15 Things To Do with Kids in Shipshewana, Indiana

Post Date: Apr 20, 2017

Here are our top 15 things to do with kids in Shipshewana. Start planning your trip now!

1. Feed the Animals at Dutch Creek Farm Animal Park

This animal encounter is unlike any other! At Dutch Creek Farm Animal Park, your family will take a ride on the horse-drawn wagon through the fields to see all sorts of animals - from zebras to ostriches!

Everyone gets a bucket of feed, and will love watching the animals come right up to the wagon for a snack. This Amish-owned park also has a small petting zoo, and a walk-through area. So fun!

2. Make a Doll at Kid's Kreations

Love dolls? This store in downtown Shipshewana lets you build your own 18" doll...from the head to toe! You even get to put a "heart" inside their chest. Your kids will love getting to customize their own doll, and will remember the experience for a lifetime! Walk in and you’ll be stepping into a little girls’ dream.

Kids Kreations also has a huge supply of doll clothes, including Amish-themed outfits so your child will never forget their experience in Indiana's Amish Country.

3. Eat at JoJo's Pretzels

One of my personal favorites is sitting down and enjoying a warm, fresh-out-of-the-oven JoJo’s pretzel with a freshly made Vanilla Coke.

Your kids will love watching the workers hand roll the dough and bake them into perfection inside the Coca-Cola themed store.

4. Ride on the 1906 Dentzel Carousel

In the same building as JoJo's pretzels, make sure to wander up to the third floor. There you'll find one of the most beautiful hand-painted carousels you've ever seen.

With horses and other farm animals, taking a quick ride on this historic carousel is sure to please kids of all ages.

5. Shop Red Wagon Toy Store

After you've finished the carousel rides, take a stroll down to the Red Wagon toy store, also in the Davis Mercantile. You’ll find an incredible line of Melissa & Doug, Thomas the Tank Engine and everything from puppets to puzzles.

Don't forget to take a picture with the fun character cut outs!

6. Find an Instrument at Simple Sounds

Simple Sounds, an unusual music store- also dubbed “The World’s Finest Dulcimer Shoppe” has unique finds and novelty treasures. Walk away with a ukelele, dulcimer, guitar, or kazoo.

Kids will enjoy learning about music as they test out different instruments and even learn to play a lap harp.

7. Visit Victorian Candy Company

Got a sweet tooth?

Enjoy a stop at the Victorian Candy Company. Located inside Yoder's Red Barn Shoppes in Shipshewana, you’ll find lots of different and unusual goodies and candies for everybody’s taste. (And it's a good bribe for your kids to go with you as you shop the rest of the stores inside the Red Barn.)

8.Go Girly at Lotions and Potions

Lotions and Potions is a girly-girls must-stop. Find bubbly bath accessories and customizable scents from perfumes to lotions. Need a little sparkle? You can even add some sparkle to your customized lotions!

9. Ride a Bike on the Pumpkinvine Trail

The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail is such a peaceful experience! Rent some bikes (available to rent at the Farmstead Inn or the Visitor's Center) and take the family on a bicycle trip on this paved path.

You'll love seeing the Amish countryside go by as you peddle along.

10. Take a Buggy Ride

It wouldn’t be a trip to Shipshewana without a good old fashion buggy ride.Get an inside view of Amish culture. Some buggy rides also offer trips to local Amish farms and homes - which would be a great experience for the kids to learn about different cultures!

There are lots of different local companies that offer buggy rides, so grab your kids, grab your sunglasses and enjoy the ride!

11. Enjoy some of the Great Outdoors

LaGrange county has over 12,000 acres of preserved land and 7 county parks that offer everything from hiking, fishing, archery, swimming, bicycling and more. Take in the amazing views and all that nature has to offer you when you stay in Shipshewana.

12. Shop at the Midwest's Largest Flea Market

Load up the stroller and bring your walking shoes to the Shipshewana Flea Market (open May through September). You'll find lots of knick knacks, toys, and fun games for the kids.

13. Drive through a Huge Christmas Light Display

During the Christmas season, your family will love going through this huge display of light scenes - all within the comfort of your own vehicle.

Shipshewana's Lights of Joy is a one-mile drive through with over 2 million LED Christmas lights.

14. Float down the River in a Canoe

Few people know that the Shipshewana area is great for canoeing and kayaking!

Your kids will love seeing the turtles, geese and other wildlife as they float down the river. There are short, easy trips that are perfect for young ones as well as longer trips if you're looking to be more adventurous!

Visit T&L Country Canoes or the Trading Post to rent your boats and take the trips.