Free Things to do in Wichita, Kansas

Looking for Free Activites to do in Wichita, or think about trying a no-spend challenge in Wichita. Save Money Without Missing the Fun. If you’ve been feeling the pinch of rising costs or just want to reset your budget, a No-Spend Challenge might be just what you need. It’s a great way to cut unnecessary spending, get creative with your time, and rediscover everything Wichita has to offer—for free.

As a Wichita mom always looking for ways to live the good life for less, I’ve taken on this challenge a few times. With a little planning and the right mindset, it’s not only doable, but it’s also fun and even kind of freeing. Here’s how you can try a no-spend challenge in Wichita and enjoy it, all while keeping your money right where it belongs: in your wallet.

What is a No-Spend Challenge?

A No-Spend Challenge means cutting out all non-essential spending for a set period, usually a weekend or even a full week. You’ll stick to only the basics, like groceries you already planned for or maybe a tank of gas if needed. (And when you do need to fill up, be sure to check out our list of the Cheapest Gas Prices in Wichita to save even more!) That means no drive-thru runs, no browsing the aisles at Target, and no “just a few bucks” on last-minute entertainment. It’s a short-term commitment with long-term savings potential.

Why Take the Challenge?

Reset your spending habits.
Reduce impulse purchases.
Appreciate what you already have.
Save toward bigger goals (vacation, emergency fund)

How to Prepare for Your No-Spend Weekend

Plan your meals using food you already have at home.
Visit our Community Calendar for free events & activities.
Avoid temptation by unsubscribing from promo emails or skipping Target runs.
Tell your family about the challenge and get everyone on board.

Free Things to Do in Wichita

Free Things to Do Outdoors in Wichita

More Free Things To Do:

Free Local Attractions in Wichita

Head to your neighborhood Library and check out books, kids’ activity backpacks, a telescope, and more.
Visit Cowtown on a Sunday from April to October and get Free Admission to Old Cowtown.
Learn about Wichita’s rich history with a visit to the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, where admission is free every Sunday.
Wichita Art Museum’s permanent collection is free to visit, along with their kids’ PLAY area with toys and art supplies.
Take your littles to the PBS free educational center, where they can play with tons of toys and interactive activities to keep them busy.
Wichita State University campus has two great free museums, the Ulrich and the Original Pizza Hut.
City Arts Gallery is always free to visit, and it’s fun to walk around Old Town Square.
The Mark Arts Gallery show is free to visit and features artwork on display for the public to enjoy
Baseball Museum at Riverfront Stadium is free to the public and always open during games.

Free Museum Admission and Deals

Free Things To Do with Kids

This list is Free things to do that are always happening throughout the whole year. Below you will find Free reocuring events.

Indoor Play Places (Not all are free). This is my ultimate guide to indoor activities for Kids.
Wichita has tons of free Storytimes year-round at local libraries, shopping centers, and attractions.
OJ Watson Park has Train Rides, Mini Golf, pony rides, and more. These activities do cost extra, but the park & playgrounds are free to visit.
Anji Play at Westlink Library is a free outdoor play area.
Castle Park in Augusta, KS, is worth the drive. Next to it is a Splash Pad, which is also free. Make sure to use our Cheapest Gas Prices before you head out. Augusta also has Holiday Bowl, which is not free but is one of the cheaper bowling options.

Free Reocurring Events in Wichita

Recurring Free Events

Chicken N Pickle Kids Crew is free to join, and they have monthly free events with activities, crafts, and usually a food deal.
Enjoy free events year-round with City Crew, which offers activities, events, and more across our city.
Exploration Place hosts Riverflix, a free outdoor Movie Series typically from the middle of April through the middle of October on Friday nights.
You can play Bingo for free on Sundays at Chicken N Pickle or enjoy their game yard.
Take advantage of Home Depot or Lowe’s Free kids workshops, where you can build and create together.
The Creature Feature program at the Great Plains Nature Center is free (Summer).
The Sedgwick County Zoo hosts Tot Tuesdays, and it’s free. Kids can explore animals, nature & stories.
Art Together at Mark Arts is a free kids program with art projects and performances.
Naftzger Park Story Time (May-October) is a fun, free activity in Downtown Wichita.
The Wichita Boat House hosts the Final Food Truck Rally (March-October). It’s free to attend.
Mini Book Sale at Wichita Art Museum is a recurring event and free to attend, and the permanent collection is also free to visit.
Looking for some bargains? Citywide Garage Sales is a great place to find multiple sales in one place. Free to treasure hunt, but bring cash in case you find something you can’t live without.
Shop & Grub is a monthly outdoor market (April-October) that is free to attend.
The First Fridays Art Crawl is an ongoing free event where you can enjoy art at venues across town.

Free Concerts in Wichita

Wichita offers several great free concert series throughout the year. You can catch live music at Chicken N Pickle on Fridays, and during the summer, enjoy outdoor performances through the Audacy Summer Concert Series and the Bradley Fair Summer Concert Series. Outside the Historical Museum, you catch a Clock Tower Carillon Concert Series.

Seasonal Free Things to Do & Events

My Big List of Winter Activities & Deals in December, January, and February

In this Article you will find:

Activities this Winter in Wichita
National Deals & Holidays
Winter Events
Reocurring Activites
Winter Food Deals
Date Night Ideas this Winter
Special Shopping Deals this Winter

Free Food Deals

Most of these require a purchase to get the deal.

Get Creative at Home

Have a family movie night using DVDs from the library or a streaming service you already pay for.
Host a cook-off using pantry items that you already have and see who can make the best snack.
Set up a DIY spa day, game night, scavenger hunt, or Minute to Win It game using materials you already have at home.
Build a fort, read books, or camp out in the backyard or living room.

Happy Birthday!

If this you Birthday Month

You can get lots of Freebies for your birthday on apps or in-store. See what you can get.

My Wichita Mom Tip:

I like to turn our no-spend weekends into a little game for my daughters; we brainstorm what we can do without buying anything. They love being part of the planning, and I love not spending $40 on a “quick” coffee and errand run.

How Much Can You Save?

Skipping takeout, shopping, and entertainment for one weekend can easily save you $50–$150. Multiply that by a couple of weekends a month, and suddenly, you’ve got room in your budget to pay off a bill, fund a family outing later, or just breathe easier.

Ready to Save?

Wichita is full of fun, free things to do. You need to sign up for our FREE Email Newsletter so you never miss out on all the free fun around town. Take the No-Spend Challenge and see how creative (and resourceful) you can be. I’d love to hear how your no-spend challenge goes, what you did, how much you saved, and what surprised you! Share your experience in the comments. Then, use what you saved to reach your next goal.