“There’s no place like Oz!”
If you’re looking for a fun activity to take kids where they can learn about 120+ years of Oz history take them to Wamego, Kansas to visit the extraordinary Oz Museum.
As soon as you step in, you are welcomed by the scene of Dorothy’s house with a bicycle on the roof. Making you replay the movie scene in your head when Almira was riding her bicycle outside the window of Dorothy’s room as the house was spinning in the tornado.
Before you start your journey through Oz, one of the museum workers will inform you about all the fun facts that the museum holds and share with you just how many artifacts there are within the museum. You then begin your journey into the museum by entering through the front door of Dorothy’s home! From there your mind will be in awe of all the different artifacts and how realistic the characters are. Of course, one of the first characters you will see is Dorothy, wearing her red slippers, and her dog Toto.
Although the museum has many history-packed areas, there are fun activities for young kiddos as well. Some of which include the movie theater, where the “Wizard of Oz” movie is played, and the fun walk through the haunted forest. Toward the end of the museum, there is also a fun photo prop area where you and your family could get a photo in the hot air balloon that was supposed to carry Dorothy and Toto back home.
Admission
Admission to the museum is $8 for ages 3-12 and $10.00 for ages 13+. They do offer military and student discounts.
Hours
Summer Hours (Memorial Day to Labor Day)
Monday-Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday: noon to 6 p.m.
Winter Hours
Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: noon to 5 p.m.
Mom Tips
Here are some things I would recommend doing when you visit the Oz Museum.
1. Admire all the books and toys that were based on the “Wizard of Oz”. My oldest son, who is 2, loved looking at the display cases that had books and old-looking toys in them. He also enjoyed anything that had Toto displayed.
2. Enter the movie theater and enjoy a couple minutes watching the “Wizard of Oz”. When we went, there were no other people in the theater and when the song “Over the Rainbow” started to play, my oldest son asked me to dance with him. Of course, I said yes!
3. Tip toe through the haunted forest and be on the lookout for the Wicked Witch of the West!
4. Get your photo taken in the large basket of the hot air balloon.
5. Experience tornado like winds by stepping into a wind machine. Within seconds the wind speeds reach over 70 mph!
Additional Oz Experiences
After your trip to the museum, continue your journey through Oz by visiting Toto’s Tacos for lunch. The hometown restaurant serves a variety of tacos and sells their own hot sauces. Look high and low and see if you can find all the Toto’s within the restaurant!
Once you’re done eating, end your Oz trip by walking down the Yellow Brick Road. The Yellow Brick Road showcases beautiful murals all of scenes within the “Wizard of Oz”. There are also 2 Toto dog statues on this path for your little ones to pose and take pictures with!
If you’re looking for a fun local outing to do with the family then close your eyes, click you’re heels together three times and say, “There’s no place like Oz”.
