Earth Day Events

The Sedgwick County Zoo gets in on the celebration early, hosting its annual Party for the Planet on Thursday, April 20. Presented by Meritrust and Black Hills Energy, the event runs from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and will offer free admission to all visitors. Featuring an environmental fair that highlights ways to care for and protect the planet, the fair will offer a variety of hands-on activities and interactive exhibits for children in third through fifth grades. The Sedgwick County Zoo is home to nearly 3,000 animals of 400 species. With sections devoted to North America, Africa, Asia, the Tropics and more, there’s plenty to see at the Sedgwick County Zoo.

On Earth Day, head out to the Wichita Art Museum for a special Earth Day Family ArtVenture! From 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., families are invited to come out for a free celebration of the magic of nature. There will be themed activities both indoors and outside in the Art Garden that are designed to teach all ages about Mother Earth. There will be special Earth Day exhibits and artmaking activities to enhance the experience. The Wichita Art Museum is the largest art museum in the state of Kansas, boasting a nationally-renowned permanent collection featuring nearly 7,000 works of art and a variety of rotating displays.

Though it’s not directly Earth Day-related, Wichita State University’s 24th Annual Spring Family Carnival falls on April 22 this year, so we’ve added it to our list.

From 1-4 p.m., families are invited to the Rhatigan Student Center’s East Patio where they can enjoy a variety of fun outdoor activities.

Including inflatables, face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides and much more, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

Take a trip to Botanica, where you and the kids can see over 4,000 different plant species! The scenic facility features 26 themed gardens including a train garden, a sound garden and a children’s garden for young visitors.

The butterfly garden allows visitors to walk through the home of hundreds of butterflies during the spring. Visit in April, and you’ll also have the opportunity to see the largest tulip display in the state! If you’re looking for a great way to enjoy the beauty of nature this Earth Day, visit Botanica between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The Great Plains Nature Center allows you to experience nature first hand as you walk along the trails that wind through Chisholm Creek Park. You’ll see a variety of native trees and plants, and if you’re lucky, you might see a few animals, too!

Inside the nature center, guests are able to take their experience a step further by learning about the diversity of wildlife and plants in Kansas and the Great Plains region through a variety of interactive exhibits and displays. The Great Plains Nature Center is totally free to visit, so it’s definitely worth checking out.

Wichita is home to over 100 city parks that are scenic, free to visit and great for kids. Some or our city’s parks offer extra-special features like the Kansas Wildlife exhibit at Riverside Park, which allows visitors to see up to 30 animals that are native to Kansas at no cost! Exhibits rotate, so you never know what cool critters you might get to experience! Riverside’s solar calendar is also a unique feature that’s great for earth day, as it can help explain seasonal changes to younger children. An animal encounter awaits at O.J. Watson Park, too, as children are able to ride ponies during certain times for a minimal fee. Spend the day outdoors with the family playing at a local park for a fun and memorable Earth Day.

Tanganyika Wildlife Park offers a great way to experience nature that expands beyond the Wichita Area. Located just outside of Wichita in Goddard, the Wildlife Park features an abundance of exotic animals from all over the globe. Whether you’re petting a kangaroo, riding a camel or feeding a lorikeet, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind experience with Tanganyika’s interactive encounters. If it’s been awhile since you visited, it’s a great time to go back. With a new Troublemakers’ Cove for penguins and otters, there are several new and adorable faces to see. Tanganyika also debuted a new pricing structure this season, making interactive experiences much easier. Check it out!

If you’re a disc golf lover, Earth Day is the perfect excuse to spend a Saturday on the course. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the sport, disc golf combines elements of both frisbee and golf.

With courses comprised of either nine or 18 holes, players must complete each hole in the lowest number of throws possible. The sport has been widely embraced in our community, with 15 courses in and around Wichita.

To learn how the game is played and where you can find a course near you, check out our Wichita Disc Golf blog.