Family events in Manhattan, KS

Oz Museum Curator Chris Glasgow leads a Curator's Corner talk exploring the history of the Wizard of Oz universe. The program begins in the Little Theatre and is included with general admission.

Children ages 4 to 12 can take part in The Power of Produce at the Downtown Farmers Market of Manhattan. Over 12 Saturdays this summer, participants earn tokens to purchase their own fresh fruits and vegetables from market vendors. Each week offers a different activity that helps kids explore the Power of Produce. Registration is available at the booth or through pre-registration.

A relaxed cruise-in at The Corner brings together gleaming rides, vintage favorites, and a friendly car community. Clean vehicles of many kinds are welcome, including classic cars, custom builds, and trucks. Food trucks will be on site serving a variety of food. Expect an easygoing atmosphere and a welcoming crowd, with space for both those bringing a vehicle and those there to admire the lineup.

Dinosaur Revolution: Live Large transforms the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library into an interactive adventure where visitors explore the world of dinosaurs through a kid friendly maze. Follow in ancient footsteps, answer dinosaur themed challenges to find your way, and tackle active elements that include a climbing wall and a zip line. Along the way, learn how paleontologists investigate the past and what their work looks like in the field. Young visitors can step into that role by unearthing dinosaur bones in the gallery dig site and by designing their own dinosaur creations. This hands-on art exhibit for children is supported in part by The Library Foundation with contributions from the Sabatini Family Foundation, and it is created by Minotaur Mazes, a company known for interactive educational maze exhibits.

Bonkers features a family-friendly special with $5 entry to the Play Maze for children and a buy one, get one pizza deal. It pairs active play with an easy meal option to start the week.

Babies & Brews is a friendly, 45-minute guided class for caregivers and their babies from birth to 18 months. Older siblings do not participate. Sessions center on connection, community, and coffee while you and your little one bond through gentle movement, music, sensory exploration, and early play. Each class includes a light warmup and stretch for adults and babies, lively music and movement activities, and sensory play tailored to your child’s stage of development. Caregivers take part in guided conversations, and things wind down with a playful finish such as games, puppets, or a short story. It is a warm place to meet others, support your baby’s growth, and enjoy some time out with a cup of coffee.

New on Tuesdays this summer, enjoy glow-in-the-dark cosmic bowling paired with buy one, get one laser tag. The offer is valid with Regular Pricing, Family Value Packs, Kids Bowl Free, and Bowl More / Play More specials.

A rotating construction challenge at the Kansas Children's Discovery Center invites builders to experiment with new ideas all summer. Discovery Center educator Laboratory Lainey leads the activity, encouraging creativity, problem solving, and plenty of hands-on exploration. Regular admission applies: $11 for adults and children, $10 for seniors over 65, and free for infants under 12 months and Discovery Center members. Admission also includes access to over 30,000 square feet of indoor exhibits and a 4.5-acre certified Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom.

Families can enjoy Cosmos Pizza’s Family Fun Night with a $30 bundle that includes a large 16 inch pizza cut into eight generous slices with one protein topping and as many fresh vegetables as you like, two small salads from the bar, and up to four small make-your-own sundaes or cones. Kids 10 and under can add a drink for $1.50, which includes one free refill. A Tuesday dinner special for $11 is also available, featuring an individual pizza with one protein and unlimited veggies, a small salad from the bar, and a small sundae.

Every Wednesday, Chick-fil-A Manhattan offers Story Time followed by a craft activity. Attendees can listen to stories and then take part in the craft portion.

Boost your midweek fun at Bonkers with games at half price all day. Stretch your play, collect more tickets and prizes, and turn Wednesday into a relaxed arcade escape. This offer is available every Wednesday.

Morris Laing Law Firm presents Live @ Lunch, a laid-back downtown Topeka experience with on-site musical performances, food trucks from the area, family time at the splash pad, and casual lawn games. It offers an easy way to get a breath of fresh air, enjoy music and local eats, and spend a little time relaxing and playing.

Wacky Wednesday brings a wallet-friendly skating session filled with $2 offers. Admission is $2, and skate rental is $2, excluding speed skates and inlines. A $2 Skate Mate rental is available. Extras and concessions are also $2, including a glowing binky, a hotdog, a slice of pizza, a 16 oz soda, and popcorn.

Head to The Alley for a laid-back pizza and bowling night where $9.99 per person plus tax covers unlimited bowling with shoe rental included and unlimited pizza. It is a simple way to spend time with friends, roll frame after frame, and enjoy as many slices as you like.

Make your game card go further with a Thursday match promotion. Add between $25 and $75 in gameplay and Bonkers will add the same amount, matching your spend up to $75 so you can keep playing longer. Offered every Thursday for extra playtime, more tickets, and plenty of excitement.

Each week, the heart of downtown turns into a mini festival with live music and plenty of food choices. Bring a lawn chair, get comfortable, and enjoy sets from talented bands all show long.

Circus Golden Star brings a brand-new Big Top spectacular to Salina, filled with high-flying aerial artistry, daring acrobatics, laugh-out-loud comedy, and an international lineup of top performers. Conceived by Finnish director Samir Lindfors, the show blends European circus finesse with modern, family-friendly thrills to delight audiences of all ages. Look for skyward feats, astonishing flexibility, and nonstop energy, all in an animal-free production that celebrates extraordinary human talent. The experience unfolds under the Big Top at the Saline County Livestock & Expo Center, offering a whirlwind of wonder and memorable moments.