6 Spring Activities for Kids 5 & Under in Wichita

Now that the days are growing longer and the temps are (hopefully) slowly creeping up, moms everywhere have begun to dream about what fun spring, summer and NOT being sick will bring! Enjoy this list of a few favorite cabin fever-busting activities for pre-schoolers (and tag-along siblings) right here in Wichita:

6 Spring and Summer Activities for Wichita Kids 5 & Under

Art Start | Wichita Art Museum for Wichita Kids 5 & Under

This program is FREE for Wichita preschoolers or kids ages 3-5 to learn, imagine, and engage with art. This program is offered at 10:30am and 1:30pm on Wednesdays for homeschools, preschools, and daycare centers and Thursdays are for individuals and families. Not only are children learning about art, but they learn museum etiquette, too. It’s win-win! Online registration required.

Other WAM Options for Kids:

• PLAY is a fun and vibrant drop-in space for visitors of all ages. Rotating activities support creative play, spark the imagination, and connect to works of art in the collection.
• Story time every first Friday of the month at 10:30am. 
• Explore, look, and take part in art together with a FREE Family ArtVenture, featuring special gallery activities and hands-on artmaking projects. No reservations are required and you may drop in anytime on select Saturdays. Stay for an hour or stay for the entire time. Activities take place throughout the museum.

Little Sprouts Storytime for Kids 5 & Under | Botanica 

Every Wednesday at 10 and 11 am, children ages 3-5, enjoy delightful stories, catchy songs, and creative activities in the cozy little library. It’s the perfect way to spark imagination. Each week will feature a different theme to delight the senses, and help children connect with nature. 

Summers at Botanica are something special, too! Daily drop-in activities for the kids are offered from 10-2 during the months of June, July and August (free with membership or paid admission).

Sedgwick County Park Boundless Playground

We love the Boundless Playground at Sedgwick County Park! There are different age-appropriate sections, so little toddler siblings can still have fun while older preschool-age siblings can play on the “big kid” equipment. There are covered picnic areas for lunching, and there is a lot of sand (and sometimes water) – so don’t wear your church clothes! If you can tear your kids away from the playground, there are fun walking/stroller trails and selfie features too. Find the Memories Park and snap pics of your kids in an old pickup, riding a stationary bicycle built for two, or perched atop a giant rocking chair!

*Catch all of our favorite Wichita Area parks with playgrounds here!

Riverside Park and Zoo

Those of us who grew up in Wichita probably spent a lot of time in this downtown park which dates all the way back to the 1880s! The wildlife exhibits display 25 species in 8 cages, and are tons of fun for little ones to scout. There are playgrounds, a half-mile walking path, and if you’ve got any spare bread the geese and ducks are always up for a snack!

Pro Tip: Feeding time is everyday at noon and this is considered the best time to visit as the zookeepers will answer questions about the wildlife, and you have the best chance to see animals like the bobcat and beaver. If you’re not there at noon, you can still catch the turtles and birds. One of our favorite free activities for Wichita Kids 5 and Under (or really any age)!

Tot Tuesdays | Sedgwick County Zoo

Another fun free activity for kids 5 and under is offered at the Sedgwick County Zoo. While the material is geared toward ages 3-5, siblings of other ages are welcome. Classes meet the 4th Tuesday of each month from 10:30-11:00 a.m. in the Cargill Learning Center. We like to make a lunch date out of it and tour the zoo afterward (a zoo pass is well worth the price tag!).

Air Jumperoo | Urban Air Adventure Park

Jumperoo is a special time where the park is open only for kids 5 & under! We open up the park just for the little ones and their parents to jump, bounce and crawl around safely! Offered every Friday 10:00am – 12:00pm (when school is in session).