We are celebrating our independence with fireworks and splash pads. Wichita and the surrounding area is celebrating Independence Day all week long – check out the list here. Don’t forget about the VBS round-up, FREE things to do, and the Ultimate Summer Bucket List for more fun summer activities. For specific things to do this month, keep scrolling!
We are thrilled to bring this resource in collaboration with some of our favorite community partners: Botanica and Sedgwick County Zoo! To make planning easy, we are excited to highlight their July events below:
Botanica
Tuesdays on the Terrace
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 6:00 – 8:00pm, $10 and $5 for members. There will be food for sale and a cash bar. Come and enjoy live music and community! July 3 – Bad Mother Hubbard; July 10 – Across the Pond; July 17 – Skinny Hightower; July 24 – Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band; July 31 – Jenny Wood & the Watchers
Games in the Gardens
July 5, 12, 19, 26, 10:00-7:30, We will have oversized games in the Downing Children’s Garden Meadow. Join us for lunch at our Garden Cafe at Botanica or pack a picnic and eat outside in our gardens. Check our website for special activities during Family Game Day/Night. General admission applies.
Breakfast and Butterfly Release
July 18, 9:00am, Spend time in our gardens while enjoying fresh air, fun and breakfast with the butterflies! Each guest will receive a live butterfly to release in our Cox Butterfly House and breakfast by Chris Cakes. Enjoy all you can eat pancakes, sausage and orange drink in our garden. You will also receive fish food to feed our koi. $12 for members and $15 for non-members.
>>Click HERE for a list of all Botanica events in July<<
Sedgwick County Zoo
Twilight Tuesdays
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 8:30am – 8:30pm. Enjoy the Zoo during extended hours! Every Tuesday in July, admission will be $3 per person with a Cox Voucher, available at any area Cox Solutions Store.
Children’s Farms Festival: County Fair
July 21, 10:00am-2:00pm Celebrate the Farms by participating in some old-fashioned county fair activities. Learn how animals are judged at the fair and much more. You might even win a blue ribbon yourself! Regular admission applies.
Cocktails with the Creatures
July 14, 6:00 – 8:00pm Enjoy a fabulous cocktail created by mixologists from Glazer’sand House of Schwan while learning about amazing creatures from our knowledgeable educators. Cocktails with the Creatures is a guided tour, so make sure to arrive by 6pm. All attendees must be 21 years or older. Tickets are $35 for members and $40 for non-members.
>>Click HERE for a list of all Zoo events in July<<
July 2018 Events in Wichita
WEEKEND June 29-July 1
June 29: Enjoy cocktails and food while learning about the flora at the zoo with The Drunken Botanist.
June 29-July 1: Music Theatre Wichita presents Guys and Dolls.
June 30: Celebrate independence at Cowtown with old-fashioned fun.
July 1: Head out to Winfield and revisit the 80s with the musical Rock of Ages.
Week:: July 1-7
Wichita and the surrounding area is celebrating Independence Day all week long – check out the list here.
July 1-3: A musical with a patriotic touch – drive downtown and see 1776 The Musical.
July 3: Tuesdays on the Terrace at Botanica promises good drinks, delicious food, and live music.
July 3: Head to the zoo for after hours fun at Twilight Tuesday.
July 4: Enjoy ice cream, live music and fireworks.
July 5: Bring a picnic and enjoy a summer concert around the Bradley Fair pond.
July 5: Head to Botanica with a picnic for oversized Games in the Garden.
WEEKEND July 6-8
July 7: Free yoga in the park for older teens and adults – don’t forget to register.
July 7: Garden City High School is bringing their performance of Peter and the Starcatcher to Wichita.
July 7: Get fit and snag a goodie bag with Bradley Fair Fit.
Week:: July 8-14
July 10: Tuesdays on the Terrace at Botanica promises good drinks, delicious food, and live music.
July 10: Head to the zoo for after hours fun at Twilight Tuesday.
July 11: Middle schoolers needing some additional financial education will benefit from this free camp.
July 11: I love tacos, and so do dragons! Enjoy this special storytime.
July 11-15: Music Theatre Wichita presents Freaky Friday.
July 12: Barry the Bison is bringing his Recreation Station to Orchard Park.
July 12: Head to Botanica with a picnic for oversized Games in the Garden.
July 12: The Bug Lady is visiting Rockwell library.
July 12: Older elementary students will have fun with Chicken in a Cup.
July 12-14: Wichita Children’s Theatre presents Pinocchio.
WEEKEND July 13-15
July 13: Scholastic is road-tripping to Watermark with characters, prizes and more.
July 13: Take the family to Goddard Park to watch Jumanji with burgers and hot dogs available.
July 14: Show your carnival game skills off at OJ Watson Park.
July 14: Indulge your family’s artistic side with a mixes media Lady Liberty art workshop.
July 14: Local author Dustin Wilgers will be reading his new book, Savanna Spider, Super Scientist.
July 14: For a fun date night, try Cocktails with the Creatures at the zoo.
July 14: Get fit and snag a goodie bag with Bradley Fair Fit.
Week:: July 15-21
July 16: The rhythm is going to get you – the beat of Drums across Kansas.
July 17: Tuesdays on the Terrace at Botanica promises good drinks, delicious food, and live music.
July 17: Head to the zoo for after hours fun at Twilight Tuesday.
July 17: Spend the afternoon celebrating World Emoji Day.
July 17-20: Learn how to take impactful photographs that tell a story at this workshop.
July 19: Spaghetti Eddie is performing a free, family friendly concert at the Goddard library.
July 19: Head to Botanica with a picnic for oversized Games in the Garden.
July 19: Teens can head to the new library and make a Smart Bracelet.
July 19: Compete in the Fairy Tale Challenge at the Alford Library.
WEEKEND July 20-22
July 20: Relive the original Jurassic Park with this interactive screening.
July 21: Bring friends and family for the monthly Walk in the Park.
July 21: Get fit and snag a goodie bag with Bradley Fair Fit.
July 21: The Children’s Farms at the zoo are hosting a County Fair.
July 21: Happy Birthday, Wichita! Celebrate at the historical museum.
July 21: WAM is having a summer Birthday Bash with ice cream and live music.
July 21: Celebrate Wichita AND get outside for a Splash Party.
July 22: Grab your girlfriends for a Rockin’ Sip and Shop.
Week:: July 22-28
July 24: Tuesdays on the Terrace at Botanica promises good drinks, delicious food, and live music.
July 24: Head to the zoo for after hours fun at Twilight Tuesday.
July 24: Join WMB for a service opportunity at Ronald McDonald House.
July 25-29: Music Theatre Wichita presents Pippin.
July 26: Head to Botanica with a picnic for oversized Games in the Garden.
July 26: Story time at Chick-fil-a means biscuits or chicken for the family!
July 26: CCC is hosting their annual Ooey Gooey Fun & Sun day.
July 26: Take a stroll along the river with friend and family.
July 26: Barry has his Recreation Station out again, this time at Buffalo Park.
WEEKEND July 27-29
July 27-28: The Dam Music Festival is back this year, bigger and better than ever.
July 27: Celebrate Moth Mania at Great Plains Nature Center by marveling under the full moon.
July 28: Get fit and snag a goodie bag with Bradley Fair Fit.
July 28: Show your Shocker pride with a 5k fun run.
July 28: Take the kids kids to Michaels for a Make Break of crayon-transfer t-shirts.
July 28: There will be a family-friendly DJ at Chester Lewis Park.
July 28: Park City is showing Coco at the park. Bring your chairs and snacks!
Week:: July 29-31
July 31: Tuesdays on the Terrace at Botanica promises good drinks, delicious food, and live music.
July 31: Head to the zoo for after hours fun at Twilight Tuesday.
More events will be added as the month goes on – check back soon!
You can see everything on the WMB calendar for the month here. If you have an event to add, you can do that here.
WMB Neighborhood Group Meet-Ups
Wichita Neighborhood Mom Groups are having all kids of activities in your neighborhood and connecting online to share recommendations and advice. Click here to join your Neighborhood Group, and see below for what’s going on near you this month.
North Wichita/Bel Aire Group is headed to the splash pad on July 12.
Derby/South Wichita Group is heading to the splash pad on July 13, then it is Moms’ Night Out on July 19.
West Wichita/Goddard Group will host a Moms’ Night Out on July 17.
Preschool Playdates Group is meeting for a music circle time at the new library on July 18, and is headed to a splash pad for a picnic playdate on July 27.
East Wichita/Andover Group is meeting the Preschool Playdate Group for a picnic at the splash pad on July 27.
Central Wichita Group is meeting up for some pool time on July 30.
Regularly Scheduled Programming
Many local places have recurring events that are great for moms and families, and you can find them here:
- Aviate has Junior Jump Monday through Friday for the younger crowd.
- Botanica has a Garden Storytime every Thursday morning, in the Children’s Library or weather permitting in the gardens.
- Sensory Friendly play at Exploration Place on the second Sunday of every month
- Urban Air has Jumparoo Toddler Jump every Tuesday and Friday.
- Home Depot has a free Kids’ DIY workshop on the first Saturday of every month.
- Family Night at Museum of World Treasures is the first Thursday of the month.
- Every Friday the Kansas Aviation Museum has a special ticket price for families.
- Make ICT has free access to their makerspace every other Monday.
- Kansas Children’s Service League has a support group for Parents of Special Needs Children on the third Monday of every month.
- Moxi Junction hosts story and craft time every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10:30am.
- Local libraries have story times almost every day: check out our Guide to Wichita Story Times.
Other Resources for Things to Do with Kids
Top 10 Things for Wichita Kids & Parents to Do in ICT
Fun Stuff to Do in West Wichita
Where Kids Eat Cheap or Free in Wichita
Guide to Wichita: Everything You Need to Know
