# Things to do with toddlers and little kids in Wichita: the parent guide > 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. - Last checked: 2026-10-18 - 15 places for ages 0–6, with admission and menu prices from each place’s own site - Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/wichita/guide/ - This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/wichita/index.md - Visiting guide (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/wichita/visiting/index.md - City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/wichita/llms.txt ## Kid-friendly restaurants ### Public at the Brickyard (Old Town, 129 N. Rock Island Ave.) - An Old Town restaurant with pizzas and a kids’ menu for 12 and under. - Price level: $$ - Menu prices: kids’ meals $6 personal pizza (12 and under) - Hours: Tue–Sat 11am–10pm; Sun 11am–4pm; closed Mon - Good for: Pizza in Old Town, a few minutes from Exploration Place. - Skip if: it’s Monday; it’s closed. - Price source: https://publicbrickyard.com/oldtownwichitarestaurant/ (checked 2026-10-18) - Website: https://publicbrickyard.com/oldtownwichitarestaurant/ ### Oak & Pie (Wichita) - A wood-fired pizza and pasta spot with a just-for-kids menu: $7, drink included. - Price level: $$ - Menu prices: kids’ meals $7 (drink included) - Good for: Family pizza night. - Skip if: you need something quick at lunchtime; it’s sit-down or takeout. - Price source: https://www.oakandpiewichita.com/menus/kids (checked 2026-10-18) - Website: https://www.oakandpiewichita.com/ ## Indoor play and rainy days ### Exploration Place (Riverside, 300 N. McLean Blvd.) - Wichita’s science museum, with the Adventure Playscape, live science shows and Dome movies all in one ticket. - Price level: $$ - Tickets: kids 3–11 $16; adults 12–64 $21; 2 and under free. Save $2 per ticket online · Free with SNAP/EBT - Hours: Daily 10am–5pm - Good for: A whole morning of hands-on play; 2 and under are free and you can bring your own snacks. - Skip if: you only have an hour; there’s a lot to see. - Price source: https://exploration.org/visit/ (checked 2026-10-18) - Website: https://exploration.org/ ### Advanced Learning Library (Downtown, 711 W. 2nd St.) - The main library, with an outdoor children’s area, baby storytimes and a weekly parent-child play session. - Price level: Free - Hours: Mon–Thu 10am–8pm; Fri–Sat 10am–6pm; Sun 1–5pm - Good for: Free storytimes and a pop-up café. - Skip if: you need it on a Sunday morning; it opens at 1pm. - Website: https://wichitalibrary.libnet.info/events ### Play & Party Co. (West Wichita, 8981 W. Central Ave.) - A play space with a mini town of playhouses and a soft-play zone for ages 3 and under, plus free coffee for parents. - Price level: $ - Tickets: kids $15 (1 and up); siblings $10; family pass $45; Under 1 free with a paid sibling - Hours: Mon–Fri 10am–6pm; Sat 10am–4pm - Good for: A cold weekday with a baby and a big kid. - Skip if: it’s Sunday; open play is Monday–Saturday. - Price source: https://www.playandpartyco.com/hours-location (checked 2026-10-18) - Website: https://www.playandpartyco.com/ ### Lily Lake Play Cafe (Augusta, 9010 SW River Valley Rd.) - A calm play café built for ages 5 and under, with a coffee shop for grown-ups. - Price level: $ - Tickets: kids 5 and under $15 for one child for a 2-hour block; $5 each extra sibling - Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–3pm; closed weekends for parties - Good for: A quiet weekday morning with a toddler. - Skip if: it’s a weekend; it’s closed for parties. - Price source: https://www.lilylakekansas.com/play-cafe (checked 2026-10-18) - Website: https://www.lilylakekansas.com/play-cafe ## Parks and outdoor play ### Sedgwick County Zoo (West Wichita, 5555 W. Zoo Blvd.) - A big, walkable zoo with a farm, a boat ride and the Safari Express train. - Price level: $$$ - Tickets: kids 3–11 $23 online, $28 gate; adults 12–61 $28 online, $33 gate; 2 and under free. Winter Wednesdays (Nov–Feb): $5 per person · $5 admission with WIC/SNAP (Museums for All) - Hours: 9am–5pm (ticket sales end at 4pm) - Good for: A full morning of animals, with free parking. - Skip if: it’s a hot afternoon; animals are less visible after 4pm. - Price source: https://scz.org/faq (checked 2026-10-18) - Website: https://scz.org/ ### Botanica Wichita (Riverside, 701 N. Amidon St.) - Twenty acres of gardens with a Tree House, Troll Hill to roll down and a koi pond waterfall. - Price level: $$ - Tickets: See Botanica’s general admission page - Hours: Daily 9am–5pm - Good for: Little ones who need to run, roll and look at butterflies. - Skip if: it’s pouring; most of it is outdoors. - Price source: https://botanica.org/ (checked 2026-10-18) - Website: https://botanica.org/ ### Sunrise Boundless Playscape (Sedgwick County Park) (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. - Price level: Free - Tickets: Free - Hours: Daily 6am–10pm - Good for: A free playground morning with a baby and a big kid. - Skip if: you need indoor play on an icy or very hot day. - Price source: https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/parks/sedgwick-county-park/sunrise-boundless-playscape/ (checked 2026-10-18) - Website: https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/parks/sedgwick-county-park/sunrise-boundless-playscape/ ### Central Riverside Park playground (Riverside, 720 Nims St.) - 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. - Price level: Free - Good for: A free playground stop near the museums. - Skip if: you came for the splash pad; it’s summer-only and currently closed for maintenance. - Website: https://www.wichita.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Riverside-Central-Park-43 ### Chisholm Creek Park (Wichita) - 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. - Price level: Free - Tickets: Free - Hours: Daily dawn to dusk - Good for: A free stroller walk on the trails. - Skip if: you’re hoping to go inside the nature center; the building is closed. - Price source: https://gpnc.org/construction/ (checked 2026-10-18) - Website: https://gpnc.org/construction/ ## Museums, zoos and big outings ### Wichita Art Museum (and PLAY) (1400 W. Museum Blvd.) - Free general admission for everyone, plus PLAY, a free hands-on maker space and open play area for families during museum hours. - Price level: Free - Tickets: Free general admission; special exhibitions free for youth 18 and under - Hours: Wed–Sun 10am–5pm (Fri to 9pm); closed Mon–Tue - Good for: A free rainy-day art-and-play morning. - Skip if: it’s a Monday or Tuesday; it’s closed. - Price source: https://wam.org/visit/admission/ (checked 2026-10-18) - Website: https://wam.org/ ### Museum of World Treasures (Old Town, 835 E. 1st St.) - An Old Town museum open seven days a week, free for kids 3 and under. - Price level: $$ - Tickets: kids 4–12 $9.95; adults $11.95; Children 0–3 free; family day pass (2 adults, 2 youth) $39.95 - Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–5pm; Sun noon–5pm - Good for: A rainy Sunday afternoon in Old Town. - Skip if: you want a free outing; admission is charged. - Price source: https://worldtreasures.org/plan-your-visit (checked 2026-10-18) - Website: https://worldtreasures.org/ ### Old Cowtown Museum (Wichita) - Wichita’s living history museum; kids 4 and under are free. - Price level: $ - Tickets: kids 5–17 $10; adults $12; Kids 4 and under free - Hours: Wed–Sat 10am–5pm; Sun noon–5pm; closed Mon–Tue - Good for: A fall afternoon of wandering. - Skip if: it’s a Monday or Tuesday; it’s closed. - Price source: https://www.oldcowtown.org/ (checked 2026-10-18) - Website: https://www.oldcowtown.org/ ### Kansas Aviation Museum (South Wichita, 3350 S. George Washington Blvd.) - An aviation museum next to McConnell Air Force Base; kids 3 and under get in free. - Price level: $ - Tickets: kids 4–12 $7; adults $10; Children 3 and under free - Hours: Mon–Wed and Fri–Sat 10am–5pm; Sun noon–5pm; closed Thu - Good for: An airplane-loving preschooler’s dream afternoon. - Skip if: it’s a Thursday; it’s closed. - Price source: https://kansasaviationmuseum.org/explore/location-hours (checked 2026-10-18) - Website: https://kansasaviationmuseum.org/ ## Free things to do - Advanced Learning Library - Sunrise Boundless Playscape (Sedgwick County Park) - Central Riverside Park playground - Chisholm Creek Park - Wichita Art Museum (and PLAY) ## Best for under 3s - **Exploration Place**: 2 and under free. - **Sedgwick County Zoo**: 2 and under free. - **Advanced Learning Library**: Baby storytimes. ## With a baby or a 1-year-old ### Baby and lap-sit storytimes - **Baby's First Storytime** (Wichita Public Library): Tuesdays at 10:40am · Advanced Learning Library. Birth to 18 months. It's never too early to start your child's love of learning! https://wichitalibrary.libnet.info/events - **Baby's First Storytime** (Wichita Public Library): Thursdays at 10:30am · Westlink Branch Library. Birth to 18 months. It's never too early to start your child's love of learning! https://wichitalibrary.libnet.info/events - **Family Storytime** (Wichita Public Library): Mondays at 10:30am · Alford Branch Library. Families 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. https://wichitalibrary.libnet.info/events - **Family Storytime** (Wichita Public Library): Wednesdays at 10:30am · Rockwell Branch Library. Families 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. https://wichitalibrary.libnet.info/events ### Babies get in free - **Exploration Place**: 2 and under free. https://exploration.org/visit/ - **Play & Party Co.**: Under 1 free with a paid sibling. https://www.playandpartyco.com/hours-location - **Sedgwick County Zoo**: 2 and under free. https://scz.org/faq - **Wichita Art Museum (and PLAY)**: Free general admission; special exhibitions free for youth 18 and under. https://wam.org/visit/admission/ - **Kansas Aviation Museum**: Children 3 and under free. https://kansasaviationmuseum.org/explore/location-hours ## Library storytimes - **Wichita Public Library**: Weekday mornings at most branches. Free Baby’s First Storytime, Nursery Rhyme Time and Family Storytime at branches across Wichita. https://wichitalibrary.libnet.info/events - **Derby Public Library**: Weekly at the ArLee Killion Early Literacy Area Branch; Tuesdays. Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Preschool Storytime (Tuesdays 10am). https://derbylibrary.com/events ## Happening this week - **BOOtanica at Botanica** (Fri 5–10pm; Sat 2–10pm) at Botanica Wichita. $17 adults; $10 ages 3–11; 2 and under free. https://littlesweekly.com/wichita/#e-bootanica - **Hay, Hooves & Halloween at Old Cowtown** (Sat 2–8pm) at Old Cowtown Museum. $7; members $2; kids 4 and under free. https://littlesweekly.com/wichita/#e-hay_hooves_halloween_cowtown - **Wild Lights at Sedgwick County Zoo** (6–9pm) at Sedgwick County Zoo. $19 online, $21 at the gate (Thu–Sun); $16 on Wednesday; members $17–$19; 2 and under free. https://littlesweekly.com/wichita/#e-wild_lights_scz - **Little Explorers: Jack-o-Lantern at Museum of World Treasures** (Thu 9–10am) at Museum of World Treasures. Kids 5 and under free; $7 for everyone else; members free. https://littlesweekly.com/wichita/#e-little_explorers_jack_o_lantern - **Trunk or Treat at First Church of the Nazarene** (Sun 3–5pm) at Wichita First Church of the Nazarene. Free. https://littlesweekly.com/wichita/#e-trunk_or_treat_first_naz Full list with every outing: https://littlesweekly.com/wichita/index.md ## Holiday pages - [Santa in Wichita: breakfast with Santa, photos and Santa trains (2026)](https://littlesweekly.com/wichita/santa/index.md) - [Christmas lights in Wichita for little kids (2026)](https://littlesweekly.com/wichita/christmas-lights/index.md) ## About this list - Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city. - How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com). - Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list. - How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote. ## FAQ ### Is Exploration Place good for toddlers? Yes. The Adventure Playscape is built for climbing and play, children 2 and under are free, and outside snacks are allowed. ### Are there free things to do with little kids in Wichita? 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](https://littlesweekly.com/wichita/guide/#free). ### What can we do in Wichita on a rainy or cold day with a toddler? 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. ### What’s good for babies and kids under 3 in Wichita? 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](https://littlesweekly.com/wichita/guide/#under3). ### Where are the free storytimes in Wichita? 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](https://littlesweekly.com/wichita/guide/#storytimes), and this week’s dated sessions are on the [Wichita weekly list](https://littlesweekly.com/wichita/). ### How do you choose the places in the Wichita guide? 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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/). ### How much is the Sedgwick County Zoo for a toddler, and who gets in free? 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](https://scz.org/faq) on Oct 18, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.