From fake snow to cooking classes, here’s ways to entertain kids over Christmas break
No need to hope for a snow day during the holiday break — one has been scheduled for Dec. 31 in Wichita.
During the upcoming days of the holiday break, you can play in fake snow, skate on real ice, do art, get some “air,” see some animals, have a shootout and more as plenty of Wichita area attractions have specials and other activities planned. Some attractions will even be open Christmas Day.
Don’t dismiss these activities as being only younger kid- or family-friendly — plenty are suitable for teens or adults wanting to have some fun.
Play in the elements
Even if it’s not all that cold outside, you can still enjoy some wintertime activities, both outdoors and inside.
Wichita Park and Recreation is again holding its Snow Day, or rather a snow morning, at the Mid-America All-Indian Center, 650 N. Seneca. It held a similar activity that was supposed to go on for more than half a day during last year’s holiday break, but it was cut short when the snow started to melt. This year, the Snow Day, featuring faux snow made by Snow Bros. Snowmakers, will be 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. The date is subject to change depending on actual conditions, according to organizers. The event is free for all ages, along with free hot chocolate and coffee supplied by Dunkin’ while supplies last. Only nonmetal sleds allowed. Adult supervision required for those younger than 10. wichita.gov/ParkandRec, facebook.com/events/521609991766916, or 316-268-4361
If ice is more your element, there are now two places in Wichita to hit the ice: the Wichita Ice Center, 520 N. Maple, and the new outdoor rink at Chicken N Pickle, 1240 N. Greenwich.
The Wichita Ice Center will have public skating sessions for all ages and all levels on Dec. 20-23, 26 and Dec. 29-Jan. 4. Afternoon and evening times are available. Admission is $7; skate rentals are $3. wichitaicecenter.com or 316-337-9199
On Chicken N Pickle’s 100-by-600-foot rink, you can skate, play or watch hockey or test your curling sweeping skills. Pricing and times vary, depending on which activity you want to do; skates and sticks are available for rental. A three-on-three ice hockey tournament is scheduled for the mornings of Dec. 26-30, according to a Facebook event page. 316-535-7150 or chickennpickle.com/wichita
Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean, is basing its annual Winter Break Edventures, which are day camps for kids in grades kindergarten through fifth grade, on the national traveling exhibition called Wild Weather that is on display through Jan. 5. The camps are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 20, 23, 26, 27 and 30, with early drop-off and late pick-up options available. Cost is $40 or $35 for members. 316-660-0670 or exploration.org
Bring on the battles
Get together with family and friends for some friendly competitions, whether it’s battling with laser or Nerf guns, knocking down some pins, zipping around a track or seeing who can do the best jumps.
Laser Quest Wichita, 2120 N. Woodlawn, has brought back its special holiday break triple-play daily package Dec. 20-Jan. 5. Cost is $19 per person for three games that must be played on the same day. Children too young to wear the game pack on their own may hold hands and play with an older player. Reservations by phone or online recommended; walk-ins welcome. 316-652-9500 (option 2 for reservations) or laserquest.com/ks-wichita
For those who like Nerf gun battles, check out Battle Quest, 2626 S. Rock Road #130. The arena and arcade attraction is running a special of $6 an hour Thursdays, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. Battle Quest hours are 3:30-10 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, Dec. 26-29 and Jan. 2-5. Regular admission is $10, which includes a free blaster with upgraded blasters available. Players are welcome to bring their own blasters. Suitable for ages 4 and up. There’s also an arcade so bring some quarters. For large groups, the website suggests making a reservation. wichitabattlequest.com or 316-570-4389.
Holiday specials are also back at The Alley, 11413 E. 13th St. N., with a $25 package deal that includes not only unlimited bowling and laser maze, but also two passes each for go-karts and the attraction’s virtual reality game called Hologate. Times vary, but the $25 special runs Dec. 25-30 and Jan. 1-3. The Alley also has specials on the evenings of Fridays and Saturdays during the break, with unlimited $15 cosmic bowling and other add-on specials between 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Another fun package is the entertainment venue’s New Year’s Eve party option for either $140 or $150 (depending on the time slot) that includes unlimited bowling, go-karts, the laser maze and Hologate, along with pizza and soda. 316-618-1000 or thealleywichita.com
Ongoing specials at the Wichita Sport Forum, a physical fitness and extreme air sports complex at 2669 N. Greenwich Ct., are Sunday Family Day, 2-10 p.m., $35 for entire immediate family members for an hour; Monday Madness, 6-10 p.m., $5 per person for an hour; Tuesdays two-for-one pricing, 6-10 p.m.; and Saturday teen nights, 8 p.m.-midnight, $5 for ages 13-18. The complex also offers full- and half-day winter break camps Dec. 20, 23, 26, 27, 30 and 31 for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade. 316-201-1414 or wichitasportsforum.com
Teens can have a friendly pickup basketball game during the Greater Wichita YMCA’s ongoing free Saturday Late Night teen nights. Held weekly at the North Y, 3330 N. Woodlawn, and South Y, 3401 S. Meridian, the event is free to any teen with a valid high school ID. Teens can also swim and play games. Consent forms are required. ymcawichita.org/programs/teens/saturday-late-night
Get creative
There are several opportunities for kids to channel their inner Picasso during the holiday break, with at least four Wichita attractions offering creative camps and special events.
Kids can get a little wild with daily animal-themed art classes at The Art Park, 7230 E. 29th St. N. The arts enrichment center is offering half- and full-day classes geared for ages 4-12 on Dec. 23, 24, 26, 27, 30 and 31, and Jan. 2, 3 and 6. Pandas, llamas, penguins, wolves and giraffes are among the animal themes. Cost is $25 for the half-day option (9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) and $40 for a full-day (9 a.m.-4 p.m.); Campers should bring lunch, snacks and water. 316-683-2500 or theartparkwichita.com/winter-camp-art-park
You can’t beat free so check out the Wichita Art Museum’s popular Winter Art Mania days, scheduled for 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday-Saturday Dec. 26-28. Activities include Harry Potter movies, artmaking, photos and live entertainment along with gallery admission. Admission is free during Winter Art Mania; remember, Saturdays at WAM are always free so you can check out exhibitions for free on Dec. 21 and Jan. 4 — the “Light and Shadow” exhibition that features interesting shapes and shadows created by different mediums ends Jan. 5. wichitaartmuseum.org
Prefer Potter or Picasso? Kids ages 5-11 can choose to make a Harry Potter wand and owl or Picasso-inspired sculptures during half-day camps at Mark Arts, 1307 N. Rock Road. The camps run from 9 a.m.-noon, with the Harry Potter workshop happening Monday, Dec. 23, and the Picasso one on Monday, Dec. 30. Cost is $30. Advance registration required. markartsks.com/youth-workshops-2
CityArts, 334 N. Mead, has day camps, with early drop-off and late pick-up available, for kids ages 6-12. The camp runs 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 20, 23, 27, 30, 31 and Jan. 1 and 2. Campers must bring a sack lunch; an over-sized shirt for creating messy art is suggested. Daily rates are $40. 316-350-3245 or wichita-cityarts.squarespace.com
Let the games begin
As it has in the past, The Arcade, 139 N. Mead, will be open more hours than normal during the holiday break. It’s even open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The Arcade features more than 70 retro video games. All video games are on free play, while pinball is 50 cents. Daily unlimited play rates are $10, $8 for kids 10 and under. 316-844-0010 or thearcadewichita.com
If you haven’t checked out the arcade and games at Dave & Busters, 2644 N. Greenwich, try it on Wednesdays, when games are half-price. The restaurant and gaming complex will be open Wednesday, Dec. 25, from 5 p.m.-midnight, and regular hours of 11 a.m.-midnight Wednesday, Jan. 1. The complex has classic games like Pop-A-Shot and Pac-Man, as well as high-tech virtual reality games. 316-796-8550 or daveandbusters.com/locations/wichita
Spend time with animals
Who knew the zoo is a popular destination on Christmas Day? Apparently, lots of people.
“More people than you think come out to the zoo on Christmas Day, especially if it’s going to be a nice day,” according to Jennica King, marketing and public relations manager at the Sedgwick County Zoo. Many families make it a traditional holiday outing, she said. The zoo’s special Winter Wednesdays pricing falls on both Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays, so admission is just $3 per person. Children 2 and under are always free. Another ongoing special event that falls during the break is the zoo’s lock-in event, Creature Campout. Ages 5 and older can spend the night at the zoo, and enjoy pizza, a guided tour, activities, an animal encounter and a bedtime snack. Cost is $35, $30 for members; RSVPs required. 316-660-9453 or scz.org
Planning to add a new pet to the family during the holidays? Critter Camp at the Kansas Humane Society, 3313 N. Hillside, provides kids ages 5 to 12 an opportunity to learn about animals and responsible pet ownership. Campers bring their own lunch, snacks are provided. Camp runs 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 20, 23, 26, 27, 30 and 31 and Jan. 2 and 3. Cost is $35, with need-based scholarships available. For scholarship info, call 316-220-8709 or email sireland@kshumane.org; for reservations: kshumane.org
Food, games and more
Get the kids cooking by sending them to Junior Chef Boot Camp Dec. 31 at the Boston Recreation Center, 6655 E. Zimmerly. It’s one of the day camps (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) offered for kids ages 6-12 by Wichita Park and Rec during the break. The others still open to registration include a chocolate-making camp, Nerf gun adventures and video games. Prices range from $25 to $30. Campers must bring a lunch and drink. Registration is required at least two days in advance of the camps.
The Park and Rec department also offers Kids Konnection daylong programming Dec. 26-27 and 30 at Edgemoor, Linwood and Orchard recreation centers. Times are 7 a.m.-6 p.m., daily cost is $22 with snacks provided. Kids must bring their own lunch and drink. More information and registration: wichita.gov/ParkandRec
This story was originally published December 20, 2019 at 5:01 AM.