How to Visit Wichita Art Museum Family Day

The Wichita Art Museum Family Day is more than just a weekend outingits a curated, immersive experience designed to spark creativity, foster intergenerational learning, and deepen community ties through the power of art. Held periodically throughout the year, this special event transforms the museum into a vibrant, interactive space where children, teens, parents, and grandparents can explore visual storytelling, engage in hands-on activities, and connect with local artists and educators. For families seeking meaningful, educational, and fun experiences that go beyond typical museum visits, Family Day offers a unique opportunity to make art accessible, memorable, and deeply personal.

Unlike standard museum visits, which may feel formal or intimidating to younger audiences, Family Day is intentionally designed to be welcoming, inclusive, and activity-driven. From live demonstrations and guided storytelling to art-making stations and interactive exhibits, every element is thoughtfully structured to accommodate diverse learning styles, age groups, and interests. This event is not merely about viewing artits about living it, touching it, questioning it, and creating it together.

For SEO and content purposes, understanding how to navigate and maximize your experience at Wichita Art Museum Family Day is essentialnot just for families planning their next outing, but for local educators, tourism boards, and cultural advocates looking to promote arts engagement. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap to ensure your visit is seamless, enriching, and unforgettable. Whether youre a first-time visitor or a seasoned art enthusiast, this tutorial will equip you with the knowledge, tools, and strategies to fully embrace the spirit of Family Day.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Confirm the Date and Time

Family Day events at the Wichita Art Museum are not held weeklythey occur on select weekends, typically once per quarter or season. The museums official calendar, updated quarterly, lists exact dates, start times, and end times. These events often run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but exceptions exist, especially during holiday seasons or special exhibitions.

To avoid disappointment, always verify the date on the museums official website: wichitaartmuseum.org. Look for the Events or Family Programs section. Subscribing to their email newsletter is the most reliable way to receive real-time updates. You can also follow their social media channelsInstagram and Facebook posts often include visual previews and last-minute reminders.

Pro tip: Family Day events are popular. Arriving earlyideally by 9:45 a.m.ensures you get parking, avoid long entry lines, and have maximum time to engage with all activities. The museum opens to the general public at 10:00 a.m., but Family Day participants often receive early access to select zones.

Step 2: Plan Your Transportation and Parking

The Wichita Art Museum is located at 1400 N. Rock Road, Wichita, KS 67214. It sits within a culturally rich district that includes the Wichita Public Library and the Sedgwick County Zoo, making it easy to combine your visit with other family-friendly destinations.

On Family Day, the museum offers complimentary parking in its dedicated lot directly adjacent to the main entrance. This lot is clearly marked with signs and staffed by volunteers during event hours. If the main lot fills up, overflow parking is available at the adjacent Sedgwick County Courthouse lot, with a short, shaded walking path to the museum entrance.

For families using public transit, the Wichita Transit system offers Route 22 (Rock Road) that stops within a five-minute walk of the museum. Check the latest schedule on wichitabus.com to align your arrival with event timing. Ride-share drop-off is permitted at the front entrancejust ask your driver to use the designated passenger zone to avoid congestion.

Step 3: Review the Event Schedule in Advance

Each Family Day features a printed or digital schedule outlining timed activities, artist appearances, and workshop rotations. These are typically released one week prior to the event on the museums website and emailed to subscribers.

Key components youll likely find include:

• Art-Making Stations Hands-on projects led by teaching artists, such as printmaking, clay sculpting, or collage using recycled materials.
• Storytime with Art Interactive readings of childrens books inspired by artworks on display, often with costume elements or props.
• Gallery Scavenger Hunts Age-appropriate guides that encourage kids to find specific colors, shapes, or themes in the museums permanent collection.
• Live Demonstrations Local artists creating work in real time, from watercolor painting to glassblowing.
• Cultural Performances Music, dance, or spoken word pieces tied to the exhibition themes.

Download or print the schedule ahead of time. Highlight activities that align with your childrens interests or developmental stages. For example, toddlers may thrive at sensory stations with textured materials, while older children might prefer the challenge of a guided sketching session.

Step 4: Prepare Your Family for the Visit

Preparation enhances engagement. Before you go, talk to your children about what to expect. Use simple language: Were going to see paintings and make our own art! Show them images from past Family Days on the museums website or social media.

Consider downloading the museums free mobile app, which includes a digital map, activity checklist, and audio descriptions of select artworks. For younger children, create a Family Day Adventure Book with blank pages for drawing or stickers they can collect at each station.

Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. While the museum is climate-controlled, some art-making stations involve paint, glue, or clay that may get messy. Bring a change of clothes if possible, especially for children under age 7. The museum provides aprons, but they are limited.

Bring water bottles (empty, for filling at water stations) and snacks for between activities. While food is not permitted in gallery spaces, there is a designated family picnic area just outside the main entrance where you can eat. Avoid bringing large backpacks or strollers with metal frames, as they can interfere with delicate installations.

Step 5: Arrive Early and Check In

Upon arrival, proceed to the Family Day Welcome Table near the main lobby. Volunteers will greet you, hand out event maps, activity cards, and sometimes complimentary art supplies. This is also where you can ask questions about accessibility, nursing rooms, or sensory-friendly resources.

Check-in is simple: no tickets are required, and admission is always free for Family Day. However, the museum encourages voluntary donations to support their educational programs. A donation box is available near the entrance.

If you have a child with sensory sensitivities or special needs, notify a staff member. The museum offers quiet rooms, noise-canceling headphones, and visual schedules upon request. These resources are not advertised publicly but are always availablejust ask.

Step 6: Navigate the Activities Strategically

With multiple activities happening simultaneously, pacing is key. Start with the most popular or time-sensitive events first. For example:

• Head to the live artist demonstration at 10:30 a.m.these fill up quickly.
• Complete the scavenger hunt early, as clues are often hidden in rotating exhibits.
• Save the art-making stations for midday, when the gallery spaces are less crowded.

Use the museums interactive digital map (available on tablets at kiosks or via QR code) to track wait times at stations. Some activities, like pottery wheel demonstrations, have sign-up sheetsgrab one early if your child is interested.

Encourage children to choose one or two activities to focus on deeply rather than rushing through all. Quality engagement leads to lasting memories. Parents can rotate supervision: one adult can stay with younger children at a sensory station while another explores a gallery tour with older kids.

Step 7: Explore the Permanent Collection

Family Day is not just about the activitiesits also a gateway to the museums permanent collection. Many events are themed around current exhibitions, such as American Realism: 19001950 or Contemporary Native Artists of the Plains.

Take time to walk through the galleries with your family. Use the scavenger hunt cards or download the museums free audio guide (available via QR code on your phone) to learn about the stories behind the art. Ask open-ended questions: What do you think this person is feeling? or How would you paint this scene differently?

Dont feel pressured to see everything. Even 1520 minutes of thoughtful observation can be more impactful than an hour of rushed viewing. The museums docents are trained to engage families and often initiate conversations spontaneouslydont hesitate to ask them a question.

Step 8: Participate in the Closing Circle

Most Family Days conclude with a 30-minute Closing Circle in the atrium. This is a communal gathering where participants share what they created, what they learned, or what surprised them. Children are invited to show their artwork, and sometimes a local musician performs a short set.

This ritual reinforces community and reflection. Even if your child is shy, encourage them to listen. Many kids remember the closing circle as the most emotional part of the dayit validates their experience and connects them to others.

After the circle, families are welcome to linger. The museum caf offers light snacks and beverages, and the gift shop features affordable, locally made art supplies and childrens books inspired by the exhibits.

Step 9: Take Home the Experience

Before leaving, collect any materials your child created during the day. The museum provides take-home bags for art projects. If you participated in a scavenger hunt, keep your completed cardit doubles as a souvenir and conversation starter.

At home, extend the learning. Create a Family Art Wall to display your childs work. Watch a short documentary about the artist featured that day. Read a book together related to the theme. For example, if the exhibit focused on nature, visit a local park and sketch trees or flowers.

Share your experience onlinetag the museum (@wichitaartmuseum) and use the event hashtag (e.g.,

WAMFamilyDay). Your photos and stories help build community awareness and encourage others to participate.

Step 10: Plan Your Next Visit

Family Day is just the beginning. The Wichita Art Museum offers year-round programs for families, including monthly Art & Snacks events, summer art camps, and school holiday workshops. Sign up for their Family Newsletter to stay informed.

Consider becoming a museum member. Annual family memberships include unlimited free admission, exclusive early access to events, and discounts on workshops. The cost is often recouped after just two Family Days.

Build a tradition. Make Family Day a quarterly ritual. Over time, your children will develop a personal relationship with artnot as something distant or elite, but as a living, evolving part of their lives.

Best Practices

Engage, Dont Just Observe

The most successful Family Day experiences occur when adults actively participatenot as supervisors, but as co-learners. Join in the art-making. Ask questions alongside your children. Show curiosity. When children see their parents engaged, theyre more likely to be engaged themselves.

Follow the Childs Lead

Let your child choose what excites them. If theyre drawn to the clay station, dont push them to the scavenger hunt. The goal is not to complete every activityits to foster a sense of wonder. Flexibility leads to deeper connections.

Use Open-Ended Questions

Instead of asking, Did you like it? try: What part of the painting made you feel happy? or If this artwork could talk, what do you think it would say? These questions stimulate critical thinking and emotional intelligence.

Limit Screen Time

While the museums app is helpful, avoid letting children scroll through photos or videos during the visit. The goal is presence. Put phones on silent and keep them in your bag unless youre capturing a moment for memory.

Encourage Peer Interaction

Family Day is a social event. Encourage your child to talk to other kids. Many families return year after year, and friendships form organically. A shared art project can be the beginning of a lasting connection.

Practice Museum Etiquette

Teach children basic museum rules: no running, no touching artwork (unless its labeled Touch Me), quiet voices in galleries. Frame it positively: Were in a special place where art is protected. Lets be gentle explorers.

Be Inclusive

Family Day welcomes all backgrounds, abilities, and identities. If your family speaks multiple languages, let your children hear the artwork described in their home language. If your child uses assistive technology, notify stafftheyll help integrate it into the experience.

Stay Hydrated and Energized

Long days can be tiring. Bring water and healthy snacks. Plan breaks. The museums outdoor garden is a peaceful spot to rest. Dont push through fatiguerest is part of learning.

Document Thoughtfully

Take photosbut not every moment. Capture the joy, the creation, the collaboration. Avoid staged selfies. The most powerful images are candid: a childs focused expression as they paint, a parent and toddler laughing over a shared sculpture.

Reflect Together

On the ride home, ask: What was your favorite part? What surprised you? Would you want to do this again? These reflections solidify the experience and help you plan future visits.

Tools and Resources

Official Website: wichitaartmuseum.org

The primary source for event calendars, exhibition details, and downloadable activity sheets. The site is mobile-friendly and updated weekly. Look for the Family Programs tab under Education.

Wichita Art Museum Mobile App

Available for iOS and Android. Features include:

• Interactive floor map with real-time activity locations
• Audio guides in English and Spanish
• Scavenger hunt digital versions
• Push notifications for event changes

Free Printable Activity Kits

Downloadable PDFs include coloring pages, gallery guides, and art prompts based on current exhibitions. Available under Resources for Families.

Local Libraries and Community Centers

Many Wichita public libraries partner with the museum to distribute Family Day flyers and host pre-event storytimes. Ask your local branch for a Museum Passport programchildren earn stamps for each visit.

Art Supply Kits for Home

After attending Family Day, replicate the experience at home with basic supplies: washable paints, paper, clay, scissors, glue sticks, and recycled materials. The museums website offers a Make Art at Home checklist.

YouTube Channel: Wichita Art Museum Education

Short videos featuring behind-the-scenes looks at Family Day prep, artist interviews, and tutorials on techniques used during events. Great for previewing or extending the experience.

Community Calendar Platforms

Check wichitamagazine.com/events, visitwichita.com, and eventbrite.com for third-party listings. These often include user reviews and photos from past events.

Parenting Blogs and Local Influencers

Follow Wichita-based parenting bloggers like Wichita Moms or Kansas City Family Adventures. They often post detailed reviews, tips, and photo diaries of Family Day experiences.

Accessibility Resources

The museum provides:

• Large-print guides
• Braille labels on select exhibits
• ASL interpreters upon request (schedule 48 hours in advance)
• Sensory-friendly hours during Family Day

Contact education@wichitaartmuseum.org for accommodations.

Volunteer Opportunities

Families interested in deeper involvement can apply to volunteer as Family Day helpers. Teens can earn community service hours; adults can assist with art stations. Applications are accepted quarterly.

Real Examples

Example 1: The Rivera Family First-Time Visitors

The Riveras, a family of four from Derby, Kansas, attended their first Family Day in spring 2023. Their 5-year-old daughter, Lila, was shy around strangers. The family arrived at 9:45 a.m. and headed straight to the Texture Garden station, where children explored fabrics, leaves, and carved wood blocks.

Lila touched a piece of bark and whispered, It feels like a dragons skin. A teaching artist knelt beside her and said, Thats exactly how an artist might use that texture in a painting. Lila smiled. By noon, she had created a mixed-media collage and proudly showed it to a volunteer. At the closing circle, she raised her hand and said, I made something that feels like magic.

The Riveras returned for the next three Family Days. Lila now asks to go every month. Her parents credit the low-pressure, child-led environment for her transformation.

Example 2: The Thompson Twins Sibling Collaboration

Twin brothers, 8 and 10, attended Family Day with their grandmother. The older brother wanted to try the printmaking station; the younger preferred the puppet-making corner. Instead of forcing one activity, the grandmother let them choose separately.

Later, they combined their creations: the print became a backdrop for the puppet show they performed in the atrium. A museum docent recorded it on her phone and played it later during the closing circle. The boys beamed. Their grandmother said, Ive never seen them work together like that.

Example 3: The Patel Family Multilingual Engagement

The Patels, who speak Gujarati at home, were unsure if the event would be accessible. They emailed ahead and requested a translated activity sheet. The museum provided one in Gujarati, along with a glossary of art terms.

At the Global Patterns exhibit, the father pointed out textile designs similar to those in his familys heritage. His 7-year-old daughter asked, Is this from India? The docent nodded and shared stories of Indian block printing. The family left with a new appreciation for their own cultureand the museums inclusivity.

Example 4: The Johnsons Accessibility in Action

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson brought their 12-year-old son, Noah, who has autism. They requested a sensory-friendly visit and were assigned a quiet room with dim lighting and noise-canceling headphones. A staff member created a visual schedule with pictures of each activity.

Noah spent most of the day at the Sound and Color station, where he matched musical tones to paint swatches. He didnt speak much, but he smiled and held his fathers hand tightly when he finished his piece. The family received a handwritten note from the education director: Noahs focus and joy were a gift to us all.

FAQs

Is there a cost to attend Family Day?

No. Family Day is always free to attend. The Wichita Art Museum believes art should be accessible to all families, regardless of income. Donations are welcome but never required.

Do I need to reserve a spot?

No reservations are needed. Family Day is open on a first-come, first-served basis. However, some activities like pottery wheel sessions may have sign-up sheets due to limited equipment.

Are strollers allowed?

Yes, but collapsible or lightweight strollers are preferred. Large, bulky strollers can obstruct pathways in crowded areas. The museum provides stroller parking near the entrance.

Can I bring my pet?

Service animals are welcome. Emotional support animals and pets are not permitted inside the museum, but there is a shaded outdoor area near the entrance where pets can wait with supervision.

What if my child gets overwhelmed?

The museum has a designated quiet room with soft lighting, calming music, and sensory tools. Staff are trained to assist families in need. Just ask any volunteer for directions.

Are there food options available?

The museum caf offers light snacks, bottled water, and gluten-free options. Outside food is not allowed in galleries but is permitted in the outdoor picnic area. Many families bring sandwiches and eat before or after activities.

How often does Family Day happen?

Typically four times per year: spring, summer, fall, and winter holidays. Exact dates vary. Subscribe to the newsletter for updates.

Can I bring a group of children from a school or daycare?

Yes, but groups of 10 or more must notify the museum at least one week in advance. Group visits are scheduled during off-peak hours to ensure a quality experience for all.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All galleries, restrooms, and activity stations are fully accessible. Elevators and ramps are available throughout the building.

Can I take photos?

Yes! Photography is encouraged for personal use. Flash and tripods are not permitted in galleries. Always ask before photographing other visitors.

What if it rains?

Family Day is held rain or shine. Most activities take place indoors. The outdoor picnic area is covered, and umbrellas are available at the entrance.

Can I volunteer to help?

Yes! The museum welcomes teen and adult volunteers. Visit the Get Involved page on their website to apply.

What if I miss a Family Day?

Dont worry. The museum offers monthly Family Art Hours on the second Saturday of each month, with scaled-down versions of Family Day activities. These are always free and require no registration.

Conclusion

Visiting the Wichita Art Museum Family Day is not a transactionits a transformation. Its the moment a child realizes that art isnt something locked behind glass, but something they can touch, question, and create. Its the laughter shared over a messy clay sculpture, the quiet awe before a centuries-old painting, the pride in a hand-drawn masterpiece that hangs on the fridge for weeks.

This guide has walked you through every practical stepfrom planning your route to reflecting on the experience. But the true value of Family Day lies beyond logistics. It lies in the way it reconnects families to creativity, to curiosity, and to each other.

The Wichita Art Museum doesnt just display art. It cultivates itin children, in parents, in communities. By showing up, youre not just attending an event. Youre becoming part of a living tradition that values imagination over instruction, participation over perfection, and connection over consumption.

So mark your calendar. Pack your curiosity. Bring your questions, your mess, your joy. And remember: the most important thing youll take home isnt a souvenirits the memory of what you created together.