12 Fun Things to Do in OKC for Families

Robin
•
Jan 20, 2025

Oklahoma City is one of the friendliest cities in the U.S., and it’s full of fun family activities. Discover more in this article!

oklahoma-city-at-sunrise

Photo by Gerson Repreza on Unsplash

Oklahoma City (OKC) is the capital and largest city of Oklahoma. It’s a thriving area known for its Western heritage, large art scene, and modern urban development. Visitors often describe it as a friendly, vibrant, and evolving city, and in fact, the city is nicknamed “The Big Friendly”. Locals are more than happy to welcome tourists and show them around, sharing their favorite spots and activities. You will definitely find a ton of fun and interesting family things to do in OKC and here are some of our suggestions.

Family Things to Do in OKC

Explore the Oklahoma City Zoo

A family activity by excellence! The Oklahoma City Zoo has been active since 1902 and is one of the most beloved attractions in Oklahoma City. Take a nice stroll through it and enjoy meeting animals from all over the globe. If 130 acres of zoo is too much to walk don’t hesitate to use the Zoo Tram.

Notable Exhibits at the Zoo:

Sanctuary Asia: Home of Asian elephants, Indian rhinos and red pandas. There you can find the Lotus Pavilion, a perfect place to rest a bit and enjoy a bite.
Expedition Africa: Meet the bigger fauna of Africa, famous for its lions, cheetahs, zebras, and giraffes. You can even feed the giraffes yourself!
Great EscAPE: Learn more about the great apes. Watch chimpanzees, orangutans,s and gorillas in a naturalenvironmentt.

people-feeding-giraffe-at-okc-zoo

Photo by Michael Hutchinson on Unsplash

Discover the National Cowboy Museum

You probably have watched a movie or two about cowboys, but how much do you know about the real American Western? In the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, you can learn a lot about the history, art, and culture of that time.

What to see at the museum:

The Western Performers Gallery: A way to celebrate the popularity of Western as a genre and its impact in film and television. There you can see props, costumes, and memorabilia from famous movie stars like John Wayne and Clint Eastwood.
Prosperity Junction: An incredible life-sized replica of a turn of a Western Town. There you can have a peek at what life in the Wild West was like while you walk its streets.

old-western-building-in-oklahoma

Photo by Sarah Lachise on Unsplash

Stroll through Myriad Botanical Gardens

Want to take a break in the middle of downtown Oklahoma? There you can find the Myriad Botanical Gardens, a luscious space created to revitalize the city in 1988. Enjoy the ample park, unique plants, and the wonderful peace of the space.

What to do at the botanical garden:

Walk through the Crystal Bridge Conservatory: Probably its most iconic spot. This unique cylindrical greenhouse has a length of 244 feet, showcases desert and tropical biomes, and houses over 1000 plants.
Enjoy the seasonal gardens: Just as the seasons change the flowerbeds and the look of the trees change. If you go in the winter there’s even an ice rink ideal for skating.

plants-in-a-greenhouse-in-okc

Photo by Daniel Frese

Adventure at Riversport OKC

Spending a day at Adventure Riversport is one of the best family things to do in OCK! There you’ll find a wide range of activities for people of all ages and skill levels in a combination of adventure sports and water recreation. It’s also a perfect opportunity to do some physical activity in a fun way.

Highlights of the complex:

Whitewater Rafting & Kayaking: A series of man-made rapids with varied levels of difficulty, from absolute beginner to expert.
Sky Trail: An extensive adventure course of a total of 6 levels with rope bridges, balance lines, and zip lines. After you reach the top you can experience a free fall to descend back to the ground.
Climbing Walls: An exciting way to test your strength and ability. Enjoy the outdoor air while you climb higher into this challenge.

young-girl-climbing-wall-in-okc

Photo by Rachel on Unsplash

Ride the Bricktown Water Taxi

One of the best family things to do in OKC is take a guided tour through OKC’s Bricktown Canal on the Bricktown Water Taxi. This attraction offers a fun and relaxed way to explore the area and enjoy the city’s beauty. Take the opportunity to learn more about the history of the place, and hear the captain of the boat share many interesting facts about landmarks.

Some tips for your travels:

Use the Hop-on, Hop-off feature: The tickets, once purchased, are valid for the whole day, so feel free to use the boats as a water taxi. The way goes through important landmarks and interesting neighborhoods, so take the chance to explore around.
Take the evening tour: If you go at a later hour, you can enjoy the spectacle of the channels slowly lighting up against the changing colors of the sky.

Enjoy Family Fun at Scissortail Park

The Scissortail Park is a vibrant urban park on 70 acres that offers multiple family things to do in OKC. It’s divided into two main areas, the upper park and the lower park, each with its own characteristics and activities. The lower park is more suited for long strolls and outdoor sports.

What to do in the Park:

Assist events and performances: Here you’ll find the Great Lawn where community events and concerts are held.
Play at the Children’s Playground: The perfect area for the little ones to enjoy playing, climbing, and interacting with other children.
Scissortail Boathouse: You can rent pedal boats and kayaks to explore the lake.

children-on-a-playground-in-scissortail-park

Photo by Hisu lee on Unsplash

Visit the Science Museum of Oklahoma

Lots of fun family things to do in OKC for the knowledge seekers. The Science Museum in Oklahoma was founded in 1958 and is currently one of the largest institutions of its kind in the region. Explore and participate in its many hands-on exhibits and activities.

Best exhibits in the museum:

CurioCity: An impressive two-story area with tons of interactive activities to help children get engaged in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Tinkering Garage: An area that encourages creativity and innovation through building and design challenges.
Planetarium: Watch the show and learn about astronomy, space exploration, and the universe.

kids-building-a-robot-at-the-science-museum

Photo by UK Black Tech on Unsplash

Dine at the First National Center

The First National Center opened in 1932 as the First National Bank, it reopened in 2022 as a place to stay, dine, and shop. The restoration project took great care to keep the magnificent Art Deco architecture and beautiful details of the building while adding modern amenities.

Where to dine at the Center:

Tellers: A lovely mix of American cuisine with Italian influence. It specializes in handmade pasta, prime cuts of meat, and seafood dishes.
Stock & Bond: A place for meat lovers, with dry-aged steaks and gourmet side dishes such as truffle mac and cheese.
The Great Hall Bar: A perfect place to enjoy with your partner in a romantic escapade. Taste the creative cocktails inspired by the Art Deco era accompanied by small bites.

steak-at-the-first-national-center

Photo by Lukas

Watch a Movie at Flix Brewhouse

What better thing to do with family than watch a movie while enjoying good food and drinks? The Flix Brewhouse is a unique place where you can combine both activities, giving you a laid-back and memorable experience.

Try the craft beer: Fliz Brewhouse, as a brewery has its own beer that pairs well with movie-watching. You can enjoy lagers, and stouts or ask for the seasonal selection or the limited edition beers.

Use the Fliz Brewhouse App: You can check the menu, order food ahead of time, and keep track of the movie schedules.

couple-at-flix-brewhouse

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk

See Chihuly Glass at the OKC Museum of Art

Enjoy different family things to do in OKC for the little and big art lovers in the Museum of Art. This cultural destination is full of unique exhibits, a great art collection, and engaging programs to enjoy and learn.

Highlights of the museum:

Chihuly Glass collection: Here you can find the most extensive collection of Dale Chihuly’s glass art in the world. The most notable is the 17-meter-tall Chihuly Tower which greets visitors.
Art in Bloom: This annual exhibit is one of the most interesting things to see here. Once a year local florists and floral designers create arrangements inspired by works on the museum’s permanent collection and exhibit them alongside.

chihuly-glass

Photo by Sunira Moses on Unsplash

Explore Stockyards City

Another place that highlights the Western heritage of Oklahoma City is Stockyards City. It was established in 1910, around the Oklahoma National Stockyard, which is still the world’s largest livestock market for live cattle. In this district, you can witness the cowboy culture and learn a lot about the cattle and ranching industry.

What to do in the Stockyards:

Observe a live auction: Every Monday and Tuesday morning visitors can watch the fast-paced actions of the cattle’s trading.
Explore Western stores: If you’re looking for authentic cowboy accessories and apparel you’ve found the right place. Don’t miss the chance to get your very own cowboy boots and hat.

Visit the Skeletons Museum of Osteology

Among the most unique family things to do in OKC is visit the Skeletons in the Museum of Osteology. Its founder was the same man behind Skulls Unlimited International. This is one of the only museums of its kind in the United States, so visit it if you’re in Oklahoma City.

What to see at the museum:

More than 400 skeletons: Watch very real skeletons of multiple species, from diminutive mice to massive whales.
Human skeleton Exhibit: A wonderful place to learn about bone diseases, injuries, and skeletal variations. Take the opportunity to see how our skeletons compare to other animals.
Animal adaptations and comparative anatomy: See collections of skeletons side by side that highlight their evolutionary differences and adaptations.

skeleton-bear-at-the-museum-of-osteology

Photo by Julia Kadel on Unsplash

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