Winter Break Activites in Wichita

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The holidays sure can put a dent in your wallet, but don’t let that ruin your Christmas break fun! There are lots of free and cheap things to do during winter break in Wichita that will keep you and the kids from getting bored!

These are a few of our favorites, but feel free to add your own in the comments.

If you are looking for childcare for winter break, sign up for Kids Konnection or Winter Break Specialty Camps for fun, safe, and structured programs through Wichita Park and Recreation.

When is Winter Break for Wichita schools?

Wichita Public Schools will be out for winter recess from December 23 to January 2, according to the district’s online calendar.

Some Articles you might be interested in:

• Wichita Community Calendar
• Top Free Things to Do in Wichita
• Local Gems & Must-Visit in Wichita

Winter Break Attractions Deals & Events

We’ve gathered up some great winter break activities to help you keep the kids busy and having fun!

Besides the fun places listed below, be sure to keep scrolling until you come across the day-by-day list of events and things to do during Christmas break! There are some really fun ones.

Winter Break Activities at Exploration Place

The Wichita Science Museum, Exploration Place, has the traveling exhibit: Ice Dinosaurs until January 4th. Enjoy the current exhibit, be amazed by a live science show, play in the castle, take in a Dome movie, and consider getting or renewing your EP membership this year! The museum offers extended hours on Thursdays so you can enjoy this wonderful attraction longer.

While you’re visiting Exploration Place during winter break, check out Design, Build, Fly!

Sedgwick County Zoo Discounts During Winter Break

The Sedgwick County Zoo offers $5 admission on Winter Wednesdays, so that’s a great day to go during winter break.

Chicken N Pickle Ice Pond: Ice Skating

The Chicken N Pickle Ice Rink has opened for the season.

Great Plains Nature Center Winter Break Kids Programs

The Great Plains Nature Center is open during winter break from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, but it will be closed for Christmas and New Year’s. Admission is always free. The holidays may disrupt some of their regularly scheduled crafty events and story times. Be sure to stop at the gift shop for fun and unique gifts.

Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum Winter Program

The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum offers FREE Winter Programs at the Historical Museum.

Kansas Aviation Museum Holiday Deal

Kansas Aviation Museum has plenty of free and discounted fun over the holiday break, including discounted admission for all ages, and a couple of VERY special guests to hang out with the kids. Check out our article, Winter Break Activities at Kansas Aviation Museum. Also, check out the recurring deals at the Kansas Aviation Museum.

Wichita Art Museum

Get FREE admission at the Wichita Art Museum. If you have little ones, visit PLAY, the museum’s designated kids’ area, and it’s FREE! You and your kids can make art and have fun in the museum.

2025 Exhibit: Visit the Robert Peterson – Somewhere in America exhibition, open until January 5, 2025.

Wichita Public Library Activities

The library has extensive resources for kids, teenagers, and families, including STEAM to Go kits, Early Learning backpacks, Playaway Launchpads, the Family Place, and – of course! You can check out some great books and movies for your winter break. One of my favorites (as an adult) is the free ebooks and audiobooks I can check out as a Wichita Public Library cardholder. Some events for the youngsters are available at different library locations around town. The best way to find them is to do a search of the Library’s event calendar filtered by your kids’ ages.

Great Plains Transportation Museum

Also known as Wichita’s train museum, GPTM is only open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The holiday break might be a great time when kids aren’t too busy on their weekends. Admission is $5.25 for ages 4-12, $8.75 for everyone 13 and older, FREE for kids three and younger. See their website for more information. Great Plains Transportation Museum

FREE Museums in Wichita:

• Wichita Art Museum’s permanent collection is now always FREE to visit, and so is PLAY an indoor Kids’ Area. 
• Ulrich Museum of Art on the WSU campus is always free.
• CityArts galleries are always free. (CityArts is also a great spot to take art classes, which are not free, but they look like a lot of fun.)
• The Kansas Sports Hall of Fame inside the Wichita Boathouse is always free, but it’s only open by appointment. Contact info@kshof.org to book your tour.
• The McCormick School Museum might be one of the least known museums in Wichita, and yet it is a fantastic treasure that is always free.
• Great Plains Nature Center in northeast Wichita is always free.
• The Kansas Wildlife Exhibit in Riverside Central Park is always free. (Locals call it the Riverside Zoo.) It includes over 25 species of animals and is located in the central part of Riverside Park.

Pro Tip: Get a Wichita Explore Card and get $2 off admission at some local attractions.

Things to do over Winter Break in Wichtia

Go Bowling

This Bowling Deals roundup highlights some of the best bowling deals around Wichita, making it an easy and affordable way to have fun indoors. Bowling is an excellent option for families, friend groups, or anyone hosting out-of-town guests, especially when you’re looking for something fun that doesn’t depend on the weather.

Carousel Skate Center Winter Break Schedule

Carousel will be open with extended hours during winter break, so you’ll definitely be able to keep the kids busy and having fun. Carousel also has a great big indoor play area (for an additional charge) that the kids will probably love, especially when they need a break from skating.

Hours will vary depending on the day of the week, but generally Carousel Skate Center  is open daily except for holidays. Check Carousel’s holiday schedule and price options before you go.

Wichita Ice Center Winter Break Skating

The Skate Center has a variety of open skates and special seasonal/holiday events. You can also get an early bird discount on ice skating lessons in the new year if you purchase them before December 31.

Movie Deals in Wichita

Catch a film over Winter Break. On Mondays, Boulevard Theaters runs a great Deal. Tuesday’s Regal has Value Days and dont forget that the Dome Theater at Exploration Place is now included with admission.

Arcades in Wichita

Here is our list of Arcades in Wichita. This would be a fun activity to do inside during Winter Break. Dont forget that the Downtown Arcade is 1/2 on Tuesdays.

Chicken N Pickle Deals & Free Bingo

Did you know that Chicken N Pickle has a new Kids Crew that’s FREE to join with a monthly meetup designed for families with activities, crafts, and more. You can even score a free kids’ breakfast sometimes. But we always love going to Chicken N Pickle free Bingo on Sundays.

Winter Break Holiday Activites

Wichita Botanica Winter Activities

Don’t forget that Botanica Illuminations continues throughout December and into the New Year. If you haven’t had an opportunity to visit it yet, walking through the winter wonderland of lights, riding the carousel, and enjoying concessions and festivities is the perfect thing to keep your holiday break feeling like the holidays.

Visit Santa

Santa is checking his list and making stops all around Wichita. From malls to special holiday events, there are plenty of chances to snap a photo, share a wish, and soak up some classic Christmas magic. Find out Where to See Santa in Wichita.

Holiday Light Displays

Nothing is more thrilling than driving around and seeing the Best Christmas Light Displays in Wichita. The best part is that you don’t even have to change out of your pajamas for most of these! Grab some hot cocoa and go make memories that last a lifetime.

Watson Christmas Express

All aboard the Watson Christmas Express for an adventure to the North Pole. Kids are encouraged to wear pajamas just like the boy in the book, for ages 2 and up.

Carriage & Train Rides this Holiday

There are a few places you can take a Train Ride or a Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride this holiday season. This will definitely help get you into the holiday spirit.

Ultimate Guide to Holiday Movies

Looking to catch a film or check out a dome theater. There are plenty of chances to enjoy holiday classics and seasonal favorites on the big screen around Wichita. From traditional movie theaters to immersive dome experiences, it’s an easy way to relax, stay warm, and enjoy a festive outing this season. Ihave rounded up Holiday Movies in and around Wichita.

Holiday Shows and Concerts

Many of the shows happen in early December, but there are still a few you can catch over winter break. The Nutcracker and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever are personal favorites and always worth seeing. Wichita is full of incredibly talented performers, so it’s a great time to see what Holiday Shows are on stage this season.

Igloos and Holiday Restaurants & Bars

The igloos at Chicken N Pickle and Ziggy’s are highly recommended and have been a fun experience to try. They’re perfect for getting a group together and splitting the cost if you’re looking for something a little different this season. There’s also a roundup of bars and restaurants around Wichita that have taken holiday decorating to the next level. Pop-up Igloos and Festive Restaurants are a great idea during winter break

Food Deals You Dont Want to Miss

• Everyone loves a night out at a great restaurant, but let’s be honest, paying full price can take the fun out of it. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best Restaurant Deals in Wichita and Happy Hour Specials! Explore our guides and treat yourself without guilt.
• My personal favorite article I use the most is the Ultimate Guide: Eat Out for Less in Wichita.
• A great way to save when dining out with the family is to find restaurants that offer Kids Eat Free or Cheap, which can make a big difference on the final bill!
• If you want to see the Latest Dining Deals or Food Events in Wichita, we have an updated list of articles you might be interested in.
• If you love burgers as much as my husband does, you’ll want to check out our Recurring Hamburger Deals article! It’s our go-to guide for finding Wichita restaurants with burger specials to help keep costs down.
• Enjoy your favorite drink or slushy at Sonic’s Happy Hour. This is always a great mid-day treat.
• My personal favorite is the Free Fries every Friday at McDonald’s. I get this deal often with my unsweetened iced tea.
• Once a month, Carlos O’Kelly’s has $0.05 Queso. The date varies.
• Every Wednesday, you can get Free Nuggets at Wendy’s all year long.
• If you like wings, you can’t beat Buffalo Wild Wings Deals.
• All-you-can-eat is always a good choice, so dont miss CiCi’s Pizza Buffet Deal.
• A Wichita classic is NuWay Deals each week on Wednesdays and Sundays.
• Find out when you can get a Free Slice of Pie at Spears each week.
• Spangles All-American Meal Deal is available every day.
• The Pizza Ranch buffet is an all-you-can-eat deal, but check when they have Half Price FunZone Arcade.
• Village Inn is a budget-friendly option, and they have some great weekly specials.
• The most well-known day is Taco Tuesdays, so see what deals you can get.
• Sam’s Club Hot Dog Combo is a steal of a deal.

• Get Free Fries on Friday at McDonald’s. This deal is running until the end of the year.
• Score FREE Chicken Nuggets every Wednesday at Wendy’s! That’s right, you can get free 6-piece nuggets every week if you want. Don’t miss out on this delicious deal!

Related Events:

Wichita Attractions on the Cheap
Wichita Christmas Lights
Visit Santa
Free and inexpensive things kids can do in Wichita, KS
Spreading Kindness with Painted Rocks

Past Events

All Star Wichita has daily specials during winter break with a different deal or bonus each day; some are better than others, and offers may vary depending on location. Be sure to check the specials/promos on their website before you decide which day you’ll go.