Because we have family in Oklahoma, we tend to spend a lot of time in the state. Many wonder what we do while hanging out in this seemingly boring state, and I get it — the place isn’t exactly known for its amazing attractions. But here’s the thing, there are actually a ton of great things to do in Oklahoma with kids if you’re willing to look for them.
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Things to do in Oklahoma with Kids
If you’re looking to earn your Oklahoma state sticker, you’ve come to the right place. Below are the very best things to do in Oklahoma with kids.
Stroll, Climb, and Play
One of our favorite things to do with kids in Oklahoma? Hit the parks. There are several amazing parks in the state, and they never fail to keep the kids and their friends 100% entertained.
The Gathering Place in Tulsa is easily the best park in the state and quite possibly among the best parks in the country. The place boasts multiple unique playgrounds, an incredible skate park, water play areas, walking paths, and more.
Other parks we really love include the new Scissortail Park in downtown OKC, which features interesting play areas and a skating rink, and Little River Park in Moore, which has a free water park that is complete with small slides and spray features.
Get Hands-On
If you’re looking for hands-on educational things to do in Oklahoma with kids, you’re in luck. The state boasts several amazing museums that offer exactly that.
The biggest and most impressive of these museums is Science Museum Oklahoma in OKC. This museum has dozens of fabulous hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, and one of the coolest play areas you’ll ever see.
We also really love Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum in Seminole, Leonardo’s Children’s Museum in Enid, and the new Discovery Lab in Tulsa.
Note: Both Science Museum Oklahoma and Discovery Lab are part of the ASTC reciprocal program.
Go Wild at Animal Parks and Gardens
Want to take a walk on the wild side? Some of the most fun things to do in Oklahoma with kids involve animals and plants.
The Oklahoma City Zoo has to be our top pick out of all the zoos, wildlife parks, and botanical gardens in the state. We love the building that allows visitors to observe vets gearing for the animals, and feeding the giraffes is always an experience. Of course, the amazing landscaping and playgrounds are awesome bonuses as well!
Other great places to observe plants and animals in Oklahoma include the Tulsa Zoo, Arbuckle Wilderness Safari Park in Davis, and the Myriad Botanical Gardens in downtown OKC.
Note: Both the Oklahoma City Zoo and the Tulsa Zoo are part of the AZA reciprocal program.
Head Outside
Oklahoma may not be home to stunning ocean beaches and majestic mountains, but there are still plenty of fun outdoor things to do in Oklahoma with kids.
If you need to get outside, we highly recommend the Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Sulphur. This place features beautiful hiking trails, sparkling springs, and some super refreshing swimming holes. We do recommend packing bug spray for this one!
Other parks that are well worth visiting include Turner Falls Park in Davis, Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, and pretty much any of the Oklahoma state parks.
Take in a Performance
In recent years, the arts scene has really taken off in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa, meaning there are tons of great performances to see in both cities. Not only that, but many of the small towns scattered around the state are home to community theaters, most of which put on fabulous productions.
One of the best things to do in Oklahoma with kids is to see a performance put on by the Oklahoma Children’s Theater. These shows are geared toward elementary-aged kids and they are so much fun!
If you have older kids, they might appreciate a more mature community theater performance. We highly recommend shows put on by The Pollard in Guthrie.
Check Out a Farm
There is no shortage of farms in Oklahoma, making this the perfect place to do some agrotourism and learn where food comes from. In fact, I think this is one of the best things to do in Oklahoma with kids.
Our favorite place to do this is Braum’s Farm in Tuttle. Braum’s is a local ice cream and fast food chain that is found in pretty much every town in the state. The ice cream there is phenomenal and really must be tried during your visit. At Braum’s Farm, you can take a tour to see exactly how this ice cream is made. Just make sure you book your tour in advance!
Another great place to see a working farm is Orr Family Farm. This place hosts events throughout the year and always has something fun for the kids.
Celebrate Native American Cultures
Recently, we visited the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur for the first time. This place was incredible.
The center features a huge campus where everyone is welcome to come and learn about Chickasaw culture. The onsite museum does charge a fee, but nearly everything else was 100% free. We really enjoyed both the educational film (the theater is amazing) and the stomp dance demonstration, and my daughter loved that she got to dance with the performers. We also had fun exploring the living history village.
Another place to learn about Native American culture? The Spiro Mounds in Spiro.
Get Your Thrills
Unfortunately for thrill junkies, Oklahoma doesn’t have a whole lot to offer in terms of amusement parks. That said, the theme parks it does have are cute, well-maintained, and fun and offer some of the best things to do in Oklahoma with kids.
Frontier City is the “dry” amusement park in the state. This park features the usual kiddie rides, some family rides, roller coasters, and live entertainment. The park is now owned by Six Flags, which is great for travelers because it means the Six Flags Plus reciprocal membership benefits will work there.
Other amusement parks in the state include Hurricane Harbor (also owned by Six Flags) and the Water-Zoo in Clinton, which actually boasts its own RV park.
Note: Plans are in the works for a large, Disney World-style amusement park called American Heartland in Vinita!
Cowboy Up
Of course, you have to have at least one cowboy-themed outing while in Oklahoma. This is where the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in OKC comes into play.
This museum focuses on the history of the Wild West and features tons of amazing information on cowboys and Native American culture. It also plays host to many gorgeous works of art that are well worth checking out.
Note: This museum is a part of the NARM reciprocal program.
Make No Bones About It
Have a fossil-obsessed kiddo in your party? Why not cater to them with a skeleton-focused roadschool field trip?
The Museum of Osteology in Oklahoma City is probably the very best place to learn about bones and skeletons in the entire country. This place has an astounding number of bony specimens to check out, and the educational programs they offer are top-notch.
You can also head to the Sam Noble Museum in Norman for even more skeletal viewing. While this museum is a natural history museum with far more than just bones, it does feature a fun collection of ancient animal skeletons.
Take a Moment of Silence
Finally, we must mention the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. Honestly, this spot isn’t the best for younger kids, but it is an invaluable educational experience for slightly older kids and teens.
The memorial is run by the National Parks Service and provides a beautiful place for quiet reflection. Meanwhile, the museum aims to educate the public about the events leading up to and following the tragic Oklahoma City bombing of 1995. Both are worth visiting.
In my opinion, these are the best things to do in Oklahoma with kids. Need to fill even more time? I’m certain you can find even more to see and do if you take the time to look around!
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