Things to Do in Brown County with Kids (100+ Ideas for All Ages)

ByKara Updated on

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Notes from Tanglewood Hideaway: Brown County Highlights – This is a weekly email I send sharing things to do, local updates, and ideas for everyday life in Brown County. 👉 [Join the newsletter here]

Sunset over rolling hills in Brown County with silhouetted trees and glowing clouds. Text reads Notes from Tanglewood Hideaway Brown County Highlights.

When we moved to Brown County back in 2016, our girls were tiny, just one and three years old. Now they’re 10 and 12 (almost 11 and 13…how?? Where does the time go?!?), and over the years I’ve gotten so many questions from locals and visitors about what there is to actually do with kids here.

I totally get why people ask. Nashville is adorable, but on the surface, it can look like “cute shops + grown-up stuff,” and that’s about it. 

And every time someone emails me and says something like, “We love coming to town, but the kids seem like they get bored…what else is there??” I just want to hand them a giant list and say: Ohhh, there is SO much more than you think.

So that’s what this is: the giant list.

Whether you live here full-time, have grandkids coming for the holidays, or just like having ideas tucked away for weekends when everyone’s getting a little stir-crazy, I sat down and pulled together literally every kid-friendly thing I could think of in Brown County.

Below you’ll find over 100 ideas, from activities, food stops, small adventures, indoor, outdoor, and free options, and things that will work for every age from toddler to teen to grandparent. All grouped, organized, and ready for you to save and reference all year long.

Some of these you’ll know.
Some will be brand new.
And some might become your new go-tos.

Okay… ready? Here you go—the ULTIMATE Brown County with Kids list:

(A quick note: if something isn’t on this list, it doesn’t mean it’s terrible for kids, it just might not be my top choice. Feel free to reply with any specific questions you might have.

And if you have a favorite I missed? Please tell me! I’m always adding.)

Jump to:

⭐ Explore the Town of Nashville

(*free activities)

Good for All Ages

  • Make & Take Art at Our Little World Studio (including a Slime Bar!)
  • *Visit Denny’s Magic Shop or Wandering Conjurer for magic trick demos
  • *Yard Games in Antique Alley (giant Jenga and Connect 4, cornhole, etc – plus live music from the Ferguson House Beer Garden on weekends)
  • *Watch the chainsaw carving demos at Wooden Wonders
  • *Visit the Village Green for games (like checkers), a mini playhouse, and public restrooms
  • Weekend magic shows at Denny’s Magic Shop
  • Art classes at Second Story Studio, when offered
  • *Brown County Public Library, where you can check out books, movies, tools, musical instruments, and more, plus monthly events for all ages
  • *Visit the Brown County History Center and Pioneer Village to explore the past
  • Brown County YMCA for swimming, gym time, or kids’ classes
  • Ride the Nashville Express Trolley
  • Try a “Taste Test Challenge” – choose a category of food (like ice cream, fudge, cookies, etc), buy 2-3 options, and have everyone vote on their favorite
  • *Visit Nashville Indiana Farmers Market (seasonal – Sundays, May through October) for live music, good food, booths with homemade trinkets. Free to just wander.
  • Take old-timey photos at Yesteryear Old Time Photos
  • *Check the monthly Brown County Event Calendars (many events are free)

Best for Little Kids → Elementary

  • *Salt Creek Trail and the Story Walk
  • *Brown County Public Library
    • Indoor kids area on the upper level*
    • Children’s Garden behind the Library*
  • *Brown County Model Trains to watch their train setup run
  • *Play areas in town
    • Village Green*
    • Playground behind the United Methodist Church*
    • Salt Creek Trail (near YMCA Trailhead)*
  • Gem mining at Copperhead Creek Gem Mine

Best for Older Kids & Teens

😎 Other Places to Run, Play & Explore (Mostly Outdoors)

(*free activities)

Good for All Ages

  • *Deer Run Park
    • Huge playground*
    • Victory Skate Park*
    • Bike pump track*
    • Disc golf*
    • Play a pickup game of ball – soccer, basketball, baseball, etc*
    • Run around in the fields or the mowed meadow paths*
    • Kayak launch/Salt Creek access*
  • Boating, Paddling & Fishing
    • Rent rowboats or kayaks at Lake Yellowwood
    • Pathfinder Outfitters boat tours
    • *Bring your own kayak or paddleboard (Lake Yellowwood, Lake Monroe backwaters, Salt Creek, and more)
    • *Fishing at Lake Yellowwood, Brown County State Park, or Crooked Creek SRA
  • Corn maze at Range 46 Wine Co (seasonal)
  • Visit Appleworks (nearby, seasonal)
  • Graze & Gather Farm experience
  • *Creek exploring (Try Jackson Creek at Yellowwood State Forest)
    • You can also pan for gold at Yellowwood or behind the Gatesville General Store!
  • Goat Conspiracy Sanctuary
    • Farm visits & events
    • Goat Yoga

Best for Little Kids → Elementary

  • Area playgrounds
    • *Deer Run Park
    • Brown County State Park (admission fee applies)
    • *Yellowwood State Forest in the Redbud Campground Loop

Best for Older Kids & Teens

  • Horseback riding (guided rides available at Brown County State Park and Grandpa Jeff’s Trail Rides)
  • Mountain biking (rentals or lessons with Brown County Bikes)
  • Paddleboarding with Simply Fitness
  • eXplore Brown County
    • Ziplining
    • Adventure Games (Paintball, Arrow Tag, and Airsoft)
  • Visit the T.C. Steele State Historic Site (tour the buildings and gardens, or take a hike)

🎵 Live Music, Entertainment & Other Ideas

  • *Check the monthly Brown County Event Calendars (many events are free)
  • *Recurring live music
    • *Antique Alley/Ferguson House Beer Garden (seasonal)
    • *Hang out on the terraces at Hard Truth Hills (seasonal)
    • *19th Hole
  • Line dancing lessons at Mike’s Music & Dance Barn
  • Brown County Playhouse for a concert or play
  • Brown County Music Center for a concert
  • Bill Monroe Music Park for family-friendly music festivals
  • *Pick a fun group game (or get a new one at the Toy Chest) and have a family game night at home
  • Pick up some snacks around town, and have a family movie night at home

🌄 Brown County State Park – Family-Friendly Highlights

(*free once inside the park, but park admission fee applies)

Good for All Ages

  • *Nature Center*
  • Indoor Waterpark at Abe Martin Lodge
  • Outdoor swimming pool
  • *Hiking (kid-friendly picks below)*
  • *Pick an overlook to have a picnic, play a game, or watch the sunset*
  • Fishing in Ogle Lake or Strahl Lake
  • Earn your BCSP Park Pin
  • *Abe Martin Lodge audio tour
  • *Self-guided auto tour

Best for Little Kids → Elementary

  • *Playgrounds
  • *Stream exploring

Best for Older Kids & Teens

  • *Climb the Fire Tower
  • *Complete the 7 Vista Challenge
  • Horseback riding
  • Mountain biking
  • *Play a game of pickleball or tennis

👉 Check out the Ultimate Guide to the Brown County State Park here, for more info on all these activities.

🥾 Best Hikes with Kids

(*free; **entrance fee applies for State Park)

  • **Brown County State Park
    • Trail 6 (Strahl Lake)
    • Trail 7 (Ogle Lake)
    • Discovery Trail
    • Friends Trail & Salt Creek Trail (paved)
  • *Short Loop at Hitz-Rhodehamel Nature Preserve
  • *Stonehead Nature Preserve
  • *Yellowwood State Forest
    • Jackson Creek Trail
    • Resource Management Trail
  • *Browning Mountain
  • *Trevlac Bluffs (lower = flat and easy, upper = more rugged)

Honestly, most trails here are doable for older kids and teens, it really just depends on what your family is up for.

👉 Check out all my hiking guides for more info and details on all of these trails.

🍽️ Family-Friendly Restaurants

Best Restaurants with Kids

  • Brown County Inn – crowd pleaser menu, good service, plus a mini golf course and a playground outside
  • Brozzini Pizzeria – huge NYC-style pizza, plus great service
  • Out of the Ordinary
  • Rafters
  • Big Woods Pizza
  • Casa del Sol
  • Trolley’s BBQ – walk-up window in an old-style trolley car
  • Nashville General Store & Bakery
  • Chocolate Moose
  • Nashville BP – fresh donuts daily and hot food counter (great breakfast sandwiches and more, including Noble Roman’s pizza)
  • Subway & McDonalds

Bakeries & Coffee Shops

  • Percy’s Perk – Design-a-Donut
  • Olde Bartley House – amazing pastries
  • Offbeet Bakery – so cute, the absolute best scones
  • Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Rolls – absolutely enormous cinnamon rolls
  • Brown County Sugar Shack – best hot chocolate 
  • Sweetea’s – comfy seating, great drink selection with kids in tow
  • Thai Bubble Tea & Smoothies

Ice Cream Shops

  • Chocolate Moose
  • Miller’s Ice Cream
  • Fearrin’s Ice Cream
  • Nashville Fudge Kitchen

👉 Check out all my posts on local restaurants for more ideas and recommendations.

🛍️ Shops That Are Actually Fun for Kids

Good For All Ages

  • Brown County Toy Chest
  • Denny’s Magic Shop
  • The Wondering Conjurer
  • Naughty Dog Books
  • Fallen Leaf Books
  • Abe Martin Lodge Gift Shop
  • JB Goods (aka the Life is Good store)
  • Mulberry Cottage
  • The T-Shirt Shop
  • Bear Hardware (free popcorn + suckers!)
  • Brown County Rock Shop

Candy & Treats

  • Nashville Fudge Kitchen
  • Heritage Candy Store
  • Schwab’s Fudge
  • Candy Emporium
  • Candy Dish
  • Carmel Corn Cottage
  • Jack & Jill Nut Shop

Best for Little Kids → Elementary

  • Brown County Model Trains
  • Kicks & Giggles Children’s Boutique

Best for Older Kids & Teens

  • Route 46 Vintage & Brown County Antique Mall
  • Sora Binti Boutique
  • Hippies & Cowboys Trading Post
  • Time Traveler Vintage
  • Reliable Vintage
  • Community Closet Thrift Store
  • Queen Hat Co
  • Brown County Bikes
  • Redbird Tattoo & Skate Shop

👉 Check out all my posts on local shops for more ideas and recommendations.

⭐ Save This List for Later

Before you close this email and move on with your day, here’s something I’ve learned raising my kids here in Brown County…

Kids don’t always need big. They need engaging.
They need a little autonomy and something novel.
And most of all—they need you in it with them.

So bookmark this page. Save it. Forward it to your partner or the grandparents. Pull it back up the next time someone in your house says, “I’m bored…” or when you’re visiting Brown County with kids in tow.

And if I missed something your family loves? Please tell me! I’m always updating my lists, and I love hearing about the things that make life with kids in Brown County a little more fun.

💡 Not Sure Where to Start?

If you want to take action right away, pick ONE thing from the list to do this week. Something simple, something doable, something that gets you out of the “well…we could just stay home” loop.

5 Easy Ideas to Try This Week

  1. Do the Nashville Scavenger Hunt (free!) – Print it, bundle up, grab hot chocolate from the Brown County Sugar Shack or Sweetea’s, and wander downtown. Let the kids lead, they love that part.
  2. Check out the Make & Take Makerspace at Our Little World Studio – Pottery, crafting, slime bar (!!), design-a-donut…it’s honestly one of the most joyful places in town. Great for mixed ages and guaranteed to fill an afternoon.
  3. Visit the Brown County State Park Nature Center and do a short hike
    Warm up inside, check out the animals + exhibits, then pick a doable trail:
    —Discovery Trail – great for littles
    —Strahl Lake – a little more advanced if you tackle the hill from the Nature Center, but still an easy, fun loop
    —Browning Mountain – requires an additional drive from the State Park, but it’s so fun and feels like a secret epic quest
  4. Do a “taste test challenge” around town – Pick a category—fudge, hot chocolate, popcorn, ice cream, cinnamon rolls—and sample 2–3 places. Vote on the winner. (Trust me, this becomes a core memory.)
  5. Have a family game night at home – Pull out what you already have or pick a new-to-you game from The Toy Chest. Kids don’t need fancy activities; they want time and laughs. This one is magic every single time.

Want More Like This?

I send a weekly email with:

  • Things to do in Brown County
  • Local updates and events
  • Ideas for weekends and everyday life

👉 Join the newsletter here

👉 Planning More Family Fun in Brown County?

You might also like:

  • Things to Do in Brown County (full guide)
  • Best Restaurants in Nashville Indiana
  • Brown County State Park Guide
  • Monthly Events in Brown County
Parents and kids laughing as a giant Jenga tower tumbles during an outdoor game in downtown Nashville Indiana. The falling wooden blocks capture a fun family friendly moment.

Hi there! I'm Kara and I live in Nashville, Indiana with my husband and our two daughters. I love sharing my local favorites and travel tips on my blog Tanglewood Hideaway and hosting guests at our rental, the Brown County Barn Burner.

When I'm not doing that, then I spend my time hiking, gardening (aka pulling weeds and trying to deter the deer), experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, starting DIY projects that might only ever get 90% finished, and planning our next travel adventure.