Free things to do with kids around Indianapolis on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

For more than two decades, the nation has celebrated the life and legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. on the third Monday in January.

In Indianapolis, each year crowds gather at the Landmark for Peace Memorial at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, to remember and learn about the speech Robert Kennedy delivered on the night of King's assassination.

Other free events and things to do with the kids on the holiday around Indianapolis include free museum visits with educational exhibits on King's lasting legacy, free ice skating and free visits to the zoo.

Get the history:How Martin Luther King Jr. Day become a federal holiday

Here's a list of free things to do around Indianapolis on Martin Luther King Jr. Day:

Conner Prairie

13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers

Conner Prairie will be open from noon to 3 p.m. Monday and admission is free.

Some activities honoring King's legacy include:

• Tree of Dreams – Let Martin Luther King Jr's famous speech inspire you to add your own dream for the future to our Tree of Dreams.
• Peaceful protest through music with Mr. Daniel.
• Anything Can Happen Theater – Role play with our staff on the stage where anything could happen.
• Peaceful Protest Exhibit – What is the impact of peaceful protest? What does it mean to you?
• "I have a Dream" speech – played in Lilly Theater.

Ice skating at Ice at Center Green

10 Center Green, Carmel

From 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday Carmel's Ice at Center Green and Carmel United Methodist Church will offer free ice-skating and skate rentals to the first 250 people in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Skaters are asked to bring a canned food item to help stock the church’s community food pantry.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration in Carmel

Three Center Green, Carmel

Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard and Dee Thornton of the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Human Relations will host a celebration of the life and impact of  Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Tarkington Theater in the Center for the Performing Arts.

Performances by KJI Institute for the Arts, Carmel United Methodist Church Bell Choir,  and Blair Clark, as well as Indiana African American Authors and representatives from the United Negro College Fund on hand to honor Dr. King’s legacy and achievements.

The free event Monday begins at 6 p.m.

Indianapolis Children's Museum

3000 N. Meridian St.

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis will hold special activities for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and admission is free.

The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday.

Visitors of all ages can see special performances that celebrate King's life and black history.

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art

500 W. Washington St.

The museum will offer free admission Monday and will feature the holiday model train exhibit, Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure.

The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday.

Indiana Historical Society

450 W Ohio St.

The Indiana Historical Society will honor the volunteer work, activism and leadership of the civil rights leader.

Visitors can participate in service activities, donate, play games, and learn more about advocating for those in our community whose needs are not being met.

Donations of a winter coat for the HealthNet Homeless Initiative program is also encouraged.

The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and admission is free.

Newfields

4000 N. Michigan Road

On Sunday, admission to Newfields is free with a donation of art and school supplies or individually wrapped after-school snack items to benefit local community centers.

Special programming will include Wakanda’s Inspired Cultures Tour, a free screening of "I Am Not Your Negro" as well as performances and interactive activities throughout the day. All ages are welcome.

The museum will be open from noon to 4 p.m.

Indiana State Museum

650 W Washington St

At the Indiana State Museum, films, activities and community partners will fill the museum in celebration of the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

You and the kids will be able to see some of King's most iconic speeches, experience activities themed around civil and human rights, create a "Dream" mural, and reflect on what you can do to ensure Dr. King's dream lives on for future generations.

Canned food donations for Gleaners Food Bank encouraged. The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday.

NCAA Hall of Champions

State Park, 700 W Washington St.

The NCAA Hall of Champions will be offering free admission on Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a canned good donation.

The Hall of Champions features trivia challenges, current team rankings, and video highlights. On the second level, there is an interactive area to compete virtually and hands-on through sports simulators, a 1930s retro gymnasium, ski simulator and more.

Indianapolis Zoo

1200 W Washington St

The Indianapolis Zoo will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Monday and admission is free with a donation of nonperishable food for the Gleaner's Food Bank.

Visit the Landmark for Peace Memorial

601 East 17th St.

The Landmark for Peace Memorial at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park is a must-do on this day. This memorial honors the contributions of slain leaders King and Robert F. Kennedy.

It's also the site where Kennedy delivered a speech on the night of King's assassination.

IndyStar reporter Natalia Contreras writes about things to do and development in Hamilton County. She can be reached at 317-444-6187 or natalia.contreras@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter, @NataliaECG