We have compiled a list of Christmas gift ideas and local experiences for our Wichita Friends. This holiday gift guide will give you unique ideas for this holiday.
The idea behind the local experience approach takes a clear path towards quality over quantity! Join us on a Christmas list journey as we unwrap the gift of local experiences, exploring the joy of giving moments rather than things. In this blog, we’ll delve into our favorite local experiences that you should consider, ranging from child to senior adult. So, this Christmas, let’s embark on a new tradition—one where the greatest gift of all is the shared experience of joy, laughter, and the magic of the season.
As the Christmas season approaches, the familiar jingle of sleigh bells and the scent of gingerbread fill the air, ushering in the season of giving. While the allure of stacks of wrapped packages under the tree is undeniable, this year, let’s consider a different approach to gifting—one that not only include more thoughtfulness but creates beautiful memories for the individual you gift it to.
In this article, you will find Local Gift experiences for:
- Children
- Teenagers
- Adults
- Grandparents and Seniors
Christmas Gift Guide Ideas: Local Experiences, Gift Cards, Membership and More.
Local Experience Gift List for Children:
All-Star Sports Gift Card
- West Location.
- One gift card could give you many fun options for making memories throughout the year. All-Star Sports offers: Miniature golf, kiddie go-karts, laser runner, a golf driving range, a rock climbing wall, bumper boats, bowling, batting cages, an arcade, and adult go-carts.
- Running a 2024 Gift Card Deal.
All-Star Adventures Gift Card
- East Location.
- This would be a perfect holiday gift for any age kiddo with a large range of activities. All-Start Sports has amusement rides, mini golf, an arcade, a golf driving range, go-carts, bumper cars, bowling, and batting cages.
- Typically runs a season’s pass deal.
- Blast Off Bay is an indoor water park in Goddard, KS, with a 30-foot tube slide. Every kiddo would be thrilled to go to a water park, and how fun to go in the winter.
- Art Gallery with art workshops and classes
- Youth workshops for grades K-8 held in 7 weeks sessions
- Occational 1-day classes held
Paint the Towne Gift Certificate
- Canvas painting sessions located both east and west Wichita
- Pre-registration required. Choose a class from their event menu to join.
- Guided K-8 Paint Nights
- Kid Private Parties for 6+ attendees available
Sedgwick Co. Zoo Pass/Membership
- Kansas’ largest Zoo
- Open all year with indoor and outdoor attractions
- SCZ’s Learning Adventures offer year-round educational experiences for children ages newborn and up.
- Memberships range from single or 2 people and up to large families.
Sedgwick Country Zoo Wild Encounters
- An add-on experience ticket
- Ages 5 and up
- Get behind the scenes and up close to one of the zoo’s ambassador animals
- Animal encounter options include a rhino, elephant, penguins, farm animals and reptiles
- Ticket prices range from $15-$60
- Wichita State University’s NCAA Basketball team
- Select from Women’s or Men’s basketball roster
- Single tickets or group purcaches as a discount available online
- General admission $30 for men’s and $6-$8 for women’s
Tanganyika Wildlife Park Pass/Membership
- 3rd largest animal collection in Kansas
- Regional and exotic animals
- Close encounter and animal feeding experiences
- Splash Pad during summer months
- Large Ice skating rink located in downtown Wichita
- Public skate times available daytime and evening
- $5 Skate rental available
- $5-$7 admission ($2 on Tuesdays!)
Wichita Sports Forum/Aviate Gift Card
- 6 & Under Kid Zone
- Large Slick Slide with net and foam drops
- Massive foam pits
- Located at the Art Park Enrichment Campus in east Wichita
- Cooking classes for elementary-aged children, ages 5-12
- Art Park Class Enrollment Tab
- 11 week sessions. Pre-pay or select which classes.
Pro Tip: Costco sells gift cards at a discount & you don’t have to be a member. Find out more here!
Local Experience Gift List for Teenagers:
Pro Tip: If you go to Costco, you can get a DEAL. You can save 25% off.
- Indoor and outdoor pickleball courts
- Free game year
- Weekly free events. Click here for more info.
- Returant and more.
Wichita Sports Forum/Aviate Gift Card
Pro Tip: During the Holidays they run a great Gift Card Deals: Buy $25 get $50, Buy $50 get $100, Buy $75 get $150. They start this deal on Black Friday and typically through the middle of December.
- Ninja Obstacle Course
- Air Dunk trampoline court
- Inflatable Sport Court
- Super Tram for flips and tricks
- Over 100 vintage arcade games
- 22 pinball machines
- $12 unlimited play
- All ages welcome
- Must be 16 or over to enter the premises unaccompanied.
- Ax throwing recreation facility
- Ages 10 and up. Under 18 must be accompanied by adult
- Drop in during business hours or book a lane online
- Controlled environment with safety precautions and intro training
- $26 per person
- Blast Off Bay is an indoor water park in Goddard, KS
- High speed exhilarating water slides for older children and teens
- Surf Machine perfect for teens
- Local rock climbing a fitness center located in East Wichita
- Day Passes for all day climbing
- 40 foot climbing wall for all ages and skill levels
- Youth programs that build confidence, coordination, and friendships.
- Art Gallery with art workshops and classes geared towards teenagers
- Art workshops specifically geared towards teens, ages 11 -13
- Art workshops held in 7 weeks sessions
- Occasional 1-day classes held
Paint the Towne Gift Certificate
- Canvas painting sessions located both east and west Wichita
- Pre-registration required. Choose a class from their event menu to join.
- Open Studio or guided paint classes for ages 15 and up.
- Private Parties for 6+ attendees available
- Wichita State University’s NCAA Basketball team
- Select from Women’s or Men’s basketball roster
- Single tickets or group purchases as a discount available online
- General admission $30 for men’s and $6-$8 for women’
The Selfie Spot on Douglas Admission
- One-of-a-kind self-serve photography studio
- Facility filled with several themed studio setups
- Great group activity for teenage friends
- Open to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Admission: Varies
Local Experience Gift List for Adults:
- Axe throwing recreation facility in downtown Wichita
- 9 throwing lanes protected with fenced barriers
- Bar and lounge area
- Perfect for adult group activites
- Botanical garden and attraction in downtown Wichita
- Botanica is perfect for families with young children with a large Downey Children’s Garden, Koch Carousel Garden, Sleepy Troll Hill, and Cox Butterfly Garden.
- Visit Illuminations during Nov.-Dec. for a light display experience with over 2 million twinkling lights and choreographed light shows.
- Seasonal garden exhibits such as larger than life sculptures that will thrill the whole family
Pro Tip: If you go to Costco, you can get a DEAL. You can save 25% off.
- Indoor and outdoor pickleball courts
- Free game year
- Weekly free events. Click here for more info.
- Returant and more.
- Located in the Douglas Design District in Downtown Wichita
- DIY wood sign & wood project workshop
- Guided classes with creating wood signage and decorative pieces from serving trays to wall art.
- Choose from their many weekly workshops and book online
- Bring your own beverages and food
- Perfect for an adult girls night out
- Group baking classes offered from a baking equipment and accessories store located in West Wichita
- 2 hour class sessions
- Book online
- All baking and decoration supplies provided
- Class price ranging from $46-$55
- Gift cards are good at any of the 4 Golf Wichita Courses
- They can be used to purchase green fees, carts fees, apparel and even concession items!
GROW Giesen Plant Shop Workshops
- Local plant shop in downtown Wichita
- GROW WOrkshops range from hanging airplant and succulent terrariums to wreaths and floral arrangements.
- Check out and book workshops online
- Many activities allow children involvement, some are adult-only
- Typical workshop pricing ranges from $15-$30
- Unique fullservice and grill with over 1,000 video games and 500 board games
- Famous for their seasonal all-out facility decor
- A unique and perfect outing for a group of game-loving adults
- Glass blowing gift shop and artist workshop located in Kechi KS offering classes and workshops
- Book a ‘Blow-Your-Own…” private workshop from ornaments, paper weights, and pumpkins. BYO Workshop pricing ranges from $37-$50
- More in-depth glass experience workshops available for the glass blowing enthusiast.
- Downtown Wichita restaurant holds culinary classes instructed by Chef Natasha, a graduate of The French Culinary Institute in New York City.
- Great cooking classes for avid foodies
- Offers a variety of classes at different prices
- Gift certificates can be redeemed for culinary classes
- Art gallery and art educational facility located in east Wichita
- Offers 7-week sessions of adult art classes in several mediums such as ceramics, painting, printmaking, and photography.
- Session prices are typically $129 for the full 7 weeks
- Book online to see full class list and schedule.
Paint the Towne Gift Certificate
- Canvas painting sessions located both east and west Wichita
- Pre-registeration required. Choose a class from their event menu to join.
- Open Studio or guided paint classes for adults
- Private Parties for 6+ attendees available.
- Perfect for a group activity.
- Bring your own beverages such as wine etc. and snacks for a fun-filled night of expression and stress relief!
Sedgwick Co. Zoo Pass/Membership
- Kansas’ largest Zoo
- Open all year with indoor and outdoor attractions.
- Winter Wednesdays for discounted entry .
- Memberships range from single or 2 people and up to large families
- Wichita State University’s NCAA Basketball team
- Select from Women’s or Men’s basketball roster
- Single tickets or group purchases as a discount available online
- General admission $30 for men’s and $6-$8 for women’s
Tanganyika Wildlife Park Pass/Membership
- 3rd largest animal collection in Kansas
- Regional and exotic animals
- Close encounter and animal feeding experiences
- Perfect for a family experience
- Premier entertainment destination in Wichita, KS
- High-tech electronic putting games and score keeping
- 2 floors of climate-controlled open air hitting bays
- Complimentary clubs or bring your own
- Full bar and restaurant
Local Experience Gift List for Grandparents and Seniors:
Pro Tip: If you go to Costco, you can get a DEAL. You can save 25% off.
- Indoor and outdoor pickleball courts with Senior leagues
- Weekly free events. Click here for more info.
- Returant and more.
- Botanical garden and attraction in downtown Wichita
- A perfect place to take your grandchildren to explore our children’s garden, ride the carousel, and view the holiday lights at Illuminations.
- Adult education classes offered such as honey tasting, bee keeping, and gardening.
- Adult groups and committees such as the Botanica Pistols and Garden Ambassadors.
- Many volunteer opportunities for seniors throughout the gardens
- Learning Luncheons offered monthly from a range of topics from rose gardening to local history.
- Baking classes offered from a baking equipment and accessories store located in West Wichita
- Classes include ornate cookies, cake pops, tiered cakes, cupcakes, etc.
- 2 hour class sessions
- See the class options and book online
- All baking and decoration supplies provided
- Class price ranging from $46-$55
- Gift cards are good at any of the 4 Golf Wichita Courses
- Perfect gift for our retired loved ones!
- They can be used to purchase green fees, carts fees, apparel and even concession items!
GROW Giesen Plant Shop Workshops
- Local plant shop in downtown Wichita
- GROW WOrkshops range from hanging airplant and succulent terrariums to wreaths and floral arrangements.
- Check out and book workshops online
- Typical workshop pricing ranges from $15-$30
- Glass blowing gift shop and artist workshop located in Kechi KS offering classes and workshops
- Book a ‘Blow-Your-Own…” private workshop from ornaments, paper weights, and pumpkins. BYO Workshop pricing ranges from $37-$50
- More in-depth glass experience workshops available for the glass-blowing enthusiast.
- Downtown Wichita restaurant holds culinary classes instructed by Chef Natasha, a graduate of The French Culinary Institute in New York City.
- Great cooking classes for avid foodies
- Offers a variety of classes at different prices
- Gift certificates can be redeemed for culinary classes
- Art gallery and art educational facility located in east Wichita
- Offers 7 week sessions of adult art classes in several mediums such as ceramics, painting, printmaking, and photogrpahy.
- Session prices are typically $129 for the full 7 weeks
- Book online to see full class list and schedule.
- Wichita and the surrounding area offers over 5 museums to choose from and explore
- Wichita’s museums range from historical collections to modern art galleries and aviation marvels.
Wichita Symphony Orchestra Gift Certificate
- The Wichita Symphony Orchestra is one of the oldest and most active arts organizations in Kansas.
- Experience a masterful musical experience ranging from classical to contemporary concertos
- Seasonal passes available
Take advantage of Wichita Membership Deals happening around Black Friday and December.
