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Homeschool Discounts in Indiana

Indiana zoos, science centers, and museums with homeschool days and co-op field-trip rates — most $5–$10 per student, several free for groups of 10+.

✓ Programs verified August 2026 · 14 confirmed programs · 2 call-to-confirm · 10 museums free

Indiana's homeschool options come in two flavors. A handful of venues run dedicated homeschool days — the free Homeschool Field Day at Indianapolis's Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, Mesker Park Zoo's Homeschool Days in Evansville, and Conner Prairie's drop-in days just north of Indianapolis. Just as many extend their school field-trip rates to homeschool groups, so a co-op that gathers the 10-to-15-student minimum can visit big-ticket zoos, science centers, and museums for $5–$10 a student — a fraction of regular admission.

That co-op route unlocks the Indianapolis Zoo, Newfields, Fort Wayne's Science Central and Botanical Conservatory, Bloomington's WonderLab, and Evansville's cMoe and art-history-science museum, all at group field-trip prices of about $5–$10 a student. Several are free for homeschool groups outright — Angel Mounds and the Indiana State Museum waive admission for preregistered Indiana K-12 groups of 10 or more, and the Benjamin Harrison field day is free for everyone. Dates and exact rates shift each term, so confirm on each venue's own site before you go.

Your Indiana homeschool toolkit

Local resources worth bookmarking
Start here

Indiana homeschool laws

Notice, recordkeeping & assessment rules — straight from the source.

Read Indiana's requirements →

Check your local library

Free museum passes, classes, makerspaces & interlibrary loan — the cheapest field trips there are. Ask what they offer homeschoolers.

Find Indiana libraries →

Always ask about homeschool rates

Many venues give 30–50% off (sometimes free) and never advertise it. Call ahead and ask for a homeschool, education, or co-op rate before you pay.

State parks & history

Free and cheap educational programming statewide — nature centers, historic sites, junior-ranger days.

State parks → · Indiana history →

Free Indiana homeschool printables

Print, pin & take along — no email needed

Free PDF worksheets to bring on any Indiana field trip. Print as many copies as you like.

My Indiana Study

A one-page state study your child fills in — capital, state symbols, flag, and a place to visit.

Download PDF →

Field trip scavenger hunt

A find-it checklist that works at any museum, park, or downtown outing. Reusable every trip.

Download PDF →

Nature journal

A draw-and-observe page for park, trail, and garden days — senses, sketches, and a leaf rubbing.

Download PDF →

Landmarks I want to see in Indiana

A checklist to fill in — the parks and famous places in Indiana you want to visit, with a box to tick off each one.

Download PDF →

See all our free printables →

Confirmed homeschool pricing

Published price on the venue's own homeschool page — most under $20 per child.

Offers
Homeschool Days
May 19, 2026 · 10am–1pm
Free
per kid · adult Free

Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site

Indianapolis · All ages · Free; registration encouraged via the event page

The 23rd president's restored Indianapolis mansion runs a free Homeschool Field Day to close out the school year. Families come and go between 10am and 1pm for outdoor field-day favorites, 19th-century games, and hands-on history, with a picnic area and concessions on site — a low-pressure way for central-Indiana homeschoolers to connect.

Regular admission: $12 adult / $7 youth (regular guided tour) — Free event (regular tour is $7–$12)
Homeschool page at bhpsite.org →
Offers
Homeschool Days
April 9 & Sept 29, 2026 · 9:30am–2pm
$10
per kid · adult $11

Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden

Evansville · All K-12 · Register via the zoo's Homeschool Day signup

On two dates a year this affordable Evansville zoo layers homeschool-only programming — animal-ambassador encounters, biofact stations, and a zookeeper chat — on top of a normal visit, all included with regular admission. Pairs naturally with the walk-through Amazonia rainforest building.

Regular admission: $11 adult / $10 child 3–12 (summer) — Homeschool programming included free with admission
Homeschool page at meskerparkzoo.com →
Offers
Fee Waiver
Wed–Sun, regular hours
Free*
per kid · adult —

Angel Mounds State Historic Site

Evansville · K-12 · Preregister as a homeschool group (10+ students); call ahead

One of the best-preserved Mississippian towns in North America — 11 earthen mounds across 600 riverside acres, plus an interpretive center and reconstructed dwellings. Indiana waives admission entirely for preregistered K-12 homeschool groups of 10 or more, making this free, hands-on archaeology just east of Evansville.

Regular admission: $13 adult / $9 youth 3–17 / free under 3 — Free for preregistered K-12 homeschool groups of 10+
Homeschool page at indianamuseum.org →
Offers
Homeschool Days
Apr 21, May 28, Aug 25 & Sept 23, 2026 · 10am
$9
per kid · adult free

Conner Prairie

Fishers · All ages; some activities age-specific · Buy Homeschool Day tickets online for the chosen date

Indiana's premier living-history museum spreads 1,000+ acres of 1836 Prairietown, a Lenape camp, nature trails, and the 1859 Balloon Voyage across Fishers, just north of Indianapolis. On four Homeschool Days a year, families pay a flat $9 per student (one educator free) — well under the regular gate — and come for the full day or drop in for a few hours, with rotating partner activities and self-paced exploration.

Regular admission: $26 adult / $20 youth 2–13 (regular gate) — Homeschool Day rate $9/student (one educator free) vs. $20–$26 gate
Homeschool page at connerprairie.org →
Offers
Homeschool Classes
Aug–Dec 2026 · ages 6–10 · 9:30am–1pm
$21
per kid · adult free

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

Indianapolis · 6–10 · Book the individual class date online

The largest children's museum in the world runs a rotating slate of single-session homeschool classes — playful, themed science and art workshops for ages 6–10 — roughly once a month through the fall. At $21 per child with one adult free, each is a standalone drop-in class rather than a multi-week commitment, so a family books only the dates it wants.

Regular admission: $23–$38 general admission (varies by day); $6 first Thursdays 4–8pm — $21/child homeschool class with one adult free
Homeschool page at childrensmuseum.org →
Offers
Homeschool Days
Groups of 10+ students
$5
per kid · adult $5

Newfields (Indianapolis Museum of Art)

Indianapolis · Pre-K–12 · Request a field trip 3+ weeks ahead (tours 4 weeks)

Newfields pairs the Indianapolis Museum of Art with 152 acres of gardens and the free 100 Acres art-and-nature park. A homeschool co-op of 10+ books the school field-trip rate at just $5 a student, with docent-led art tours for Pre-K–6 and optional hands-on art-making add-ons — a low-cost art day on a marquee campus, plus separate themed Homeschool Days through the year.

Regular admission: ~$20 adult general admission (100 Acres art park always free) — Homeschool groups of 10+ pay $5/student
Homeschool page at discovernewfields.org →
Offers
Fee Waiver
Wed–Sun
Free*
per kid · adult Free

Indiana State Museum

Indianapolis · K-12 · Preregister as an Indiana homeschool group (10+ K-12)

Indiana's flagship museum on the downtown canal tells the state's story — Ice Age mastodons, all 92 counties, science demos, and an IMAX theater. Like its sister Historic Sites, it waives admission for preregistered Indiana K-12 groups of 10 or more, so a homeschool co-op visits free; add hands-on enhancement activities, or watch for periodic public free museum days.

Regular admission: $23 adult / $17 youth 3–17 ($5 Indiana college students) — Free for preregistered Indiana homeschool groups of 10+
Homeschool page at indianamuseum.org →
Offers
Field Trips
Mon–Fri · Aug–Nov & Jan–May
$10
per kid · adult $10

Indianapolis Zoo

Indianapolis · Pre-K–12 · Preregister online 2+ weeks ahead as a homeschool group (15+)

One of the country's few combined zoo-aquarium-botanical gardens, in downtown's White River State Park. The zoo explicitly extends its field-trip rate to homeschool groups of 15 or more — well below regular gate admission — and a homeschool co-op can easily organize the group. Dolphin presentations are included.

Regular admission: ~$25+ general admission — Homeschool groups of 15+ pay $10/student
Homeschool page at indianapoliszoo.com →
Offers
Field Trips
Wed–Fri (groups of 15+)
$5
per kid · adult $5

Science Central

Fort Wayne · All grades · Schedule 2+ weeks ahead; min 15 paying students

A hands-on science center in a converted power plant with 200+ exhibits, a high-rail bike two stories up, and a new planetarium. Science Central spells out a homeschool-group field-trip option at just $5 a student — among the best per-student science-center rates in the state for a co-op that gathers 15 kids.

Regular admission: $12 adult / $12 child general admission — Homeschool groups of 15+ pay $5/student
Homeschool page at sciencecentral.org →
Offers
Field Trips
Tue–Sun (groups of 20+)
$4
per kid · adult $6

Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory

Fort Wayne · All ages · Reserve online 2+ weeks ahead (group rate 20+)

Three indoor garden environments — tropical, desert, and a changing showcase — in downtown Fort Wayne. The Conservatory names home-school students among its field-trip audiences, with standards-based curriculum on plants and ecology and a 20+ group rate of $6/$4. A budget pick for a co-op studying botany.

Regular admission: $7 adult / $5 youth 3–17 — Groups of 20+ pay $6/$4; $1 Thursday nights
Homeschool page at cityoffortwayne.in.gov →
Offers
Field Trips
Tue–Sun, arrive from 9am
$9
per kid · adult free

WonderLab Museum of Science, Health & Technology

Bloomington · All ages · Book 2+ weeks ahead; minimum 10 paid

Bloomington's hands-on science museum — three floors of exhibits on science, health, and technology. The field-trip rate of $9 a student kicks in at just 10 paying visitors, an easy bar for a homeschool co-op, and private demos or lab sessions can be added for a few dollars more.

Regular admission: $14.50 general admission — Co-ops of 10+ pay $9/student
Homeschool page at wonderlab.org →
Offers
Field Trips
Tue–Fri
$7.50–$9.50
per kid · adult free

Koch Family Children's Museum of Evansville (cMoe)

Evansville · Pre-K–5 · Request a field trip 2+ weeks ahead; group rate 10+

Three floors of hands-on play in a historic downtown Evansville building. cMoe's school field-trip rates — $7.50 self-guided or $9.50 with a guided STEAM workshop — are open to groups of 10 or more, so a homeschool co-op can visit for roughly half the $15 gate price.

Regular admission: $15 general admission — Co-ops of 10+ pay $7.50–$9.50/student
Homeschool page at cmoekids.org →
Offers
Field Trips
Tue–Sat
$3–$7
per kid · adult free

Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science

Evansville · Pre-K–HS · Register 2+ weeks ahead; minimum 15 students

A three-in-one riverside museum of art, history, and science with a planetarium and a walk-through Rivertown history street. Its tiered field-trip packages start at $3 a student for groups of 15+, with chaperones free — a flexible, low-cost option for a homeschool co-op, topped by the $7 half-day film-plus-two-programs package.

Regular admission: $14 adult / $9 youth general admission — Group packages from $3/student (15+)
Homeschool page at emuseum.org →
Offers
Field Trips
April–May & Sept–Oct · groups of 20+
$7
per kid

Potawatomi Zoo

South Bend · Pre-K–12 · Email registration form to groupadmission@potawatomizoo.org; payment due 2 weeks ahead, 20 paid minimum

Indiana's oldest zoo offers a published weekday field-trip rate — $7 per student through 8th grade — for groups of 20 or more, less than half the regular gate. A homeschool co-op can easily fill the minimum, and teachers and bus drivers come free. Tigers, snow leopards, red pandas, and an Australian Walkabout fill an easy half-day. The zoo also runs a Fall Homeschool Class Series: four-week themed courses for ages 6–8, 9–12, and a 13–18 'Teen Scientists' track, at $60 per series (about $15 a class, $54 for additional siblings, 10% off for zoo members) with hands-on activities and up-close animal-ambassador encounters.

Regular admission: $16 adult / $14 child 3–14 — Roughly half off the gate for a co-op group of 20+
Homeschool page at potawatomizoo.org →

When everything’s free

Big-ticket museums with a recurring free-admission day — open to everyone, no homeschool sign-up needed.

Year-round
10 museums
FREE
Admission days
Free-for-all guide

Free museum days across Indiana

Indianapolis · Fort Wayne · Evansville · Bloomington · South Bend · Terre Haute

No group minimums and no booking forms — just show up on the right day. From free weeknights and weekend days to resident-free museums, these are the recurring free-admission days at Indiana’s major museums, each verified on the museum’s own site.

Why it’s here: the cheapest field trip there is — no per-kid ticket and no reservation.
See all Indiana free museum days →

Worth calling about

These venues run homeschool programs but don't publish pricing online. Call before you go.

Offers
Group Visits
Call
no public price

Indiana Dinosaur Museum

South Bend

This South Bend museum (opened 2024) packs life-size dinosaurs, real fossils, a paleontology lab, and a U-Dig fossil-digging area. Regular admission is steep at $20–$25, but school and group tours of 20+ get special pricing by phone — a homeschool co-op can organize to qualify. Worth a call before a Michiana visit.

Regular admission: $25 adult / $20 child 3–17
How to reach them: Call 574-800-6617 for special group pricing (groups of 20+). Reserve at least 2 weeks ahead; free lunchroom by reservation.
Homeschool page at indianadinosaurmuseum.org →
Offers
School & group tours
By reservation, year-round
Call
no public price

French Lick West Baden Museum

French Lick

Downtown French Lick's local-history museum, home of the world's largest circus diorama and exhibits on the twin spa-resort towns' Gilded Age heyday. It offers guided group tours for 10 or more at a reduced per-person rate, with a further discount for school groups and an optional French Lick tomato-juice tasting. A homeschool co-op can book a docent-led visit that completes in well under an hour.

Regular admission: $10 adult / $6 child (12 & under)
How to reach them: Published group rate $7 unguided / $8 docent-guided per person (groups of 10+); an added discount for school groups is offered by phone. Bus drivers/tour operators free. Call (812) 936-3592.
Homeschool page at flwbmuseum.com →

Gear up for your field trip

A few inexpensive things that turn a museum or nature day into a richer lesson — favorites from homeschooling families.

Kids' field journal
Sketch and note what they see at each stop
Shop on Amazon →
Compact binoculars for kids
Zoos, nature centers, living-history farms
Shop on Amazon →
Bug viewer & magnifier
Turn any nature trail into a science lesson
Shop on Amazon →
Kids' sketchbook
Art-museum and outdoor sketching days
Shop on Amazon →
Scavenger hunt cards
Keep little ones engaged on long visits
Shop on Amazon →
Junior ranger activity book
Pairs with park and museum trips
Shop on Amazon →

Homeschool resources we love

Homeschool curriculum Science experiment kits Kids' art supplies Educational workbooks

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Plus more free and cheap educational outings in Indiana

Already on DiscoverCheapUS — free and low-cost Indiana attractions homeschool families plan whole field-trip days around.

Indianapolis

11 free or cheap
  • Indiana War Memorial & MuseumFree
  • Indiana StatehouseFree
  • Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 AcresFree
  • Crown Hill CemeteryFree / $15 guided tours
  • Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library$12 adults / $8 students / Free first Monday
  • NCAA Hall of Champions$10 adults / $5 youth 6–17 / Free 5 and under
  • Indiana Medical History Museum$10 adults / $5 under 18
  • Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site$16 adults / $11 children 5–17 / Free under 5
  • Eiteljorg Museum$20 adults / $12 youth 5–17 / Free First Fridays 3–7pm
  • Indiana State Museum$23 adults / $17 youth 3–17 / Free under 3
  • Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum$25 adults / $18 youth 6–16 / Free under 6
See all Indianapolis attractions →

Fort Wayne

8 free or cheap
  • Fort Wayne Museum of ArtFree 2nd Thursdays 5–8pm / $10 adults, $8 seniors & students other times
  • Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory$7 adults / $5 youth 3–17 / $1 Thursdays 5–8pm
  • The Old FortFree
  • Allen County Public Library Genealogy CenterFree
  • Lakeside Park & Rose GardenFree
  • Science Central$12 adults / $11 online / Free 2 & under
  • The History Center$7 adults / $5 youth 3–17 / Free 2 and under
  • Johnny Appleseed Park & GravesiteFree
See all Fort Wayne attractions →

Bloomington

6 free or cheap
  • Eskenazi Museum of ArtFree
  • Lilly LibraryFree
  • WonderLab Museum of Science, Health & Technology$14.50 / Free under 1 / $10 Super Sundays monthly
  • Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural CenterFree / donations welcome
  • Wylie House MuseumFree
  • Monroe County History Center$2 adults / $1 youth 6–17 / Free under 6
See all Bloomington attractions →

French Lick

8 free or cheap
  • West Baden Springs Hotel & Atrium DomeFree (atrium viewing) / $18 Indiana Landmarks guided tour optional
  • French Lick Springs HotelFree (lobby & grounds)
  • French Lick West Baden Museum$10 adults / $8 seniors-students / $6 ages 6–12 / Free 5 & under
  • Larry Bird Self-Guided Hometown TourFree
  • Self-Guided Historical Walking TourFree
  • French Lick Scenic Railway (Indiana Railway Museum)Free (depot viewing) / scenic rides from $24 adults, $18 kids 2–11
  • Pioneer Mothers' Memorial ForestFree
  • Lick Creek African American SettlementFree
See all French Lick attractions →

Evansville

6 free or cheap
  • Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science$14 adults / $9 youth 4–17 / Free first Fridays
  • Angel Mounds State Historic Site$13 adults / $9 youth 3–17 / Free under 3
  • Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve$6 adults / $4 children 3–12 / Free under 3
  • Reitz Home Museum$10 adults / $5 students / $3 under 12
  • USS LST-325 Ship Museum$20 adults / $10 youth 6–17 / Free under 6
  • Koch Family Children's Museum of Evansville (cMoe)$15 per person (18 months+) / $5 Museums for All (EBT)
See all Evansville attractions →

South Bend

8 free or cheap
  • Raclin Murphy Museum of ArtFree
  • South Bend Museum of ArtFree
  • Studebaker National Museum$13 adults / $9 youth under 18 / $20 combo with The History Museum
  • The History Museum$13 adults / $9 youth under 18 / $20 combo with Studebaker
  • Potawatomi Zoo$16 adults / $14 ages 3–14 & 62+ / Free under 3
  • Potawatomi Conservatories$5 adults / $3 children 3–14 / $4 students & seniors
  • Rum Village Nature CenterFree
  • Civil Rights Heritage CenterFree
See all South Bend attractions →

See all 78 Indiana attractions on the directory →