Kansas is more than just flat plains and prairies! Here are just a few fun facts about Kansas to discover alongside your kids.
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You Can Find Seashells in the Middle of Kansas
Kansas was once covered by a giant sea called the Permian Sea! Today, you can still find shells and fossils of fish buried in the ground. -
It’s Home to the Chalk Pyramids
These huge chalky formations consist of pillars and arches that rise up from the plains in the middle of what seems like nowhere! These formations were once ancient sea beds. -
Dorothy Was from Kansas
Dorothy from the beloved book The Wizard of Oz was famously from Kansas! You can even visit her house (or at least a replica of it) in Liberal, Kansas, at Dorothy's House and the Land of Oz. -
Kansas Is WINDY!
Chicago might be nicknamed the Windy City, but Wichita, Kansas, has it beat! With an average wind speed of 11.5 mph, Wichita is one of the windiest cities in America. -
The Geographic Center of the 48 States Is in Kansas
The town of Lebanon, Kansas, marks the exact geographic center of the lower 48 states. There’s even a monument you can visit! -
The State’s Nickname Is “The Sunflower State”
Imagine vast fields of blooming wild sunflowers! These sun-loving flowers grow abundantly in Kansas, which is why it’s known as the Sunflower State. Kansas loves its sunflowers so much that they even put one on the state flag! -
Kansas Is a Big Wheat Producer
The vast prairies and flat plains of Kansas make it the perfect landscape for wheat production. Winter wheat in particular accounts for around 75% of the total production of wheat in the US, with Kansas being the largest producer at over 10 million tons. That's a lot of wheat! -
Bison Still Roam the Plains
American Bison are a popular symbol of the Great Plains. They are not only featured on the Kansas state flag, but they are also the state mammal! Although once endangered, conservation efforts have helped this giant animal make a comeback. -
The State Bird Sings a Pretty Tune
The Western Meadowlark, Kansas’s state bird, has a cheerful song you can hear throughout the prairies. Have a listen to what it might sound like on a quiet, peaceful day on the prairies in Kansas by listening to the Western Meadowlark's song here. -
Kansas Has Four Distinct Seasons
From hot summers to snowy winters, Kansas experiences four distinct seasons. In January, you can expect average temperatures of around 30 degrees, while July can hit temperatures over 80 degrees.
Learn Even More about Kansas!
Kansas is full of surprises … and the best way to learn about Kansas is to experience it! If you aren’t able to travel, we have the next best thing. Our Hello, Kansas! state unit from our Hit the Road Geography curriculum features humorous journal entries led by a traveling cat, hands-on activities, writing exercises, and more–and it’s the next best thing to visiting the Sunflower State in person. Discover how we can make US geography a subject your child will love!
