If your family are big fans of Oz, there’s no better place to experience the magic than right here in Kansas! Whether you’re planning a spring break getaway or a weekend road trip, Kansas is filled with whimsical, Oz-themed attractions and exciting family-friendly adventures.
How to Plan A Wizard of Oz Family Day Trip
Step into the Story at the Oz Museum
No Wizard of Oz adventure is complete without a visit to the Oz Museum in Wamego, Kansas. This enchanting museum houses an extensive collection of memorabilia, including original books, and artifacts from the beloved film. Kids will love the interactive exhibits, and parents will appreciate the nostalgic walk down memory lane. Don’t forget to snap a family photo next to the oversized pair of ruby slippers!
Meet Dorothy in Liberal, Kansas
For a truly immersive experience, take a trip to Dorothy’s House and the Land of Oz in Liberal. This replica of Dorothy Gale’s Kansas home includes a guided tour that brings the story to life. The experience includes a journey through a colorful Land of Oz exhibit, featuring animated characters and scenes straight from the movie. Kids can even meet costumed tour guides dressed as Dorothy and her friends!
COMING SOON: A giant “ruby red slipper slide”!
Follow the Yellow Brick Road at Botanica Wichita
The beautiful Botanica Gardens in Wichita offers a magical way to enjoy the great outdoors. While it isn’t Oz-specific, seasonal exhibits and whimsical garden features create the perfect setting for little munchkins to explore. The vibrant floral displays, butterfly gardens, and children’s play areas will make your family feel like they’ve stepped into an enchanted world.
Just follow the Yellow Brick Road under the rainbow to the Downing Children’s Garden!
Learn About the Science of Tornados at Exploration Place
There’s no place like Kansas during tornado season! Head to Exploration Place in downtown Wichita, where you can step into a slice of life showcasing what makes the Sunflower State unique. Step into an EF1 tornado and measure speed, humidity, and storm direction in their storm chaser vehicle.
Find Courage at the Sedgwick County Zoo
Channel the Cowardly Lion’s bravery by visiting one of Kansas’ top family attractions, the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita. With over 3,000 animals from across the globe, kids can roar with the lions, watch playful monkeys, and even get up close with farm animals at the Children’s Farms exhibit. It’s an adventurous stop that makes for a fun and educational experience.
Experience Farm Life at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead or Old Cowtown Museum
Want to see what life was like on a Kansas farm, just like Dorothy’s? Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead in Overland Park lets families experience a hands-on, old-fashioned farm adventure. Kids can bottle-feed baby goats, ride ponies, fish in a pond, and explore a replica of a 1900s schoolhouse. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a slice of prairie life.
Or head to Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita for a visit to the 1880 Devore Farm to see the animals and tour the farmhouse. Don’t miss the one-room schoolhouse and a trip tot he saloon for an ice cold sarsparilla.
Explore the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
For families looking to enjoy a true Kansas landscape, the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve offers a breathtaking experience. With miles of open prairie, wildflowers, and roaming bison, it’s easy to imagine Dorothy’s Kansas before the tornado swept her away. Take a scenic hike or join a guided tour to learn more about the natural beauty of the Sunflower State.
No Place Like Kansas
Whether you’re following the Yellow Brick Road to Wamego, exploring the Kansas prairie, or meeting Dorothy herself, Kansas offers families an enchanting mix of Oz-themed attractions and exciting outdoor adventures. So grab your little munchkins, click your heels, and set out on a journey through the heart of America—because there truly is no place like Kansas!
