The 2026 K-State All-University Open House will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 18. 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.
From the full event list online, you can filter by age, event type and campus location. Browsing fairs, interactive activities and informational sessions are offered through the eight academic colleges as well as other campus locations, such as the K-State Student Union, Hale Library, Beach Museum of Art, Staley School of Leadership and K-State Gardens.
Open House Must Dos with Kids
There are dozens of listings to comb through, but a few highlights for young families include:
- Create your own flavor of ice cream in a bag, complete a scavenger hunt to win a t-shirt, and learn to shape pretzels with the College of Agriculture
- Explore a 3D reality sandbox, construct a building to add to BOXhattan, and take home a custom model from the College of Architecture, Planning & Design
- Play with self-inflating balloons and slime, make photo prints with sunlight, and play tennis at 321 degrees below zero with the College of Arts and Sciences
- Explore the Future CEO Hub for young innovators, and enjoy a cake walk and cash cube game from the College of Business Administration
- Play school-themed bingo, jump in a bounce house, and try out the Game Lab with the College of Education
- Build a toolbox, enjoy the children’s carnival and watch small-scale robots battle with the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering
- Craft a colorful mocktail, putt through the mini-golf challenge, and learn creative and elegant towel and napkin folding from the College of Health and Human Sciences
- Adopt a stuffed animal and help give your new friend a checkup before taking them home, try the bovine palpation simulation, and meet some friendly dogs with the College of Veterinary Medicine
- Create a vintage stamp, build a Lego masterpiece for a digital photo op, and record your K-State story at Hale Library.
- Set sail and design a flag, develop a vessel that can stay afloat, and see if the Staley School Ambassadors will sink or swim in the dunk tank at the Staley School of Leadership Studies
- Check back here for upcoming information on live entertainment and performances.
Location and Parking
All-University Open House events take place all over campus. 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. Some stations will have items for sale, such as meal fundraisers or club merchandise.
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.
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.
Food Specials
Check back here for updates or additions to food specials. The K-State Student Union is the biggest restaurant hub on campus with a mix of popular fast food franchises, a relaxed sit-down experience at Union Station by JP’s, and the new Willie’s Soda Bar featuring customizable drink combinations. Check back for hours updates as locations that are normally closed on Saturday may be open for Open House.
- Free pancakes and sausage from 9:30 a.m.-noon at the OH Kruse Feed Mill Warehouse
- Grab a bite to eat at Lacy’s Fresh Fare & Catering, a student-run, quick-service restaurant, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Justin Hall
- Lunch with the Lintons: The Kansas State University President and First Lady will be making a special walk‑about visit from noon-1 p.m. in the Derby Dining Center
- Varsity Donuts giveaway from 9-11 a.m. in the Business Building Atrium
