Balancing on logs in a meadow of sunflower-shaped play equipment, turning a crank to move water up a hill, climbing through and sliding out of the belly of a 20-foot-tall bison – a $27 million dollar, nearly 6.5-acre expansion at Exploration Place in Wichita, Kansas, is extending the state’s premier science center into a full day of fun for all ages.

The Adventure Playscape will open March 13 on the grounds of Exploration Place on the western bank of the Arkansas River near Downtown Wichita and will be open year-round, weather permitting.

From agriculture and aviation to bison and sunflowers, 10 proudly-Kansas themed playgrounds evoke the spirit, geography and sense of adventure that defines our state. The interactive zones weave education with play through slides, swings, ropes, hammocks, carousels, gardens and iconic climbing structures.

The outdoor destination playscape has spaces for toddlers, elementary-aged kids, teens and adults to learn by playing, allowing visits to Exploration Place to grow alongside littles crawling through Sunflower Meadow through to bigs zooming down slides.

children explore Bison Hill at Adventure Playscapel

How to visit the Adventure Playscape

The Adventure Playscape will be staffed and fully fenced with controlled access points. Entry is included with regular Exploration Place admission and included in free exhibit admission programs such as Sunflower Summer, Museums For All, Blue Star Museums and Library Memberships.

All general admission tickets to Exploration Place also include unlimited indoor exhibits, live science demonstrations, Dome movies and laser shows. Also on-site is the 1,500-capacity, open-air Wichita Foundation Amphitheater that the science center opened in 2024 for year-round programming including movies, concerts, fitness classes and festivals.

A combine structure sits ready to be played on at the Adventure Playscape at Exploration Place

What to expect

The Adventure Playscape was designed with accessibility in mind and welcomes visitors of different ages, interests and abilities, making it a place where more families can truly play together. Each play structure has accessible components, from a wheelchair accessible carousel to ground level activities accompanying tall structures.

At least 250 trees and 40,000 plants are being added to existing trees on the site – all of which will take time to mature. Sun screens and shades will lend relief until vegetation grows in.

An outdoor eatery named Graze will operate seasonally, serving burgers, wraps, salads and more, and there are six individual family restrooms available.

A new rocket ship is installed at the Exploration Place website.

10 themed, interactive play zones

The 10 zones within the expansive the Adventure Playscape encourage creativity, movement and hands-on exploration. Beyond traditional playgrounds, each is an immersive experience thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity and imagination.

Textron Aviation Flight Adventure

  • As thrilling as flight itself, the playscape’s largest zone is anchored by a Beechcraft Staggerwing-inspired biplane atop an air traffic control tower, an explorable Cessna Citation business jet replica at ground level and a 40-foot-tall climbable rocket with a slide to the ground.

Junior League of Wichita Water Play Cascades

  • Another centerpiece of the playscape, this multisensory zone is designed to be as much fun when dry as when the water is running mid-spring through mid-fall (weather permitting). The tiered rocks and boulders are fun to climb anytime; they turn into waterfalls, channels and shallow wading pools when the water is on. Explore teamwork and collaboration among water jets, choreographed lighting and other moving components.

Sunflower Meadow

  • An area restricted to ages 5 and younger explores the life cycle of a sunflower with engaging elements like bee bouncers, leaf climbers, flower spinners and more.

Treetop Climber

  • At 100 feet long and 23 feet tall, this climbing structure features ropes, nets, hammocks and other play pieces at ground level and above.

Prairie Zip Line

  • Older kiddos will love these twin zip lines designed for simultaneous play.

Bison Hill

  • A larger-than-life bison structure features a climbable interior, observation platforms and a tube slide. It stands in the zone within a river setting featuring a canoe, tent site and faux campfire. There’s also a rock structure with a slide and interior tunnels and caverns.

Sensory Gardens

  • Three separate sensory gardens offer a respite to connect with the outdoor space. Indoor and outdoor, Exploration Place has partnered with accessibility partners to provide a more sensory-inclusive environment for people of all ages and abilities. This includes trained staff, marked quiet spaces and sensory bags that feature noise-canceling headphones, weighted lap pads and more.

Agriculture Overlook

  • Swing on swing sets overlooking the Arkansas River, climb in and on a combine and shimmy up giant stalks of wheat at this riverside spot.

Foggy Flint Hills

  • Water-based fog gently rises from the ground, blanketing the hills in a misty cover that heightens the excitement of rolling down or climbing through them. The fog effect is seasonal and adjusts with the weather, creating a dynamic experience throughout the year.

Slide Hill

  • There are 18 slides throughout the entire playscape, including this cluster of slides that make getting back to ground level from the rocket a lot of fun!

You can discover Exploration Place and more than 50 additional museums and attractions, 1,200-plus eateries and much more when you visit the Heart of the Country.