Independence, Kansas is a small town with some great attractions, especially for kids. Independence makes for the perfect (and inexpensive) day trip. The best things to do in Independence, Kansas with kids include history, animals, and outdoor adventures.
I took my toddlers here on a day trip from Tulsa in the summer. We had an absolute blast!
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Fun Things to Do in Independence, Kansas
Even though Independence is a small town, there are some great spots to check out during your visit. If you are visiting with kids, you are going to be pleasantly surprised at how many amazing things to do in Independence, Kansas with kids.
1. Little House on the Prairie Museum
Laura Ingalls Wilder has captured the hearts of many through her beautifully told Little House on the Prairie books about growing up in the American Midwest. The Little House on the Prairie Museum preserves the homestead that Laura and her family lived on in 1870. This place was the inspiration for her beloved children’s novel Little House on the Prairie.
Museum & Giftshop
When you arrive, you will want to stop by the gift shop located in the farmhouse to pay your admission fee. The gift shop has a wide variety of items including books, clothes, toys, candles, jewelry, and more.
Log Cabin
There is a reconstruction of the one-room log cabin that the Ingalls family would have lived in. They used Laura’s own descriptions to build it. You can go inside and see how small the space they lived in was and the common items they would have had.
Barn & Livestock
There is a large red barn that has a beautiful quilting pattern hanging on it. The pattern, called Doves in the Window, was what Laura used for her hope chest. Around the barn, there is a miniature pony and donkeys you can watch graze in the field.
School House
There is a one-room schoolhouse from 1872 that was moved to this location. It could hold 36 students. It is fully furnished to help you imagine what it was like to attend school in the pioneer days.
Post Office
The small Wayside post office located on the property is from 1885. It was moved here in 1978 after the post office was closed. It is very unique to get to walk in the back and see how the post office was set up. You can still see some of the names of residents on the back of the post office boxes.
- Things to Know:
- Location: 2507 CR 3000 Independence, KS 67301, GPS can be unreliable, watch for the signs
- Cost: $5 for adults, $3 for children over 3
- Hours: Spring Break (second or third week of March) through October daily 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Restrooms: There are restrooms available in a separate building with all modern conveniences.
- Picnic Tables: There are picnic tables on the property.
- How Much Time to Set Aside: 30 minutes
2. Ralph Mitchell Zoo
This zoo is such a gem for a small town. It was absolutely perfect for my three-year-olds! There are things to play on, places to walk around, and of course, animals to see.
Plus, it is a completely free thing to do in Independence, Kansas!
This zoo has a good variety of animals including Bison, Bobcat, Capuchin Monkey, Coati Mundi, Cougar, Donkey, Elk, Fallow Deer, Kinkajou, Llama, Muntjac, Pot Belly Pig, Raccoon, Red Fox, Spider Monkey, Sugar Glider, Brown Bears, Wallaby, White-Tailed Deer, African Spurred Tortoise, Bearded Dragon, Burmese Python, Green Iguana, Red Ear Sliders, Bald Eagle, Blue and Gold Macaw, Bob White Quail, Emu, Domestic Ducks, Domestic Geese, Mute Swan, Peacocks, Red Golden Pheasant, Scarlet Macaw, and Turkey Vulture.
The animals are scattered throughout the zoo, but it is easy to walk around. You can get very close to most of the animal enclosures.
Kiddy Land was a wonderful surprise for us. It is an area that has been turned into a little playground with concrete animals, a miniature castle, swings, a slide, and more.
- Things to Know:
- Location: 1736 N 5th St, Independence, KS 67301
- Cost: Free
- Zoo Hours: Summer hours (April to September) every day 9-7 pm , Winter hours (October 1 – March 31) every day 9-5 pm
- Picnic Tables: There are picnic tables in Kiddy Land and by the concession stand.
- Restrooms: There are restrooms in the zoo located towards the front by Monkey Island.
3. Riverside Park
This park has so much to offer kids of all ages! There are big jungle gyms, swings, and slides as well as smaller things to play on for the younger ones. In addition to all of the playground equipment, there are also train rides, a carousel, and putt-putt golf. My kids had an absolute blast!
Corythosaurus
While you are at the playground, check out the life-sized Corythosaurus dinosaur that was once part of the 1964 World’s Fair Sinclair Dinoland exhibit.
Steam Locomotive
Don’t miss seeing the steam locomotive up close. It was built in 1902 for the Sante Fe Railroad.
Rides & Activities
There are train rides on the Riverside Chief that has been at the park since 1953. There is also a carousel and putt-putt golf. These have limited hours. Unfortunately, they weren’t running the day we were there due to rain.
Wells Drive
Make sure that you take Wells Drive around to see the larger animals of the zoo including bison and elk. It is on the east side of the park and comes out by the zoo. The road is windy and steep in places.
- Things to Know:
- Location: 1736 N 5th St, Independence, KS 67301
- Cost: Free for the park, $0.50 for the train, $0.05 for the carousel, $2 for miniature golf
- Park Hours: 6:00 a.m. to Midnight
- Putt-Putt Golf & Ride Hours: Summer Hours: Thursday & Friday 11:00-1:00 and 6:00-8:00, Saturday & Sunday 1:00-8:30; August 9-October 31 Saturday & Sunday 1:00-5:00 only
- Picnic Tables: There are picnic tables scattered throughout the park. Some are even in covered pavilions.
- Restrooms: There are restrooms located near the playground.
- Website: http://independenceks.gov/199/Park-Zoo
4. Riverside Beach Family Aquatic Center
We didn’t end up going to the Riverside Beach Family Aquatic Center on our trip, but it looked awesome. It will definitely be on the list for our next visit. It has 3 separate pools, 4 water slides, and a lazy river.
- Things to Know:
- Location: 1300 N 5th, Independence, KS 67301
- Hours: Monday & Tuesday 1 pm-6 pm (half price from 4 pm to 6 pm), Wednesday CLOSED, Thursday & Friday 1 pm-7 pm (Family Night beginning at 5 pm), Saturday & Sunday 1 pm-6 pm. It is open from June-August. Check their website for exact dates. It may be closed on days with cooler temperatures.
- Cost: $4 per person, family night admission is $5 per family. This includes up to 5 members of your immediate family in the same household ($1 charge per additional person).
5. Elk City State Park
If your trip isn’t in the summer or the pool isn’t your thing, I suggest checking out some hiking trails at Elk City State Park. The shorter trails include Table Mound Hiking Trail (2.75 miles), Green Thumb Nature Trail (1-mile loop), and Post Oak Self-Guiding Nature Trail (1 mile).
There is also a swimming area, basketball courts, frisbee golf, kid fishing pond, and playgrounds at this state park.
- Things to Know:
- Location: 4825 Squaw Creek Rd, Independence, KS 67301
- Cost: $5 entrance fee per vehicle
- Brochure: Elk City State Park Brochure
6. Independence Science & Technology Center
Let the kids explore at the Independence Science & Technology Center. There are over 80 hands-on exhibits on display. There are science exhibits, puzzles, and optical illusions. There are also Legos and marble tracks to play with.
- Things to Know:
- Location: 125 South Penn, Independence, KS 67301
- Cost: $3.00
- Hours: Monday through Saturday 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
7. Independence Historical Museum & Art Center
The Independence Historical Museum & Art Center is a small local museum with a lot of history. Visit the Baseball Room, learn about Able the Space Monkey, view old home furnishings in the parlor, bedroom, kitchen, and the Sycamore Valley Cabin. Take a look at the one-room schoolhouse and the country store.
- Things to Know:
- Location: 123 N 8th St, Independence, KS 67301
- Cost: $5.00 for Adults, $3 for Ages 15-18, Free for Ages Under 15
- Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Where is Independence, Kansas?
Independence is located in southeast Kansas. It is an hour and a half north of Tulsa on Highway 75. It is located 2 hours southeast of Wichita, Kansas.
Final Thoughts Things to Do in Independence, Kansas
Independence is a great little town to stop and explore for a day. There are some great inexpensive things to do in town. The history, animals, and outdoor activities make this a great destination for all ages.
