Turn Kids into Outdoor Enthusiasts in Fort Wayne, Indiana

It can be hard to get kids away from screens, but Fort Wayne makes things a bit easier. Indiana’s second-largest city has plenty of low-key, approachable and accessible activities perfect for people, especially kids, who aren’t used to getting outdoors to have fun. This makes it an ideal beginner’s destination for families with kids of all ages who want to get outside and experience nature together.

Fort Wayne sits where three different rivers meet, which makes it great place for water recreation. And, luckily, you’ll find calm water perfect for kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding. If you’ve got little ones who are not quite ready for the river, you can also head to Kids’ Canal, a shallow water feature where kids can safely wade, splash and play in the water.

Kids’ Canal is part of a much larger outdoor recreation area in the city known as Promenade Park. The park sits along St. Mary’s River and features 160 miles of accessible trails. It was designed to give locals and visitors a way to enjoy the landscape and make the most out of the rivers that shape the region.

The city also has great mountain biking trails that don’t require any experience. The city doesn’t have any actual mountains, so these low-lying trails are a great place for families to ride — rent bikes from Fort Wayne Outfitters so you can get out and ride even if you are far from home.