The K-State All-University Open House will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 6. This longstanding community event is a highlight of the spring semester, with activities targeted toward all ages and interests. Whether you’re bringing a toddler, a high school senior, or just yourself, there will be something to catch your eye.
You can sort activities by age range online, including admitted students, future K-State learners, K-8 and Manhattan and K-State Community (events may overlap between categories). Each of the eight academic colleges has its own listing of interactive displays, challenges and giveaways. Events also take place in the K-State Student Union and other buildings around campus, such as Hale Library, Beach Museum of Art, Staley School of Leadership and residence halls.
Open House Must Dos with Kids
There are dozens of listings to comb through, but a few highlights for young families include:
- Airbrush tattoos, gummy worm experiments and a take home mug cake mix from the College of Agriculture.
- Lego playspace and demonstrations in 3D printing from the College of Architecture, Planning & Design.
- Build your own solar eclipse viewer, visit the instrument petting zoo and see woodcut t-shirt printing from the College of Arts and Sciences.
- Business trip scavenger hunt, cake walk and cash cube from the College of Business Administration.
- Giant color-by-numbers, friendship bracelets and Game Lab from the College of Education.
- Engineering children’s displays from the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering.
- Fold towel animals and try to play games while wearing concussion goggles from the College of Health and Human Sciences.
- Kid’s pet clinic and race remote control cars through the GI tract from the College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Join a walking or bus tour, play in the esports arena and explore booths that will give you a taste of what each individual college offers at the K-State Student Union.
- Design a take home paper craft, create a mini art installation or compete in a mathematical olympiad at other buildings across campus.
Location and Parking
All-University Open House events take place all over campus, stretching up to the North Grain Science Complex and College of Veterinary Medicine. Prioritize which buildings you want to visit and plan your parking to minimize walking and additional driving. The K-State Parking Garage is free on Saturdays and Sundays, and offers easy access to the main hub of campus through the K-State Student Union. Parking permits are not required on Saturday and Sunday for O, W, T and Z parking lots; look for signage at each lot’s entrance or view a map of all campus lots here. Find more information on campus parking here.
Admission Cost
There is no admission cost to attend K-State Open House, and the vast majority of activities are free. Select stations will have items for sale, such as the bake sale in Shellenberger Hall and merchandise at the 94th annual Little American Royal Showmanship Contest in Weber Hall.
You may want to have cash or card on hand for eating lunch on campus, grabbing a vending machine snack or shopping at the K-State Campus Store.
Bathrooms and Lactation Stations
Bathrooms are available throughout all campus buildings. There are also lactation stations on campus that offer privacy dividers, electrical outlet access, table and chair. Find a complete list of lactation stations here under “policies on lactation support for nursing mothers.”
Stroller and Wheelchair Accessibility
K-State is accessible to strollers and wheelchairs. Open House draws quite a crowd, so while larger wagons are not prohibited, you may have difficulty navigating booths. If needed, consider a smaller stroller with storage space underneath or a backpack for items your child may receive from booths.
Seating Areas
The K-State Student Union has plentiful booth and table seating on the first floor where many of the building’s restaurants are located. There is outdoor seating on Bosco Student Plaza outside the Union’s first floor, as well as between the Union and the K-State Parking Garage.
Food Policies and Purchase Options
Visitors are welcome to bring their own food and beverages onto campus. For quick snacks, vending machines are available throughout campus or visit the Cats’ Den Convenience Store in the Union. For meals and other special treats, see below.
Special for Open House
- Free hot dog lunch at the North Grain Science Complex
- Bake sale at Shellenberger Hall
- $3 hot dog lunch at Call Hall
- Call Hall ice cream giveaway at the Business Building
- Limited menu at the student-run restaurant, Lacy’s Fresh Fare and Catering in the main lobby of Justin Hall
Around Campus
- Call Hall Dairy Bar
- Cornerstone Café at Jardine Apartments
- Cornerstone Café at Wefald Hall
- Derby Dining Center
- Joyce and Joe’s Cornerstone Café at Hale
- JP’s Sports Grill at Jardine Apartments
- Quik Cats at Kramer Dining Center
K-State Student Union
- Cats’ Den Convenience Store
- Chick-fil-A
- Fast Track
- Hunt Brothers Pizza
- Panda Express
- Qdoba Mexican Eats
- Radina’s Coffeehouse & Roastery
- Subway
- Union Station by JP’s
Don’t Miss This Hidden Gem
Tulip Photo Op at the K-State Gardens: From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Open House day, photographers will be at the K-State Gardens to take photos of your kids, family or friends for a $20 donation. No RSVP or appointment necessary, relax in casual clothes or dress to impress. Edited photos will be delivered via email. A plant sale by the K-State Horticulture Club will also be happening at the gardens.
