We are thrilled to bring back the Ultimate Guide to Summer with our Wichita Summer Bucket List for the 9th year! We don’t care what anyone says, Wichita is not boring! And we are sharing over 100 of our favorite Wichita summer ideas for every budget, interest, and age – straight from local moms. (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 the following family-friendly events this summer:

• Stroll N’ Sculpt with Whitney Cornejo: Grab your stroller and meet us on the Plaza at 10 AM every Wednesday in May for this full-body al fresco fitness class. Pre-registration is required.

• Mother’s Day Bouquet Workshop with Trader Joe’s: Something’s blooming at Bradley Fair. Learn from the floral experts at Trader Joe’s and put together a beautiful springtime bouquet, just in time for Mother’s Day. Enjoy snacks and smiles while you get crafty with this all-ages activity on Friday, May 11.  Get your tickets here. 

• Summer Adventure Club: Join the Summer Adventure Club – weekly fun for little ones! Every Tuesday at 10 AM through June and July, meet us on the Plaza for kid’s entertainment. Please register in advance to let us know you’re coming.

• Summer Concert Series: A beloved Bradley Fair tradition is back, with tunes for every taste. Every Thursday evening in June. Shows start at 7:30 PM. Stick around following the final concert on June 29 for some extra fun! We are proud to partner with Fidelity Bank, the official sponsor of the Bradley Fair Summer Concerts Firework Finale. Be sure to RSVP for a chance to win a special prize of Bradley Fair goodies.

• Takeout, Picnics & Patios: Indulge your cravings at Bradley Fair. Whether it’s date night, pizza night, or even dessert-for-dinner kind of night, there’s something to satisfy your appetite.  
• Summer Sidewalk Sale: Discover the best of Bradley Fair at this summertime sidewalk sale. Your favorite retailers and restaurants will set up on the sidewalk for an outdoor shopping experience. Enjoy deals, entertainment, children’s activities, and more. Date to be announced soon!

Join us as we explore all that Wichita has to offer this summer, and enjoy the customizable FREE printable below to hang on the fridge!

Wichita Summer Fun for the Whole Family

• There is something for the whole family at Bradley Fair this summer, like their Summer Adventure Club and Summer Music Series
• 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
• Get ready to get splashed at Stingray Cove or ride the Safari Express at the Sedgwick County Zoo
• Visit the goats 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!
• Check out Nature Pop – Made with Lego Bricks exhibit at Botanica through the summer
• 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.
• Pack up the car and head out for a family-friendly day trip from Wichita or a weekend getaway 
• Find a table in the shade at Chicken’n’Pickle and enjoy lawn games, food, drinks, pickle ball courts, and a great atmosphere.
• Book a Staycation at a local hotel with a swimming pool just for fun
• Head downtown and enjoy everyone’s family-favorite River Festival May 31-June 8.
• There is a little something for everyone at Revolutsia – eating, drinking, shopping and more
• Take the fam to one of Wichita Children’s Theater Picnic Theater Once Upon a Time Series
• 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 Health Exhibit at Exploration Place (we love it!), the traveling exhibit, and plan to play at the Exploration Place park 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!)
• 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!)
• 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
• Climb, attend a lock in, or enroll for a camp at Bliss Bouldering and Climbing Complex
• Enjoy a FREE movie in the park at the Andover Amphitheater this summer, and while you’re waiting, check out the Andover Central Park & Library

Wichita Summer ICT Love:

• Walk down Douglas Design District and marvel at the art, murals and sculptures created by local artists and check out our mural walk here
• 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 at Riverfest or on First Fridays
• Spend the morning supporting local farms and artisans at one of Wichita’s Farmer’s Markets
• Take family selfies with 7 Classic Wichita Photo Ops
• Stroll through the art gallery at City Arts, and sign your kiddos (or yourself) up for an art class
• Shop local, save money, and dive into our community at Second Saturdays
• Get involved with the community by finding a rock, painting it, hiding it – and here is everything you need to know about kindness rocks
• Ride the Q Line and hop off at local galleries in support of the arts in the Douglas Design District on a First Friday

Wichita Summer ICT Eats:

• Dine al fresco at one of Wichita Mom’s favorite patio restaurants around town (we have so many favorites!) 
• Make berry treats after picking fresh berries from a Wichita You-Pick
• 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 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 new patio!)
• Stuff your belly full with delicious brunch at one of our favorite Wichita brunch spots
• Try a new donut spot every weekend of the summer, and start with some of our favorite donut spots in Wichita
• Summer is synonymous with burgers, right? Check out some of our favorite burger joints in Wichita
• It’s iced coffee season! There are so many options, visit one of the many coffee shops in Wichita
• Take the kids for a Shaved Ice Treat – there are some great ones in ICT
• Grab your girlfriends and visit a Kansas winery
• Check out these 4 hidden gems for foodies in Old Town Wichita

Wichita Summer Outdoor Adventures:

• Check out the Best Kid Friendly Outdoor Adventures in the Wichita Area
• Get moving at a favorite local park – check out our 14 favorite parks in the Wichita Area, and here are 6 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
• Paddle the Ark River for a Saturday Float (including overnight camping) or Twilight Float (weekday evenings from 5:30-8:30 pm)
• 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 30-June 8, and they have a great lineup for 2024
• 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 8th
• 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 on May 17th 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

Wichita Summer Sports and Fitness:

• 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 youth sports:
  • Soccer 
  • T-Ball, Baseball, Softball
  • Gymnastics, Cheerleading
  • Swimming Lessons & Teams
  • Martial Arts
• 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

Wichita 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 2024 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

Wichita Summer Homebodies:

Still Need More Ideas?