. Flash photography and tripods are prohibited. Always ask permission before photographing artists, performers, or other visitors.

Conclusion

Eiteljorg Museum Family Days in Indianapolis are more than a weekend outing—they are a gateway to cultural understanding, creative expression, and intergenerational learning. By following this guide, you transform a simple visit into a meaningful experience that resonates long after you leave the museum doors. Whether you’re introducing your child to the rhythms of a Native American drum, watching a cowboy poet recite verses under the museum’s skylight, or crafting a beaded bracelet with a master artist, you’re participating in a living tradition.

The power of Family Days lies not in the artifacts on display, but in the human connections formed between visitors and the cultures they honor. When you arrive with curiosity, leave with respect, and return with intention, you become part of a broader community committed to preserving and celebrating Indigenous and Western heritage.

Plan your next visit. Bring your family. Ask questions. Listen deeply. And remember—every story told, every bead strung, every drum struck is a thread in the enduring tapestry of American history. The Eiteljorg Museum doesn’t just show you the past. It invites you to help weave the future.