The Sunflower Summer app is back for 2025! Good work, Kansas. Thanks to funding approved by the Kansas Legislature for another year, Kansas families will be able to get free admission to many Kansas attractions again. However,despite the enormous popularity of Sunflower Summer, its future is not at all certain, so we should continue to do everything possible to support this program’s continuation.
There will be some changes to the program this year. One change is the start date: Sunflower Summer starts July 1, 2025 instead of on Memorial Day weekend, as it has in the past.
What is Sunflower Summer?
Sunflower Summer is an initiative launched by the Tourism division of the Kansas Department of Commerce that gives Kansas students free admission tickets to more than 200 attractions around the state.
Its purpose is to encourage Kansas families to get out and experience something new and enjoy time together.
The program includes a wide variety of participating attractions across the state, including museums, zoos and nature centers, historic spots, amusement parks, water parks, sports venues, and more.
As it says on its website, “Sunflower Summer offers Kansas families a get out of the house free card you can carry in your pocket.”
The free admission is offered primarily by means of a free app you can download to your Apple or Android device. Residents who don’t have smartphones can still participate by receiving paper vouchers from staff at many attractions.
Who is eligible to benefit from Sunflower Summer?
The Sunflower Summer program is only for Kansas residents who have children enrolled in Kindergarden through Grade 12. Grandparents can participate as well, with cooperation from the children’s parent or legal guardian.
The terms specify that anyone can download the app but “only Kansas parents of children enrolled in Kansas schools are eligible for admission discounts.”
The program is not available for families who live outside of Kansas.
What attractions participate?
The list of participating 2025 Sunflower Summer attractions hasn’t been released just yet, but we have a long list of attractions here that previously participated.
In Wichita, most of our favorite Wichita attractions do participate in Sunflower Summer every year!
How can I get the app?
Download the app from Apple App Store or from Google Play
Where can I learn more about it?
You can read our earlier article about Kansas Sunflower Summer here, and later in the year check the official website sunflowersummer.org to find out what attractions will be participating.
How can I help ensure Sunflower Summer returns in 2026?
The decision rests with Kansas lawmakers. There is a group circulating an online petition to save the Sunflower Summer program. The website, savesunflowersummer.org, has a link to the petition as well as more information about ways you can help.
