kansas field trip ideas

11 Amazing Field Trips Every Kansan Took As A Kid... And Should Retake Now

Annie is a freelance writer, content editor, and marketing whiz with a background in broadcasting and a passion for chicken nachos.

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A few of my most fond memories of school involved leaving the premise and riding the bus to a new and exciting location. I, of course, am referring to school field trips, (AKA the greatest thing EVER). If you are a Kansas native, you may remember taking some of these epic field trips:

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33 Fun Field Trips & Things to Do: Plan Group Activities in KC

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Whether you’re a PTA member, an educator looking for fun field trip ideas, or a parent searching for educational activities for kids, you’re in the right place.

We’ve gathered fun field trip ideas and educational things to do with kids in and around Kansas City. So, start planning your field trip now!

Easily plan your field trip or group activities with this guide. Find field trip ideas, educational events, and options that will come to your group’s location—we’ve done the searching for you!

Also, find the Best Museums in Kansas City for more educational activities, or check out the After School Activities Guide ! If you’re looking for Fall Fun, pick apples at a local apple orchard . If you have younger children, check out the Preschools Guide !

What are Good Field Trip Ideas, Group Activities, and Educational Things to Do in and Around Kansas City?

Kansas and Missouri Field Trips and Group Activities:

Kansas city invention convention.

The Kansas City Invention Convention (KCIC), the region’s top invention competition, is open to Kansas City metro students in grades 5 through 12.

At KCIC, STEM meets invention and entrepreneurship. Students practice creative problem-solving to help invent our future, while educators are provided with a FREE project-based curriculum to inspire the innovators of tomorrow.

Educators can sign up today at KCInvent.org or email [email protected]

Learning2Fly  

Mission, KS

The habits of health are the focus of this field trip. Children will participate in aerial fitness & aerial yoga, an art project, the 7 Habits of Health, and hammocks!

If you are an educator, teacher, or administrator and would like to tour their aerial fitness studio to see what they offer, call 913-262-2600 or email [email protected] .

TasteBuds Kitchen

Leawood, KS

Learn to cook at TasteBud’s Kitchen! Their mission is to be the top culinary entertainment experience for kids, families, and adults by engaging budding chefs in the kitchen.

Any age can participate, with many kids-only classes available! Children as young as 2 can participate in parent-child programming.

Explore camps, classes, programs, parties, & other special events. If you have a scout group or homeschool group, organize a special event for them to learn culinary skills! They make the kitchen exciting, and we create it all from scratch—from pasta to sushi and everyone’s favorite cupcakes!

CW Par ker Carousel Museum

Leavenworth, KS

Open February through December, the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum celebrates all that is beautiful and good about carousels. Come explore restored carousels, carousel horses, and historically registered carousels.

All visitors and field trips are also invited to ride a 109-year-old carousel!

The C.W. Parker Carousel Museum is located in Leavenworth, KS, and is one of several museums sponsored by the Leavenworth Historical Museum Association. The Carousel Museum is a non-profit organization that operates through community donations and volunteer efforts. While you’re there, learn about entrepreneur Fred Harvey and his significant impact on business in Kansas. Grab your class and come visit the Carousel Museum today!

Ernie Mille r Nature Center

Ernie Miller Nature Center provides an opportunity for learning, understanding, and admiring nature’s ever-changing ways during educational field trips & group events.

The center offers a wide variety of educational opportunities, including cultural, historical, and environmental programs. Explore activities for all ages—perfect for classes, scout groups and troops, homeschool groups, and any group in between!

Midwest Trust Center Arts Ed

Overland Park, KS

Catch a theater performance at the Midwest Trust Center and learn about the arts! The shows are affordable and fun for students of all ages. Family shows are also offered in the evening for scout groups, team activities, or a fun family night.

There are performances from Messner Puppet Theatre, as well as concerts and other performances. You can find the upcoming school events here .

Daytime performances begin at 10:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. and cost $6 per person or $5 for school groups .

Lanesfield Historic Site

Edgerton, KS

The Lanesfield Historic Site offers the Farm Family Program for preschoolers to 3rd grade or the Living History Program for 4th and 5th graders.

Come experience the history of Kansas with your class or group and be taken back in time! You can complete registration forms online for Lanesfield  or the  Arts & Heritage Center , or contact the Museum’s Education Department at 913-715-2570 or  by email .

Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm

Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop allows students to discover history where it happened. During the field trip, kids participate in activities with animals, wagons, and the stagecoach!

School field trip programs are two hours long and are offered Tuesday through Friday in morning and afternoon sessions. You can also choose multiple programs to create a full-day field trip. Times are also flexible to accommodate bus and pick-up schedules.

• Half-day program: minimum of 20 students for $6 per student.
• Full-day program: minimum 20 students for $10 per student.
• $1 reduced admission per student for Title 1 schools

TimberRidge Adventure Center

TimberRidge Adventure Center (TRAC), offers a wide range of opportunities for families, friends, class field trips, and work groups. Activities will challenge students, teach better communication, solve problems, and work together. Team building activities are for everyone from Boy Scouts to executive boards. So,  experience fun and excitement in a non-competitive, safe and supportive atmosphere.

The challenge course features 28 low activities, a zip line (300 ft.), a climbing tower & 3 high climbing ropes activities. These allow participants to problem-solve & explore communication in high-intensity environments. You can also participate in other activities like fishing, canoes, paddle boats, archery & hiking!

Nerman Museum

3D art hunt & Saturday programs are just a few of the unique features at the Nerman Museum. The interactive art program is FREE, so be sure to check out this educational thing to do, no matter your group size!

You will explore how art connects with different mediums including literature, math & science.

Paint Glaze & Fire

Get creative for your next group outing or activity!

Paint, Glaze, & Fire is a great option for scout groups, girls’ night, team parties, and other group activities. They provide all the supplies, you just bring the creativity. Choose from a wide variety of projects to accommodate many group activity budgets!

This is the perfect option for creativity, fun, and savings. They have project options to fit every budget, so call 913-661-2529 today with questions or to schedule. Walk-in options are also available.

KC Watersports

KC Watersports is the best wakeboarding destination in the Midwest.  For beginners, they offer day camps and lessons to perfect your skills.  Experts won’t find a more challenging set of rails, ramps, and sliders anywhere in the region.

For the family and groups, they have a shaded beach, where you can relax and watch the kids ride or play. Their Surf Shop is well stocked with the best gear in the industry, with rental equipment available. All skill levels are encouraged, so plan your visit to KCW with your group and enjoy some active fun in the sun!

Ce ramic Café

Ceramic Cafe is a paint-your-own-pottery and glass fusing studio serving the Kansas City area. The helpful staff at Ceramic Cafe will guide your group through the creative process using ceramic techniques and supplies to create artistic masterpieces.

If you’re looking for a place to host your next group outing or class field trip, Ceramic Cafe is the place for you. They also donate to charitable groups and can help your school or organization with a fundraising project.

Come to paint your pottery piece or create a beautiful work of glass in their vibrant Leawood, Kansas studio. The process to paint, glaze, and fire your masterpiece takes about a week.

Johnson County Museum

Kids in Kindergarten & older can attend historically rich programs from the Johnson County Museums – learning about their own city! There are multiple programs available for children:

• Community Helpers
• History Detectives
• Community Planners Challenge

School of Economics

Blue Springs, MO, and Kansas City, MO

Students engage through real-world learning to promote lifelong financial capabilities. SOE helps students to understand and apply basic marketplace concepts and skills and exposes them to business-related careers. While at SOE, students learn experientially about:

• Having jobs and managing their earned money
• Working as a business team
• Producing and selling merchandise (supply and demand)

Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center     

Kansas City, MO

The Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center is a unique, hands-on, urban conservation education center. Located in the heart of KC, it is near a large portion of schools.

The Discovery Center offers free educational field trips that follow curriculum standards for your school. Educational programs provide a variety of hands-on learning experiences and workshops for your class or group, including a butterfly garden, bird feeding garden, and Grow Native demonstrations including prairie wildflowers, wetland, water garden, and manicured upland and lowland forests.

Additionally, families and groups are welcome to attend any of the demonstrations, activities, and self-guided hikes available at the center. There are also tours of the building and grounds showing environmentally friendly ways to build an urban environment in harmony with nature.

The Discovery Center also has a 0.25 mile disabled-accessible sidewalk that takes visitors through the Grow Native Gardens on the site.

Kansas City Young Audiences     

Almost 200 artists work with KCYA to bring educational arts programs to schools, community centers, hospitals & libraries throughout the KC metro.

You can find many different activities including live performances, art workshops, after-school programs & artist residencies for every age range. These programs are available for nearly all arts, as well as many academic subjects.

KCYA’s School and Community Programs reinforce core curriculums for your grade level & promote art in children. Come get creative while practicing problem-solving skills at their educational art programs!

Kemper Outdoor Education Center   

Blue Springs, MO

The Kemper Outdoor Education Center staff offers guided interpretive programs for classroom field trips, youth groups, and organizations. In April, May, and September, the X-Stream Green field trip program offers multi-station outdoor education for 1st to 6th-grade classrooms. The interpretive staff conducts programs on Snakes, Bats, Skins and Skulls, Butterflies, Birds and Binoculars, Fishing, Recycling, Nature Hikes, and much more.

Inside the Nature Center, you’ll find rock and fossil exhibits, a natural resource library, and mounted examples of native wildlife. The grounds feature nature trails, butterfly and water gardens, wildlife viewing areas, an arboretum, a shelter house, a large pond, and a day camp site. The Outdoor Classroom offers a valuable resource for hands-on environmental education. Hikers on the Habitat Trail can explore a variety of ecology: wetland, prairie, woodland, and cactus glade. Self-guided tours are free of charge.

Missouri Town 1855

Lee’s Summit, MO

See what a progressive farming community, spread across some 30 sloping acres, looked like in the mid-1800s. Missouri Town 1855 is composed of more than 25 buildings dating from 1820 – 1860. This living history museum uses original structures, furnishings, and equipment. Also depicting the 19th Century lifestyles are interpreters in period attire, authentic field and garden crops, and rare livestock breeds.

Explore an authentic Missouri town during your next field trip or event for an excursion your group will never forget. Visit professional living history interpreters on this self-guided tour.

Burr Oak Woods   

Discover the beauty of nature with the Missouri Department of Conservation at Burr Oak Woods Nature Center in Blue Springs. The nature center offers free programs and activities for classes, troops, field trips, and groups throughout the fall and winter. The center also hosts activities, classes, and events for families and individuals.

Families and groups are also welcome to visit the center to explore the nature center’s open savannas, prairies, and woodland areas during visiting hours. For more information, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation’s website and be sure to check out their “Nature & You” newsletter to stay up to date on nature programs and events happening in the Kansas City, Missouri region.

Lecompton Historical Society

Lecompton, MO

Lecompton Historical Society would like to extend an open invitation for you to take a step back in time, to look at the rich heritage that led to the formation of their town and the State of Kansas.

Come explore the Lecompton Territorial Museum for your next field trip or group event and learn about Kansas history up through today! Lecompton was founded in 1854 and in 1855, the town became the permanent and only official capital of the Kansas Territory.

During the group activity, you will participate in a “Bleeding Kansas” play, set in the 1850s. So, you will be right in the middle of the action!

College Basketball Experience

Come discover and play while learning! Kids can explore college basketball in interactive experiences in downtown Kansas City.

Kids can shoot hoops, try to beat the clock, and even be a sportscaster! But it’s not just fun, learn about the history, and walk through the Gallery of Honor and Mentor’s Circle. They also offer group discounts for your class or group.

Sunset Trails Stables

Sunset Trails Stables offers field trip opportunities for a number of organizations including daycare facilities, elementary and home schools, Girl Scouts & Boy Scouts, church youth groups, and many others.

Field trips are available all days of the week, rain or shine, and include two hours of instruction from our staff. You can also eat lunch at the picnic area before or after the field trip. Visitors are encouraged to bring lunch and/or snacks.

The cost is $10 per person for two-hour field trips that include horseback riding. If they do not include horseback riding is $7 per person. Prices are for children and adults regardless of age. All field trip participants are required to have a release form signed by their parent or guardian prior to the day of the field trip. Release forms can be picked up at the Sunset Trails Stables office or printed online. Riding helmets will be provided. Closed-toed shoes are required.

Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch

Liberty, MO

Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch is Kansas City’s Original Pumpkin Patch and a “must-visit” fall destination! With easy access from all parts of the Kansas City area, Carolyn’s is just 2 miles south of Liberty, Missouri. The farm offers the freedom of a self-guided tour around the Pumpkin Patch to allow educators the opportunity to work within their school or group’s curriculum.

School tours include…

* A special book reading featuring the “Spookley the Square Pumpkin” series

* Wagon rides through acres of our pumpkin fields

* Pie pumpkin picking

Students will also enjoy a tractor-drawn wagon ride, a pie pumpkin, a honey stick, and Carolyn’s award-winning coloring book (available in 8 languages). Also offered at the Patch are Uncle Earl’s Educational Mining Camp & School Tours, options for homeschool groups and families, as well as activities for special needs children. Visit Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch online for further details about all of their offerings during pumpkin season.

Fort Osage  

Journey back to a time when Missouri was “out West” in the wilderness, and experience the lives of the men and women who pioneered the American frontier. Authentically dressed characters provide living-history insights into the daily life of both the military and civilian populations during the tour.  

Built in 1808 under the direction of William Clark, co-leader of the Lewis and Clark expedition, the Fort served a dual role. It was both a military garrison and trade center. Overlooking the Missouri River, this historic site has been reconstructed to portray Fort Osage as it was in 1812. Your group will be transported in time to experience true frontier life.  

Wayside Waifs

If your group loves animals, plan a field trip at Wayside Waifs!

Their “No More Bullying!” anti-bullying programs focus on preventing violence against animals and people. Visit them online to learn more about the violence prevention program & how to book your group.

Kaleidoscope

Your class will get creative when they visit Kaleidoscope. This local fave is free and full of endless creativity.

Kauffman Center

The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts has a variety of educational experiences. Tickets are only $2. Contact [email protected] for more details.

Urban Air Adventure Park

With two locations, Lenexa and Overland Park, Urban Air Adventure Park is a great field trip option for your class. There are warrior courses, zip lining, trampolines, and more.

Lee’s Summit and Kansas City

Sky Zone is a must for field trips. They have two locations across the metro and your class will definitely enjoy features like their SkySlam, Ultimate Dodgeball, SkyJoust, Ninja Warrior Course, and more.

YaYa’s Alpaca Farm

YaYa’s Alpaca Farm is another metro favorite. They offer tours all year round for large and small groups. This is a great option for animal lovers and a unique field trip experience.

Science City

Kansas City

Science City at Union Station is THE best place to get hands-on science. Your class can explore the world around them including the way we move, think, and more. Science City is a must-visit for your class.

Other Fun Online Resources & Activities:

You can also check out the Field Trip Guide Book to read online!

• The Best Subscription Boxes for Kids – cooking, art, science, sports & more.
• Best Homeschool Programs & Curriculum (most online)
• Free Disney Imagineering Course for Kids – Build your own theme park!
• Companies providing free subscriptions to their educational programs !
• Library programs for families – all free!
• Free Educational Websites for Kids to practice STEM concepts. You can find educational companies here too.
• Our favorite museums in KC

We’re so grateful to live in a city with so many incredible resources, activities, & opportunities for your young learners, troops, and field trip groups.

We invite you to use this guide full of field trip ideas as you plan your school year and SHARE, SHARE, SHARE with teachers, troop leaders, after-school programs, and any parent planning educational and fun activities to do in Kansas City for their kids!

For more educational resources, KC things to do & kids activities sent right to your inbox, sign-up for The Scoop .

From our family to yours, iFamilyKC.

Tags: Blue Springs Bonner Springs Downtown Independence Kansas City, MO Leawood Lee's Summit Lenexa Liberty Mission Oak Grove Olathe Overland Park Shawnee

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Kansas Field Trips

Field trips are a great way to reboot a bad homeschooling week, get out of the house when everyone has cabin fever, and learn about your local area. Before heading out, check out Jeanne's tips for improving homeschool field trips .

Our listing of Kansas field trips for homeschoolers is ordered alphabetically by city. If you would like to submit a Kansas field trip destination, you may do so using the red button above.

You will be greeted by our resident greyhounds, both retired racers. These greyhounds only chase after your heart and affection. Meeting a greyhound close up and personal will prepare you for an experience like no other. Walk through a story book of history and heroes. We are open 7 days a week, 9 to 5 daily.

Greyhound Hall of Fame website

( Update this listing )

The Eisenhower Library is a national repository for the preservation of historical papers, audiovisual materials and the artifacts relating to Dwight D. Eisenhower and his times. The Eisenhower Presidential Center in Abilene, Kansas commemorates the spirit of the Allied Expeditionary Forces of World War II, as well as the administration of the 34th President of the United States. The Eisenhower family home is at the center of the complex. This simple frame structure is typical of the late 19th century Kansas family dwellings.

Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum website

The Seelye Mansion is one of the finest homes in Kansas. A New York architect designed the new home in Georgian style for Dr. and Mrs. A.B. Seelye in 1904. It was built in 1905 at a cost of $55,000. The mansion contains the original furniture and Edison light fixtures. You will tour 25 rooms, including eleven bedrooms, ballroom, bowling alley, and kitchen areas. Special items of interest are the beautiful dining room, music room with gold French furniture and Steinway Grand piano, library, and the Tiffany-designed fireplace in the grand hall.

Seelye Mansion website

The eight rooms depict life in Anthony and the surrounding area in the late 1800's and early 1900's permanent and rotating displays. Our permanent displays include a bedroom and other memorabilia of four generations of the Small family, a parlor, a music room, clothing room, kitchen & laundry room, hospital room, nursery, and a large assortment of farm implements, and machinery. Exhibits that rotate are collections of all types, civic and service organizations histories, transportation & communication, and school displays. There's also an ever-expanding collection of railroad memorabilia.

Historical Museum of Anthony website

The museum contains artifacts and photographs relating to the Cherokee Strip Land Rush of September 16, 1893, early Arkansas City, Native American Artifacts and Pioneer Artifacts.

Cherokee Strip Land Rush website

The Museum concentrates on telling the history of the local area. It presents samples of those things used by pioneer families in daily living in this cattle grazing country. Furnishings range from a country store with its cracker barrel and array of merchandise, to collections of fossils, stones, and barb wire. A rare display of pre-historic animal bones excavated near Ashland is said to compare favorably to ones found in the Smithsonian Institution. Furnishings used in schools, banks, churches, hospitals, funeral parlors, real estate shops, harness shops, barber shops, and different rooms of homes are displayed.

Pioneer-Krier Museum website

Recently renovated and updated, this 25-room mansion is a glorious example of the opulence of the Victorian era. Built in 1882, it is distinguished by a three-story castle-like tower. Ornate fireplaces, carved woodwork and original chandeliers mix with Victorian furnishings. The carriage house features a gift store and a small theatre in which a film on the architecture of Atchison can be viewed.

Evah C. Cray Historical Home Museum website

Annually, thousands of visitors tour the National Historic Site to learn about the life of one of the world's most influential female aviators.

Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum website

A one-of-a-kind museum, located in Baxter Springs, our 20,000 square foot facility allows us to interpret regional history from all time periods, including American Indian, African American, military and war, domestic life, mining, Route 66, as well as multiple others. Come by and discover for yourself the amazingly rich, layered history of this region

The Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum website

The "Belleville High Banks" has brought exciting races to the "Crossroads of America" for nearly a century. This track, famed as the "fastest 1/2 mile dirt track in the world," has brought the top drivers from all around the world to compete. To recognize the long lasting tradition and prestige of various racing events held at the track, the "High Banks Hall of Fame and National Midget Auto Racing Museum" is being built to capture and remember racing personalities, memorabilia, and display race cars that influenced the historic racing community.

Highbanks Hall of Fame National Midget Auto Racing Museum website

The Historical Society was established to preserve the history of Republic County.

Republic County Historical Society Museum website

The Museum's display space of over 14,000 sq. feet, features one of the largest antique doll collections in the state of Kansas. Other features include a restored 1896 One Room Country Schoolhouse, a restored 1895 Country Church which is available for weddings and other community events, and a restored Conestoga Wagon.

Coffey County Historical Society & Museum website

Garnering state and national awards, the Safari Museum®, has been named the No. 1 Museum in Kansas. The museum started with a core collection of the Johnsons' films, photographs, manuscripts, articles, books, and personal belongings donated by Osa's mother. The museum is the main center for the collection and distribution of information concerning the lives and accomplishments of Martin and Osa Johnson. There are two main galleries, one presenting the Johnsons' story and another of African ethnographic exhibits. The 30 seat Snark Theater, shows visitors a wide selection of the Johnsons' documentary films and programs about Martin and Osa produced all over the world.

Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum website

The Souders Historical Museum depicts what life was like in Cheney and rural Kansas in the late 1880s and early 1900s. There are a number of buildings on the Farm, including a Main Street, several businesses, a school, a church, a homesteaders cabin, and train depots from both Cheney and neighboring Garden Plain. The buildings contain a variety of artificacts, historical photos and educational materials.

Souder Historical Museum website

The park features a park office, marina's, electrical hookup sites with water, camp sites, dump stations, boat ramps with launching lanes, courtesy docks, fish cleaning stations, modern pit toilets, shower houses, shelter with restrooms, large group shelters, medium group shelters, small picnic shelters, a group camping area with 20 utility sites, a large shelter and a restroom; 2 nature trails; and 7 modern cabins.

Cheney State Park website

The Clay County Historical Museum is dedicated to preserving the early history of Clay County. Art, antiques, collector's items are displayed in the following rooms: The Country School, Old Fashioned Parlor, Kitchen, Minerals, Gems, Library, Chapel, Musical Instruments, Military, Primitive, Bedroom, Clothing and Children's Toy Room.

Clay County Historical Museum website

In 1892, five members of the infamous Dalton Gang-Grat, Bob, and Emmett Dalton, Bill Power, and Dick Broadwell .. attempted to rob a bank. - In 1954 a museum was dedicated to the citizens who defended the town from the Dalton Gang.

Dalton Defenders Museum website

The Prairie Museum of Art and History serves as a cultural center on the High Plains of Kansas, providing the opportunity for the public to learn about art and history through its collections, in order to make a difference in their lives.

Prairie Museum of Art and History website

The Museum preserves and exhibits objects and documents of historical items representing early day Kansas. It is housed in the former 1908 Carnegie Library building and a large new annex. The treasures of Cloud County are exhibited for your viewing - nature, radio, railroads, quilts, photography, toys, vintage clothing and furniture, musical instruments, fossils, tools, and stained glass. Records are on display of the military Prisoner of War Camp, churches, organizations, schools, and businesses. Displays of glass cutting, rare coins and books, rock and gem shop, micro-film of county newspapers and many others too numerous to list. Large displays in the annex include the "must see" 1908 Lincoln-Page Airplane, a 1898 Holsman belt driven horseless carriage, and a 1915 Model T Ford.

Cloud County Historical Society Museum website

The Kaw Mission is more than just a museum that tells the story of the building that was home and school to thirty Kaw boys from 1851--1854 -- it is a tribute to the Kaw (or Kansa) Indians, who gave our state its name. The Kaw lived in the Neosho Valley for less than thirty years when, despite an impassioned plea by Chief Allegawaho, the U.S. government removed the Kaw to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). Learn more about Chief Allegawaho, the Kaw Indians, others who lived in the area, and their stories when you visit the Kaw Mission.

Kaw Mission website

The Kansas Teachers' Hall of Fame is the first one of its kind in the United States. It is dedicated to the early and present day teachers who have devoted their lives to this fine profession.

Kansas Teacher's Hall of Fame website

In an 1882 bird's-eye view of Dodge City, the Mueller-Schmidt House is proudly perched atop a hill northeast of town, alone in its new splendor and surrounded by a yard planted with trees. Built to be one of the most splendid homes in Dodge City, Ford County's "Home of Stone" lives up to this, even today. It remains the lone stone house in Dodge City, elegant in its simplicity of line. It can also claim the distinction of being the oldest building in Dodge City that is still on its original site.

The Mueller-Schmidt House Museum website

Live the Legend of the West at Boot Hill Museum - Boot Hill Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the history of Dodge City and the Old West. Dodge City was founded in 1872 and quickly became the world's largest shipping point for Longhorn cattle. Dodge was the wildest of the early frontier towns, but law and order was soon established with the help of men such as Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp,and Bill Tilghman. Dodge City was a town that persisted and grew, and still honors its western heritage.

Boot Hill Museum website

Historic pioneer artifacts in period rooms.

Douglass Historical Museum website

The Lanesfield School Historic Site continues the tradition of one-room schools in Kansas. A costumed schoolteacher leads site tours and conducts 1904 lessons in the schoolhouse. The Lanesfield School Historic Site serves area school groups with a variety of programs, including an award-winning living history program that transports students back to a school day in 1904.

Lanesfield School Historic Site website

The Coutts Memorial Museum of Art houses over one thousand objects of art, including original paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings. Art works for the museum were purchased mainly by Warren Hall Coutts, Jr. who traveled extensively and purchased works from art auctions all over the world. The collection includes works from Russia, China, France, Holland, England and South America. One delightful aspect of the museum is the atmosphere. Visitors have the feeling of being in a private collector's home, instead of a museum. Tasteful antique furnishings, some of which belonged to the Coutts family, antique Persian rugs and artful arrangements set the mood for leisurely, relaxed browsing.

Coutts Memorial Museum of Art website

The Kansas Oil Museum is the leading museum dedicated to the discovery and development of the oil industry in Kansas. Enjoy indoor exhibits on farming, ranching and oil; a hand-on children's area, Texaco Theater and Kansas Oil and Gas Legacy Gallery

Butler County History Center & Kansas Oil Museum website

The park consists of four primary campgrounds which include the following amenities: a full service marina; a sailing club; approximately 1000 campsites, some with utilities some without; picnic shelters; rental cabins; trails for horses, hiking and bicycles; swim beaches; shower houses and restrooms; ADA playgrounds; boat ramps and a laundry facility.

El Dorado State Park website

the MCHS Museum was designated as an Official Interpretive Facility for the Santa Fe Historical Trail by the National park Service. A visit to the Morton County Historical Society Museum is an exploration in history. As you enter the museum, you will note the beautiful paintings around the room, depicting the history of Morton County. All are painted by local artists, reflecting pride in sturdy pioneer ancestors.

Morton County Historical Society Museum website

Construction of Cedar Bluff Reservoir began in April of 1949 with the intention of providing flood control, irrigation and recreation. Cedar Bluff State Park is divided into two, unique areas along the shorelines of Cedar Bluff Reservoir. The Bluffton Area, on the north shore, provides nearly 350 acres for visitors.

Cedar Bluff State Park website

The mission of the Lyon County Museum and Historical Society is to provide education and research, and to promote the appreciation of our unique heritage through the preservation, exhibition, and interpretation of artifacts and archival material representing the history of Lyon County, Kansas. Our current Museum holdings include over 150,000 items of Lyon County history spanning from 1865 to the present.

Lyon County Historical Society website

The David Traylor Zoo provides visitors with opportunities of cultural enrichment through conservation, education and recreation.

David Traylor Zoo website

In the 19th century Americans wanted more land, and settlement moved west. As white settlers satisfied a thirst for land, countless American Indians faced the end of a traditional way of life. Shawnee Mission was one of many established as a manual training school attended by boys and girls from Shawnee, Delaware, and other Indian nations from 1839 to 1862. Visit this 12-acre National Historic Landmark and learn the stories of those who lived there.

Shawnee Indian Mission website

There are two recorded archaeological sites within the park's boundaries, including remnants of a 19th-century U. S. military outpost. An interpretive trail connects the park with the Kansas Department of Wildlife & park' Farlington Fish Hatchery, which was built shortly after the CCC completed construction of the lake.

Crawford State Park website

Fort Leavenworth, the oldest active Army post west of the Mississippi River, has served the needs of our nation since 1827. Fort Leavenworth played a key roll in the country's westward expansion and served as a forward destination for tens of thousands of Soldiers, surveyors, emigrants, Native Americans, preachers and settlers who passed through.

Fort Leavenworth Frontier Army Museum website

Fort Scott is a restored 1840s military fort that tells the story of the site's role in Westward Expansion, Bleeding Kansas, and the Civil War. Fort Scott served as a major supply depot for Union armies in the West, a general hospital for soldiers in the region and a haven for people fleeing the war-displaced Indians, escaped slaves, and white farmers. The website offers a movie link.

Fort Scott National Historic Site website

Features unique to the Galena Museum are a large display of mineral specimens, mining equipment and a model of the Grand Central Mine which was located just east of Galena in Central City, Missouri. Also featured is a collection of oil paintings titled "Abandoned Mine Scenes" by local artist Carol Bliss-Riley. Originally displayed in the Smithsonian Institution from 1969 and 1974 the painting depict old mine scenes from the Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma area. Her husband, DeVaughn, made most of the frames from wood from the buildings being depicted in each picture.

Galena Mining & Historical Museum website

The Lee Richardson Zoo is often referred to as an oasis on the plains. Over 300 animals representing 110 species are displayed at the zoo, ranging from the elusive snow leopard to the flashy and fancy flamingo.

Lee Richardson Zoo website

With its own settlement roots dating back to 1857, Gardner, Kansas holds a unique distinction among American cities. Setting at the major intersection of the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails, Gardner's rich heritage has allowed us to create the first national museum dedicated to reverse mortgages. For those of you that ever make it on this way back trail, step in and visit our museum of Reverse Mortgages.

Gardner Historical Museum website

The trail is a hard packed limestone screening surface in rural areas. Portions of the trail are asphalted through Garnett and Ottawa. The trail averages a minimum of 8 feet wide. The grades are moderate and follow original railroad grades.

Prairie Spirit Trail State Park website

Glen Elder State Park offers nearly unlimited recreational opportunities. Take your pick-swimming, boating, hiking, volleyball, softball and bike riding.

Glen Elder State Park website

The museum complex was established to preserve the artifacts from early households, farms, schools, churches and the hospital in the local Mennonite community. The museum was erected as a living tribute to the forefathers of the Goessel community who settled this area. It tells the story of the Mennonite families who left Russia for religious freedom in 1874 and chose the Kansas plains for their new home. The museum complex consists of eight buildings, including the Immigrant House and the Turkey Red Wheat Palace. Six historic buildings from the community have been moved to the museum for preservation and restoration. The Museum Store in the Immigrant House features a variety of ethnic cookbooks, local history books, wheat weaving and other handmade craft gift items.

Mennonite Heritage Museum website

Established in 1959, the High Plains Museum is owned and operated by the City of Goodland. In 1979 an addition was added to the building in order to house a full-sized, automated replica of America's First Patented Helicopter. The High Plains Museum's collection of over 8,000 objects lets adventurers of all ages discover the past for themselves. Six HO scale dioramas tell the stories of the Kidder Massacre in 1867 and of the early pioneer's struggle to survive in an often harsh environment. Perrmanent exhibits tell the story of the individuals and groups who have lived here -- from the pioneer family in their soddie to the businessman in town. Events like the depression, the dustbowl, rainmakers, and the story of the early years of transportation are chronicled as well.

High Plains Museum website

Visit the Barton County Historical Society Museum and Village for a fascinating glimpse into the past. Located on five acres, just south of Great Bend on US Highway 281, across the Arkansas River Bridge, the Village boasts several authentically furnished period buildings and collections which tell the story of this area from the Paleo Period through the Indian Wars to World War II and beyond.

Barton County Historical Society Museum and Village website

Since 1965, the Kansas Learning Center for Health has partnered with schools in Kansas. By adhering to the Kansas State Science & Health Standards and emphasizing tobacco and drug free living, the Learning Center has developed classes that actively engage students in learning. Multimedia exhibits and engaging activities enable everyone to explore the wonders of the human body. Our format also allows teachers to pick the option best suited to their lesson objectives. The Learning Center is home to Valeda, too. Valeda, the transparent talking woman, has been sharing her story with thousands of students since 1965. Visit the Center to see Valeda, one of the few life-size, transparent, anatomical mannequins in the United States.

Kansas Learning Center for Health website

View our history in the Main Gallery, from Wild West through World War II. Visit our Saloon and learn to play Faro, a popular card game in the old west. As always our Learning Center for children of all ages is open for learning fun with try-on clothes, old-time toys, farm animals, diorama, and much more. The Stone Chapel, built in 1879, is one of the oldest church buildings in the area and the site of our annual temporary exhibits. The Harness Shop, an original store from the early 1900s located on the museum grounds, displays saddles and other related items, telling the story of Ellis County ranchers. Our replica Volga German Haus, also located on the museum grounds, tells the story of Ellis County's largest immigrant group, the Volga Germans, who settled in Ellis County after living in Russia for 100 years.

Ellis County Historical Society Museum website

Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant John Denny, served at Fort Hays from January 1882 to December 1884. He and the rest of the African American "Buffalo Soldiers" are part of the rich history of Fort Hays that includes names like Generals George A. Custer, Nelson Miles, and Philip Sheridan; Major Reno; William "Buffalo Bill" Cody; and James B. "Wild Bill" Hickok. Established in 1865 in the land of the Cheyenne and Arapaho, the fort protected railroad workers and travelers on the Smoky Hill Trail. Here you will learn more about the soldiers and the people they were protecting.

Fort Hays website

The Sternberg Museum of Natural History collections include one of the finest scientific collections of Pternadon material, the largest collection of fossil seeds, and a truly outstanding collection of Cretaceous fossils. The museum also features a realistic Cretaceous diorama. Among these fascinating exhibits is the museum's most noted specimens of an extremely well preserved Gillicus with a Xyphactinus collected by George F. Sternberg in 1952, known world wide as the fish-with-in-a-fish.

Sternberg Museum website

The Brown County Agriculture Museum is home to many different features of life on the farm. Some of the exhibits include a miniature farm, a train caboose, a collection of antique tractors, antique gas powered engines, and the famous "Windmill Lane." Call (785) 742-3702 for more information.

Brown County Agriculture Museum website

An elegant 1909 Edwardian Queen Anne style House, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Museum includes a Carriage House, and spacious park like grounds. Among other aspects, the historic Schaeffler house features double parlors, a wonderful formal dining room, and a turn of the century kitchen, all remaining as the original occupants of the house left them.

William F. Schaeffler House Museum website

The Mennonite Settlement Museum celebrates that facet of the American mosaic represented by the Russian and Polish refugee Mennonites from eastern Europe who settled here in the early 1870s. Two of these villages, Hoffnungsthal and Gnadenau, are represented at the Mennonite Settlement Museum by the Peter Paul Loewen House and the Jacob Friesen Mill, respectively.

Mennonite Settlement Museum website

Beginning in 1860 the Pony Express operated like a giant relay race between the Missouri river and the Pacific coast. Along the Oregon trail, through Forts Laramie and Bridger, around the Great Salt Lake, riders carried the mail through a wilderness infested with hostile tribes. Their mounts were Indian ponies, nearly 500 altogether, kept in relay stations 15 miles apart. At each station two minutes was allowed for transferring saddlebags to a fresh pony. Every few stations a new rider took over. Day and night, summer and winter, over sun-baked plains and icy mountain trails, the schedule was maintained. When the trans- continental telegraph line replaced the express, ponies and riders had made the remarkable record of 18 months with only one mail lost. The Hollenberg or Cottonwood Ranch House four miles north, built in 1857, is said to be the only original and unaltered Pony Express station. It is now owned by the state.

Hollenberg Pony Express Station website

The Stevens County Gas & Historical Museum was dedicated on May 16, 1961. It was established as a memento of the Hugoton Gas Field and the progressive development of Stevens County. Currently, the gas well, drilled in 1945, is still producing. The 1945 well equipment is on display at the site of the well. The main museum building houses displays of early 1900 furnishings including a chapel, dining room, parlor, kitchen, and a sewing room. Also, in the main buildings displays of Indian artifacts, farming tools, a printing and western shop, and art room bring back life in the days of long ago.

Stevens County Gas & Historical Museum website

The Museum offers a wide variety of interesting educational opportunities for all ages. Special programs and tours for schools, clubs, and organizations are available.

Reno County Museum website

At the Cosmosphere, visitors hear the non-biased, definitive story of the Space Race. With a U.S. space artifact collection second only to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the largest collection of Russian space artifacts outside of Moscow, the Hall of Space Museum is known by space enthusiasts worldwide.

Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center website

The Hutchinson Zoo has an animal collection of over 160 animals mostly native to Kansas. The zoo also runs an animal rehab program treating over 500 animals each year.

Hutchinson Zoo website

Sand Hills State Park, a 1,123 acre natural area, has been preserved fro its sand dunes, grasslands, wetlands, and woodlands. Popular activites at the park are hiking and horseback riding. Other activities include hunting, bird watching, wildflower walks, jogging and just simple relaxation in the country.

Sand Hills State Park website

The Independence Historical Museum preserves the history and enriches culture of the community, promotes the arts, develops activities that will enhance education and provides enjoyment to the community and its visitors.

Independence Historical Museum website

Elk City State Park is a public park designed for recreational purposes.

Elk City State Park website

Boyhood home and Museum.

Major General Frederick Funston Home website

Stanton County Museum plays a vital role in the community by collecting, preserving, sharing, and interpreting the county's history and heritage through exhibits, programs, and research files in a manner that is open and accessible to county residents and visitors.

Stanton County Museum website

A Victorian-era parlor and a Kansas farm kitchen of the 1920's house a variety of related displays. Artistic and accurate clothing exhibits, a display of quality Plains Indian artifacts and pioneer farm implements with educational, "hands-on" segments are also very popular with visitors.

Geary County, Kansas Historical Society & Museum website

A trip to Grinter Place isn't just a look inside the oldest home in Wyandotte County, it's a step back to the days of frontier life along the Kansas and Missouri border. Overlooking the historic Delaware Crossing on the Kansas River, Grinter Place was the home to Annie and Moses Grinter. Annie, A Lenape Indian, helped to farm, raise poultry and livestock, and planted an apple orchard. Moses operated a ferry and a trading post, where he traded with the Lenape Indians. Learn how life in Kansas changed dramatically through the stories of Annie and Moses when you visit the stately Grinter Place.

Grinter Place website

Agriculture touches the lives of every living person. The food we eat, the clothes we wear, the way of life that developed the values, economy, and culture of our nation all find root in agriculture. Yet, today, few people understand or appreciate agriculture as the dynamic and pervasive force that has shaped our nation's past and that will shape the world's future. To awaken people to the importance of agriculture and help them understand and appreciate its influence, agribusiness leaders of the 1950's, in Kansas City and throughout the country, envisioned the creation of the nation's premier center for agriculture. To this end, the focus of the proposed institution would be the American farmer and farming and would include not only the rural heritage which has been so influential in shaping America, but also the science and technology of farming that are shaping our world of tomorrow.

National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame website

The Wyandotte County Museum staff works to identify, collect, preserve, interpret and disseminate material and information pertaining to history in order to assist the public in understanding, appreciating and assisting in the preservation of the heritage of our city and county.

Wyandotte County Historical Museum website

Limestone fenceposts were the early homesteader's answer to the shortage of wooden fenceposts on the nearly treeless prairies of north central Kansas. Throughout the 1870's and 1880's fenceposts cost 25 cents each (delivered to the fence line). Each 5-6 foot post weighed about 250-450 pounds. Thousands of posts still stand throughout the area. In addition to its use in fences, the attractive striped stone was used in constructing hundreds of homes, schools, churches, and bridges, giving the towns of post rock country a distinctive look. The exhibits of the Post Rock Museum describe:Post rock limestone and its geology. The tools and technology used to quarry it. The uses of post rock. Stories about post rock.

Post Rock Museum website

In 1974, the museum property, one-half city block, was given to the Kearny County Historical Society by Jennie Rose O'Loughlin, daughter of John and Mary O'Loughlin. John O'Loughlin was the county's first permanent white settler, coming here in the spring of 1873 to establish a trading post beside the Santa Fe Trail. The complex consists of the museum building and annex, the White House, the schoolhouse, depot and a metal building to house farm equipment.

Kearny County Historical Museum website

With nine beautifully restored buildings Fort Larned NHS gives you a chance to experience military life on the Santa Fe Trail. Established on the vast prairie in western Kansas, troops stationed at Fort Larned protected mail coaches, freighters and other Trail traffic. As the site of an Indian Agency, Fort Larned also was instrumental in maintaining friendly relations with Plains Indians.

Fort Larned National Historic Site website

The Santa Fe Trail Center is a unique educational institution devoted to the interpretation of the historic transportation route known as the Santa Fe Trail. This regional museum and library preserves artifacts and manuscripts related to the blending of the major cultures along the Trail and enhances understanding of the continued development of the Trail. Interrelated interpretive exhibits, learning programs and resource materials engage and enlighten a diverse public of varied ages, backgrounds and knowledge compelling them to examine their perception of the past.

Santa Fe Trail History Museum website

The Spencer Museum of Art explores the capacity of art to spark curiosity, inspire creativity, and create connections among people. The Museum, located on the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence, houses an internationally-known collection that is deep and diverse, currently numbering nearly 36,000 artworks and artifacts in all media. The collection spans the history of European and American art from ancient to contemporary, and includes broad and significant holdings of East Asian art. Areas of special strength include medieval art; European and American paintings, sculpture and prints; photography; Japanese Edo-period painting and prints; 20th-century Chinese painting; and KU's ethnographic collection, which includes about 10,000 Native American, African, Latin American and Australian works.

Spencer Museum of Art website

The mission of the bi-partisan Dole Institute is to promote political and civic involvement, especially among young people, encourage civil discussion on important issues, emphasize that politics is an honorable profession, and provide opportunities for all to interact with political leaders, practitioners and writers.

Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics website

The most significant exhibit of the Watkins Community Museum of History is, perhaps, the building itself. Commissioned by Lawrence financier Jabez Bunting ("J.B.") Watkins, the future Land Mortgage Company and Watkins National Bank was constructed between 1885 and 1888. A classic example of the Richardson Romanesque influence on Kansas's architecture, it was considered one of the most magnificent buildings west of the Mississippi River at the time of its construction.

Watkins Community Museum of History website

The museum maintains research inventories of seven million plant and animal specimens representing life on earth, past and present. The inventories and their associated information are used for undergraduate, graduate, and public education; research; and public and professional service.

Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center website

Park day use areas; open fields picnicking, reserveable shelters, playgrounds and special event venue areas. Campgrounds, Boat launch areas, hiking/biking trails, 5 mile cross country ski trail, 1 mile self-guided nature trail, archery range, swim beach, sand volleyball, 2 9-hole disc golf courses, 5 acre trout pond, 1 acre children's fishing pond, accessible shoreline use trail, fish cleaning station and 2 fish feeders, 4 playgrounds

Clinton State Park website

Welcome to Leavenworth, the first city in Kansas! We got our start in 1827 with the founding of Fort Leavenworth, "the fort that opened the west" by providing military protection for settlers heading west. Points of interest on the fort and connecting city: Lewis and Clark sites, Oregon and Santa Fe Trail markers, military history sites that include connections to the 9th and 10th Cavalries (AKA Buffalo Soldiers), an Underground Railroad stop, mementos of the suffragette movement (Susan B. Anthony lived here), Leavenworth National Cemetery and more.

Leavenworth and Fort Leavenworth website

Formerly a private residence, the Carroll Mansion stands today as a "living museum" celebrating the lifestyle of a 1890s household. The Carroll Mansion features tours, educational exhibits and the quaint Victorian Shoppe. We hope you'll visit us soon and let us take you back in time to when Leavenworth County was just beginning.

Carroll Mansion website

National Historic Landmark where the proslavery delegates to the Constitutional Convention hotly debated the issue of slavery in Kansas, while the nation watched. In the land office on the ground floor, thousands of antislavery settlers filed their claims to the land. In doing so, they ultimately secured a Kansas free of slavery.

Constitution Hall website

The building presently contains three floors of artifacts which include information from Pre Civil War Kansas through the Lane University period.

Territorial Capital Museum website

The mission of the Legler Barn Museum Complex is to preserve, collect, exhibit, research and educate the public about the region of Lexena, Kansas from prehistoric times to the present.

Legler Barn Museum Complex website

Heralded as a "cultural oasis on the prairie," the Baker Arts Center adds a refreshing splash of fine arts to Southwest Kansas, an area typically characterized as a cultural desert.

Baker Arts Center website

The Mid-America Air Museum in Liberal, Kansas is one of the country's largest air museum and home to more than 100 aircraft.

Mid-America Air Museum website

A replica of the house shown in the movie, and recognized by then-governor John Carlin as the official home of Dorothy Gale. An annual celebration sprang up around the exhibit, which continues to expand and draw tourists to the community. In addition to the life-sized house, visitors can take a tour of the Land of Oz, a 5,000 square foot exhibit and animated journey through the movie. Guides dressed in Dorothy Gale style gingham dresses and, naturally, ruby slippers, offer personal tours through the exhibits, explaining historical detail as well as a brief outline of the movie plot itself. In the remaining space within the new structure that houses the Land of Oz, the museum has built onto its collection of Wizard of Oz artifacts.

Dorothy's House/Land of Oz website

Birger Sandzen Gallery is devoted to the Art and History of Sven Birger Sandzen. Offers educational tours, and Adventures in Art Program. Be sure to check out the Portfolio Education Packet for grades 3 through 7. The packet contains hands-on materials as well as educational activities, lessons and review materials.

Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery website

Standing tall on the banks of the Smoky Hill River, the McPherson County Old Mill Museum preserves the early heritage of McPherson County. The museum collects, preserves, researches, exhibits and interprets materials related to this heritage with special emphasis on the period from 1870 to 1910.

McPherson County Old Mill Museum website

Dane G. Hansen, son of one of the founders of Logan, Kansas, was widely known and respected as a citizen leader, businessman, philanthropist, and Republican. The Dane G. Hansen Memorial Plaza was conceived as a means of memorializing the Hansen Family in a way that would give Logan, Kansas, and the entire area, new cultural and social opportunities. The Plaza contains an all-purpose community room furnished with an organ, keyboard, a Kansas patchwork quilt from the Hansen Family, and paintings by Kansas artists. The Museum contains early American and foreign coins, European and Western guns, Mr. Hansen's office, the Hansen Family Biography, oriental art collected by Kate Hansen in Japan from 1907 to 1951, and art objects purchased by the Museum Association. The Museum also houses traveling exhibits and a monthly "Artist of the Month" exhibit.

Dane G. Hansen Memorial Museum and Plaza website

During the twentieth century Lucas, a unique, rural town in north central Kansas, has been a Mecca for Grassroots artists. The center's purpose is to preserve and display various grassroots art as part of the cultural history of the Midwest. Currently the Center has a permanent limestone sculpture collection of 95 pieces of the late Inez Marshall.

Grassroots Art Center website

The Coronado-Quivira Museum in Lyons is one of the best small museum in Kansas. Separate displays focus on early inhabitants, Spanish explorers, the Sante Fe Trail, and the coming of homesteaders and permanent settlers.

Coronado-Quivira Museum website

Collects and cares for the visual art of Kansas and the region. The Museum presents significant exhibitions and offers challenging learning opportunities to engage, educate, and enrich audiences of all ages.

Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art website

Explore the beautiful Flint Hills region of Kansas at this premiere science, nature, and history center in the heart of downtown Manhattan, KS. Every tickets includes our 15-minute immersive 4-D film, access to our interactive science and history exhibits, access to the "Prairie Playscape" kids play area, free scavenger hunt activities, and access to our traveling exhibit gallery. 60-minute formal school programs available for an additional fee. Discount student rates available with group reservation.

Flint Hills Discovery Center website

Discover the past through changing exhibits on Riley County history and in the photographs, manuscripts, letters, diaries and records of our research library.

Riley County Historical Museum website

John Frank built this historic limestone house in 1868 as a boarding house, advertised as the German Boarding House. In 1875, Dr. George Hazard Perry III and his wife purchased the house. Their family occupied it for the next 63 years, until 1938. Max and Lucile Wolf acquired the house in 1941. Mrs. Wolf gave the house to the Riley County Historical Society in 1982. The house has been restored to the period between 1883 and 1895. Spectacular Victorian wallpaper has redecorated the entry to that time.

Wolf House Museum website

The mission of the Wonder Workshop is to promote education in the arts, sciences and humanities. Our goal is to develop self-reliant children, families and community members. Our hands-on-activities instill a desire for life long learning, recognizing our cultural diversity and fostering creative potential.

Wonder Workshop website

Sunset Zoo treats visitors to a glimpse of five continents through 338 on site animals.

Sunset Zoo website

Numerous nature trails, a mountain biking trail, and a scenic equestrian trail offer explorers a variety of routes to experience the aesthetic Flint Hills environment. Scenic picnic areas, an 18-hole disc golf course, volleyball courts, horse shoe pits, and conveniently placed restroom and shower facilities accommodate park visitors. The state-of-the-art Fancy Creek Shooting Range is open the first and third full weekends of each month.

Tuttle Creek State Park website

The park features a full-service marina, beaches, picnic areas and cabins, as well as trails for horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking.

Kanopolis State Park website

Part of the Smoky Hill region in the north-central part of the state, the Dakota formations are the remains of beach sands and sediments of the Cretaceous Period, the interval of geologic time from about 144 to 66 million years ago. Sanstone and sedimentary rock, is held together by natural cement. The concreations that make up Mushroom Rocks are cemented calcium carbonate. The largest rock measures 27 feet in diameter.

Mushroom Rock State Park website

The Koester House Museum, nestled in the heart of downtown, is an excellent place to take a look at life in Marysville before the turn of the century. If the walls of this white frame Victorian house could talk, they surely would tell of the early Marysville banking family who built the home, the handsome couple who moved in as newlyweds and had three children before the wife was struck down by consumption at the age of 35, leaving her husband, small son and two daughters. Still luxuriously furnished with the Koester belongings, including family portraits, clothing, toys and books, furniture and household items, the house is a rare gem, completed in 1876, renovated carefully since the 1970s, and opened to the public through the generosity of the Koester heirs, who made it a gift to the city of Marysville.

Koester House Museum website

Located on Highway 54 in downtown Meade, the Meade County Historical Museum museum is one of the finest in Southwest Kansas. Arranged in such a way as to depict the lifestyle of early Meade County settlers, the museum offers an entertaining as well as educational look at its past. The museum boardwalk includes replicas of scenes from the past such as a sod house, general store and blacksmith shop. The livery stable houses early-day transportation, and a walk down the west side of the museum offers a glimpse into an early-day bank, doctor's office, school room, and church. The museum also hosts an extensive collection of railroad memorabilia and artifacts from a local archeological dig. The museum's outdoor display which is 1 black east and 1/2 block south, includes the Sunnydale one-room school house, a windmill and early farm equipment.

Meade County Historical Museum website

The park features overnight camping, with or without electrical and water hook-ups. The lake is surrounded by many trees that provide shade for camping and picnicking. A boat dock is available for the unloading of boats. A swimming beach area has been marked off. For nature lovers who like to identify various different trees, grasses, flowers and birds, a nature trail has been marked at the northwest corner of the lake.

Meade State Park website

Milford State Park is a favorite getaway for outdoors loving visitors. Park facilities include modern campgrounds, shower buildings, toilets, swimming beaches, boat ramps, picnic shelters, a full-service marina, and a multi-purpose trails system. The park also houses a large yacht club.

Milford State Park website

Big Brutus put the oooohs and aaahs in the backyard of the Heartlands!!! Miles before you reach this retired giant -- you can see it on the horizon south of West Mineral, Kansas. Standing beside it makes one aware of how fragile he or she is. There is more to Big Brutus than cold steel and long shadows falling across the Mined Land Wildlife Area. Big Brutus is not just a symbol of the past, but an eternal tribute to the mining heritage of Southeast Kansas and to miners all across this nation who toiled to support their families. Big Brutus is a museum open year round. Hours vary with the season. Call (620)827-6177 for more information.

Big Brutus website

The Ottawa County Museum has a lot more formation about the artifacts than most local historical museum. Many of the artifacts are next to magazine articles or other labels with details of what they were or how they were used. A large corner is filled with exhibits about George Washington Carver, who lived in Minneapolis for several years as a boy. Other exhibits of particular interest include Silvisaurus condrayi, a Kansas dinosaur with many fossils in Ottawa County, and the story of Grace Bedell and the letter she sent to Presidential candidate Abe Lincoln suggesting that he grow a beard.

Ottawa County Historical Museum website

Learning2fly offers an aerial fitness, party, and field trip center in Mission, KS. Scheduling homeschool field trips all year for K-12.

Learning2fly website

Learn About Your World! Features the travel adventures of Claude and Donalda Stauth, long-time residents of Southwest Kansas. Journey with Claude and "Donnie" as you stroll through the permanent exhibit 'Around the World'. Browse colorful displays of handicrafts and arts from every corner of the earth. Experience famous sites and everyday places from around the world through video and slide programs based on the Stauths' trips. Explore the world in the World Discovery Center with over 60 years of National Geographics, Map & Geography computer games and the extensive Stauth Coin Collection from all around the world.

Stauth Memorial Museum website

More than 250,000 gold-seekers & farmers crossed into to the gold fields & rich farmlands of California during the 1840's and 1850's. 1,000 miles of trail ruts and traces can still be seen to remind us of early American travelers and settlers.

California National Historic Trail website

Lewis & Clark, in their quest for a water route to the Pacific Ocean, opened a window onto the west for the young United States.

Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail website

The Oregon Trail was for fur traders, gold seekers, missionaries and others, the pathway to the Pacific. Wagon rutsw and landscape scars can still be seen from that time.

Oregon National Historic Trail website

The Mulvane Historical Museum, housed in the former Santa Fe Depot, was dedicated and opened August 19, 1983. The Mulvane Historical Society was Chartered July 11, 1973. The Depot was built in 1910. By the Early 1970's it was used only by railroad repair crews as it was no longer serving passengers. Displays include: Navy Nurse Collection, WWI & WWII Memorabilia, Vaseline Glass and Railroad Items.

Mulvane Historical Museum website

At the end of the Civil War, African Americans left the south and settled in the Great Plains. Nicodemus is the oldest and only remaining all Black Town west of the Mississippi River. The website offers historical information about the town for those who cannot visit in person.

Nicodemus National Historic Site website

The Museum is named in memory of Charles Kauffman, founder and curator of the original Kauffman Museum. The Museum is affiliated with Bethel College, a four year liberal arts college associated with the Mennonite Church USA. It features the award-winning permanent exhibit Of Land and People which tells the story of the coming of the Mennonites from Europe to the central plains in the 1870s and their encounters with the prairie environment and its people. A historic farmstead with heritage flower and vegetable gardens around the 1875 Voth-Unruh-Fast House and the 1886 Ratzlaff Barn are on site.

Kauffman Museum website

The park is home to a thriving prairie dog colony and is the site of the last remaining adobe house in Kansas. Historical interpretation is a hallmark of this park. Two vintage 19th century buildings are preserved here, including a one room school and renovated adobe house. A 1.4- mile nature trail complete with interpretive signage is a great way to explore the park and observe wildlife. Campsites and fishing available.

Prairie Dog State Park website

The Fick Fossil and History Museum in Oakley, Kansas shares a building with the community library. The Fick Museum is free (donations) and has a number of interesting large dinosaur fossils from Kansas, many old tools, mineral specimens, and shell & mineral folk art. Most of the exhibits have more info about who contributed them (looks like every one in town), then about the exhibits.

Fick Museum website

The Museum represents a celebration of prairie life. It is a very impressive collection with fourteen buildings.

Decatur County Last Indian Raid Museum website

An early dairy farm of 9 buildings, including an 1892 Farm House, and 1890 Peg Barn, plus two 90 foot radio towers. Home of Marshall Ensor (1899-1970) a teacher for 46 years and long time early ham radio operator. Winner of 1940 Paley Award for outstanding aid to our country for teaching code lessons for 10 years to nearly 10,000 listeners via the radio. Antiques include early amateur radio equipment and much other articles of woodwork and effects from other manual arts subjects, all made by Mr. Ensor.

Ensor Farmsite and Museum website

Visit the only working Stagecoach Stop on the Santa Fe Trail!

Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm website

Eisenhower is 1,785 acres of rolling hills with 18 miles of trails, camping, playground, beach, horse shoe pits, sand volley ball court, and basketball court for your family gatherings.

Eisenhower State Park website

Reverend Samuel Adair and his wife, Florella were peaceful abolitionists who came to Kansas and settled near Osawatomie, an abolitionist community and a center of conflict during "Bleeding Kansas." The Adair cabin was a station on the Underground Railroad and Florella's half brother, John Brown,used this cabin as his headquarters. The cabin survived the Battle of Osawatomie where John Brown and 30 free-state defenders fought 250 proslavery militia in 1856, and stands on the battle site today. Learn more about the Adairs, John Brown, and others who struggled to survive the border war when you visit the John Brown Museum.

John Brown Museum website

The centerpiece of the collections of the Franklin County Historical Society is the Old Depot Museum. A fancy, limestone "county seat" depot with offices upstairs for the division offices of the railroad, the depot in its present state of preservation is a destination in and of itself. However, it also houses a wonderful collection of artifacts which range from items from the Grand Army of the Republic, the Union Civil War veterans' organization to furniture, clothing and tools collected steadily since 1960. The museum features a permanent display, "Trails, Rails and Prairie Tales," that gives the visitor a chronological tour through Franklin County history from native times to the 20th century. An elaborate, almost 40-year-old HO model train layout recreates train service in Ottawa in 1950. Featured exhibits highlight special events, collections and themes.

Old Depot Museum website

Our STEM program is a thrilling, immersive adventure perfect for all types of organizations. Fly with us as an elementary, middle, or high school class. Here is why over 270,000 students and educators love iFLY STEM Field Trips. Exclusive behind the scenes look at iFLY technology. Real world applications of STEM. Flexible packages and scheduling for your organization. Dynamic learning for all age groups aligned to your state standards. POC is Alex Einhorn at [email protected]

iFLY Indoor Skydiving Kansas City website

Emerald City is where fun meets fitness! We have a HUGE indoor playground with rope swings, slides, tunnels, a zipline, rock climbing, trampolines, gymnastics equipment, private rooms for study groups or parties, and more!

Emerald City Gym website

The park features a sand beach, five shower buildings, two boat ramps, picnic areas, and trails for horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking.

Perry State Park website

Hillsdale offers outdoor recreational opportunities to campers, anglers, boaters, hunters, swimmers, horseback riders, model airplane fliers, hikers, naturalists, picnickers, photographers, sightseers, and those out to enjoy our natural environment.

Hillsdale State Park website

On October 25, 1864, approximately 2,800 Union troops attacked and defeated about 8,000 Confederates along the banks of Mine Creek. This was one of the largest cavalry battles in the Civil War and was the only major battle fought in Kansas. The Union brigades were commanded by Colonels Frederick W. Benteen and John F. Philips. After this battle, Federal forces pursued and defeated additional Confederates in Missouri as they attempted to return to Arkansas, Indian Territory (Oklahoma), and eventually Texas. Learn about the soldiers and their stories as this dramatic story comes alive at the Mine Creek Battlefield.

Mine Creek Battlefield website

On May 19, 1858, pro-slavery men killed five free-state men and wounded five others in a ravine that is now listed as a National Historic Landmark. The massacre, which followed earlier guerrilla warfare activities on both sides, shocked the nation and became a pivotal event in the "Bleeding Kansas" era. A few months later, abolitionist John Brown came to the site and constructed a fortified cabin. Walk the grounds of this site and learn more about the tensions during the era of territorial Kansas.

Marais des Cygnes Massacre website

The museum offers a rich source of information about border conflicts and area history. Displays detail the first lead mines in Kansas, discovered by Frenchmen in the 1830's and for which Mine Creek is named. Visitors can follow the exploits of Quantrill, Jenison, and Montgomery. Local artifacts from the Battle of Mine Creek are also on display. One of the finest genealogy libraries in the area is housed here. You can explore period rooms, exhibits, and an authentic country store.

Linn County Museum website

The Pratt County Historical Society was founded in 1968, and dedicated to the preservation of the history of Pratt County, Kansas and the surrounding area.

Pratt County Historical Museum website

The Pawnee Nation was the dominant power of the Central Plains for hundreds of years. This museum tells the story of an 1820s Pawnee village. The most remarkable feature is the museum's centerpiece -- the excavated floor of a large 1820s Pawnee earth lodge. Feel the spirits of the past while walking the perimeter of the lodge and view the rare sacred bundle that hangs above the altar. After touring the museum, walk the interpretive trail that winds through the depressions marking other lodges. Learn about the people of the Pawnee Nation, and their stories when you visit the Pawnee Indian Museum.

Pawnee Indian Museum website

The Salina Art Center is celebrating its 25th year as a private, non-profit organization committed to art, artists, and audiences in Salina and across the region. The Art Center has been recognized for its innovative exhibitions and programs, including the permanent Interactive Area for children of all ages. We are known for dedication to presenting visual arts experiences ranging from important and groundbreaking international exhibitions and prestigious national shows to exhibitions featuring local and regional artists. The Art Center Cinema presents film as a visual art form -- a wide range of comedy, drama, and documentary films which are original, imaginative, exciting, thought-provoking and memorable in its own cinema.

Salina Art Center website

Whether we are your destination or you are passing through, the Smoky Hill Museum has much to offer. Captivating galleries, engaging activities, fascinating stories, and much more make this a must see museum. Interwoven with experiences, tales, photographs, and artifacts, the history of the Smoky Hills region comes alive.

Smoky Hill Museum website

The Zoo lets patron get up and close with a rare white camel, an Indian rhino, a curious orangutan, an ornery aardvark or many of the other animals. The Museum employs state-of-the-art animatronic human robots to narrate stories for visitors.

Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure website

The Santa Fe National Historic Trail connects western Missouri and Santa Fe. The website offers historical information about the trail for those who cannot visit in person.

Santa Fe National Historic Trail website

Scott State Park is a startling oasis of natural springs, deep wooded canyons, and craggy bluffs surrounding the 100-acre, spring fed Scott State Fishing Lake. The park has 55 utility campsites, including some with 50-amp service and water hookups. Canoe and paddleboat rentals are available at the concession facility seasonally. Nature trails accommodate hikers, horseback riders, and naturalists and provide excellent opportunities to observe wildlife in natural habitats.

Scott State Park website

Emmett Kelly, the world's most famous clown is an inspiration to both children and adults. An unlikely hero who from humble beginnings, was born in a small town before the turn of the century, whose father was the straw boss of a railroad crew and whose mother eked out a small extra income raising chickens for eggs and cows for milk while she raised Emmett and his sister. It was with this hard work environment Emmett learned the value of family and hard work.

Emmett Kelly Museum website

Housed in a landmark structure originally built in 1918, the building retains the warmth and style of an early Western home. Oak staircases, paneled walls and floors add an unusual charm to the treasures of the people who settled Seward County, Kansas. The museum features items that helped to settle the territory during its Wild West heyday, including an extensive weapons display and a large collection of those things that gave it a more civilized tone, including a beautifully restored ornate antique organ, quilts and home furnishings. A Western Gallery, with photos of ranch life and frontier settlers, tells the story of the taming of the land. In 1996, the museum opened a western living exhibit, featuring artifacts and a recreation of what Seward County might have been like in its early days. This display was created with the help of Linda WindIer of Topeka, who also made the popular "Land of Oz" exhibit on the museum grounds.

Coronado Museum website

The region's only fully accessible, non-profit children's museum dedicated to providing STEAM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math - educational experiences for young children and their families. Wonderscope features 30,000 square feet of indoor exploration and 1/2 acre of year-round outdoor adventure, all with a unique Kansas City theme.

Wonderscope Children's Museum of Kansas City website

A family home for forty years, The 1950s All-Electric House is once again a model house. The house was relocated from its original site in Prairie Village to the Museum of History in 1994. Guided tours of the All-Electric House help visitors learn why a home in the suburbs was part of the American dream after World War II, and is an excellent complement to the Museum of History's exhibit Seeking the Good Life, which aims to tell the history of the city from a suburban perspective.

The 1950s All-Electric House website

The Johnson County Museum of History opened in 1967 in the former Greenwood School. Over the years, the Museum has continued to achieve its mission of preserving and sharing the community's history through its award winning permanent and changing exhibits. The facility includes permanent and changing galleries, a research library, an education center and a museum store.

Johnson County Museum of History website

Shawnee Town, 1929 --an active, fun place where visitors of all ages learn what it was like to live in Shawnee, Kansas in 1929. Engaging and thoughtful tours, exhibits and programs will allow visitors to experience a typical day in and around the farm town of Shawnee, Kansas, in 1929.

ShawneeTown Visitor's Center website

The founder of the museum is Mr James Hood who taught science at the High Hchool in St John Kansas until retirement. He started the Museum as a learning center to continue teaching what he calls "hands on science". Mr Hood has been awarded the Kansas State Teacher of the Year Award and is enshrined in the Kansas Teacher's Hall of fame.

St John Science Museum website

The museum features a diorama complete with prehistoric fossils uncovered locally that show life as it progressed over the millennia on the High Plains. The museum has an outstanding collection of furniture and period exhibits of frontier life, all of which came from county residents.

Cheyenne County Museum website

St. Marys was one of the last locations of Jesuit service to North American tribes, which began in the 1600's in Quebec and Montreal. St. Marys Mission was the Pottawatomie Tribal headquarters and service center until the tribal lands were greatly reduced in about 1867. The Old Pay Station, an original building that served to distribute annual annuity payments and conduct other business on behalf of the tribe in the early days of St. Marys, still stands and is part of the St. Marys museum complex. The Indian Pay Station and Museum features the original old Pottawatomie Tribal Pay Station and an adjoining museum building filled with historic artifacts from the later settlement of the St. Marys area.

Indian Pay Station and Museum website

Choose from 66 water/electric campsites, six electric campsites, one water/electric/sewer, or one of the many primitive sites. Water sites are available year round. Reservations are accepted on several sites. Five boat ramp lanes and three courtesy docks offer boaters ample launching facilities on a usually uncluttered lake at conservation level.

Webster State Park website

Tallgrass prairie once covered 140 million acres of North America. Less than 4 % remains, mostly in the Flint Hills of Kansas. On November 12, 1996, legislation created the 10,894 acre preserve, which protects a nationally significant example of the once vast tallgrass prairie ecosystem, while containing a unique collection of natural and cultural features from the American Indian to present.

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve website

John Fenton Pratt, pictured at left, had no idea when he started building his ranch that it would someday tell the story of his family and his native Yorkshire, England. Take a step into history as you tour the grounds and house of this relatively unchanged rural ranch set in the South Solomon River Valley of the High Plains. Through Pratt's photo collection, stained glass windows, and examples of Yorkshire architecture, you'll learn more about businessman and sheep rancher Pratt, other early Kansas ranchers, and their stories when you visit Cottonwood Ranch State Historic Site.

Cottonwood Ranch State Historic Site website

Primitive and utility camping sites are available, as well as several cabins with electricity and plumbing. There are also RV pads and dump stations in each area. Other activities that can be enjoyed at Wilson State Park are wildlife watching/photography, boating, fishing, horseshoes, biking, hiking, and swimming. Come to one of Kansas' premier recreation hot spots to fish, hike, water-ski, or just enjoy the outdoors.

Wilson State Park website

Collections in the Museum: Bibles, Books & Maps, Pictures & Cameras, Tools & Buggies, Farm Equipment, Clothing & Quilts, Indian Artifacts, Antique Cars & Trucks, Hospital Equipment, Military Memorabilia, Dishes & Laundry Equipment, Stoves - Cooking and Heating, Business Machines, Sewing Machines, Barber Shop & General Store, School Trophies, and Gun Collections.

Hamilton County Museum website

The museum is located in the Fairchild/Knox milk parlor. The grand opening was held on June 14, 2003 during the annual Tonganoxie Days. Museum displays depict the Delaware Indians, the town's beginning, family life, leisure, schools, dairy farming, farming, businesses, government and death. The collection is always growing and new exhibits are always being displayed.

Tonganoxie Community Historical Society Museum website

The Mulvane Art Museum is dedicated to providing art education and art resources to Topeka and surrounding areas. The Mulvane Education Department provides numerous options for all ages, including in-house and outreach programming. The Mulvane Art Museum cooperates with the Kansas Arts Commission, a state agency; the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency; the City of Topeka, ArtsConnect, local school districts, area agencies, businesses and private donors to offer citywide Art Resources for Topeka (A.R.T.) education programs.

Mulvane Art Museum website

Brown v. Board of Education ended legal segregation in public schools. This site helps tells the story of the people involved and the political climate of the times. The website offers historical information about the park for those who cannot visit in person.

Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site website

The Museum is dedicated to preserving the heritage of the Kansas National Guard and honoring the memories of the soldiers and airmen who, for over 145 years, have served Kansas and the United States whenever the call was made. Within the Museum walls, the weapons, uniforms and other artifacts carried or worn by Kansas Guardsmen from the Civil War to the Gulf War are proudly displayed. These artifacts paint a picture of the Kansas citizen-soldier from the early and bloody days of the birth of our state, to today's Guard mission in a highly volatile and dangerous world.

Museum of the Kansas National Guard website

Enjoy the history of Kansas in exciting and interactive exhibits at the Kansas Museum of History. You'll discover: the western trails, the Civil War, a full-sized train, 1950s diner, and much more.

Kansas Museum of History website

The Combat Air Museum has served as an educational institution and tourism destination for more than thirty years. It is one of a handful of major aviation museum in the United States located on an active air field. Visitors to our museum are regularly treated to flying activities of Air Force fighter aircraft and Army helicopter operations. With the second longest runway in the State of Kansas, large refueling tanker aircraft of the Air National Guard and army troop transports often fill the skies around the Museum. The Museum's youth classes offer students a unique opportunity to be immersed in the midst of a museum covering aviation history from the earliest days of flight to the present day.

Combat Air Museum website

Shaded campsites within easy access of the lake are available for both full RV hookup and primitive camping. All park campgrounds are served by modern bathroom and shower facilities. All park trails are open to hiking and backpacking. All but the Ancient Trees Trail are open to other non-motorized uses such as jogging and mountain biking. Back country camping is allowed by special permit on segments of the Chautauqua Hills Trail. Fishing in the river and on the reservoir can be excellent.

Cross Timbers State Park website

Outdoors enthusiasts looking to get off the beaten track will find much to their liking at this park. Camping, swimming, boating, water skiing, hiking, and picnics are popular pursuits at Fall River. A favorite pastime here is canoeing Fall River, which feeds into the 2,450-acre reservoir of the same name. Bird watchers, photographers, and naturalists will enjoy a variety of native plants and animals here. Fall River offers good fishing opportunities for channel catfish, white bass, crappie, flathead catfish, largemouth bass and walleye.

Fall River State Park website

The adobe building in which the museum is housed is interesting in itself. It was built in 1938 as a county shop. While you're at the museum, be sure to visit the Hotel Edwards. The rooms are cleverly "disarranged" and you'll find yourself thinking that the occupant just stepped away and will be right back. The museum complex also includes a one-room schoolhouse.

Grant County Museum website

Well known by northeast Kansas residents for shady campsites and a great family atmosphere, Recreational opportunities await you with three hiking trails, swim beach, day use picnic areas, volleyball and basketball courts, playgrounds, horseshoe pits and a nine-hole disc golf course. The park also has a full service marina with boat slips to rent daily or annually.

Pomona State Park website

Organized for the preservation of Trego County history. There is a vast collection of pioneer possessions on display. The old safe from the office of the Trego County Treasurer, it was installed there in 1901 and was given to the historical society in February 1989. The tellers cage from the Ogallah Bank, a telephone exchange used in Collyer in 1910. Medical, dentist and optometrist equipment used by pioneer doctors. The first printing press of the Western Kansas World Office dating back to 1879. Newspapers, county abstractors records and school records. World I and II items are on display. Early day household and farm equipment and tools.

Trego County Museum website

The Kansas Landscape Arboretum lies just south of Wakefield on the west side of Milford Reservoir. Over 1,000 species of native and exotic woody plants adapted to the Kansas environment are found here. The Arboretum is open daily from 8 A.M. to dusk, March 1 to October 31. Stop at the kiosk off the Utah street entrance for a brochure. Much of the area is left in native vegetation, and foot trails provide easy access to both prairie and woodland habitats.

Kansas Landscape Arboretum website

A product of the Wamego Historical Society organized in 1973, the complex consists of a museum, a one room school house, a rock jail and a log cabin, all near the Old Dutchmill. The donated artifacts depict the early history of Wamego and we are the keepers of the heritage.

Wamego Museum website

1160 acre State Park w/primitive and utility camping, camping cabins, day use areas, swimming beach, full service marina, modern shower and restroom facilities. Adjacent to 3000 surface acre reservoir.

Lovewell State Park website

Mark Arts is a vibrant regional arts hub by providing opportunities to appreciate and create art in an atmosphere of lifelong learning.

Mark Arts website

The mission of the Wichita Art Museum is to collect, preserve, and promote American art and to engage the public in America's artistic heritage.

Wichita Art Museum website

The Ulrich Museum of Art, an integral unit of Wichita State University, supports the university's teaching and service mission by presenting outstanding exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. - The Ulrich Museum is located in the southwest corner of the Wichita State University campus. - Your visit to the Ulrich Museum of Art is FREE!

Ulrich Museum of Art website

The nature center's mission is to inspire stewardship of the natural world through exceptional experiences to benefit future generations. Field trips at the Great Plains Nature Center allow you to learn about nature here in Kansas through hikes, animal programs, and tours through our exhibits. These programs are completely free! Program dates fill up quickly, so the sooner you schedule, the better. Minimum two-week notice on all programs. Homeschool groups may choose any grade level topic and staff will adapt that program to suit the needs of the ages that attend.

Great Plains Nature Center website

The Wichita - Sedgwick County Historical Museum's mission is to educate the community and its visitors about local history by collecting, preserving, and interpreting materials reflecting the heritage of Wichita and Sedgwick County.

Wichita - Sedgwick County Historical Museum website

Guided tours are available by appointment only. Reservations must be made at least 10 days in advance. For more information, contact us by phone at 316-687-1027.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Alllen-Lambe House website

Inspiring a deeper interest in science through creative and fun experience. Exploration Place is dedicated to providing informal, enjoyable learning experiences with extraordinary resources for exploration for people of all ages. The goal of Exploration Place educational programming is to provide fun and exciting experiences while exploring science.

Exploration Place website

Located in downtown Wichita, the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame strives to inspire future generations of Kansans to achieve their own personal greatness. Each famous athlete had their own obstacles to overcome before reaching success, and the Hall of Fame uses these stories to motivate Kansas's youth to overcome the challenges within their own lives as they work towards personal goals. Your trip to the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame is always free and is sure to educate and inspire

Kansas Sports Hall of Fame website

People, Pride and Promise - telling the story of the African American experience in Kansas - Past Present and future. Join TKAAM every third Saturday for an afternoon that will inspire kids to become lifelong lovers of reading. Story time Village will offer exciting and interactive stories read by special guests and community leaders.

The Kansas African American Museum website

A Treasure Trove of History, in a Historic Setting. The importance of the Kansas Aviation Museum building to the glory days of Kansas aviation cannot be overstated. Its grand art-deco style appeals both to the aviation community and to anyone interested in historical preservation.

Kansas Aviation Museum website

Cowtown is a living history museum where you'll experience life in the 1870s. Immerse yourself in a sampling of the sights, sounds and activities common to a midwestern cattle town. Try a wagon ride, hear the ring of the blacksmith anvil, and visit the humble home of the town's founder, Darius Munger. Be sure to stop at the home of the Marshall Murdock, who single-handedly promoted the town through his newspaper. After you smell what the farmer's wife is cooking for her family, try an ice cold sarsaparilla in the saloon, but be prepared to duck in the doorway as gunfire erupts in the streets!

Old Cowtown Museum website

Experience a trip through time at one of the most interesting and exciting museum in America. You'll be amazed as you discover our incredible collection of fossils and dinosaurs including T-rex Ivan, Egyptian Mummies, an unequaled Hall of American Presidents exhibit, an extensive Militaria collection from the Revolutionary War through the Vietnam War, European Hall of Royalty, and the Music and Hollywood Stars exhibits. Children will also enjoy the fun activity center including a Moon Walk, Puppet Theater, and large play castle and dungeon.

Museum of World Treasures website

Explore the Zoo. It is our hope that when you visit Sedgwick County Zoo, you embark on an exciting voyage of adventure and discovery. Here at the Zoo, our world comes alive with each step you take throughout the continents: the intimidating roar of the lions in Africa, the playful nature of the river otters in North America, the beauty of flight of the amazing birds in Australia and South America. With every step we hope the Zoo enriches your perception and sensitivity of our world and the beautiful sights, sounds and creatures it comprises. Through this adventure, we hope that we inspire a desire to learn more about our living planet. Have fun. Explore our Zoo. Discover something new.

Sedgwick County Zoo website

The Mid-America All-Indian Center is a multi purpose facility; it houses a museum, a Gallery of Nations for special events, and a gift shop. MAAIC serves as a cultural center and museum dedicated to educating people about and preserving the heritage of the American Indian.

Mid-America All-Indian Center website

The gardens includes an aquatic collection, butterfly garden and 2,880 square foot butterfly house featuring pansy exhibits during the winter

Wichita Gardens, Botanica website

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100 Activities to Do with Kids

Dramatic Play and Roleplaying STEAM-based Activities Career Activities in Your Community Kansas Field Trips

Level Up: 

Throughout, we’ve provided ways to level up the activity for different ages and abilities.

Conversation Sparks: 

We’ve also provided conversation sparks you can use to inspire kids to think more deeply about the life lessons and skills embedded in each activity.

Check out this blog for more about career exploration with kids of different ages

The ABC’s of Family Field Trips: Tips, Resources & 50+ Ideas for Where to Go

By: Author Jacquie Fisher

Posted on Published: February 11, 2015

Categories Travel Fun

I’m so excited to introduce a new series this week —

The abc’s of family field trips.

This will be a 5 day series covering all kinds of tips and ideas for those fun family outings you want to plan this year. 

I really want to help you get prepared for some great family trips this year by offering resources to help get you ready, along with new ideas for some cool places to visit!

Family field trips are those fun little jaunts or family outings that you take together to places you’d like to explore & enjoy! 

Sometimes they are close to home and other times they require a short journey.  I highly recommend that families try to plan & enjoy a field trip at least once each month — take some time to head out together to explore, discover & connect!

A is for Animals & Agendas

Let’s face it – kids are attracted to animals!   Heck, most adults enjoy watching animals too.  If you have yet to take your child on a field trip or outing, try visiting a place with animals.   Kids can learn so much when they are observing animals and their unexpected behavior.  And kids are usually very engaged when visiting animals.

When you head out on a field trip, have an agenda in mind.  Nothing too formal (unless that’s your style), but some idea of what you hope to do during your visit .  Agendas are especially helpful if you plan to visit a large attraction (say, the zoo) or if you’ll be gone for most of the day and want to ensure that everyone gets to see their favorite things.

Agendas can also help to prepare you for what you should bring – will you need quarters to feed the animals?  How long will you be visiting? (so you can plan how much water/snacks to bring).  Will your visit overlap nap time?  

 One of our new friends on an aquarium visit.

Field Trip Ideas:

Art museums.

If it’s your first visit to an art museum, plan for between 1 – 2 hours.  Choose a few galleries that have different types of art – such as sculpture, ancient items, colorful paintings.  Many art museums have guides for kids or scavenger hunts to do during your visit too.

Find an art museum near you at Artcyclopedia .

Animal Sanctuaries

Most kids will visit a zoo or petting farm, but animal sanctuaries are also a wonderful place to see and learn about animals.

An arboretum (also called a botanical garden) is a place where flowers, trees and plants are grown and studied.  It may sound boring for kids but they can actually be lots of fun!  Our local Arboretum in Kansas City has a children’s garden with chairs made from trees, a vine tunnel, a railroad garden along with geocaching and nature classes for kids.

Check Wikipedia for an extensive list of US Arboretums .

More ‘A’ Places:

Amusement parks ariel lifts/ariel trams arcades, b is for books, backpacks & a bag.

Linking books to your trip is a wonderful way to extend a child’s interest in the trip. 

When we plan an outing (whether it’s for a few hours or a few days), we have the kids each pack a backpack.   They can include items they want to take in the car (or on the plane/train) but they have to carry/roll their own bag.  If they want to bring their blankie, some books and a few toys – it must all fit in the backpack.

Once we reach our destination, whatever we need during that outing is transferred into one bag that comes with us (usually carried by Mom, Dad or the stroller).  So items like water bottles, extra socks, medicines and the like are all in one place.

The kids are happy because they have things they love for the car/plane trip and we don’t have to lug everything around (they know it’s in the car when we return, so we just need to take the essentials with us into the attraction).

You don’t need a bathing suit to explore a beach!

Family Outings:

Stay close to home and explore the wildlife in your own backyard.  The key with a backyard field trip is to pretend that you aren’t allowed in the house.  Plan some games, have lunch and read a few books.  Kids will also enjoy a backyard scavenger hunt !

Boat Cruise

Have you ever taken a lake cruise?  These are usually 1 – 3 hour boat rides on a local river or lake.  Kids will enjoy seeing the captain’s area, learning a little about boats and watching the birds and fish, along with any special sights along the way.

If you live near a river or lake, check to see if they offer a cruise.

See a Ballet

Performances such as The Nutcracker, Cinderella and others based on kids books are very entertaining.  Kids will enjoy both the dancing and the music.

Build sandcastles, explore tidal pools, swim and learn about saltwater – I love beach days!

C is for Car Trips & Cameras

Most family field trips involve a car ride.  Try our suggestions for bringing backpacks for each child ( see B above ) with items to keep them engaged. 

Other enjoyable ways to spend the car ride include : listening to books on tape/CD (check out a few from your local library), playing car games, taking a nap (preferred by most babies and teenagers) or listening to music.

Want more ideas for what to include on the ride?  Check out the Road Trip Fun Folder at Living Life Intentionally and our Pinterest board for Road Trip tips !

And always make sure to grab your camera (digital, camcord or other).  The kids may also want their camera too – and it’s always interesting to see what photos they choose to snap on the trip!   Also make a note to charge the camera or bring extra batteries.

The Carousel Museum offers lots to choose from for a fun ride!

Fun ‘C’ Activities

Carousel museum.

I know you’ve taken the kids for rides on the merry-go-round, but did you know there are also Carousel Museums ??!  They are very cool places (we’ve been to 2 so far).  In addition to having a working carousel, they also host a collection of all types of carousel animals.

Yep, I know it’s a weird one but for kids ages 7+, it’s actually a pretty cool outing.  There’s lots of history on the gravestones. You can do crayon rubbings from some of the headstones and talk about the various statues and architecture. Cemeteries also help us teach life skills – think about it, when else would you teach the kids how to act in a cemetery.  It’s a good skill to have because someday they will probably attend the passing of a relative or friend.  Please remember to discuss being respectful, quiet and don’t visit during a burial. 

Take a cave tour and explore the world underground!  Exploring a cave is called ‘spelunking.  Your kids will be able to tell you the difference between stalagmites and stalactites.  There are caves located throughout the country , some large and some small.  Always bring a jacket as it can be pretty chilly.

Cultural Centers or Museums

Learn about your heritage by visiting a cultural museum.  Some offer exhibits on one specific culture (such as an Irish Heritage Museum) while others offer a peek at a variety of cultures & countries.

Cathedral Tours

Visiting a historic religious building can really inspire awe in children.  Huge and colorful stained glass windows, unbelievably high ceilings, and pillars modeled after Greek architecture.  Older kids will be intrigued by a visit to a basilica or cathedral, especially the history that goes along with most of the buildings.  Many communities built churches as their first structures so chances are you’ll be visiting a building that’s more than 100 years old.

Campgrounds Candy Store Tours

D is for directions & docents.

This is an easy one – don’t forget the directions!   Nothing ruins a trip more than driving around for an hour before you get there ( been there, done that = not fun ).

Docents are those wonderful people that you see at museums, zoos and living history museums who can answer all those tough questions your kids will ask.  Really, they are a wealth of knowledge and love to discuss things with visitors. Most docents have received training in areas related to the attraction you’re visiting.

Hiding out in a peephole at the Omaha Desert Dome

Fun Ideas for Families:

If you live near a desert, it’s a natural wonder to experience!  And if you don’t live close, there are some zoos and arboretums that have desert exhibits.  It’s such a cool ecosystem that kids are sure to have some inquisitive questions — and they’ll probably want to grow a cactus once they get home.

Driving Tour

Spend some fun time in the car (not running errands) – you can go leaf peeping, see holiday lights, or take a driving tour of your town.

Going out for Dessert

This doesn’t mean just run out for ice cream — have a dessert adventure!  Go to a pie store and order 5 kinds of pie for everyone to taste!  Or make it a goal to try a different kind of ice cream each week during the summer.

Drive-in Movies

 Although many are closing, there are still quite a few drive-in movie theaters around the country.  This is something that many of us recall from our childhood (warm summer nights in the car, visits to the concession stand).  What a great way to introduce kids to seeing a movie! 

To help you find a drive-in near you, visit Drive-in Movies for a state-by-state listing .

E is for Explore

One of the best parts about family outings is letting the kids explore. 

Noticing new things, trying a different activity and hearing new words when you talk about your visit are all ways that kids explore places and topics.   Exploring helps to strengthen kids’ curiosity and problem-solving skills so don’t over-schedule your time — allow them to delve into an activity that catches their attention.  

We didn’t plan to swing like monkeys but that’s what they enjoyed the most at this rainforest exhibit!

Exploring ‘E’ Locations

Why not try a new restaurant or cuisine with the kids?!  Exploring a new eatery or trying different foods is always an adventure.  How about dinner with a show at a Japanese steak house?  Or tea at a local Tea Room?  We’re lucky in Kansas City to be able to dine with the dinosaurs at T-Rex restaurant .

Endangered Animals

This visit may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience (although, I certainly hope not)!  Taking kids to see endangered animals not only introduces them to species that need our help but also makes them aware that such a thing exists.  Many children can only understand such a concept when it is discussed and a first-hand visit to see one of these creatures really helps.

We were able to visit the manatees on a recent trip to Florida and it was a wonderful experience.  The kids had no idea that so few of them existed and it was the only time in my life that I’ve ever had the opportunity to see one up close. 

The New York Times wrote a nice article about where to view endangered species.   You can also call your local zoo or animal preserve/nature centers to see if they care for any endangered species too.

Special Events

 There are different types of events (many seasonal) that can be great family outings.  These are attractions such as the circus, Sesame Street Live, Disney on Ice or broadway shows that aren’t a yearly event but something that you might want to consider if you have the money. 

Coming Soon —

 and here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming next in the series:, {part 2}  fun, inspiriation & hands-on ideas, {part 3}   learning, new places & outdoor fun, {part 4}   pretend play, reading, science & tours, {part 5}   universities, volunteering & online field trips, we are also linking to more than 70 outstanding bloggers sharing some amazing ideas for hands-on fun, tips & tricks along with ways to have more fun with the kids , browse some of the great topics below:, mom tips & tricks.

Being a Hands on Mom from hands on : as we grow

Connecting with your Kids from One Perfect Day

Family Field Trips with Kids from Edventures with Kids

Fun Healthy Snacks for Kids from Juggling with Kids

Kids Party Ideas from Mama Pea Pod

Mama Survival from The Dizzy Mom

Organized Home from Mamas Like Me

Printables from Mama Miss

Raising Boys from Boy Mama Teacher Mama

Raising Eco-Friendly Kids from Kitchen Counter Chronicles

Raising Girls from Mess for Less

Raising a Healthy Kid from Living Life Intentionally

Raising a Thinking Child from The Outlaw Mom

Raising Toddlers from Home Learning Journey

Raising a World Citizen from All Done Monkey

Simply Celebrating Holidays as a Family from Inspired by Family Magazine

Teaching Kids about Money from Carrots are Orange

The Family Dinner Table from Connecting Family & Seoul

Trying A New Experience with Your Children from 52 Brand New

Values for Children from True Aim Education

It is time to remake and reimagine the landscape surrounding Exploration Place.

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Field Trips Plan Your Field Trip

Visiting a museum with peers enhances student intellectual and social-emotional learning. What feels like play is actually hours spent exploring science, technology, engineering and math along with their peers. And when teachers and group leaders ask open-ended questions, that learning is even greater! Children and youth love the hands-on exhibits at Exploration Place.

Field trips are available Monday – Friday.

Rates & Details

Participant pricing.

All teachers and other school staff receive free admission with their school and/or classroom. Students, parents, siblings, and other chaperones who sign up to attend through the teacher or school receive the following rates (see FAQs for details).

• $8/Participant – Visit the exhibits, enjoy a Live Science Show AND watch a movie in the Dome
• $6/Participant – Visit the exhibits and enjoy a Live Science Show OR watch a movie in the Dome
• $4/Participant – Visit the exhibits only

Adult chaperones who are Exploration Place Members can use their benefits for free admission on field trips, school and group visits. Students pay the rates above, with the school or group, regardless of membership. 

Recommended Activities

One-of-a-kind experiences and more await students in our dynamic exhibit galleries packed with hands-on science fun for all ages.

Live Science Shows

Exploration Place is proud to offer field trip participants exciting, interactive STEM shows that are performed daily in the Live Science Theater!

Students will be immersed in an educational experience with a 360-degree view and booming surround sound in The Dome, the largest digital dome theater in Kansas.

We want your field trip experience to be pleasant and fun for all students, parents, and school or group staff members. Below, you will find answers to the most common questions we receive. Many have tips designed to help you communicate with parents and staff, organize your groups, and plan your day.

Field Trip FAQs

Field trip reservation faqs, what types of organizations qualify for the field trip rate.

All classrooms, home school groups and school groups qualify for educational field trip rates as well as some other groups. If unsure if you qualify, please email [email protected]

Are field trip rates available on weekends?

No, field trips rates are tied to childcare and school groups who attend during the work or school week. If your group is planning to attend over a weekend, we offer a group rate of $1 off per ticket for groups of 15 or more. A reservation is not required to qualify for the group rate. However, you must pay for every member of the group with a single check or transaction. For more information about group rates, please contact us at (316) 660-0642 or [email protected] .

What’s the minimum amount of time required to schedule a field trip?

To ensure your class has a fun and inspirational STEM learning experience at the science center, please submit your request at least two-weeks in advance.

How do I know my class or school field trip is scheduled?

You will receive an automatic confirmation email from our system confirming the date and time for which you signed up. If we cannot accommodate your group on that day, we will call you within three (3) business days to reschedule your field trip.

What’s the best way to communicate parent or guardian chaperone payment and check-in procedures to parents?

Within a few days of reserving your date using the Field Trip Reservation Form , you will receive an email with detailed instructions including a map of where to enter. It includes a message to parents requiring them to pay and reserve their spot through the teacher so all have a pleasant experience checking in. This ensures all pre-registered parents, guardians and chaperones receive a ticket to the shows for which you registered.

Can students use their membership to pay for the field trip cost?

Students may not use a family membership for field trips. They pay the field trip rate, which is significantly lower than any entrance fees to the museum

Is there a special rate for teachers and school staff?

School staff and teachers who bring schools/classes to Exploration Place receive free admission for all field trips. This number must be provided when the class or school arrives.

Can guardians or parents use a membership for field trips?

Yes, parents may use the Exploration Place membership to enter the museum. Due to space limitations, however, they are not guaranteed a seat in the Live Science Show or Dome movie, even if they attend as an official chaperone. Additionally, they must get in the member line to enter the museum. Finally, if space is available for the Dome movie or Live Science Show, they must pay the rate associated with their membership. The price for each is dependent on membership type. Field trip rates do not apply if checking in separately from the school or group.

How much will parent chaperones cost?

Parent chaperones are the same cost as students when they register with the teacher. If the parents pay separate from the school’s invoice or check payment, they pay full price plus tax unless they use their membership. Please note that adults who pay separately from the school must get in line to check in. Due to space limitations, they are not guaranteed a seat in the show or film because priority is given to the field trip students and staff.

Do school para-professionals, bus drivers or other school staff have to pay to attend?

No. All school staff enter free with the class or school. This includes teachers, paras, bus drivers, principals etc.

What if our group’s total number of guests changes after I’ve booked the field trip?

If the change is more than 20 and you know ahead of time, please email [email protected] with the updated numbers. Additionally, when you arrive, plan to provide an updated number of school staff, parents, siblings, and students.

Planning Your Field Trip

How many adult chaperones are required.

All field trips for groups with students in eighth grade or below require one adult for every 10 youth.

May parents attend if they did not register and pay with the school?

Yes, but they must enter the museum via the regular guest line. These parents are not guaranteed a space in shows for which you pre-registered.

Where do we eat lunch?

The online reservation form allows you to select eating inside or outside. If you select outside and the weather does not allow for outdoor lunch, we will assign your group to eat in Explorer Room or Waterway Hall the day of the field trip.

Tax Exempt Groups

Do we have to pay sales tax.

All Kansas schools and nonprofits group in Kansas that are already tax exempt in Kansas do not pay taxes for any guests who register and pay through the organization, including parents. If your group is visiting from another state, you must register with the State of Kansas as a Tax Exempt organization prior to visiting and present that paperwork at registration to avoid paying taxes.

How much is the sales tax?

The current sales tax rate is 7.5%.

What is the cost per person if we are tax exempt?

The cost per person is the package price that was selected when the field trip was booked. If the school collects the parent and adult chaperone money in advance, and includes them on the school check, they will not have to pay sales tax.

What If I forgot my Tax Exempt form?

As long as you plan to pay with an organization check or credit card, we will exempt the order from sales tax. If we receive a copy of the completed Kansas Department of Revenue Sales and Use Tax Entity Exemption Certificate within a week, we will not bill you for sales tax. If we do not receive a copy, you will receive a bill for the sales tax. Please email the form to [email protected] within one week.

Are we tax exempt if we live in Oklahoma or another state?

Sales tax exemption is based your state of residence. Only organizations within Kansas are exempt from sales tax at Exploration Place.

Arriving and Entering for your Field Trip

What should we do when we arrive.

• There is a large circle drive in front of the main entrance to Exploration Place to drop off and pick up children.
• Ask your bus or van driver to pull as far around the circle drive as possible so others can also drop off students or guests as shown on this map .
• When you arrive, the lead staff member who organized the field trip should enter, but all other students, parents, and school staff should remain on the bus.
• We will greet your school on the bus, provide wristbands, and instructions.
• The main contact of the school will work with the front desk to finalize billing or accept payment.

Group Rates For Organizations, Scouts and Clubs

What if i have a group that wants to visit but is not a school or educational nonprofit group.

Field Trip rates are available for school and educational nonprofit groups with at least 15 students in elementary through 12 th grade.

Group rates are not the same as Field Trip rates. Group rates are $1 off per person. To qualify, the group must enter and pay as a group. Examples of groups that qualify for the Group Rate would be Scout Troops/Packs, teams, clubs, large family excursions, etc. Group Rates Information

Are reservations required to receive a group rate?

Generally, reservations are not required to take advantage of the group rate. However, payment must be made in full for the entire group on one invoice to qualify for the group rate. Group Rates Information

Request a Field Trip

To ensure your class has a pleasant time at the museum, please submit your request at least two-weeks in advance. School rates are available for groups with at least 15 students and require one adult for every 10 youth.

If you have questions that are not included on this page, please contact Nicole Johnson at (316) 660-0620 or [email protected] .

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Kansas Field Trips and Unit Study Ideas

Are you going to be traveling through Kansas? Need some ideas for Field Trips and other things to study?

I started this unit and list of field trips as a way to help others make a list of places to stop as they travel to the Teach Them Diligently Convention in Omaha. I know from experience, that having a list of places to stop along the way is a huge help.  We have also made a point to study about the areas we will be traveling to and through before we head out.

I put together a unit for our children to help them know where we were going, and decided to expand it and add a list of field trips we have done or plan to do some day.

As we head to Teach Them Diligently in Omaha , I wanted my children to know where we were headed, and a few of the landmarks in our state as we travel.  I will hand out maps that they can mark on as we travel.  Due to timing, I am unsure if we will be stopping and doing any field trips this time around, but we will be making a list of places to do next time we head this route.

The study I made includes interesting facts, mapping activities, list of famous people, field trip ideas and more. Your children will need a map or maps of Kansas and surrounding states, online access, or a trip to the library, and colored pencils to work through this.

Many think Kansas is a flat land full of fields, full of wheat and sunflowers, however, as you look through the free printable I have put together, you will notice there are plenty of places to stop and enjoy some great educational family fun time together as you travel.

Click this to print off the  Kansas Field Trip and Unit Study Ideas .

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Field Trips

Field trips at the discovery, center are serious fun, explore & discover field trips.

Explore & Discover 

Two-hour, self-guided, educational play at the museum. Students will have the opportunity to learn and discover at their own pace in 15,000 square feet of indoor exhibits exploring science, careers, art, building and more, plus a 4.5-acre certified Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom .

“Play is learning….In the short and long term, play benefits cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Children learn cognitive skills such as creativity, problem solving, divergent thinking, mathematics, and language. They learn to negotiate social relationships, regulate their emotions, and control their own behaviors. When play is fun and child-directed, children are motivated to engage in opportunities to learn.” - The Power of Play: A Research Summary on Play and Learning, written by Dr. Rachel E. White from the Institute of Child Development at University of Minnesota

Designed for PreK-5th grade Cost ranges from $5-$7 per person Not a school group but interested in a group rate? Call us at 785-783-8300

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Field trip questions?

Contact: caitlin luttjohann, vice president of play and learning at [email protected] or (785) 783-8300.

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things to do in Kansas with kids & Teens (2024)

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Things to Do In Kansas With Kids & Teens (2024)

Tired of the same old activities with the kids and teens? Looking for something new to do in Kansas? You’re in luck! Here we’ll explore the best activities in Kansas for families of all ages. From exciting attractions to educational experiences, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Let’s get started with things to do in Kansas with kids and teens!

Planning a trip to Kansas? Keep up on the COVID-19 information concerning travel to Kansas here .

Discover Kansas With Kids & Teens

Kansas is a perfect place for families to explore with kids and teens. From Union Station to Crown Center, there are many fun things to do in Kansas. One of the must-visit places the whole family will enjoy is one of the world-class museums in the area.

At Union Station, families can visit  Science City , an interactive museum that offers exciting exhibits on physics, chemistry, and biology. Crown Center also has  Legoland Discovery Center , where kids can build their Lego creations, while parents can enjoy local shops and restaurants.

Families can visit  Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead  where they can experience farm life and ride ponies. At  Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Historic Site , families get a chance to learn about pioneering life in Kansas.

When visiting Kansas with kids and teens consider going on a scavenger hunt at the various parks around. Ultimately, Kansas has much to offer and is ideal for a family vacation filled with adventure. With its world-class museums and interactive exhibits alongside outdoor activities like scavenger hunts, there’s something for everyone here!

Kansas Is Bursting With Things To Do With Kids & Teens.

Kansas with kids and teens is bursting with exciting family fun. There is so much interesting history, art and culture to be found in the beautiful US State. Let the landscape, culture, and richness of Kansas inspire you as you explore Kansas with kids and teens.

Your family will be captivated by all of the historical and exciting places to explore and learn about in Kansas. These Kansas family travel destinations are great places to add to an exciting family travel itinerary as you explore Kansas. If you are wanting to road trip or learn virtually, keep reading because you can explore and have awesome adventures in Kansas with kids and teens.

Kansas With Kids & Teens – Road Trip!

Looking for a weekend road trip in Kansas with kids and teens? Here are the top activities and destinations to consider.

• Visit the best places in Kansas such as Dodge City, where you can experience cowboy life.
• Explore unique museums and attractions, like  Cosmosphere Science Center .
• Enjoy special events like  Big Slick Celebrity Weekend  or  Tallgrass Film Festival .
• Take a stroll through downtown Kansas City, known for its famous barbecue joints, shopping centers, and entertainment venues that cater to kids of all ages.
• Get your adrenaline pumping with some outdoor adventures, such as zip-lining or hiking in one of the state’s many nature reserves.

Moreover, don’t forget to check out other family-friendly activities like amusement parks, zoos, and waterparks that are scattered across the state.

Pro Tip:  Consider renting an RV for added convenience and flexibility while on a road trip.

Kansas may be flat, but its historical sites & parks are anything but boring – get ready for a wild west adventure with your cowboys and cowgirls!

Road-tripping: a great way to learn

Are ready to let your family experience everything Kansas has to offer? If that’s the case, then a Kansas with kids & teens road trip is the perfect way to use the world as your classroom. Road-tripping allows you to explore and experience a place just like the locals. That’s the great thing about road trips (and GPS); you can wander where ever you like. Road-tripping can be such an adventure and a great way to learn.

In our family, road tripping is a series of car journeys from one destination to another to do a field trip. A 5-day road trip usually means at least three of those days will be filled with activities and attractions. But if you live locally or regionally, you may decide to take that road trip in smaller chunks and plan several field trips around the great state of Kansas. Below are all the resources you need. Included are super fun ideas that will also super-size your child’s learning about US History, Geography, and famous people & places. So have fun using the world as your classroom with intentional family travel. Let’s explore the historical sites in Kansas!

Kansas – Historical Sites & Parks

Looking for the best things to do in Kansas with kids and teens? Look no further than the state’s historic landmarks and parks. With a mixture of natural beauty and unique history, these destinations are perfect for a family vacation.

• Visit the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve , home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the state.
• Explore the historic Lucas area , known for its unique architecture and Wizard of Oz connections.
• Take a trip down the Missouri River  on a steamboat tour or kayak trip.
• Check out Kansas City’s famed barbecue scene, with plenty of family-friendly restaurants to choose from.
• Learn about local history  at one of Kansas’ many museums, including the  Kansas Museum of History  and the  Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum .
• Spend a day at one of Kansas’ many state parks , such as Wilson State Park or Kanopolis State Park

Things To Do In Kansas With Kids & Teens: A Truly Unique Experience

If you’re looking for a truly unique experience, head off the beaten path to discover some lesser-known but equally remarkable sites. The  Cimarron National Grassland  is one such destination, with stunning scenery that rivals even more well-known parks. Did you know that Kansas is home to several historic landmarks that played an important role in American history? For example,  Fort Larned  was a major military outpost during westward expansion in the 1800s.  Take your family on a tour to learn more  about this fascinating period in our nation’s past. Step aside, Dinosaur fossils, it’s time for kids and teens to appreciate the real relics – outdated art pieces and odd historical artifacts at Kansas museums and galleries.

• Fort Larned National Historic Site
• Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site : Historic site consisting of a school and adjacent grounds that commemorates the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision aimed at ending racial segregation in public schools, located in Topeka, Kansas.

Kansas – Museums & Galleries

Kansas offers a plethora of exciting activities for young adventurers with an inclination toward art and culture. Museums & Galleries in Kansas provide interactive exhibits that many young people find engaging.

• The  Arabia Steamboat Museum  caters to children’s curiosity about the world and history with its different exhibits.
• Art Museums like the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art  offer impressive artwork that educates visitors on how different cultures view art.
• Boot Hill Museum  explains America’s history, and  Science City  lets kids engage in fun experiments.

The  Federal Reserve Bank  and its  Money Museum  educate visitors on economics, money, and banking. On the other hand, the  National Museum of Toys  amazes children with antique toys’ history. Finally, the  American Jazz Museum  tells America’s story through jazz music.

Pro Tip: Kansas City is actually in 2 states. Kansas & Missouri. Some activities may actually be across the border in Missouri.

In contrast to conventional museums, Kansas’s family-friendly museums bring unique experiences to families regardless of their ages. Still, it is essential to book tickets early to avoid overcrowding at these popular destinations.

While visiting The Arabia Steamboat Museum , a family discovered they were related to one of the passengers rescued from the shipwreck displayed there. This coincidence made their trip memorable.

While it may not be known for its beaches, Kansas has an abundance of gardens, zoos, and aquariums, so you can still soak up some sun while admiring the beautiful wildlife.

• Exploration Place : Science museum in Wichita, Kansas.
• Cosmosphere : Space museum in Hutchinson, Kansas.
• Museum of World Treasures : World history museum in Wichita, Kansas.
• Big Brutus : Museum in West Mineral, Kansas.
• Old Cowtown Museum : History museum in Wichita, Kansas.
• Wichita Art Museum : Art museum in Wichita, Kansas.
• Sunset Zoo : Zoo in Manhattan, Kansas.
• Eisenhower Presidential Museum : Museum in Abilene, Kansas.
• Kansas Aviation Museum : Aviation Museum in Wichita, Kansas.

Kansas City Attractions for Kids & Teens – Botanical Gardens, Zoos & Aquariums

The prairie and plains of Kansas offer an endless list of family-friendly adventures. One of the most popular options for families with kids and teens is visiting gardens, zoos, and aquariums. These attractions provide learning opportunities while providing entertainment.

• Kansas City Zoo is one of the top-rated Zoo’s in the country with over 2000 animals featuring many exotic species.
• Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead is a great place for interacting with farm animals where families can enjoy pony rides and bottle-feed baby goats.
• Sea Life offers an interactive experience that immerses visitors in an underwater adventure with over 4000 creatures in an ocean setting.
• The botanical gardens have free admission, making it a perfect option for budget-conscious travelers showcasing vibrant colors of flowers

The Kansas City Zoo is home to over 2000 animals from all over the world, including big cats, monkeys, elephants, penguins, and several other species from different natural habitats. Families can watch them up close and interact with them through animal-specific programs.

Make memories that will last a lifetime by exploring these fascinating places together as a family during your trip to Kansas!

Kansas may not be known for its thrilling attractions, but these activities for kids and teens will have them saying  Wheat-hey!  in no time.

• Overland Park Arboretum : Park in Overland Park, Kansas.
• Rolling Hills Zoo : Zoo in Salina, Kansas.
• Sedgwick County Zoo : Zoo in Wichita, Kansas.
• Tanganyika Wildlife Park : Zoo in Goddard, Kansas.

Kansas – Add These To Your Itinerary

The state of Kansas is a fantastic destination for families with kids and teens. There are many fun and exciting things to do in Kansas with kids & teens that should be added to your itinerary. Here are just a few of the top options:

• Visit the  LEGOLAND Discovery Center  in Kansas City – perfect for kids and adults who love Lego.
• Explore rich aviation history at the  Kansas Aviation Museum , where you can see actual historic aircraft up close.
• If you’re a baseball fan, catch a game at  Kauffman Stadium  and experience America’s favorite pastime!

But there’s so much more to do in Kansas! From interactive museums to unique outdoor adventures, this state has something for everyone. Don’t miss out on the: 

• Flint Hills Discovery Center  or experiencing Bison during interactive tours.
• Kansas Speedway : Car racing track in Kansas City, Kansas.
• The Keeper of the Plains : Steel sculpture by Blackbear Bosin, located in Wichita, Kansas.

Kansas offers so many exciting things to do! Museums, outdoor activities, and exciting adventures throughout the state. Are you finding it hard to fit it all in or afford to do it all while you are visiting? Luckily, there are great online resources at many of the museums and parks so you can keep learning about Kansas.

Kansas Places To Visit For Virtual Travel & Learning

Make the most of learning about Kansas by taking a few virtual field trips and incorporating the  Kansas State Study  pack into your pre-and post-visit activities. Your kids will enjoy hands-on activities and museums more when they have a little understanding of the people and places they will be visiting. Add in a good book, some digital activities to learn history and geography, and some super art for easy ways to inspire and educate. It’s all in these US State Study resources.

Kansas – Use The World As Your Classroom

The  Kansas State Study pack makes it easy for your family to have fun learning about Kansas at home (virtually) or on the road.

Learn About Kansas’ Famous People

• John Brown – Abolitionist 
• George Washington Carver – Scientist/Educator
• Amelia Earhart – Aviation Pioneer
• Dwight D. Eisenhower – President 

Learn About Kansas’ Famous Landmarks:

• Brown V. Board Of Education National Historic Site 

You will also find resources for science, art, and geography to round out a packed week (or longer) of learning resources for kids aged 4th grade to 12th grade.

The  Kansas State Study has all the resources in a PDF. You and your kids can pick and choose which ones you want to complete. It is a carefully curated course for middle/high schoolers. There are exciting videos and selected lessons so your family can easily learn online.

Homeschool, Travel & Learn With The Let’s Study The Americas, the Caribbean, Australia & Oceania Bundle

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Exploring America’s Heartland?

Oklahoma , Missouri  &  Nebraska  are exciting stops for families that love to use the world as their textbook. These posts will help you homeschool, travel, and learn together. Have fun! Below are a few more resources to help you use the world as your classroom.

things to Do in Kansas with Kids & Teens FAQ

There are many family-friendly attractions to visit in Kansas, like the Sedgwick County Zoo, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, and Science City, just to name a few.

Yes, there are plenty of outdoor activities to do in Kansas, such as hiking at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, kayaking at Cheney State Park, and visiting the Rollin’ Coal Maze.

In addition to Science City, Kansas also has other educational attractions such as the Cosmosphere, the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, and the Combat Air Museum.

Yes, there is the Wild West World amusement park in Park City.

Aside from LEGOLAND Discovery Center, families can also visit the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame, the Mid-America All-Indian Center, and the Exploration Place science center.

Some popular festivals to attend in Kansas include the Kansas State Fair, the Walnut Valley Festival, and the Tallgrass Film Festival.

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At Kauffman Museum we know that experiences outside the classroom are crucial to learning and expanding a student’s view of the world.

Field trips.

Can you jump as far as a jack rabbit? Where did kids sleep in a one-room log cabin? Would you like to hold an ancient stone arrowhead? Kauffman Museum field trips offer tours for schoolchildren based on Kansas State Department of Education science and social studies standards. Seasoned docents aim to educate and inspire your class while surrounding them with authentic artifacts and specimens. Ask us about adapting age-graded tour themes for your multi-age group or to develop your own visit plan.

• FIELD TRIPS IN KANSAS CITY

Please note these are suggestions only and are not necessarily endorsed by the MPE Board of Directors. Information about times, availability and costs are subject to change. Please contact the facility before visiting to ascertain current information.

Thanks to Alyse Smith for compiling these field trip opportunities.

Note: Retired homeschool mom and MPE member Traci Matt has written a Kindle eBook all about field trips, which we highly recommend: http://ow.ly/Kg9ga See her list of favorite field trip destinations as well!

• Agriculture Hall of Fame – Offers several different programs, including field trips, for groups.
• Arts Education at JCCC – Offers school shows, master classes, camps, workshops, lecture/demonstrations, teacher workshops.
• Bump City – Gage Center – A giant indoor playland. Activities for ages three and over include: in-ground trampolines rope swings inflatables slam dunk basketball Monster Mountain indoor climbing wall foam pit and more. All groups must have a release waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian to participate.
• Burr Oak Woods Nature Center (Blue Springs, MO) – From its website: “Burr Oak Woods was purchased in 1977 and the Nature Center was built in 1982, the first nature center in the State of Missouri. … Natural features on the area include steep forested hillsides along Burr Oak Creek (the namesake of the property), large limestone boulders and outcrops, restored prairies and woodlands, and a trail complex that will guide visitors through many of the listed features.”
• Carolyn’s Country Cousins (Liberty, MO) – Homeschool Pumpkin Patch Tours and Special Needs Tours in September and October. In the Fall: Carolyn’s Country Cousins is open September to October from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• City of Fountains Foundation – Kansas City is known as the “City of Fountains,” since it boasts more fountains than any city except Rome. Self-guided tour of the beautiful fountains either by foot or by car.
• The City Market/ Arabia Steamboat Museum – The City Market, nestled in a redeveloped historic district. The outdoor farmer’s market is where you will find just about everything under the sun-from fresh produce, garden plants, herbs and flowers to toys and gifts. Don’t miss the other treasures found here, including shops, restaurants, galleries and the Arabia Steamboat Museum. While the market is open seven days a week, Saturdays are particularly lively, as farmers from across the Midwest offer their produce and products for sale.
• Clark’s Point – Overlook the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers at Clark’s Point and take in the awesome view of both Kansas Cities. A marker commemorates the occasion of Lewis and Clark’s camping there in 1806. Address: Downtown, 8th & Jefferson, Kansas City, MO.
• Dole Institute of Politics – The Dole Institute of Politics is a balanced and bipartisan facility. Our mission is to encourage political and civic involvement, especially among young people; to encourage civil discussion on important issues; to emphasize that politics is an honorable profession; and to provide opportunities for all to interact with political leaders, practitioners, and writers. The Robert J. Dole Archive and Special Collections is home to one of the nation’s most significant collections of a nonpresidential politician, and is relevant to governmental, political, domestic, and world affairs of the latter 20th century. It contains a wealth of primary source materials including papers, photographs, and objects.
• Emerald City Gym – Are you looking for a fun, safe place to take your group? If you don’t want your kids swinging from your ceiling, bring them to Emerald City! Emerald City offers private events for groups of all sizes. Our 24,000 sq ft gym includes in-ground trampolines, slides, tunnels, rope swings, our HUGE foam pit, a maze, zip-line, mini rock wall, slam-dunk basketball, and more!
• Ernie Miller Nature Center – Ernie Miller Park has three miles of trails for you to hike and explore. The Nature Center is open daily with educational exhibits that include live animals, native to Kansas, for you to see. We host field trips for homeschool families throughout the year. You may also schedule a program on your own year round.
• Federal Reserve Bank Visitors Center – The Money Museum – At the Money Museum, walk-in guests, students, and scheduled groups can learn more about the economy and the Fed through interactive exhibits that explore banking, payments, and how monetary policy decisions impact a family’s bottom line. In addition, all visitors can view inside the cash vault operations. Admission and parking are free, and all ages are welcome. Every guest leaves with a free bag of shredded currency.
• Truman Courthouse in Jackson County, Missouri – Visitors to Independence should stop by the 1827 Log Courthouse. This was the first courthouse in Jackson County, Missouri and in the 1930s, then-Judge Harry S. Truman held court there while the main courthouse was being renovated.
• Frontier Army Museum – A museum of one of the finest exhibits of 19th century horse-drawn vehicles is the Frontier Army Museum. Various displays portray more than a century of the history of the Army in the West.
• Grinter House – Enjoy the Grinter House, an 1857 two-story southern colonial home, which was the site of the first civilian post office in the Kansas Territory.
• The Hallmark Visitors Center – The Hallmark Visitors Center presents a lively overview of the world’s largest greeting card company. This 10,500-square-foot center walks you through 12 exhibits covering the 85-year history of Hallmark Cards, Inc. and the processes used in greeting card production.
• Harry S. Truman Farm Home – The 33rd President was born to a farm family in nearby Grandview, Missouri. The Harry S. Truman Farm Home is where Truman spent part of his childhood and returned to as a young man. Operated by the National Park Service.
• Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum – The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum was established to preserve the papers, books, and other historical materials relating to former President Harry S. Truman and to make them available to the people in a place suitable for exhibit and research. Consistently ranked among the top tourism destinations in the Kansas City region, no visit to America’s heartland is complete without a trip to the Harry S. Truman Library & Museum.
• The 1855 Harris Kearney House Museum – “We offer tours of the Historic 1855 Mansion that played a role in the development of Westport, MO and the Westward Expansion.  We also offer workshops such as beginning knitting, continuous strand weaving, genealogy, Tea & Etiquette, and Victorian Christmas Decorations, as well as special events including a speakers series, our Ice Cream Social and the Westport Lost Arts Fair.  A Westward Expansion classroom/field trip experience is a favorite of students!  Visit our website or give us a call for more information.”
• Johnson County Museum – Admission to the Johnson County Museum allows entry to all three museum galleries: the signature exhibition “Becoming Johnson County” including the 1950s All-Electric House, the children’s exhibit Kidscape and the changing exhibition gallery. Also, check out the Lanesfield Historic Site in Edgerton, Kansas.
• Kaleidoscope – Kaleidoscope, a free, hands-on art experience for elementary age children, has been offered for years by Hallmark Cards, Inc. During a 55-minute session, children journey through the “Imagination Machine” to a whimsical world where they can explore under the sea, outer space, a country cottage and a big city.
• Kansas City’s City Hall – Kansas City’s art deco-styled City Hall, completed in 1937, has a breathtaking view of the city from its 30th floor.
• KCCG’s Beanstalk Children’s Garden – A unique and fun field trip destination for children of all ages, the Beanstalk Children’s Garden offers children and adults the opportunity to learn about nutrition, plant science, food production and more. As part of the learning process, visitors are encouraged to use their senses to see, touch, smell, and taste growing plants. During tours, children are given vegetables and fruits fresh from the garden for tasting.
• K.C. Pumpkin Patch (fall) – K.C. Pumpkin Patch is Kansas City’s premier all-inclusive, educational pumpkin patch. Come and see the lifecycle of the pumpkin from seed to fruit. It’ll grow before your eyes! Check out our honey bees and see why we need them at the pumpkin patch. If you are real adventurous, tryout your milking skills! Other farm highlights include: Old barnyard petting zoo, John Deere tricycle track, Spook-tacular haunted barn, Zip lines, Mine Shaft Hill Slide, scarecrow maze, Pumpkin Express train, Tractor Drawn Hayrides, Live entertainment and FREE campfire on weekends. MUCH, MUCH More!
• Kansas City Zoo – Come to the Kansas City Zoo for affordable, family fun!
• Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art – The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and Design is located next to the Kansas City Art Institute, one of the Midwest’s premiere art schools. The Kemper offers changing exhibits throughout the year in addition to permanent displays such as the Dale Chihuhly chandelier crafted at the Waterford Crystal Company.
• Lanesfield School Historic Site – Visit the Lanesfield School Historic Site, a tribute to rural schooling. It consists of a restored one-room schoolhouse, outbuildings, and a visitor’s center featuring an exhibit on Kansas’ one-room schools called Just Plain Simple: The One-Room School in Kansas. The school is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Legler Barn – The Legler Barn is a historic stone barn built on the Santa Fe Trail in the 1880s. It now houses a pioneer museum, trunk shows, living history and more.
• Linda Hall Library – The largest privately funded library of science, engineering and technology in the United States is in Kansas City.
• Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm Historic Site – Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm Historic Site offers students an opportunity to discover history where it happened. Hands-on activities with our animals, wagons, and stagecoach make visiting Mahaffie fun for children and a valuable tool for educators! Mahaffie also offers daily 1860s living history activities depending on the time of year; weekends in April, May, September and October, and Wednesdays- Sundays Memorial Day through Labor Day. Living history activities include stagecoach rides (weather permitting), visiting the historic Mahaffie farmhouse, our new interpretive livestock barn, blacksmith demonstrations, and cooking demonstrations in the farmhouse kitchen. Mahaffie also hosts two homeschool days: Spring Homeschool Day, and Fall Homeschool Day.
• Moon Marble – “We have made wooden toys and game boards for many years, but always had difficulty finding varieties of marbles for our product.  We wanted marbles that we had as children like Bumble-Bees, Cub Scouts, Puries, and so on.  In 1997 this “need” led us to the opening of the Moon Marble Company store.  The store is located near the intersection of K-32 & Hwy 7 in Bonner Springs, KS.  We stock machine made marbles in a multitude of colors  and designs in sizes from pee-wees to 50mm.  In addition, we carry traditional toys & games as well as gift items for all ages.”
• Museum at Prairiefire – “The Museum at Prairiefire is committed to innovative learning in science, the arts and natural history. Through a founding collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, as well as with other cultural and educational institutions in the nation, the Museum at Prairiefire is a place that provides ACCESS FOR ALL to understand and celebrate natural history, the arts and science in our region and around the world. The Museum engages visitors and students of all ages with world-class exhibitions, important programming, and significant educational and STEAM opportunities.”
• Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art – The Museum is one of the nation’s top general art museums, featuring art from a variety of periods and cultures and offering a number of special exhibitions and programs. Located on the grounds is the Kansas City Sculpture Park, featuring 13-larger-than-Iife works by Henry Moore.
• Potter’s Haven Art Studio – “Choose a ceramic item from our large selection of bisque. Then, once you have decorated it with glaze we will fire it in our kiln to create that one of a kind piece of art for you. For younger artists we have many smaller items that can be painted with acrylic paint and taken home the same day. We also have an party room available for larger groups to come and enjoy time together. Let us help you celebrate your birthday, baby or wedding shower, or do some team building. A great way to create some unique and special gifts. We also have activities available for Scout Troops, non-profits, and daycares/schools.   If you are interested in learning more about pottery we also provide clay building classes.”
• Powell Gardens – “A trip to Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s Botanical Garden, is the cure for “Nature Deficit Disorder”. Whether visiting on your own or partaking in one of our guided experiences designed for youth, Powell Gardens will inspire while delighting all of your senses. With four major-themed gardens including the 12-acre edible landscape the Heartland Harvest Garden, an indoor conservatory and our new youth garden Fun Foods Farm, there is something for everyone.”
• Santa Fe, California and Oregon Trails – Best known as the hometown of Harry Truman and named the “Queen City of the Trails,” Independence, Missouri was the starting point for the Santa Fe, California and Oregon Trails. Over 80 shops, stores and restaurants line historic Independence Square. Information about the area can be found at the Independence Tourist Information Center located at Main and Truman Roads.
• Shawnee Indian Mission State Historic Site – The Shawnee Mission, like many other missions, was established as a manual training school attended by boys and girls from Shawnee, Delaware, and other Indian nations from 1839 to 1862. Reverend Thomas Johnson established the Mission which also served as an early territorial capitol, supply point on the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails, and a camp for Union soldiers during the Civil War.
• Shawnee Town 1929 – A museum and division of the City of Shawnee’s Parks and Recreation Department. The museum will help visitors experience a typical day in and around the 1920s farm community of Shawnee, Kansas, through collections, programs, events and exhibits.
• The 1950s All-Electric House – Whether you’re a child of the 50s or just curious about lifestyles back then, The 1950s All-Electric House at the Johnson County Museum of History offers an eye-opening look at the technology of the times. Futuristic features include: hidden televisions, electric curtain openers, trendy appliances and “moonglow” lighting. The house has been meticulously restored to its original appearance as a show home for Kansas City Power and Light. Step inside this “house of the future” and it’s suddenly 1954 all over again!
• Union Station /Science City – Visitors to the restored Union Station, the nation’s second largest rail station, will discover a world of history and excitement. The 380,000 square foot station features free three-hour parking and a and Hall complete with 90-plus foot tall ceilings and two 3,000 pound chandeliers. In its heyday, the daily train traffic peaked at 217 and all of the soldiers who fought in World War II traveled through the station.

Field Trips Outside Kansas City

• Field Trips to a U-Pick Orchard in Overbrook, KS (thanks to Teresa Scheuerman)
• Kansas Aviation Museum (Wichita, KS)
• Kansas Cosmosphere (Hutchinson, KS)
• Kansas Learning Center for Health (Halstead, KS) – Health Education programs for all ages of students, preschool to high school, as well as family day events.
• The Exploration Place (Wichita, KS)
• World War II Field Trip Guide – A guide to 450 sites in all 50 states where homeschooling families can learn about World War II. This free illustrated guide helps families find WWII museums, planes, tanks, ships, submarines, POW camps, and more.

How To Plan Field Trips

In a  recent “Homeschool Hints” podcast episode , Annette Vaughn, shared her best strategies to plan field trips, including cost-cutting strategies, research, and catering to different ages and grades. She organizes regular outings for a group of 20+ families in the Kansas City area!

Interested in more homeschooling information? Sign up for text alerts!

Updated 3/15/23

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4-H Youth Development

• County Fairs
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Kansas State 4-H Office 201 Umberger Hall 1612 Claflin Road Kansas State University Manhattan, KS 66506

785-532-5800 785-532-5981 fax [email protected]

Geology Field Trips

2024 4-H Geology State Field Trip

June 14-16, 2024

Northwest Kansas

Open to 4-H Geology project members and their families - everyone in attendance (ages 0-120) are asked to register for the event.

WHEN: June 14th-16th  WHERE: The headquarters for the 2024 4-H Geology State Field Trip is the Trego Community High School, 527 Russell Avenue, WaKeeney, KS WHAT: A variety of workshops and activities are planned for Friday and Saturday evenings. A variety of stops are planned on the Field Trip Saturday and Sunday.  Project members are encouraged to participate in judging and quiz bowl. A catered supper will be provided Saturday evening for $15.00 per person and we will have a variety of educational publications for sale through the Kansas Geological Survey. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 24th  - You must register all those who plan to attend including siblings ages 0-18 and all adults 19 and up - One registration per person NO LATE REGISTRATIONS and NO registrations at the door . COST: 

• Registration - $15.00 per person 
• Saturday Meal - $15.00 per person 
• Guidebooks - $4.00 each 
• T-Shirts - $20.00 each

Geology Boxes (Some woods may be limited) Everything must be ordered through registration qualtrics.

Hackberry $65 Indoor camping is available at the Trego Community High School if you are accompanied by a parent/guardian.  

Other lodgings can be found in WaKeeney.

Register at the following link.

https://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6hhKshAq6jzFNLE

For additional Information:

David Goldak                                     Wally Mack

316-250-2808                                    785-317-0725

[email protected]                      [email protected]

Field Trip Preparation

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• Updated: 4/15/24

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Kansas City Field Trips

The FieldTripDirectory.com is a resource of field trips in Kansas City, Missouri for elementary school students thru high school students, camp groups, homeschool groups and scout troops for day field trips, overnight field trips and youth retreats. Learn about Kansas City’s museums, zoos and aquariums, botanic gardens, nature centers, historic sites, amusement parks, recreation, performing arts and more, CLICK on the ACTIVITY FILTER below for further field trip information. For those unable to travel to these locations, check out our  Virtual Field Trips  section or  Outreach Field Trips & School Assembly Programs  section.

• Financial Support
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Carolyn's Country Cousins Pumpkin Patch

Carolyn’s Country Cousins Pumpkin Patch includes pumpkin picking, spookley, the square pumpkin activities, corn maze, petting zoo, gem mining, tours and other farm fun.

Coterie Theatre

The Coterie Theatre offers classic & contemporary theater to appeal to audiences of all grades and curriculum areas with school time and outreach performances.

Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope offers arts & crafts experiences, to make art with materials from Hallmark’s manufacturing processes. Chaperones work to assist in the self-guided activities of their group.

Kansas City Zoo

Kansas City Zoo on 202-acre zoo with over 1,300 animals, bringing visitors in touch with the diverse habitats, cultures, conservation and animals of the natural world.

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art is Missouri’s largest contemporary museum. It offers school tour to engage students in discussion about modern art and how it relates to their education and lives.

Missouri Town 1855

Bring Missouri Heritage to life at Missouri Town 1855. An 1800s Antebellum town is represented with authentic period buildings and interpreters demonstrating everyday lifestyles of the times.

Money Museum-Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City

At the Money Museum-Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, explore interactive exhibits on banking and finance, the historic Harry S. Truman Coin Collection, and the Bank’s Cash Processing and Vault viewing area.

Musical Theater Heritage

Musical Theater Heritage’s Student Matinees are an affordable way to experience live theater. After every performance, enjoy a post-show discussion with the cast. Family shows available.

National Airline History Museum

The National Airline History Museum looks at the history of the airline industry with photographs, artifacts, printed material and audio/visual displays that bring visitors the true flavor of an age gone by.

National WWI Museum and Memorial

Steeped in history, the National WWI Museum and Memorial shares the stories of the Great War through the eyes of those who lived it thru interactive exhibits, films and testimonies.

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is known for its encyclopedic collection of art from nearly every continent and culture, and especially for its extensive collection of Asian art.

Quindaro Museum

Quindaro Museum preserves the historical and cultural awareness, and overall importance of the African American Community of Quindaro to the history of Kansas and the USA.