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Spring is in the air, basketball madness is in full swing, and we are here for it! As you might expect from a children’s museum in the heart of basketball country, we have several experiences and displays that will get you hoopin’ it up all day long. If you’re a fan of dishing the rock and hitting the hardwood, be sure to check out these seven ways to hoop it up at The Children's Museum!
1. Shoot hoops outside
You want hoops? We’ve got hoops.
The Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever Basketball Experience in the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience® has 16 baskets that are set at various heights—even your smallest teammate can play! Get off the bench and grab a ball to learn moves like our Sports Legends while working on your fundamentals.
The Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience® is included with museum admission. Outdoor areas are weather dependent.
2. Meet our Sports Legends
While you’re outside in the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience®, take the opportunity to get to take a stroll along the Old National Bank Sports Legends Avenue of Champions. Walk among 12 statues, featuring 16 individuals with ties to Indiana who have defied odds, given back, and more as they left a significant impression on sports history.
You can stand face-to-face with the likenesses of legendary basketball stars—Reggie Miller, Slick Leonard, Tamika Catchings, Larry Bird, and Oscar Robertson—and be inspired by their stories!
3. Learn about the Crispus Attucks High School Tigers
The Ruby Bridges gallery inside The Power of Children® exhibit shares stories of the Civil Rights Movement, including the extraordinary story of Oscar Robertson and the Indianapolis Crispus Attucks High School basketball team. During a time of segregation, Oscar led the Tigers to an Indiana state basketball championship. This was the first time a team from Indianapolis had won the state championship. It was also the first time an all-Black team had won an open state tournament anywhere in the nation.
They didn’t stop there.
The Tigers broke another record the following season. They became the first team in the state of Indiana to finish a season undefeated. Yeah, Oscar Robertson and the Tigers were really good.
A sculpture of Oscar Robertson and memorabilia from Crispus Attucks High School can be found on display in Ruby’s gallery inside The Power of Children®.
4. Make the call in The World of Sport
Experience the culture of sports as you play the role of athlete, announcer, and sportscaster in The World of Sport. Learn about the iconic moments through time. Discover the hard work and skills it takes to achieve your goals—in sports and otherwise! The exhibit has three parts, including the NCAA Sports Legends Training Facility.
- Step into the Press Box and listen to famous moments in NCAA history. Then record your own voice calling the play.
- Work on your agility in the Basketball Shootaround.
- Record your own post-game sports analysis in the Newsroom Studio.
- Catch a glimpse of an NCAA championship trophy!
5. Spark your creativity in The National Art Museum of Sport
The National Art Museum of Sport—NAMOS—is dedicated to celebrating sport through art. Be inspired by paintings, sculptures, and more as select pieces from the collection’s nearly 1,000 works are on display—including some iconic basketball moments!
6. Get reading in infoZone
Did you know we have a public library right here at The Children’s Museum? As a branch of the Indianapolis Public Library you can visit infoZone, the nation’s first—and only—free, full-service public library branch inside a museum.
The infoZone staff will gladly help you pick out a basketball-themed book to read.
7. Strike a pose with our dinos
Who can resist our basketball-loving dinos?
Spend the day hoopin' it up with us at The Children’s Museum! We'll see you soon!
