Wichita is the perfect place for a family getaway for many reasons. It won’t break your budget, it’s family-friendly and it offers plenty of things to do for all ages. 

From amazing attractions and museums to free and affordable fun, you’ll have to stay the week just to mark everything off your list – or keep coming back to visit the Heart of the Country. Plus, you can enjoy FREE admission to 15 Wichita attractions participating in the Sunflower Summer Program. Read on for a breakdown of all the things to do for kids as young as age 3. We hope this vacation-planning guide helps you map out your next trip to Wichita!

Petting Kangaroos at Tanganyika Wildlife Park

Kids Ages 3-6

Wichita has a ton of offerings for even the smallest explorers! Here are some ideas if your child is between the ages of 3 and 6.

Active Fun

Educational Fun

  • Discover a path through history at Museum of World Treasures, go on a scavenger hunt and play in Ivan’s Playhouse.
  • Become a Little Aviator every Friday at Kansas Aviation Museum.
  • Explore a hands-on science museum with various traveling exhibits and permanent ones like Health Inside Out, a wonderfully weird exhibit that explores the human body, at Exploration Place.
  • See one of the biggest elephant pools in the world, touch stingrays and more at Sedgwick County Zoo.
  • Get up-close-and-personal with a variety of exotic animal experiences at Tanganyika Wildlife Park.
  • Roll down Troll Hill, play in the interactive children’s garden and ride the fully restored carousel at Botanica Wichita.
  • Appreciate the Native American heritage in Wichita at the Keeper of the Plains.
  • Become an honorary paleontologist and discover prehistoric beings at Field Station: Dinosaurs.
  • Enjoy the Wichita Art Museum, which is free throughout 2023, with hand-on experiences for kids and an always-accessible outdoor art garden.

Two boys climbs a rock wall at Bliss Climbing and Fitness

Kids Ages 6-12

In addition to the list mentioned above, here are a few more things to do geared toward children ages 6-12:

Active Fun

Educational Fun

Sports Fun

  • Enjoy affordable, action-packed basketball during a Wichita Sky Kings game at Charles Koch Arena (April-May).
  • Love soccer? Experience it live with FC Wichita (May-July).
  • Watch the indoor football action unfold at a Wichita Regulators game (March-May).
  • Catch the Wichita State Shockers playing basketball, volleyball and more at Charles Koch Arena, softball at Wilkins Stadium and baseball at Eck Stadium.
  • Experience the city’s professional hockey team, the Wichita Thunder, as they play at INTRUST Bank Arena (October through March).
  • Catch minor league baseball action at Wichita’s beautiful Riverfront Stadium, home of the Wichita Wind Surge (regular season April-September). Don’t miss the in-park Wichita Baseball Museum with several hands-on stations.
  • Have a good time watching the Wichita Wizards, Wichita’s Minor League Basketball Association (MLBA) team (April through June).
  • Watch the NBC World Series each August, which has been around for nearly 90 years.

A mother, father, son and daughter take a selfie together in front of a public mural in Wichita, KS

Kids Ages 12+

Kids 12 and older are more than welcome to enjoy any of the above activities – but if that list isn’t jam-packed with enough fun, here are a few more options geared toward older kids.

Active Fun

Educational Fun

Sports

  • A little more intense than soccer or football, the Wichita Barbarians RFC rugby club brings hardcore action to Harrison Park (September through November).
  • Looking for hunting, fishing and other outdoor gear? Swing by Cabela’s or visit Wichita’s all-new SCHEELS (opening July 1).

Whether you are looking for sensory-friendly activities, special events, dining options or even more spots for family fun, Wichita is the perfect place for your family’s next vacation. Plan your trip today!