By Alex Bradford Cobb | Published: 8/13/26 | Last updated: 8/13/26
Anderson, Indiana has more going on for families than most people expect. There are 2,000-year-old earthworks that genuinely impress kids and adults alike, a natural history museum on a college campus with real fossils and a real mummy, a zip line course over the White River, and a fudge shop with an 18-hole pirate mini golf course, a two-story slide, and a secret river shortcut that can get you a hole-in-one if you figure out which holes to use it on.
Here’s the honest family guide — what’s worth the drive, what age it works for, and how to structure the day.
Uranus Fudge Factory & General Store Anderson: 1423 W. 53rd St, Anderson, IN 46013 | Open daily 11 AM – 8 PM | 2 miles off I-69, Exit 222
Best Family Activities in Anderson Indiana
1. Putt Pirates Mini Golf at Uranus — All Ages
The 18-hole pirate-themed mini golf course at Uranus Anderson is the right anchor for a family afternoon. The course has a small river running through it — and here’s the thing most people don’t know: intentionally hitting your ball into the river on certain holes can set up a hole-in-one. The obvious play is to avoid the water. The smart play is to find the holes where the river is actually the shortcut. We’re not going to tell you which ones — that’s the game.
The rest of the complex adds to the day: a large playground with a two-story slide for younger kids, hot dogs and ice cream in a separate building, and the full Uranus gift shop. Ask for Mason or Aimee if they’re working.
1423 W. 53rd St, Anderson, IN 46013 | Open daily 11 AM – 8 PM Best for: All ages (must be 18 or have someone 18+ in the group for mini golf)
A family came by yesterday on 8/11/26 and played all eighteen holes. Their names were Frank, Bobbi, Jane, and Joseph.
2. Mounds State Park — Ages 5 and Up
The best thing in Anderson for families who want to get outside. Mounds State Park protects ten prehistoric earthworks built over 2,100 years ago by the Adena-Hopewell people. The Great Mound is nearly 400 feet across — genuinely impressive in scale, and the kind of thing that makes kids ask questions you actually want to answer.
The trails wind through old-growth hardwood forest along the White River. The easiest loop is accessible for younger children; more adventurous trails exist for older kids. Dogs are welcome on leash.
What makes it work for families: The earthworks are tangible and mysterious in a way that kids respond to — these aren’t artifacts behind glass, they’re enormous structures you walk around and stand on top of. The “people built this 2,000 years ago” conversation tends to land.
4306 Mounds Rd, Anderson, IN 46017 | Best for: Ages 5 and up; the easier loops work for ages 3–4 with an adult
3. White River Zip Lines — Ages 7 and Up
Zip line tours through the forest canopy above the White River — multiple lines, multiple heights, guides on site. A genuine outdoor adventure that older kids and teenagers will remember. Good for families where the kids are old enough to handle the heights and the safety gear.
Best for: Ages 7 and up; check minimum age and weight requirements before booking
4. Joseph Moore Museum of Natural History — Earlham College — All Ages
A natural history museum on the Earlham College campus that consistently surprises people with how much is packed into a relatively small space. Real fossils, prehistoric skeletons, and exhibits that cover natural history from local Indiana geology to ancient Egypt.
The Egypt connection is worth calling out for kids: the museum has an Egyptian mummy — Lady Ta’an, who has been at Earlham since 1889. For most children, “there is a real mummy here” is sufficient reason to want to go. It delivers.
801 National Road West, Richmond, IN (about 40 minutes from Anderson — worth the drive if you’re making a day of Wayne County) Best for: All ages; the mummy is a reliable hit with kids 6 and up.
5. Anderson Speedway — Ages 6 and Up (Saturday Nights)
Anderson Speedway runs Saturday night racing through the summer season — stock cars, figure-8 racing, sprint cars. The noise, the speed, and the atmosphere of a small oval track on a Saturday night is its own experience for kids who’ve never seen live racing. Loud enough to be exciting, small enough that you can see everything from almost anywhere in the stands.
Gates open before the first race — arrive early for good seats and time to explore the facility.
1311 Pendleton Ave, Anderson, IN 46011 | Best for: Ages 6 and up; younger kids may find the noise overwhelming — bring ear protection
6. Rangeline Nature Preserve — All Ages
A quieter outdoor option for families who want trails without the crowds of Mounds State Park. Rangeline Nature Preserve runs along the White River with well-kept walking paths through natural Indiana landscape. Free to visit, dog-friendly, and genuinely peaceful. Good for families with toddlers who can’t handle the longer Mounds trails yet.
Best for: All ages including toddlers; stroller-accessible on some paths
7. The World’s Largest Ball of Paint — Alexandria (15 Minutes North) — All Ages
Mike Carmichael encouraged his toddler son to paint a baseball in 1977. He has not stopped adding coats since. The ball now weighs over 5,000 pounds and visitors can add their own layer by appointment. It is free. It is in a building next to a family home. It is exactly what children think is the coolest thing they’ve ever seen, and they’re not wrong.
6696 N 100 W, Alexandria, IN | Free | By appointment — worldslargestballofpaint.com Best for: All ages; the “you can add your own layer” element is particularly good for kids
Planning Your Family Day in Anderson
Morning: Mounds State Park (go early for the best light and fewer people on the trails)
Midday: Drive to Uranus Anderson — lunch (hot dogs in the separate building), mini golf at Putt Pirates, playground and two-story slide
Afternoon: Ice cream at Uranus, then the World’s Largest Ball of Paint in Alexandria if the kids have energy left
Evening: Anderson Speedway on Saturday nights in summer — the night races start after dinner and run until late
Practical Notes
Getting here: Anderson is about 40 miles northeast of Indianapolis on I-69. From Muncie, about 20 miles southwest.
Rainy day options: The Joseph Moore Museum, Anderson Museum of Art (free admission), and the Uranus gift shop are all solid indoor options. Putt Pirates and the playground are outdoor — call ahead in uncertain weather.
Strollers: Mounds State Park’s easier loop is manageable with a stroller. Rangeline Nature Preserve has flatter paths. Putt Pirates is on maintained turf.
Food: Hot dogs and ice cream at Uranus Anderson
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Anderson Indiana with kids? Mounds State Park, Putt Pirates mini golf at Uranus (1423 W. 53rd St), the playground with the two-story slide at Uranus, White River Zip Lines, Anderson Speedway on Saturday nights, and the World’s Largest Ball of Paint in nearby Alexandria.
Is there mini golf in Anderson Indiana? Yes — Putt Pirates at Uranus Anderson is an 18-hole pirate-themed outdoor mini golf course at 1423 W. 53rd St. There’s a secret river shortcut on certain holes that can set up a hole-in-one — finding it is part of the game. Open daily 11 AM – 8 PM.
What is there to do in Anderson Indiana for free with kids? Mounds State Park (small admission), the World’s Largest Ball of Paint in Alexandria (free, by appointment), Rangeline Nature Preserve (free), and the Cardinal Greenway walking trail. The Uranus playground is free with entry to the complex.
How far is Anderson Indiana from Indianapolis? About 40 miles northeast on I-69 — roughly 45 minutes to an hour.
Is Mounds State Park good for kids? Yes — the prehistoric earthworks are tangible and genuinely interesting for children. The easier trail loop works for younger kids; the longer trails suit older children and teenagers. Dogs welcome on leash.
Where is Uranus in Anderson Indiana? 1423 W. 53rd St, Anderson, IN 46013 — 2 miles off I-69 at Exit 222. Open daily 11 AM – 8 PM. Mini golf, playground with two-story slide, hot dogs, ice cream, fudge in nineteen flavors, and a gift shop.
For a full Anderson weekend guide, see Anderson Indiana This Weekend. For the Richmond, Indiana location, see Things to Do in Richmond, Indiana.
Alex Bradford Cobb is a strapping young man who works for the Mayor in a semi-legal indentured servitude arrangement, similar to how Dubai was built, and possibly the pyramids. What works, works, and there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.