It’s time for summer fun, activities for kids, and things to do in Wichita! We’ve got your summer planning covered with Wichita Mom’s 2026 Summer Bucket List with over 150 things to do in Wichita!

Make the most of summer in Wichita with your go-to guide for family summer fun, date nights, and memorable moments with friends. Whether you’re a local looking to mix up your routine or visiting the area for a sunny getaway, this list features 150+ things to do in Wichita, from kid-friendly activities and adventures to unique experiences perfect for a girls night or night out. Discover hidden gems, seasonal events, and can’t-miss attractions that make summer in Wichita unforgettable for all ages.

Feel free to reach out if you feel like there is a summer event or activity that must be added to this list by emailing [email protected].

(Please note to check each event/business website for the most up to date information.)

Thank you to Bradley Fair for partnering with us and making the production of this guide possible for Wichita families! Be on the lookout for these family-friendly events this summer!

• Fountain Fit Club: Saturdays in May | 9-10AM | Bradley Fair Plaza: Enjoy fresh air, easy movement, and great company as you take in the scenery and connect with others along the way. Perfect for all fitness levels, this feel-good walk is a simple way to get moving and start your day on a high note. REGISTER HERE.

• A Moment For Mom: Saturday, May 9: Join Bradley Fair for a day celebrating moms, with exclusive in-store promotions, gifts with purchase, and special surprises throughout the property. Take in the moment and capture it with a photo by the iconic Bradley Fair floral fountain. REGISTER HERE.

• Summer Adventure Club: Tuesdays in June | 10-11AM: Join the Summer Adventure Club for weekly fun designed for little ones. Little adventurers can explore story times, dance parties, and hands-on activities all month long.

• Summer Concert Series: Thursdays June 11, 18, 25, July 2 | 7:30PM:  Bringing new life to a cherished Wichita Tradition, join us for weekly live music featuring local and regional artists with tunes for every taste.

• Summer Sidewalk Sale: August, Date TBA

Join us as we explore all that Wichita has to offer this summer, and enjoy our very own summer plans with this Wichita Summer FREE printable!

Wichita Summer Fun with Kids

• There is something for the whole family at Bradley Fair this summer – our personal favorite is their annual Summer Music Series
• Kick off summer with one of our favorite traditions: the Sundown Parade at Wichita Riverfest on May 29th
• Visit the babies, get splashed (one last time before this exhibit makes it’s final run) at Stingray Cove or ride the Safari Express at the Sedgwick County Zoo
• Visit Watermark Books and Café for story time, browsing the books (they have our favorite selections for both kids and adults), and make sure to dine in their stunning new cafe
• Pick berries and play at Elderslie Farm, enjoy the scones at the Bramble Cafe, and taste the cheese and gelato at the Creamery. Berry Picking season typically begins the end of June, and they have their new garden as of this spring
• Check out Origami in the Garden exhibit at Botanica through the summer
• Find a table in the shade at Chicken’n’Pickle and enjoy lawn games, food, drinks, pickle ball courts, and a great atmosphere. And don’t forget FREE Bingo on Sundays
• Head downtown and enjoy everyone’s family-favorite River Festival May 29-June 6
• Take the fam to one of Wichita Children’s Theater  Once Upon a Time Series (we love the pizza deals they do)
• Pack a picnic dinner and take a walk down by the Keeper of the Plains and then stick around to watch the magic of the 15 minute Ring of Fire at 9 pm
• Get out of the house and burn some energy at family game night at Nerf Warz
• Check out a STEAM class, camp, or event at the Let’s Go Build Shop
• Ride the Q-Line, Wichita’s Downtown transportation service and hop off at one of your favorite shops or restaurants
• Ride a pony, put your muscles to use on a paddleboat, or play a round of mini golf at OJ Watson Park
• Visit Wichita Art Museum for a FREE family Artventure
• Check out the permanent and traveling exhibits at Exploration Place and plan to play at the NEW Outdoor Playscape (here is what to know before you go) and take a walk along the river
• Step back in time and enjoy a wagon ride or try a sarsparilla drink at Old Cowtown Museum
• Go on a hunt for one of these hidden gems in Wichita – we especially love the Wichita Troll (and let us know if you find him!)
• Climb, attend a lock in, or enroll for a camp at Bliss Bouldering and Climbing Complex
• Head to Stearman for dinner on the patio, and watch the planes, play on the playground, and listen to live music while you wait
• Cool down at any of Wichita’s interactive fountains and splash pads, open Memorial – Labor Day
• Rock out to musical instruments and bond with your littles at Music Together of Wichita or Riverside Music Together (DEMO classes are free!)
• Attend a baseball game to see our home team, the Wichita Wind Surge, at Riverfront Stadium. Friday night games will have firework shows, and kids can run the bases on Sunday home games
• Splash around at Toddler Time (Wichita’s version of a mini waterpark) at any of the designated YMCAs around town
• Field Station: Dinosaurs has amazing life-sized animatronic dinos and activities every hour
• For the really hot weeks, head to an indoor play place, like Towne East or Chick-fil-a, or hit up another favorite place for indoor fun
• Create little bookworms with a local storytime
• Pack up the stroller and go for a walk before it gets too hot
• And if you are still looking, here are plenty of Things to Do With Babies & Toddlers in Wichita
• Enroll in a summer camp or program (fun for all ages, schedules, and budgets)
• Make it a late bedtime night and check out the wonder of our solar system at Lake Afton Public Observatory
• Explore the inner workings of planet earth and the solar system at the Cosmosphere
• Explore the salt mines in a safari shuttle at Strataca in Hutchinson
• Bowl a STRIKE and register the kiddos for Kids Bowl Free to receive two FREE games of bowling everyday all summer long
• Enjoy a FREE movie on the river at the Riverflix at the Wichita Foundation Amphitheater at Exploration Place
• Enjoy an animal encounter (we love feeding the lemurs!), a new experience (like otter meet & greets), checking out the splash park and more at Tanganyika
• There is a little something for everyone at Revolutsia – eating, drinking, shopping and more
• Cool off and splash around at Blast Off Bay, the Wichita Area indoor water park in Goddard
• Pack up the car and head out for a family-friendly day trip from Wichita or a weekend getaway 
• Book a Staycation at a local hotel with a swimming pool just for fun

Wichita Summer LOCAL Love:

• Walk down Douglas Design District and marvel at the art, murals and sculptures created by local artists
• Attend this year’s Ballet in the Park performance
• Check out a Haute Handmade Pop Up Market, a high-end market that supports local artists, designers and small businesses on First Fridays
• Spend the morning supporting local farms and artisans at one of Wichita’s Farmer’s Markets
• Stroll through the art gallery at City Arts, and sign your kiddos (or yourself) up for an art class
• Ride the Q Line and hop off at local galleries in support of the arts in the Douglas Design District on a First Friday
• Walk around Naftzger Park and Visit the Workroom for all the local merch! And for a fun date night, be sure to order an espresso martini from Bubbles (inside the Workroom)
• Check out one of these FREE things to do in Downtown Wichita

Wichita Summer Eats:

• Dine al fresco at one of Wichita Mom’s favorite patio restaurants around town (we have so many favorites!)
• Sit out on the patio of Argentina’s Empanadas – and sign up for one of their cooking classes. The owner is a local mom, and we just love what she’s built with her husband here in Wichita
• Make berry treats after picking fresh berries from a Wichita You-Pick
• Head to Social Tap Drinkery, we love both locations on WSU campus (coolest patio) and Greenwich location with fun traditional board games to play with the kids
• We have tried and tested so many kids meals, and the one we come back to every single time is the Belmont’s kids meals – such generous portions, and our kids love them. And they have one of our favorite local patios
• We love taking the kids to Cocoa Dolce for gelato in the summertime, but make sure to head to the Downtown location where you can watch them making the chocolate
• Put the kids to bed for 30 seconds, then run in and tell them it’s time to get in the car and go get ice cream – we recommend one of these frozen sweet treat spots
• Cool off with an old school milkshake from the counter at Old Mill Tasty Shop or Jimmie’s Diner
• Get a group together and go on a brewery tour, bonus points if it has an outdoor patio (we love Central Standard Brewing and Hopping Gnome’s family-friendly patios!)
• Stuff your belly full with delicious brunch at one of our favorite Wichita brunch spots
• Take the kids for a Shaved Ice Treat – there are some great ones in ICT
• Gluten Free? Try one of these favorite restaurants or GF bakeries we personally love!
• You know we love coffee and little treats! A few of our favorites right now are Coffee Daze, Greater Grounds, and CoFellow Coffee Parlor (who has story time and a play cafe!)

Wichita Summer Outdoor Adventures:

• Of course you have to put the new Exploration Place Outdoor Playscape on your list – it is so great for a variety of ages from really small to big kids too
• Spend the day in Derby and visit our very own outdoor water park, Rock River Rapids 
• Play a round of mini golf, watch the wildlife, go on a walk, have a picnic, play yard games at Mega Pines Mini Golf
• Check out the Best Kid Friendly Outdoor Adventures in the Wichita Area
• Get moving at a favorite local park – check out our 18 favorite parks in the Wichita Area and here are 8 out of the way playgrounds that are totally worth it
• Go for a dip in one of the lakes with swimming beaches around Wichita
• Take a family bike ride on one of our favorite bike paths in Wichita
• Take the kids fossil and shell hunting
• Get up close and personal with the wildlife at Tanganyika
• Attend a concert or summer event at Andover Central Park
• Catch a dancing WaterWalk fountain show in downtown Wichita
• Finally learn how to horseback ride at Wichita Riding Academy or one of these spots
• Take in the beauty of the Bartlett Arboretum, and bonus if you get to catch a concert under the canopy. (Totally worth the drive!)
• You won’t want to skip the tallest park in Kansas
• Go chasing waterfalls (they are best to visit right after heavy rainfalls!)
• Go fishing with littles – here are some local fishing spots to check out
• Take a hike and check out the wildlife around Chisolm Creek Park
• Rent a pedal boat at River Vista and peddle out to the Keeper
• Test out a SUP (stand up paddleboard) or float on the river
• Check out OJ Watson Park – rent a pedal boat, ride the ponies, or ride the train
• Appreciate the beauty of Kansas by hiking the Flint Hills Nature Trail, followed by watching the sunset
• Get “naturally crafty”, walk around the pond, and feed the ducks & turtles at Great Plains Nature Center
• Catch a gorgeous Kansas sunset, here are 7 favorite spots to watch
• Take the family camping – here are our favorite spots to camp in the area

Wichita Summer Concerts & Movies: 

• Set up a lakeside picnic and enjoy the Bradley Fair Summer Concert Series on Thursday evenings in June at 7:30 PM
• Concerts are back at Wichita Riverfest on May 29-June 7, and they have a great lineup for this year
• Pack up the car and head to the Starlite Drive In for movies with the family
• Splurge on tickets to the breathtaking Symphony in the Flint Hills on June 14th
• Naftzger Park holds outdoor concerts and movie showings – check here for updates
• Take in the beautiful botanical scenery at a summer concert at Bartlett Arboretum
• Enjoy the last bit of summer with a parade, rodeo, and carnival at the Mulvane Old Settlers, a tradition for over 145 years
• Enjoy the Symphony in the Gardens at Botanica with heavy hors d’oeuvres, fireworks, and of course the symphony
• Check out an event at Exploration Place this summer
• Bring the family to the free Smoke on the Plains Derby BBQ Festival complete with food, games, prizes, and family entertainment

Wichita Summer Learning Fun:

• Visit one of these top 20 special museums or attractions in Wichita with kids
• Get exploring at Exploration Place through one of their many camps or discovery programs
• Sign your little one up to read 1,000 books before kindergarten and your big one up for Wichita Public Library’s summer reading program 
• Learn stories and experience art reflective of African American culture at The Kansas African American Museum
• Open on Saturdays 10am-5pm, visit the Wichita Toy Train and Club Museum
• With a museum, traditional American Indian artifacts and artwork, and an outdoor learning center, the Mid-America All Indian Center is a great place to educate on the heritage of Native Americans
• Spark creativity and innovation with a Mark Arts STEAM summer class or workshop
• Visit the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame
• Simulate a flight and learn about aviation at the Kansas Aviation Museum, and bring the littles ones (ages 1-5) for “Little Aviators” from 10am-noon every Friday

Summer Sports and Fitness:

• Book a round of golf at Top Golf – great for family nights or a fun date night
• Enjoy food, drinks, sand volleyball, pickleball, and more at Sandbox, located in Derby and Goddard
• Play a round of pickleball at the new TapNPaddles or at Chicken N Pickle
• Reserve a suite at Shotsuite with a full swing golf simulator and over 50 golf courses to play on, a variety of games, food and drinks to enjoy, and an entertaining atmosphere
• If you’re in the mood for bowling, we love the Shocker Sports Grill and Lanes for family bowling
• Attend a home game to cheer on the Windsurge at Riverfront Stadium (fireworks on Fridays!)
• Get and stay active and healthy this summer – tons of choices in our Guide to Fitness
• For ages 3-12, stay active with swimming, gymnastics, games and crafts – sign up for the week or by the day for a drop in class at Wichita Gymnastics Club
• Climb the 38 foot wall, take a climbing class, or host a birthday party at Bliss Bouldering and Climbing Complex
• Sign the kiddos up for a youth sports summer camp like 
• Take me out to the ballgame and bring back nostalgia and check out the NBC Baseball Tournament this summer 
• Watch our very own hometown WSU Shockers hit it out of the ballpark at Eck Stadium
• Cool off, catch a puck, or simply watch the Zamboni with the Wichita Thunder Hockey team
• Get your run on at one of the many races this spring and summer

Summer Date Night (or Date Day): 

• Take a walk on the WSU campus and visit the Ulrich Museum of Art (which is completely FREE to the public)
• Have the kids spend the night with grandma and grandpa and spend the morning at one of these 7 spots to watch Wichita sunsets
• Check out the College Hill Frank Lloyd Wright’s (named the greatest architect of all time) Allen House with a guided tour
• Watch a movie at the Wichita’s Historic Orpheum Theater for their Anniversary Film Series
• Hit the town and enjoy a show at Music Theater Wichita this summer
• Get some stress relief by throwing an ax at Blade and Timber
• Enjoy tunes for every taste with a beautiful outdoor view at a Bradley Fair Summer Concert
• Tour a local vineyard and enjoy wine tastings at one of the Kansas Wineries in the Wichita Area
• Pack up the car with blankets and lawn chairs, grab some caffeine and watch 3 feature films at the Starlite Drive-In Theater
• Stroll down by the river and stop by Wichita’s version of the infamous Bellagio Fountains in Vegas at Fountains at WaterWalk, where you will see a “dancing fountain” light and music show
• Spend the evening painting the town at an adult class with Paint the Towne
• Stargaze and spend the evening watching a meteor shower
• Or do one of these 200+ unique things to do for every budget for an out of the box date night in Wichita

Homebodies:

Still Need More Ideas?