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Plan a Weekend of Family Fun with these Things to do in OKC with Kids
If you haven’t thought about spending a weekend in Oklahoma City with your family, you might start now. Whether you are looking for educational activities or strictly fun, there are a ton of things to do in OKC with kids. I live here with my children and we still haven’t experienced all that our metro area has to offer. We’re chipping away at an OKC bucket list that never seems to end. That’s all part of the fun though. The more you look, the more you find. Every time we explore something new in our home city, we find something new to put on our list of things to do in OKC. Our own backyard is super cool and you should come and hang out sometime.
Oklahoma City has really stepped up its game over the last several years. From a total revamp of Bricktown to a sizzling food scene and the only urban white water rafting in the country, OKC has finally earned a spot on the list of US cities you should be planning to visit. Traveling here isn’t hard either. Automatic Bonus Points! Oklahoma City is smack dab in the middle of the country. You can fly to OKC relatively quickly from nearly anywhere in the USA. For road-trippers, it’s a straight shot from nearly every direction – North, South, East, & West.
This article is written in partnership with Visit OKC to raise awareness of Oklahoma City as a family-friendly destination. The following content highlights some of my favorite things to do in OKC with kids as well as information to help you plan your own experience. All opinions are my own.
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Explore Bricktown OKC by Land or Water
Bricktown is the entertainment district and where most people come when they visit OKC. This district is chock full of restaurants, activities, and even a few little surprises along the way. It’s easy to spend a full day exploring Bricktown and a convenient base for a weekend getaway in OKC.
There are a number of fun things to do in Bricktown that the whole family will enjoy. Sports enthusiasts can catch a Dodger’s game at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark or watch the Thunder play at the ‘Peake. Families who enjoy a little friendly competition can head over to Brickopolis – an arcade complete with putt-putt and laser tag. If you’re looking for something unique and out of the ordinary, tour the surprisingly interesting history of the banjo at the American Banjo Museum on Sheridan. When you’re done, they even have a few banjos to test your talent.
In addition to plenty of things to do with the kids, there are plenty of ways to explore this part of OKC. The Bricktown area is walkable but there are a few ways to rest your feet and still get around. Horse-drawn carriage tours are popular among children as well as couples. You can also purchase a day pass for the Bricktown Water Taxi. Boat rides are a fun way to tour the district and learn a bit of Bricktown OKC history. You can also utilize the boats as a hop-on-hop-off with several stops along the full route. You can also get around Bricktown as well as the surrounding neighborhoods very economically by using the new OKC Streetcar. Adult day passes are only $3 while children under 7 are free. Kids ages 7-17 may be eligible for half price fares.
Find the Best Hotels in Bricktown
Brave the Waves at Riversport Adventures OKC
Oklahoma City is home to one of only three man-made white water rafting facilities in the country. Wait, what? Yes. Come to Oklahoma City and you can experience Class IV whitewater rafting while you stay downtown. Built on the Oklahoma River, Riversports Rapids and Kayaking Center is also an official training site for world-class athletes who compete in the Olympics and Paralympics.
Besides rafting, you can get your adrenaline pumping on the Sandridge Sky Trail. The Sky Trail features six levels of ropes courses, a zip-line, and some crazy slides. If you really want to experience a rush, go all the way up to the Rumble Drop and free-fall 80 feet. This is definitely one of the more exciting and adventurous things to do in OKC with kids or without.
Family-Friendly Activities at Riversport Adventures in OKC
Riversport Rapids
Sandridge Sky Trail
Zipline OKC
High Speed Slides
Rumble Drop
Frontier City Theme Park
Frontier City in Oklahoma City is the state’s only theme park. This Western themed adventure is a favorite for an exciting day of family fun in OKC. As the name implies,
Summer is obviously a popular season at Frontier City. The kids are out of school and the Summer Concert Series brings some of your favorite bands in for a concert in the park. However, fall is my personal favorite time to visit. Aside from milder temperatures, this time of year offers one of my favorite seasonal attractions. Fright Fest begins in October offering loads of Halloween fun and seriously spooky haunted attractions.
I’m also really excited about the all-new Holiday in the Park. This event begins the last week of November and runs through the New Year. Who doesn’t love a theme park decked out in holiday cheer?!
Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden
Visiting the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is one of our favorite family activities in OKC and, undoubtedly, one of the most popular things to do with kids in OKC. One of the things I love about the OKC Zoo is that it gets better and better every year.
The latest advancement at the OKC Zoo is Sanctuary Asia which just opened to the public a couple of weeks ago. This new area totals 14.5 acres of space in the zoo and presents habitats of 8 species including elephants, rhinos, and red pandas. The Lotus Pavilion, central to Sanctuary Asia, offer a unique dining experience with new meal options and the ability to view some of the animals in their habitats right from your table.
If you head out to the zoo, one of the best options is to purchase the Zoo-It-All pass. This pass covers your entrance into the park as well as access into the various shows offered throughout the day. It also covers a ride on the carousel, access to train/tram rides and feedings for both the Lorakeets and Giraffes!
Ride the Old Santa Monica Wheel at Wheeler Riverfront Plaza
The Wheeler Riverfront Plaza is a true gem in the OKC area and one that is still being discovered. If you’re looking for fun things to do in OKC with kids and you haven’t been here yet, put this at the top of your list. The park is complete with a food truck, outdoor games, hammocks, a picnic area and of course, the Wheel! Even better, visiting Wheeler Riverfront Plaza is budget-friendly. There is no charge to hang out at the park and a ride on the Ferris Wheel is only $6.
Wheeler Riverfront Plaza has become one of the most instagrammable spots in town. Everyone loves to snap a photo with the big OKC sign. The Ferris Wheel in the background and city view from the park is nice too. What a lot of people don’t know, and part of what makes it so
Take on New Heights at iFly OKC Indoor Skydiving
You don’t have to jump out of a perfectly good plane if you want to experience skydiving in OKC. Indoor skydiving has been an exciting activity for kids and adults since iFly OKC opened up the Chisholm Creek location in 2016. Who doesn’t dream of soaring? The ability to do so in a safe and controlled environment makes iFly OKC one of the
We’ve had the opportunity to fly twice at this facility. Most recently, we tried out their latest VR Experience “How to Train Your Dragon.” Once you have the VR headset strapped on, step into the wind tunnel and fly like a dragon! When you’re ready to refuel, Chisholm Creek is home to several new restaurants. Don Julios and Firebirds are both good choices. Of course, you can never go wrong with Fuzzy’s Tacos either.
