Looking for fun, no-cost learning adventures in the Sunflower State? The Kansas State Department of Education has unveiled a new program to help families tour the state and enjoy attractions together for free.
Any Kansas student enrolled in a pre-kindergarten program through 12th grade can access a ticket voucher to participating attractions on the Sunflower Summer app, available in Android or iOS. Up to two adults can also access free tickets with the student, and the program is open to all Kansas students whether attending public, private or home schools. Child care facilities can also use the apps for field trips.
One free ticket per child, per destination, is available to access 70 museums, zoos, landmarks, nature areas, art galleries, theater venues and more through Aug. 15. As students travel the state, they can complete an electronic passport on the app to log the destinations they’ve discovered. Once a free ticket is used at a destination, the passport will be stamped and free access is no longer available.
The Lawrence Public Library and Clinton State Park appear on the list. If you travel down the road, you can explore Shawnee’s Theatre in the Park and Topeka’s Evel Knievel Museum, Kansas Children’s Discovery Center or the Topeka Zoo. Interested in Hutchinson’s Cosmosphere? It’s on the list, too, which is shown in full below.
Sunflower-Summer-AttractionsTo use the Sunflower Summer app, a parent or guardian will need to register family members and answer a few questions, including information about their student, county of residence and school district. Click here to download the app and access a list of frequently asked questions.
The Sunflower Summer program is a collaboration among the Kansas State Department of Education, KU Center for Public Partnerships and Research, Greenbush Education Service Center, Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, and Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund, according to a news release from KSDE. The free tickets are made possible with a grant from the Elementary and Secondary Education Emergency Relief fund known as ESSER.
Commissioner of Education Randy Watson said the program is a win-win for Kansas students and attractions. “The Sunflower Summer program can help enrich summer learning and is an excellent opportunity for students and families to go on educational adventures together while supporting nearly 70 Kansas attractions.”
