Wichita on the Cheap

Live the Good Life for Less & Never Miss a Deal

Free Summer Meals for Kids: Summer Food Program

This summer, kids can receive free breakfast and lunch at locations across Wichita. This wonderful Summer Food Program is back for 2025!  The program is open to any kid ages 18 and under. There are no qualifying guidelines or paperwork to complete—just a free meal provided by the WPS Summer Food Program.  Wichita Public Schools […]

FREE Swimming Days at Wichita Pools

I remember when I first heard about Wichita’s FREE swimming days! They have them for each of the city’s pools throughout the summer. Can you believe that? Also see: Where to Swim in Wichita City of Wichita Pools have been undergoing some changes and upgrades for the past few years. Some of them were turned […]

Kansas Aviation Museum Block Party

Kansas Aviation Museum 2025 Block Party flyer

Gather up a big group of friends or relatives and squeeze everyone in the car! The Kansas Aviation Museum Block Party will be a summer day of Flight, Fun, and Family … and carload admission pricing! Sunday, June 22, our favorite art deco airport-turned-museum will host a family-friendly block party from 1-6 p.m. It will […]

Derby Plaza Theater Cheap Summer Kids’ Movies

The Derby Plaza Summertime discounted kids’ movies are back. When it gets too hot to play outside, bring the kids to the Derby Plaza Theater for some cool deals. Admission to these family-friendly movies is just $2 per person. The doors open at 10 a.m. and all shows start at 10:30 a.m. The summer kids’ […]

Ballet Wichita Free Performances in the Park

One of my favorite free events in Wichita every year is back for Spring 2025. Bring blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy the FREE Wichita Ballet in the Park again this year! Family-friendly performances are held in parks in Wichita and surrounding communities, and feature a new production each year. It’s a relaxed and casual atmosphere […]

FREE Automobilia Moonlight Car Show and Street Party

Automobilia Wichita

Automobilia Moonlight Car Show and Street Party will be happening again in Wichita, and the best part is the outdoor car show is FREE to the public.  “Automobilia Car Show is One of the Largest Car Shows In The State of Kansas. They block off approximately 2 miles of Wichita streets. We have seven bands […]

Smoke on the Plains, Derby BBQ & Music Fest: Free Event

Smoke on the Plains BBQ & Music Fest

The annual Derby BBQ & Music Festival in Derby’s High Park is a family favorite! This FREE event will be held June 13 & 14, 2025! This annual family-friendly event includes live music, food, and kid’s activities. Admission is FREE. There are an average of about 50 professional BBQ teams from the Midwest. There will […]

Stearman Field Fathers Day Fly-In & Car Show

The annual Fly-In at Stearman Field in Benton, Kansas, returns on June 14, 2025. This unique event features a full day of aircraft flying into the restaurant’s runway, giving guests a front-row seat to the action and a chance to check out some awesome cars. Walk the tarmac, get up close to various planes, and […]

FREE Summer Reading Program in Wichita and Reading Resources

There are numerous free summer reading programs in Wichita and neighboring communities, designed to help kids stay engaged and avoid the “summer slide.” Programs include a reading goal of some sort, a way to track your progress, and freebies for accomplishing summer reading goals. All of the ones we have listed here are free! Wichita-area […]

Free Fishing Weekend in Kansas

Here’s a deal for all you part-time anglers out there (like me) who never know whether this will be the year you actually use your fishing license. On Free Fishing Weekend in Kansas, you won’t need a license to fish any public Kansas waters. That’s right! Free fishing! No license required, no more handing the pole […]

Riverfest Button Deals at Local Attractions

Your Wichita Riverfest button does more than get you into the festival; it also offers special perks at participating local non-profits, including discounts and exclusive deals. Scroll down to learn about Fest Quest & visit at least 6 of the featured locations, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win $1,000! With your Riverfest […]

Riverfest Kids Free Without a Button: Family Fun Day

Family Fun Day at Wichita Riverfest is one of the best deals of the week. Kids don’t need a button to enjoy activities at Riverfest. Families can explore downtown Wichita and create lasting memories all while supporting a tradition that brings our community together year after year. Children 12 and under get in FREE all […]

Where to Walk in Wichita

Where to Walk in Wichita Kansas

When the weather is nice, not much is cheaper or more relaxing than taking a walk outside. Thankfully, there are some really great walking trails in Wichita that ensure we never get bored with the scenery. Following is a list of a few that are favorites of my own and those I’ve been told about […]

Sunflower Summer App

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 […]

Kansas Aviation Musuem: Summer Camp 20% Off Deal

Kansas Aviation Museum is offering a deal on its Summer Camps. These Camps offer hands-on learning and discovery for kids of all ages. Explore Wichita’s legacy as the “Air Capital of the World,” build STEM skills, and discover exciting career opportunities in aviation. This Flash Sale is from April 2nd to 6th. Use the code […]

Tanganyika Wildlife Park: Ultimate Guide to Visiting on a Budget

Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard, Kansas, is the most interactive zoo in the Midwest. It offers unique experiences where visitors can feed, touch, and learn about animals. While a visit to Tanganyika comes at a cost, we’re here to break down the latest changes and share the most affordable ways to enjoy the park. About […]

Rock River Rapids Season Pass Discount

Rock River rapids Derby water park

Okay, so I know summer seems a million miles away but just imagine how intense that Kansas heat will be when it gets here. You have the picture? Good! Now imagine how great it will be to get a discount on a season pass to the Derby water park, Rock River Rapids. Don’t sleep on […]

Free Movies at Capitol Federal Amphitheater

Is there anything better than relaxing and watching a movie? Yes! Relaxing and watching a movie outside at the CapFed Amphitheater in Andover for FREE! – Not Confirmed for 2025 Bring your lawn chairs and some snacks, kick back, and relax! The outdoor movie series is back!  Free Movies at Capital Federal Amphitheater: In the […]

Save on Summer Vacation Travel – How to Save Money on Road Trips

Save Money on Road Trips

It’s almost summer travel season, when many of us are looking for options to get out of town. After 4 years of staycationing here in the ICT, I think I’m ready to go on a road trip. Of course, if we do that it’s going to have to be one of my patented “on the […]

Where you can swim in Wichita this Summer

Wichita summer swimming pools!

Beat the summer heat with these local Wichita area swimming pools, water parks, and lakes. Dive right in to summer fun with our big list of pools, beaches, and water parks in the Wichita area! Also, be sure to check out our list of FREE swimming days at Wichita pools! Table of Contents: If swimming […]

Wild & Wet Wednesdays at Tanganyika – Kids Get in Free

Tanganyika wet and wild Wednesday

Wild & Wet Wednesdays are back in June and July 2023 at Tanganyika Wildlife Park. This is an opportunity to bring the whole family at a BIG discount. If you’re looking for a fun and affordable summer activity for the whole family, you need to head to Tanganyika Wildlife Park. Every Wednesday is Wild Wednesday […]

Free Admission to the Wichita Art Museum

Wichita Art Museum Free Admission

Admission to the Wichita Art Museum was always free on Saturdays, and that was a great deal but NOW admission is always FREE to see the permanent collection. Yes, FREE! The Wichita Art Museum announced on December 22, 2022, that they will now have FREE admission to their permanent collection gallery. This is HUGE news! […]

Food Trucks at the Fountain at the Wichita Boat House

Final Friday at the Boathouse Wichita

Wichita food trucks serve up great food and great entertainment when they get together for Food Trucks at the Fountain at The Wichita Boathouse. This  FINAL FRIDAY – Art Show & Party with Xclusive Events. Wichita’s Largest FINAL FRIDAY Party… FREE for all ages to attend… OVER 18 Food Trucks. (check their Facebook page for […]

Free gate admission with concert ticket purchase for Kansas State Fair

Kansas State Fair Concerts

Unlike last year’s Kansas State Fair promotional deal, now you can purchase a Grandstand concert ticket at ANY TIME and still get free gate admission on the day of the concert!  The 2022 Kansas State Fair is September 9-18th. Grandstand concerts this year include:  Parker McCollum with Priscilla Block – Saturday, Sept. 10th at 7:30 […]

FREE: Tunes + Tallgrass at the Wichita Art Museum

Tunes + Tallgrass at the Wichita Art Museum - free summer movie and music event!

The Wichita Art Museum and the Tallgrass Film Association are teaming up again this year for a free night of music, film and fun. This free event will be held outside in the museum’s outdoor amphitheater. Tunes + Tallgrass on the Art Garden Lawn is happening on Friday, July 15. “Doors” open at 6:30 p.m. […]