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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The school year is in full swing, and with it comes the daily challenge: what to pack for lunch? If you're tired of uneaten sandwiches and sad-looking fruit, you're not alone! Packing engaging and nutritious lunches can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. With a little creativity and some smart strategies, you can transform lunchtime from a chore into a highlight of your child's day. The secret to a successful school lunch lies in a few key areas: making it appealing, keeping it fresh, and ensuring it's easy for kids to eat independently. Think beyond the basic sandwich and consider incorporating a variety of textures, colors, and flavors. Bento-style boxes or compartmentalized containers are fantastic for offering a mix of small, exciting bites. We've put together some fantastic, kid-approved lunch ideas that are designed to be fun, fast, and fridge-friendly. These options aim to entice even the pickiest eaters and might even spark a little "lunch envy" among their classmates! Lunchbox Bragging Rights: Fun Lunch Ideas Kids Actually Eat (and Other Kids Might Envy) list for parents: Mini Pizza Lunchables (but cooler): Empower your child to assemble their own mini pizzas with pita rounds, marinara, cheese, and toppings. Dino Nugget Charcuterie: A playful take on a classic, featuring warm nuggets, veggies, and dip. Wafflewich: A sweet and satisfying breakfast-for-lunch option with toaster waffles, nut butter, and fruit. Snacky Bento Box: A customizable selection of cheese, crackers, fruit, deli meat, and a small treat for a balanced and fun meal. Deconstructed Taco Day: All the components for a DIY taco, kept separate and ready to assemble. PB&J Sushi: A fun and easy twist on the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Egg-cellent Protein Pack: A protein-packed option with hard-boiled eggs, hummus, and crunchy dippers. Lunch Packing Pro Tips to Make Your Life Easier: Compartmentalize with Color: Use silicone muffin cups to separate items and add a pop of color to the lunchbox. This prevents sogginess and makes the lunch visually appealing. Freeze for Freshness (and Function!): Freeze yogurt tubes or juice boxes overnight. They'll act as eco-friendly ice packs, keeping food cool until lunchtime, and will be perfectly thawed by the time your child is ready to eat. Cookie Cutter Fun: Use cookie cutters to transform ordinary sandwiches, cheese slices, or fruit into fun shapes like animals or silly faces. This simple trick makes lunch instantly more exciting! Add a Personal Touch: Slip in a sweet note, a funny joke, or a small drawing to remind your child you're thinking of them. These little gestures can brighten their day and make lunchtime extra special. By incorporating these creative ideas and simple tips, you can turn school lunch packing into a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your child. You can do them on your own for a daily lunchtime surprise, or let your kids get into the fun with you! Say goodbye to uneaten lunches and hello to happy, fueled-up learners!