Are you as excited as we are that it’s finally summer? The weather is warmer, the kids are out of school and there’s no better time to soak up some sunny, family fun. The patients at our OKC orthodontic office are always looking for things to do with kids in the summer. That’s why the doctors at Craig & Streight Orthodontics decided to put together a list of all the best kid-friendly activities in Oklahoma City, Norman and Mustang. The best part is that everything on this list is totally free (or super cheap)! So grab the gang and enjoy everything this summer has to offer.
ARTS & CULTURE
- Discover Art, Dance and More with Art Moves
Give your kids some culture and attend a free art event at Art Moves, hosted by the Arts Council of Oklahoma City. With a rotating schedule of art presentations and musical performances, shows take place every work day from 12-1pm in downtown OKC. To find out what’s coming up, check the schedule on the Art Moves Facebook page. There’s sure to be something the whole family will love.
- Move to the Music with the Sunday Twilight Concert Series
Also hosted by the Arts Council of OKC, the Sunday Twilight Concert Series gives everyone the opportunity to tap their toes to some of the city’s best beats, without a price tag. The performances run from 7:30-9pm and are held at the Devon Lawn Stage in the Myriad Botanical Gardens on Sundays from June through August. There’s jazz, blues, latin, rock and more. Check the Facebook page for an up-to-date schedule and pick a show that speaks to your music tastes (or better yet, try something new).
- Tour the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art
One of the finest art museums in the country, the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art is home to an extensive collection of art from around the world. Located at the University of Oklahoma, the museum is always free and is the perfect place to spend a summer afternoon when you need a break from the sun. The Fred Jones Jr. Museum also holds regular events, so be sure to check the calendar for kid-friendly fun.
- Meet Your Inner Artist at Second Saturday
Everyone is an artist at Second Saturday by Oklahoma Contemporary, a free, family-friendly event that happens (you guessed it) on the second Saturday of each month. Enjoy art talks, hands-on art classes and gallery visits with your little ones. There’s no registration required — just show up and create!
PARKS, GARDENS & ZOOS
- Stroll Through the Myriad Botanical Gardens
You don’t need to spend a dime to enjoy the beautiful outdoor spaces at Myriad Botanical Gardens. Take a walk through the diverse flora that represent our region or enjoy one of the many free events throughout the summer, like Reading Wednesdays or free yoga. While the grounds are free to roam, the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory has a small admission fee. Kids under 3 are free, ages 4 to 12 are $5, and adults are $8.
- Monkey Around at Route 66 Park
If it’s free summertime fun you’re after, you’re living in the right city. OKC has plenty of playgrounds where little ones can climb, swing and play. One of our favorites is Route 66 Park, on the west shore of Lake Overholser. The playground will bring out your inner child, there’s a walking path that goes around the entire park, and you can even fish in the pond. Pack a picnic and spend the day just blocks away from historic Route 66. We’re sure your kids will love it.
- See the Animals at the Oklahoma City Zoo
If there’s one thing your kids will want to do this summer, we’re betting it’ll be a trip to the OKC Zoo to see the animals. While admission is not free, a family of four can get in for under $40. It’ll be worth it to see your little ones’ faces light up when they see the lions, giraffes, elephants and more. Check the events calendar for additional shows and exhibits.
- Explore the Martin Park Nature Center
Little ones love to get outside in the summer and the Martin Park Nature Center is just the place for an afternoon of outdoor fun. With all kinds of free events scheduled throughout the summer, there’s always something to do with kids in OKC. Catch a free reading on Thursdays and Saturdays, stroll through the wilderness trails, or simply lay out a blanket for a family picnic. The park is open every day but the nature center is closed on Mondays.
MUSEUMS
- Step into History at the Edmond Historical Society & Museum
The kids might be out of school for the summer but that doesn’t mean their education needs to go out the window. Keep their minds active by taking them to the Edmond Historical Society & Museum. Just 15 miles north of OKC in Edmond, the society has a research library, children’s learning center and countless interesting exhibits that tell the rich history of the area. Always free and always fun, the Edmond Museum has everything you need for a free family outing.
- Visit the Wild West at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Take a trip back in time to the wild wild west and learn all about our country’s western history. Kids and accompanying adults get in for free on the first Saturday of the month during “Saturdays for Kids,” where little cowboys and girls can take part in interactive exhibits and kid-friendly events all year long.
- Dig Deep at the Sam Noble Museum
Mondays just got a whole lot more interesting at the Sam Noble Museum in Norman. Kids aged 17 and under get in for free on the first Monday of the month, giving them the opportunity to learn more about our nation’s natural history. This summer’s exhibit, “Under the Arctic,” dives deep into permafrost, climate science and the Ice Age. It’s a summer activity for kids in Norman that your little explorers won’t forget.
- Picture Yourself at the Oklahoma Hall of Fame
We know we already said you should spend the second Saturday of the month creating art with your kids. But if art isn’t your thing, head over to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame instead. The museum also offers free admission on the second Saturday of each month, letting you and your family discover all the amazing Oklahomans who made it big and are doing our state proud. Kids can even step into a Hall-of-Famers shoes and picture themselves up on the wall one day. We’re willing to bet this is a family activity you’ll enjoy as much as your kids.
