Kansas Activities and Adventures with Kids

Located right in the heart of Dodge City, Boot Hill Museum is a fun museum that brings the Old West to life. Visitors can stroll along the Front Street boardwalk and peer through the windows to get a glimpse of days gone by, and there are also plenty of historical exhibits filled with historic artifacts that tell the story of the town's early days. During the summer, there are also historical interpreters, chuck wagon dinners, and gunfight reenactments. If you have a sweet tooth, you can pick up some fudge from the General Store or drink a cold Sarsaparilla at the saloon.

500 West Wyatt Earp Boulevard, Front St, Dodge City, KS 67801, Phone: 620-227-8188

Proudly affiliated with the Smithsonian Institute, the Cosmosphere: International Sci-Ed Center and Space Museum is a fascinating attraction for visitors of all ages. It boasts the world's largest collection of Russian and American spaceflight artifacts, allowing it to tell the story of the Space Race in a unique, unparalleled way, but this isn't the only thing you'll learn about here. Dr. Goddard's Lab brings rocket science to life with an explosive presentation, while the planetarium takes visitors on an exciting journey through the cosmos. Once a month, the museum also hosts a special family-friendly event with tours and hands-on demonstrations.

1100 N Plum St, Hutchinson, KS 67501, Phone: 800-397-0330

Created to encourage children to explore their creativity through play and problem solving, the Curious Minds Discovery Zone is the best family attraction Parsons. There's a wide variety of interactive play stations for children to enjoy, including a grocery store, a doctor's office, and a fort, and there are also STEM-based educational toys like a dinosaur dig, a space station, and microscopes for kids to use. It's also an excellent place to host birthday parties and other special events, particularly for younger children. The center is open Thursday through Sunday, and special prices are offered for groups.

1810 Main St, Parsons, KS 67357, Phone: 620-778-2657

Set on a welcoming 12-acre property, the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead offers the opportunity to interact with friendly farm animals and learn about the frontier days. More than 250 animals live here, and visitors can take a pony ride, bottle feed baby goats, and watch cows being milked in the dairy barn. There are also historical attractions like a working blacksmith shop, an old-fashioned photography parlor, and a replica one-room schoolhouse. The farm is open between the beginning of April and the end of October, and free admission is offered from 2 p.m. until close Monday through Thursday.

13800 Switzer Rd, Overland Park, KS 66221, Phone: 913-897-2360

The Wizard of Oz is one of the best-known and best-loved stories about Kansas, and at Dorothy’s House and Land of Oz, visitors can step right into the magical world that has been capturing heart for decades. Costumed guides playing the role of Dorothy herself lead guests on a tour through a replica of Dorothy's house before taking them through the Tornado Simulation Room to the Land of Oz. Here, a series of dioramas introduce characters and scenes from the movie. There's also a small display of memorabilia, which includes a replica pair of Ruby Slippers.

567 E Cedar St, Liberal, KS 67901, Phone: 620-624-7624

Sitting next to the Arkansas River in Wichita, Exploration Place is widely recognized as the best science center in Kansas. There are plenty of permanent exhibits to explore, including a Kansas in Miniature display and a shark exhibit with life-size shark models, and the Dome Theater regularly plays fascinating science films on its impressive 60-foot screen. There's also a special area in the museum for toddlers, and older children will particularly like the medieval-themed Where Kids Rule exhibit, which features over 60 hands-on activities designed to encourage kids to take an interest in math and science.

300 N McLean Blvd, Wichita, KS 67203, Phone: 316-660-0600

Housed inside the same building as the Oakley community library, the Fick Fossil and History Museum was created to showcase the wonderful fossil and art collection of the Fick family. More than 11,000 fossils and shark teeth are on display, but the highlight of the collection is a 15-foot mosasaur fossil, the oldest known fossil of its kind in the world. In addition to the fossil collection, the museum features a replica of the town's first General Store, an authentic sod house, and a variety of eclectic folk art created by one of the museum's founders.

700 W 3rd St, Oakley, KS 67748, Phone: 785-671-4839

Established in 1966, the Flint Hills Wildlife Refuge is a significant resting place for the waterfowl that migrate through Kansas in the spring and the fall. It's a spectacular place for birdwatching, but a variety of other mammals and reptiles live here as well, and there are three nature trails visitors can explore while keeping their eyes out for wildlife. Interpretive guided tours are sometimes offered for visitors of all ages, and the Visitor Center features some excellent exhibits covering topics like the conservation strategies used by the refuge and about the area's flora and fauna.

530 W Maple Ave, Hartford, KS 66854, Phone: 620-392-5553

Found in Wichita's Chisholm Creek Park, the Great Plains Nature Center is a beautiful 240-acre property that provides another great opportunity to learn about Kansas' native plants and wildlife. Hundreds of different species of mammals, reptiles, and birds can be found in the park, and visitors are encouraged to walk along the two-miles trail that meanders through the property to see how many different animals they can spot. Another must-do activity is visiting the Koch Habitat Hall, which features a large aquarium as well as exhibits and interactive displays about the climate and history of the area.

2200, 6232 East 29th St N, Wichita, KS 67220, Phone: 316-683-5499

The little city of Abilene is known as the Greyhound Capital of the United States, and there's no better place to learn about these special dogs than the Greyhound Hall of Fame. The exhibits introduce visitors to the history of greyhounds from ancient times to the present day, and there's also a Hall of Fame dedicated to the most impressive dogs in the sport. However, the highlight for many visitors is the chance to meet two friendly greyhounds, both of which are retired racing dogs. The museum is open seven days a week, and admission is by donation.

407 S Buckeye Ave, Abilene, KS 67410, Phone: 785-263-3000