Free Field Trips in Topeka Kansas

Even though Topeka is a small city there are plenty of places to go for free, educational fun! Here is a list of our favorites 

Mulvane Art Lab – Located at Washburn University, this is a must visit place in Topeka if you have children 2-18! The Art Lab is located in the basement level of the Mulvane Art Museum. Our children’s favorites are the floor to ceiling dry erase window/wall, the drawing stations, and the mosaic wall. The staff at the Art Lab are very friendly and helpful and always have great project ideas set out to get the creative juices flowing. Best of all, it is totally free!

Shawnee Lake – Our kids love to visit Shawnee Lake to feed the ducks. There are a few different places in Topeka to feed ducks but this one has a variety of different kinds of ducks and geese and for the most part they are very friendly and tame.

Topeka Capital Building – Our older children love field trips to the Capital Building. Tours are offered for free and do not have to be scheduled in advance. The whole building has really beautiful architecture and mosaics and there lots of opportunities for learning.

Brown vs. Board of Education – Our teenage daughter loves this museum! Brown vs Board celebrates the changes in our country that have allowed integration and freedom of education for everyone. This trip is best for the pre-teen/teenager group since there is lots of reading.

Topeka Shawnee County Public Library – We go to the library at least once a week. Surprisingly enough there is much more there than just books. The children’s area has a playhouse, Lego table, felt board, and lots of other cool toys/games. We borrow movies, video games, audio books, and of course books! The library also offers wide range of classes and groups, from board games to bookworms and even jugglers and musicians!

Kansas History Museum – This is one of the most overlooked spots for a free field trip in Topeka. While the actual exhibit part of the museum does cost there are plenty of things to do that don’t! On the grounds at the museum there is a really great walking trail. In the summer the grass grows up so tall on the sides that you can imagine you are back in the pioneer days. There is also a playground area for the little ones, and a picnic area for lunch. Right inside museum there is a huge cowboy dress up station that features a train that you can play on and in. The next room over from the dress up station is a play area with stations focusing on farm life, pioneers, Indians, and much more!

There are lots of free fun things to do in Topeka, it just takes a little time and imagination to find some of them. Stay local and have fun!