Summer Fun for ALL

Summer is almost here! It feels like it already is with the hot temps this week. Are you looking for things to do fairly close to home due to high gas prices?

We’ve collected some summer fun ideas for you and many of them are free! Whether it’s family fun or just getting back to nature, we hope the following ideas inspire you to have some amazing adventures this summer!

Walking Trails

Chisholm Creek Park features a paved path that winds through native Kansas grasses, plants, and trees, like you are nowhere near the city. Be sure to bring your water bottle.

The Chisholm Creek Park walking trail is adjacent to the Great Plains Nature Center at 6232 E. 29th Street North in northeast Wichita.

Sedgwick County Park is an adventure in itself! Walk or ride your bike along the paved trail surrounding the park. You’ll find a stream, covered bridge, and water fountains for both you and your dog. There are playgrounds for the kids and you can do some fishing! (A fishing license is required for 16 and older.)

Sedgwick County Park entrances are on 21st Street and 13th Street, just east of Ridge Road near the Sedgwick County Zoo in northwest Wichita at 6501 W 21st St, Wichita, KS 67205.

Pawnee Prairie Park features a 5-mile bridle trail and 8-mile nature trail and is designated as a wild habitat area. There are entrances on the east and south sides of the park. The south entrance boasts a fun play area for the kids.

Pawnee Prairie Park is south of Kellogg between Tyler and Maize roads in southwest Wichita. 2625 S. Tyler, Wichita, KS.

Swanson Park, also in northwest Wichita, is another Wichita Wild Habitat Area within the city. Swanson Park is located at 1011 N. Maize Rd.

Pracht Wetlands Area is a newer park on 29th Street between Maize and Tyler with wildlife viewing areas and paved paths. You’ll also find one of the Keepers there!

Pracht Wetlands Area is at 9926 W 29th St N in west Wichita.

Hermann Hill Park follows a man-made creek from the Water Center to the Arkansas River. Pick up a Trail-guide pamphlet at the trailhead. They offer a disc golf course too.

The WATER Center is at 101 E. Pawnee in south Wichita.

If you’d like to check out the fantastic parks throughout Derby, click here.
You’ll find other great trails at this link.

Berry Picking

Sargeant’s Berry Farm 9836 S. Hydraulic Haysville, KS 316-788-1370

You-pick strawberries, usually May to June and you-pick blackberries, usually later in June and July. Other fruits and vegetables for sale at their store. Get updates on their Facebook page.

Meadowlark Farm 11249 SW 160th St. Rose Hill, KS 67133 (316) 518-8907

Entry is $2 per person for ages 13+. You-pick strawberries should begin in mid-May. Peaches, apples, and pumpkins later in the year. Give them a call or check their Facebook page to find out what is ready to pick when.

Tenth Street Orchard 510 West Washington Ave. Sterling, Kansas 620-381-6702

Pick-your-own strawberries, blackberries and sweet corn in Sterling, KS. Strawberries mid-May into June. Blackberries in July. Sweet corn in late July. Sterling is just about 30 minutes northwest of Hutchinson. Visit Facebook page for updated information.

Sweet Berries & Brambles 309 NE 120 Rd. Harper, KS 620-955-7373

You-pick strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Strawberries usually mid-May to June and blackberries usually mid-June to July. Check with 'em on their Facebook page before you go.

Farm View U-Pick Strawberry Patch 207 8th Ave. Inman, KS 620-655-7776

Late May/early June for you-pick strawberries. Get details about the farm on their Facebook page here.

Downtown Wichita

Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum

Now FREE on Sundays in 2022!

Street parking is also free on weekends!

Already affordable, this historic museum just got even more affordable with free admission Sundays thanks to a gift from the Ruth Spooner Stone Charitable Trust. Located in 1890 City Hall, the historic building houses exhibits with artifacts from our unique local history.

204 S. Main, Wichita, KS 67202

For more information, visit wichitahistory.org or call (316) 265-9314

Regular Museum Hours: Tues. – Fri. 11:00 am to 4:00 pm; Sat. & Sun. 1:00 to 5:00 pm.

Regular admission to the Museum is $5 for adults & $2 for children.

Keeper of the Plains

Standing at the confluence of the Little and Big Arkansas Rivers, the Keeper is free and open to the public year-round (closed only between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m.).

In the evenings, the fire drums are lit for about 15 minutes – weather and river conditions permitting. The fires are lighted at 9 p.m. in the spring and summer and 7 p.m. in the fall and winter.

Get to the Keeper area a little early so you can look for the Troll, hidden under the sidewalk that goes along the river.

Around the base of the sculpture are plaques with information about the sculpture, which was donated to the city in 1974 by Blackbear Bosin, and the lifestyle of the Plains Indians.

Access the walking bridge from the Mid-America All Indian Center when it’s open, from the small parking lot on West Central Avenue, or from the Exploration Place parking lot on North McClean Boulevard. You can also reach it by walking on the paved paths along the Arkansas River downtown.

Kids Weekly Activities

NATURALLY CRAFTY (TAKE-HOME ACTIVITY) at Great Plains Nature Center

Weekly on Tuesdays through September 1st

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Nourish your creative side and pick up a new nature craft every week at Great Plains Nature Center! Every Tuesday from 10:00a-12:00p in the GPNC Lobby, they’ll have a take-home craft ready to go for your children! Mostly for elementary and younger, but all welcome. FREE. No registration required.

Outdoor Play at Great Plains Nature Center

Weekly on Thursdays through September 1st

10:00 am to 11:00 am

There is no better space for kids to learn than the outdoors and there is no better play resource than nature. To provide some enriching outdoor exploration for your kids, their naturalists are creating FREE come and go activities, available Thursdays from 10 to 11am! They have new activities each week for preschoolers (age 3-5).

Kansas Aviation Museum Little Aviators

Weekly on Fridays

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

The Kansas Aviation Museum has a weekly come-and-go program for kids that includes fun activities and free admission from 10 a.m. to noon. Kids get to play and learn in the Boeing Science, Math, and History Learning Center and the Lattner Hanger at the museum. During school breaks, they also usually offer more days or extended programming. Little Aviations is free for child and accompanying adult. You and your child will have access to the entire museum (including the Boeing: Science, Math, and History Center & Lattner Learning Hanger) as well as the ramp outside! During the summer, they try to have their FedEx 727 opened from 10-noon. Please note the plane opening is weather-dependent as well as docent availability.

The weekly program includes activities like:

Play area with building materials
Get a look at real aircraft cockpits
Fun and informative aviation videos
Explore the museum and ramp
Hands-on learning

And the big one you MUST sign up for...

Sunflower Summer

May 28-August 14

Sunflower Summer is a program of the Kansas State Department of Education and is designed to provide a wide variety of ways for families to get out, to explore something new, and to enjoy time together. Kansas families can visit museums, zoos, historic landmarks and more for free! Social interaction and exposure to a variety of activities supports the healthy development of children of all ages. Sunflower Summer is an experiential approach to learning that can support transition into the fall school term. You'll have access to attractions here at home and across the state! FREE!

We hope the above information has inspired some fun summer activities for you.

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Springing Forward: Love It or Loathe It? Ah, daylight saving time—it’s that annual event where we all collectively grumble about losing an hour of sleep but secretly love the extra evening sunshine. March rolls in, and suddenly, our days feel longer (even if our mornings feel a little rougher). But why do we even mess with the clocks in the first place? And is this whole time shift actually doing us any favors? Let’s dive into the quirks, perks, and questionable logic behind daylight saving time! A Brief History of Daylight Saving Time The idea of daylight saving time isn’t new. It dates back to the early 20th century, when countries like Germany and the United Kingdom implemented it during World War I to conserve fuel. The idea was simple: by shifting the clocks forward in the spring, people would make better use of natural daylight during the evening hours, reducing the need for artificial lighting. In the U.S., daylight saving time became widespread during World War II and was formalized with the Uniform Time Act of 1966. While the specifics of when and how DST is observed can vary from country to country, the concept remains the same: adjust the clocks to maximize daylight during the warmer months. The Science Behind the Shift Daylight saving time operates on a fairly simple principle: moving the clocks forward by one hour in the spring and setting them back in the fall allows us to "gain" more daylight during the evening. This shift is based on the Earth’s tilt and the way it orbits the Sun. In the spring, the days get longer as we approach the summer solstice, so DST aligns with the natural increase in daylight. It helps ensure that more of that daylight falls during the hours we are awake and active, providing more opportunities for outdoor activities after work or school. Benefits of Daylight Saving Time While the initial transition to DST can disrupt our sleep patterns, research suggests that the long-term benefits are significant: More Daylight for Outdoor Activities The most obvious benefit is the extended daylight hours. After months of shorter days, having more sunlight in the evening can lead to increased physical activity. People tend to spend more time outdoors, walking, biking, or participating in sports, which can boost physical health and mood. Increased Energy Efficiency By reducing the need for artificial lighting, DST has the potential to reduce energy consumption. Though modern energy consumption patterns have changed, with more people using energy-efficient lighting and digital devices, the shift still has a measurable impact, particularly in regions that rely heavily on electricity for lighting. Improved Mental Health The added daylight can have a positive effect on our mental health. Exposure to natural light increases serotonin levels in the brain, which can improve mood and overall well-being. Longer evenings mean more time to relax outdoors, which can also help reduce stress levels and enhance happiness. Boost to the Economy DST can also have a positive effect on the economy. With more daylight in the evening, people are more likely to go out and shop, dine, or participate in recreational activities. This boost in consumer activity can be beneficial for local businesses, especially those in the tourism and retail industries. The Controversy: The Disruptive Effect of the Time Change Despite these benefits, the transition to daylight saving time is not without its drawbacks. The change can disrupt our sleep cycles, which may lead to increased fatigue and even a temporary dip in productivity. Some studies have shown that the period immediately after the time change is associated with a slight uptick in heart attacks and traffic accidents, possibly due to the disruption of our circadian rhythms. This shift also doesn’t work for everyone. For example, people in northern latitudes, where days are already long during the summer, may find little benefit from the extra hour of daylight. In fact, some places, like Arizona and Hawaii, have opted out of daylight saving time entirely due to its perceived inconvenience. Tips for Adjusting to Daylight Saving Time If you’re struggling with the time change, here are some tips to help ease the transition: Start Preparing Early : Gradually adjust your sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up 15 minutes earlier each day in the week leading up to DST. This can help minimize the shock to your system. Stay Active : Exposure to natural light and physical activity can help reset your internal clock. Try to get outside during daylight hours to ease the adjustment. Be Mindful of Your Sleep : Try to maintain a consistent sleep routine even during the adjustment period. Avoid caffeine and electronics before bedtime to ensure better sleep quality. Making the Most of More Sunlight Sure, daylight saving time has its fair share of haters, but there’s no denying the perks—more time for evening adventures, a boost in outdoor fun, and even a little energy savings. As we roll into March 2025, let’s lean into the longer days! Whether you’re basking in golden hour on an after-dinner walk, tackling those long-overdue outdoor projects, or just soaking up the extra sun, the “spring forward” shift is the perfect excuse to shake off the winter blues and embrace the brighter days ahead!

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As the holidays draw near, balancing the demands of work with the festive preparations and family commitments at home can feel overwhelming. Between end-of-year deadlines, social events, and family gatherings, it’s easy to feel stretched thin. Here are some tips to help you find balance and enjoy a productive, joyful holiday season. 1. Set Clear Boundaries Between Work and Home Life Create Physical and Mental Boundaries: If you’re working from home, set up a designated workspace, and when work hours end, leave that space and mentally transition to home life. This separation helps you “clock out” mentally and stay present with family. Limit Work Communications After Hours: Set expectations with your team and clients regarding your availability outside of work hours. Muting notifications or using an out-of-office response during designated family time can help you keep work from encroaching on personal time. 2. Prioritize and Plan Ahead Use a Planner or Calendar to Stay Organized: Jot down both work and personal commitments, from deadlines and meetings to family gatherings and holiday shopping. Knowing what’s coming up will help you allocate time appropriately and avoid last-minute stress. Set Realistic Goals: The end of the year is often packed with projects, but it’s essential to be realistic about what you can accomplish. Break larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks, and prioritize those that must be completed before year-end. 3. Communicate with Family and Colleagues Share Your Schedule with Family Members: Keeping your family in the loop about your work commitments helps them understand your availability. This can prevent misunderstandings and allow them to support you during busier times. Let Your Team Know Your Availability: If you plan to take time off or have non-negotiable family commitments, let your colleagues know in advance. This transparency allows them to adjust expectations and helps you manage responsibilities without undue stress. 4. Embrace Flexibility, but Stay Focused Allow for Flexibility in Your Day: Accept that things won’t always go as planned during the holidays. Give yourself grace when interruptions happen, whether that’s a last-minute family obligation or an unexpected work task. Embracing flexibility can reduce frustration and help you adapt to change. Use Focus Time Blocks: Schedule focused work sessions, even if they’re only 30 minutes at a time, to make the most of your time. During these blocks, limit distractions and work on high-priority tasks. This approach can make a big difference in productivity, even on busy days. 5. Involve Family in Holiday Preparations Make Holiday Prep a Family Affair: Instead of taking on holiday tasks alone, turn them into family activities. Baking, decorating, and gift-wrapping can be shared experiences that double as quality time. This way, you’ll have less to do, and everyone gets to be part of the holiday spirit. Set a Schedule for Family Festivities: Plan family activities around your work schedule so you can fully engage without feeling rushed. Having specific times reserved for family fun will help you stay present and enjoy the season to the fullest. 6. Practice Self-Care and Manage Stress Take Time for Yourself: Between work and home obligations, it’s easy to overlook self-care. Schedule short breaks to recharge, even if it’s just a 5-minute walk, a quick stretch, or a few moments of deep breathing. Regular self-care keeps you feeling balanced and less stressed. Stay Active and Eat Well: Healthy habits are often the first to go during the holidays, but a little exercise and mindful eating can do wonders for your mood and energy. Whether it’s a quick workout or a nutritious snack, small efforts help you feel your best. 7. Plan for Some Downtime Carve Out Moments for Relaxation: Balance doesn’t mean doing everything; it’s about being intentional with your time. Plan a few pockets of downtime for rest or reflection to avoid feeling stretched thin. A little relaxation goes a long way in keeping your spirits high and your stress low. Be Mindful of Screen Time: When you’re off work, try to limit screen time, especially on work-related devices. Unplugging helps you fully unwind and be present with loved ones, enhancing your overall well-being. In Summary Balancing work and home during the holiday season doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With some planning, clear communication, and a bit of flexibility, you can keep both work and personal life in harmony. Remember to prioritize, embrace the festive spirit with family, and take care of yourself along the way. Here’s to a joyful, balanced holiday season that leaves you feeling fulfilled both at work and at home!