Families can go “fore” the win at a new temporary exhibit in the Flint Hills Discovery Center.
“Grassland Mini-Golf,” which opened over the weekend, invites guests to discover the rich ecology of the tallgrass prairie while playing nine holes of putt-putt golf. Each hole was designed by Discovery Center staff to introduce guests to a part of the endangered Flint Hills ecosystem and educate them about the importance of preserving the prairie.
“What better way to introduce people to the Flint Hills ecosystem than with a fun-filled 9-hole minigolf course,” Discovery Center director Stephen Bridenstine said in a written statement. “This exhibit will have you thinking on your feet as you aim for that hole-in-one. And when you combine it with our ‘Stepping into the Prairie’ immersive exhibit, it is guaranteed fun for the whole family.”
For those looking to improve their score, some of the holes include prairie puzzler brain teasers, like the ten-disk triangle — inverting a triangle made of up of 10 disks by only moving three of those disks — and arranging four puzzle pieces to form a “T.”
Meanwhile, returning to the Discovery Center is “Stepping into the Prairie,” which was previously displayed from November 2024 to May 2025. The immersive exhibit uses high-definition projectors, surround sound speakers and motion sensing devices to create a virtual Flint Hills environment that reacts to guests in the space. It features the sights and sounds of the tallgrass prairie which are digitally recreated to produce an immersive educational experience.
A painting activity in “Stepping into the Prairie” lets visitors choose prairie flora or fauna to paint and then release onto the screen. These include coneflowers, butterflies and lizards. The end results are brightly colored and uniquely patterned creatures flying or crawling around the prairie on the screen.
Both exhibits will be open at the Discovery Center through May 10. Regular admission rates apply.