Winter Break fun in Wichita: free and cheap things to do with the kids

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 the kids from getting bored!

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

This is a long post! Be sure to scroll down to see some awesome Groupon discounts for winter break activities and a day-by-day listing of Winter Break events.

When is winter break for Wichita schools?

Wichita Public Schools will be out for winter recess from December 17 through January 4, according to the district calendar online.

Winter Break Activities in the Wichita Area

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.

Sedgwick County Zoo Discounts During Winter Break

The Sedgwick County Zoo offers $3 admission on Winter Wednesdays, so that’s a great day to go during winter break.

Chicken N Pickle Ice Pond

The Chicken N Pickle outdoor ice pond has opened for the season. Skate Pass this year has gone up a dollar to $11 and skate rental is also a buck more at $4. If you think you’ll make use of the Chicken N Pickle skating rink often (and if you don’t have your own skates), buy a 10-visit pass for $120.

Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum

The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum is open for regular hours. The museum is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 1-5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, except for December 25 and January 1. Of course, during the holiday time it’s smart to check the calendar before you go to be sure they’re open.

And don’t miss the Bloomfield Carillon Concert at noon on December 23. This is FREE, and best enjoyed outside of the museum.

Kansas Aviation Museum

Kansas Aviation Museum has a Groupon for $5 museum admission this month! Admission is usually $9 for Adults and $6 for Children so this is quite the deal.

But also don’t miss Little Aviators on Friday mornings if you have younger kids. Admission to that weekly program is free.

Check Kansas Aviation Museum hours to plan your visit!

Winter Break Activities at Exploration Place

A budget-friendly option at Wichita’s favorite science museum is the Exploration Place Dome Theater You don’t need to pay for admission to Exploration Place to see a movie in the theater. Tickets are usually $5 for ages 12-64, $3 kids ages 3-11, FREE for kids 2 & under, $4 seniors 65+, although we see right now there’s a movie that’s $8 instead of $5.

Check out Design, Build, Fly! which is a permanent EP exhibit. Emily got to take a look when it opened – read about it here.

Great Plains Nature Center Winter Break Kids Programs

The Great Plains Nature Center is open during winter break from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. but they will be closed for several days around New Year’s. Admission is always free.

Carousel Skate Center Winter Break Schedule

Carousel will be open during winter break, so you’ll definitely be able to keep the kids busy and having fun. Carousel also has a great big new 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.

$10 Paint Days at Paint the Towne

Paint the Towne’s east location will have two weeks of fun $10 paint sessions between December 22 and the new year. These are family-friendly, for adults and kids ages 5 and up. Go to the link for more details about the classes and for a schedule of times.