Wichita is an easy, affordable city with little kids: a science museum with a big play area, a large zoo, award-winning gardens and free storytimes at library branches all over town.
Not this week’s events, just the reliable stuff. Where to eat with a toddler, where to burn off energy when it rains, where to splash, what’s worth the admission, and where to spend a night without going far.
Places where a dropped fork is no big deal and nobody minds a little noise.
An Old Town restaurant with pizzas and a kids’ menu for 12 and under.
A wood-fired pizza and pasta spot with a just-for-kids menu: $7, drink included.
For rainy mornings, cold afternoons and anyone who needs to run in circles for an hour.
Wichita’s science museum, with the Adventure Playscape, live science shows and Dome movies all in one ticket.
Save $2 per ticket online · Free with SNAP/EBT
The main library, with an outdoor children’s area, baby storytimes and a weekly parent-child play session.
A play space with a mini town of playhouses and a soft-play zone for ages 3 and under, plus free coffee for parents.
A calm play café built for ages 5 and under, with a coffee shop for grown-ups.
Pools, fountains, zoos and theme parks: the big all-day outings.
A big, walkable zoo with a farm, a boat ride and the Safari Express train.
Winter Wednesdays (Nov–Feb): $5 per person · $5 admission with WIC/SNAP (Museums for All)
Twenty acres of gardens with a Tree House, Troll Hill to roll down and a koi pond waterfall.
See Botanica’s general admission page
A 1.5-acre all-abilities playground with separate swing bays for babies and toddlers, high-back swings and a wheelchair swing.
Part of the Riverside Parks that form the nucleus of Wichita’s park system, with a children’s playground (sand safety surface) and the Celebration Plaza splash pad in summer.
Free trails in the park around the Great Plains Nature Center; the nature center building is closed for repairs until about fall 2027, but the park stays open and free outdoor programs continue.
Museums, animals and farm days that hold a little one’s attention.
Free general admission for everyone, plus PLAY, a free hands-on maker space and open play area for families during museum hours.
An Old Town museum open seven days a week, free for kids 3 and under.
Wichita’s living history museum; kids 4 and under are free.
An aviation museum next to McConnell Air Force Base; kids 3 and under get in free.
These don’t change week to week. Last checked . Hours and prices change, so check the place’s own site before you go. Know a spot we missed? Tell us at hello@littlesweekly.com.
Where a family can go in Wichita without paying for admission. For free days, free events and this week’s free outings, see every free thing to do in Wichita.
Downtown, 711 W. 2nd St.Advanced Learning LibraryThe main library, with an outdoor children’s area, baby storytimes and a weekly parent-child play session.FreeIndoor
Sedgwick County ParkSunrise Boundless Playscape (Sedgwick County Park)A 1.5-acre all-abilities playground with separate swing bays for babies and toddlers, high-back swings and a wheelchair swing.FreeRiverside, 720 Nims St.Central Riverside Park playgroundPart of the Riverside Parks that form the nucleus of Wichita’s park system, with a children’s playground (sand safety surface) and the Celebration Plaza splash pad in summer.FreeWichitaChisholm Creek ParkFree trails in the park around the Great Plains Nature Center; the nature center building is closed for repairs until about fall 2027, but the park stays open and free outdoor programs continue.Free
1400 W. Museum Blvd.Wichita Art Museum (and PLAY)Free general admission for everyone, plus PLAY, a free hands-on maker space and open play area for families during museum hours.FreeFree or cheap for babies and toddlers, and easy with a stroller.
Riverside, 300 N. McLean Blvd.Exploration Place2 and under free.Kids $16Adults $212 and under freeIndoor
West Wichita, 5555 W. Zoo Blvd.Sedgwick County Zoo2 and under free.Kids $23 online, $28 gateAdults $28 online, $33 gate2 and under freeDowntown, 711 W. 2nd St.Advanced Learning LibraryBaby storytimes.FreeIndoorRecurring and free. Times change by branch, so check the calendar.
Weekday mornings at most branchesFree Baby’s First Storytime, Nursery Rhyme Time and Family Storytime at branches across Wichita.
Schedule ↗Weekly at the ArLee Killion Early Literacy Area Branch; TuesdaysFree baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Preschool Storytime (Tuesdays 10am).
Schedule ↗Baby storytimes, places where babies get in free, and where to change and feed. For rainy days, see indoor play places; for zero-cost ideas, see free things to do.
Tuesdays at 10:40am · Advanced Learning LibraryBirth to 18 months. It's never too early to start your child's love of learning!
Storytime calendar ↗Thursdays at 10:30am · Westlink Branch LibraryBirth to 18 months. It's never too early to start your child's love of learning!
Storytime calendar ↗Mondays at 10:30am · Alford Branch LibraryFamilies with babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Children will develop literacy skills through active listening, singing, movement, and sharing a love of stories in a group setting.
Storytime calendar ↗Wednesdays at 10:30am · Rockwell Branch LibraryFamilies with babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Children ages 0-6 will develop literacy skills through active listening, singing, movement, and sharing a love of stories in a group setting.
Storytime calendar ↗
2 and under free
Admission page ↗Under 1 free with a paid sibling
Admission page ↗2 and under free
Admission page ↗Free general admission; special exhibitions free for youth 18 and under
Admission page ↗Children 3 and under free
Admission page ↗Santa visits and Christmas lights only run part of the year, so they have their own pages with this season’s dates and prices.
The guide is the evergreen list. Here’s what’s happening in Wichita right now.
Yes. The Adventure Playscape is built for climbing and play, children 2 and under are free, and outside snacks are allowed.
Yes. Advanced Learning Library, Sunrise Boundless Playscape (Sedgwick County Park), Central Riverside Park playground, Chisholm Creek Park and Wichita Art Museum (and PLAY) are free or have a free entry. See the free list.
Go indoors: Exploration Place, Advanced Learning Library, Play & Party Co. and Lily Lake Play Cafe. They’re all under one roof, and most work for a short visit around nap time.
Exploration Place: 2 and under free. Sedgwick County Zoo: 2 and under free. Advanced Learning Library is also easy with a baby or toddler. Free for the littlest: Play & Party Co. (Under 1 free with a paid sibling), Wichita Art Museum (and PLAY) (Free general admission; special exhibitions free for youth 18 and under), Old Cowtown Museum (Kids 4 and under free) and Kansas Aviation Museum (Children 3 and under free). See best for under 3s.
Wichita Public Library: Weekday mornings at most branches. Derby Public Library: Weekly at the ArLee Killion Early Literacy Area Branch; Tuesdays. Library storytimes don’t need a ticket, but times change by branch, so check the calendar first. See library storytimes, and this week’s dated sessions are on the Wichita weekly list.
Every one of the 15 places is somewhere we’d take a baby, toddler or preschooler, with a note on who it suits and when to skip it. Prices, hours and menus come from each place’s own site, and 13 of them have checked admission or menu prices. The guide was last checked Oct 18, 2026. How we choose and check.
2 and under free; kids 3–11: $23 online, $28 gate; adults 12–61: $28 online, $33 gate. Deals: Winter Wednesdays (Nov–Feb): $5 per person and $5 admission with WIC/SNAP (Museums for All). We checked this on its official site on Oct 18, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.
One short email every Friday morning: the five things worth leaving the house for in Wichita, plus what to skip.
