Finding sensory-friendly activities for kids in Wichita can feel overwhelming! Here are our favorite spots for family fun. Did we miss one? Email [email protected] with details to be added.
You can find more local information for your family in our Wichita Mom Guide to Autism Resources and Wichita Mom Guide to Special Needs Resources.
And don’t miss our guides to Splash Pads in Wichita, the Best Parks in Wichita, and our favorite spots for hiking and waterfalls.
Sensory-Friendly Activities for Kids & Families in Wichita KS
AMC Northrock 14 Theater
Cost: $6-8
Location:
3151 Penstemon St.
Wichita, KS 67226
AMC Theatres offer sensory-friendly films 4 times per month (some for kids, some for adults). Click here for more deatils and current features.
Storytime at MOXI Junction
Cost: FREE
Location:
319 S Park Ave
Maize, KS
Feeding Time at the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit in Riverside Park
Cost: FREE
Location:
720 N Nims
Wichita, KS 67203
PBS Kansas Children’s Education & Discovery Center
8710 E. 32nd Street North
Wichita, KS 67226
Exploration Place
Cost: $15 for kids, $20 for adults – definitely worth a family membership
Location:
300 N. McLean Blvd.
Wichita, Kansas 67203
Exploration Place is an incredible science museum for Wichita kids. With varying permanent & traveling exhibits, kids are free to roam, play, and explore! Call them to ask about their least busy times (especially during the summer).
Wichita Art Museum
Cost: FREE (closed on Monday & Tuesday)
Location:
1400 Museum Blvd.
Wichita KS
Wichita Art Museum is a delightfully quiet spot for kids & families looking for less hustle & bustle. Sensory bags are available for checkout at the front desk, and camps & storytimes are offered throughout the year. And don’t miss PLAY on the lower level. It’s an area designed specifically for kids with toys, books, and art supplies.
Advanced Learning Library
Cost: FREE
Location:
711 W. 2nd St.
Wichita, KS 67203
This branch of the Wichita Public Library is now a Family Place Library, offering special toys, books, and resources for families. The childrens section also offers computers with educational games, as well as an outdoor play space (pictured above).
For Animal Lovers
Sedgwick County Zoo
Cost: $18-23
Location:
5555 W Zoo Blvd.
Wichita, KS 67212
Sedgwick County Zoo offers sensory bags for check-out at the admission gate. Exhibits are designed so guests are immersed in the animal’s world for an empathetic learning experience. Exhibits provide maximum opportunity for the animals’ natural behaviors. Most areas include components in which visitors walk freely among plants and animals. SCZ also offers weekly educational programs.
Tanganyika Wildlife Park
Cost: $35-60 dor day passes (feeder passes cost more)
Location:
1000 S. Hawkins Ln.
Goddard KS
Tanganyika Wildlife Park is smaller (read: more easily walkable) and offers a variety of animal encounters allowing kids to feed lemurs, turtles, bunnies, birds, and more! They also have a huge playground and splash pad (included in the price of admission).
Horseback Riding in Wichita
Several stables in & around Wichita offer lessons and trail rides! Perfect for kids who love horses and enjoy the outdoors.
For Dinosaur Lovers
Field Station: Dinosaurs
Cost: 2 & under FREE; $13.75-16.75
Location:
2999 N Rock Rd.
Derby, KS 67037
Enjoy 10 acres of walking paths, live shows and over 40 life-sized dinos! Day passes include mini-golf.
Museum of World Treasures
Cost: Ages 3 & under FREE; $7.95-8>95
Location:
835 E 1st St N
Wichita, KS 67202
History comes alive as you travel from the time of dinosaurs, to the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. From shrunken heads and mummies to an extensive World War II collection, Wichita’s Museum of World Treasures is a gem for all ages.
For Nature Lovers
Botanica
Cost: $8-10 (2 & under free)
Location:
701 Amidon St.
Wichita, KS 67203
Botanica is a local fave for Wichita families and shouldn’t be missed if you’re visiting in season. Nestled on 17 acres in heart of central Wichita, their gardens, events, and children’s activities offer something for everyone.
Pro tip: Don’t skip the carousel!
Great Plains Nature Center
Cost: FREE
Location:
6232 E. 29th Street N.
Wichita KS
GPNC works closely with local organizations to make sure they offer an inclusive, sensory-friendly environment for visitors. Feed the turtles, learn about honeybees, and walk the nature trails! They also have kids programming and storytimes.
Wichita Wild Habitats
Cost: Free
Did you know Wichita is home to 12 protected Wild Habitat areas? With hiking and biking paths, playgrounds, and tons of wildlife, it’s a great way to experience nature right here in the city.
For Those Who Loves Trains & Planes
Great Plains Transportation Museum
Cost: Ages 3 & under FREE; ages 4-12 $4; Adults $7
Location:
700 East Douglas
Wichita, KS 67202
The Great Plains Transportation Museum displays a wide assortment of railroad equipment.
Their two largest displays are Santa Fe steam locomotive #3768 and Santa Fe FP45 diesel #93. Indoor exhibits include railroad prints, signs, lanterns, tools, and other artifacts including a mock-up mechanical stoker used for training steam locomotive personnel.
B-29 Doc Hangar, Education & Visitor Center
Cost: $10 per person; $20 per family
Location:
1788 S Airport Rd.
Wichita, KS 67209
The B-29 Doc Hangar, Education and Visitors Center provides a unique and one-of-a-kind look into aviation history. Located in Wichita, Kan., at Eisenhower National Airport, the 42,000 sq. ft. facility is an interactive experience for all ages.
Pro tip: Best for ages 5+ (there’s not a lot for little ones, but if they are obsessed with planes, they’ll get a kick out of Doc!)
