Celebrate Frugal Fun all Month Long in Wichita

 

F is for Fall, Festivals, and Family Fun! It’s also for Frugal. International Frugal Fun Day is the first Saturday in October; this year falling on October 5th. The goal is to keep activities under $5 a person, or even better, free! Having a family with kiddos, frugal finds are always a win to save us some cash. As we know, getting out with the entire fam can be quite pricey. I’ve compiled a list of exciting, yet thrifty, ways to celebrate locally during the month of October!

Frugal Fun Events in Wichita – October 2019

*Note: there are several festivals this month to enjoy with free or cheap admission. Most have free activities to enjoy while extras do come at a cost. Tip: set a budget and stick to it to truly celebrate Frugality this month!

Goddard’s Fall Festival
takes place Oct. 4th-5th with free admission and lots to enjoy. 

ICT Bloctober Fest is 4-5th with free admission. Soak in some German family fun. 

Art on the Trail at Great Plains Nature Center is a free event on the 5th. Watch as local artists create masterpieces live on the trail as you enjoy the park.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Fall Bazaar is the 5th, $2 admission at the door. Many vendors will be present and plenty of yummy food to enjoy.

Riverside Fall Art & Market on the 5th features holiday arts and crafts and treats.

Woofstock, a fundraiser for the Kansas Humane Society is Oct. 5th. This one technically breaks the “under $5 rule”, with adult admission $10 each. However, kids 12 and under are free, so it averages out for families with younger kids.

Winfield’s Art in the Park Festival on Oct. 5th features dozens of artists showcasing their work and food venders to enjoy. A $2 suggested donation is admission price.

Rose Hill Fall Festival is 11th-13th featuring lots to enjoy. You can purchase your admission buttons for the family for $2 each.

Head north to Newton for Taste of Newton on the 10th, where admission is free, and local restaurants sell samples of their best dishes. See if you can find the best deals!

Taste of Newton is followed up by Bethel College’s annual Fall Festival the 10th-13th and admission is free.

Vintage Market Days of Wichita on Sunday Oct 13 offers $5 admission and free for kids 13 and under. This event features a large collection of venders and goodies.

St Peter Fall Bazaar Oct. 12th with $2 admission. Stop to enjoy the food and local vendors.

October 18-19 head to Linsborg for Svensk Hyllningsfest. This Swedish culture festival has plenty of family fun to enjoy for free.

Maize hosts its Fall Festival Oct. 18-19 with lots of fall fun to enjoy.

Haysville Fall Festival is 18th-20th with lots to enjoy. Entry buttons are $3.

Stearman Field hosts their annual Pumpkin Drop on October 19th from 1pm-3pm and is free to enjoy the show. Kids can get their face painted for $5 each.

Head south to Arkansas City for Arkalalah 2019 October 23-26. This festival is free admission and has lots of family fun. 

Old Cow Town hosts it’s Hay, Hooves and Halloween Oct. 26-27. Visit the grounds for some spooky fun!

Other Frugal Fun Around the Community

  • Enjoy the beautiful temps and pack a picnic! Find a great local place using our Best Picnic Spots in Wichita guide. Bring along a football or baseball and glove for a game of catch. 
  • Pack up for an overnight camping trip at an area campsite, or in your own backyard. Don’t forget the S’mores!
  • Visit the Keeper of the Plains, see its Ring of Fire, and take a stroll along the Arkansas River. 
  • Hunt for an urban legend, The Wichita Troll. It’s located in the area of 777 W. Central Ave in an underground lair. Can you find it? 
  • Go fishing. There are many great area fishing holes to enjoy. Find a list of them here.
  • Create a scavenger hunt to do at a local park. You can find some great fall themed scavenger hunt printables online. 
  • Visit a pumpkin patch. Yes, some can be pricey, but there are a few that offer free admission such as Papa’s Pumpkin Patch and Meadowlark Farm. Grab a pumpkin for the kiddos to paint or carve!  
  • Have a family game night at home or visit Sente Games and Refreshments downtown. They boast a library of hundreds of games to choose from for only $3 a person. Ages 10 and under play free with a paid adult.    
  • Head to Riverside Park to see the free Kansas Wildlife Exhibit
  • The Wichita Art Museum offers free admission on Saturdays and features many exhibits!
  • Visit a farmer’s market to sample some local goodies before they close up shop for the year. Use our handy Wichita Farmer’s Market Guide.
  • Head to the Advanced Learning Library that offers something for all ages!
  • Meet and interact with the cows, horses, goats, lambs, and more at Wichita Riding Academy. Call them to schedule your family’s free farm tour!
  • Head out for a meal at one of these local places where kids eat free and cheap.
  • Take a tour of Wichita’s Delano, Old Town, Douglas Design District, and Clifton Square by riding the free trolley: The Q-Line.
  • Take a short road trip to Yoder, and immerse the Amish culture. 
  • Head to Lindsborg, Little Sweden, USA. 
  • Indulge in a sweet treat from a local shop such as Milk Float, Little Lion, Cocoa Dolce, or College Hill Creamery.
  • Visit one of ICT’s pop up parks, Gallery Alley for some local artwork and music. Be sure to find the giant spider while you’re there.
  • Take a family bike ride around the neighborhood or to a local park.
  • Do some good for your soul and for others by volunteering at a local organization. Be sure to connect with them prior to arrival.

I hope you enjoy your frugal family fun around the ICT!

Nicole Nickel
Hi, I’m Nicole! I’m a mommy to two young kids: Scarlet and Easton, and wife to Justin. We also have 2 furbaby Labs. I am an Oklahoma girl, born and raised. I’ve been here in Wichita since October 2016. Moving from my home of Norman has been tough, but what a great community to relocate! We love to get out explore the area, finding fun family activities! In addition to mom and wife, I am speech-language pathologist. Some of my favorite things-being an OK girl, I am a die-hard OU football fan (Boomer!), being outdoors, traveling, friends and family, wine and coffee!