Keep Kids Learning This Summer

The Sedgwick County Zoo offers a few different educational activities for kids during the day, like Zooper Kids, a recurring two-hour program for children in grades 1-5. This program occurs once a month from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., and each session features a different theme, and will highlight a zoo walk, a craft, and story time. On July 9, children are invited to come to the zoo and learn about Water Wonders. On August 13, the theme is Slithering Shiny Snakes. Registration is $8 per child for members, and $10 for nonmembers.  

For younger children, ages 3-5, the Zoo hosts Tot Tuesdays. This event runs from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Exploration Place, the Wichita Water Center and other area museums partner to make this event extra fun! Also held once a month, this event is open to siblings, but activities will be geared towards 3-5 year olds. This event is free and does not require preregistration. On July 26, children will learn about Thing That Go Bump in the Night, and on August 23 the program will take a look at farms!

To see more Sedgwick County Zoo events, click here.

Bring the kids out to Botanica for Sunny Days Storytime, offered every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. until August 25. This event features storytime, a garden exploration and a fun activity, and it’s included with admission or membership! The event will highlight a different nature-based story each day. This event is intended for aged two and over. Bring a blanket and pack a picnic to share after story time!

Botanica also offers Creative Craft Days this summer. Guests will be able to make art from nature at this program, with sessions beginning at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Intended for all students ages six and over, this program costs just $10 per child per session for members and just $12 for nonmembers. Dates and crafts are as follows:

July 6 – bug carriers
July 13 – seashell wind chimes
July 20 – fish prints: Gyotaku
July 27 – bead sun catchers

For more Botanica events, click here.

The Great Plains Nature Center offers a variety of Children’s programs this summer, like Naturally Crafty, which takes place on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. until noon. This free program is open to all ages, though children must be accompanied by an adult. Come out and make some natural crafts to remembers your visit!

The Nature Center also offers Story Time at 11 a.m. on Wednesdays. This free event is intended for ages 0-6, and will be held in the Koch Habitat Hall.

On Second Saturday, head to the Nature Center bright and early for an 8:00 a.m. Bird Walk! Members of the Wichita Audubon will join in the fun as you take a look at all of the birds of Chisholm Creek Park! There is no charge for this event. The next date for a Second Saturday Bird Walk is July 9.

View more GPNC events here.

The Wichita Art Museum offers Hot Art for Cool Kids on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The two-hour workshops will increase creativity and stretch imaginations as students learn and grow. Intended for ages 6-12, this event costs just $6 per child. The event’s theme will change every two weeks, allowing one week for individuals and families and one for large clubs or groups. Parental supervision is not necessary for individuals and families, but chaperones are required for organized groups.

More WAM events are available here.

Exploration Place offers a wide variety of educational daytime activities for kids of all ages.

At Exploration Place, children can learn about science through several different programs that are age-appropriate and fun!

To take a look at Exploration Place events and programs, click here.

Wichita's "Bug Lady" offers a variety of summer classes and camps for kids this summer. The Bug Lady's classes will teach children about early science fundamentals, examining things like why the sky is blue, where fire comes from, and how to transmute water into chocolate milk.

Offering a Saturday morning science class for ages four and up for $10 per child, a Tuesday Evening class for ages four and up at $40 per child per four week session, and a sensory science class for ages 0-3 for $40 per child per four week session, there are options for all ages. To learn more about the Bug Lady's classes, click here. 

The Wichita Public Library highlights several different activities for children to enjoy during the summer, like summer reading programs, story time and more.

These activities, and  others are available through Wichita’s libraries, and most are offered at little or no cost. These activities help your children to continue learning and growing throughout the summer without losing the reading skills they gained during the school year.  

To learn more about the activities offered through the Wichita Public Library, click here.

You can also keep your kids learning this summer by visiting some of Wichita's museums. 

Many local establishments also offer sleep-away and day camps for children to attend during the summer. For details, check out our blog on summer Camps!