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 adventure, 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 a new place in our home city, we find something else 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.
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5 of The Best Things to do in OKC with Adventurous Kids
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. 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. If you are coming with kids, you’ll find plenty of things to do in OKC and lots of adventure.
Explore Bricktown OKC by Land or Water
Bricktown is the entertainment district and where most people come when they visit OKC. It’s a great place for a family day with plenty of fun and exciting activities for the kids. It’s easy to spend a full day exploring Bricktown and a convenient base for a weekend getaway in OKC.
Bricktown offers a variety of family-friendly activities that cater to a range of interests. Sports enthusiasts can take in a Dodger’s game at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark or catch a Thunder game at the Paycom Center. For families looking for some friendly competition, Brickopolis is an arcade complete with miniature golf and laser tag. For a unique educational experience, visit the American Banjo Museum on Sheridan to learn about the history of the banjo and even test your musical talents.
Ride or Walk
Exploring Bricktown and its surrounding neighborhoods is easy and enjoyable. The area is walkable but, if you need a break, consider a horse-drawn carriage tour – a popular activity for both kids and couples. Alternatively, you can purchase a day pass for the Bricktown Water Taxi. The water taxi is a fun and informative way to tour the district and learn about its history. The boats also serve as a hop-on-hop-off transportation option, with several stops along the full route.
Another convenient and affordable way to get around is to use the new OKC Streetcar, which offers adult day passes for only $3 and is free for children under 7. Kids aged 7-17 may be eligible for half-price fares. With all these options, it’s easy to explore Bricktown and make lasting family memories.
Favorite Place to Eat Nearby: Yucatan Taco Stand Bar and Grill
I’m addicted to tacos, plain and simple. This place has good food and a nice outdoor seating area on the river. They also serve nachos, burritos, and burrito bowls among other Mayan-inspired dishes. As the name implies, recipes are a nod to the distinct flavors of the Yucatan.
Urban Whitewater Rafting 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 urban whitewater rafting while you stay downtown. Built on the Oklahoma River, Riversport Rapids and Kayaking Center is also an official training site for world-class athletes who compete in the Olympics and Paralympics.
Riversport Adventures is a popular destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts looking for fun and exciting activities. This outdoor adventure park is situated on the Oklahoma River and offers a variety of activities that cater to people of all ages and skill levels. One of the main attractions at Riversport OKC is white water rafting.
The course features a series of rapids and drops that simulate the experience of whitewater rafting, providing a thrilling and unforgettable experience for visitors. There are also other water-based activities, such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, that offer a great way to cool off during the hot summer months.
There are More Things to Do than Just White-Water Rafting at Riversport OKC
Aside from water-based activities, Riversport Adventures also offers several exciting land-based activities. For example, the Sandridge 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.
These activities are designed to test visitors’ physical abilities and offer a challenging and exciting experience. In addition, there are activities specifically designed for children, such as a mini-golf course and a playground area, making it an ideal location for a family outing.
Favorite Place to Eat Nearby: Bricktown
Riversport Adventures is right across from Bricktown. There, you have several restaurants to choose from when you’re ready to leave the park. A personal favorite is Fuzzy’s Taco Shop. At Bricktown Brewery, you can order things like pizza and burgers. If your day of adventure isn’t quite done, you can also eat at the onsite restaurant. Big Water Grill is open March through October and offers a decent variety of meals.
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 Oklahoma City Zoo offers a wide range of interactive exhibits and animal encounters that will entertain and educate kids. One of the most popular exhibits at the zoo is the Great EscApe, which features pools and waterfalls in a lush tropical habitat.
Other exciting habitats for children to explore include the popular Lorikeet Adventure and Butterfly Garden. Children can feed the colorful birds and enjoy an up-close experience with these friendly creatures. Oklahoma Trails explores Oklahoma’s diverse ecosystem and animals that live in the many different habitats throughout the state.
Jenna’s Pick for a Must-Visit Exhibit at OKC Zoo
Another must-visit exhibit for families is Sanctuary Asia, which is a relatively new addition to the Oklahoma City Zoo. This immersive exhibit offers an up-close look into the wildlife of Asia. It features a range of animals, including tigers, Indian rhinoceroses, and elephants. Children can observe the animals in their natural habitats and learn about the importance of conservation efforts as well as the animals’ cultural significance in Asian countries.
The exhibit also features a state-of-the-art elephant habitat, complete with mud pits and misters to keep the animals comfortable in Oklahoma’s hot summers. If you didn’t pack a lunch, The Lotus Pavilion offers a unique dining experience with new meal options and the ability to view some of the animals in their habitats right from your table.
The zoo is currently working on an exciting new addition to the park, Expedition Africa. Phase One will encompass 14 acres of savannah, expanding and improving the habitats of OKC Zoo’s African wildlife.
Favorite Place to Eat Nearby: Hideaway Pizza
There are plenty of dining options at the OKC Zoo, but it can get expensive. I recommend bringing your own lunch, especially if your group is large. You can pack it in an ice cooler and keep it stored in your vehicle. You can also store it in a designated area near the zoo entrance. If you don’t feel like packing food for the day, keep some snacks in your purse or backpack to keep park dining at a minimum. Afterwards, head over to Hideaway on 50th for crowd-pleasing pizza.
Ride the Old Santa Monica Wheel at Wheeler Riverfront Plaza
The Wheeler Ferris Wheel is undoubtedly one of the best things to do with kids when visiting Oklahoma City. Towering over 100 feet above the Oklahoma River, Wheeler Wheel is an iconic Oklahoma City attraction. The Ferris wheel is located in Oklahoma City’s Wheeler Riverfront Plaza and offers visitors, especially children, a unique and exciting experience.
The Ferris wheel features twenty gondolas, each capable of accommodating up to six passengers. The ride typically lasts about 15 minutes, during which passengers can enjoy spectacular views of the city. The LED lights that illuminate the Ferris wheel at night also add to the fun with a dazzling display that captivates both kids and adults.
What a lot of people don’t know is that the OKC Wheel is actually the old Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel. The Ferris wheel was originally built in 1959 and operated in Santa Monica, California. In 2008, it was acquired by a developer, refurbished, and introduced to Oklahoma City in 2016. Another little known but interesting fact is that the developer purchased the wheel off of Ebay!
Favorite Place to Eat Nearby: Taco Nation
Taco Nation is in the Wheeler District, walking distance from the Ferris Wheel. They dub themselves a neighborhood taco shop stemming from their early days as a backyard kitchen. The owner would host neighbors in the backyard on the weekend. Eventually, so many people started coming that Taco Nation became a brick and mortar popular for Baja style tacos.
They serve all sorts of tacos that range from an American style soft taco with beef to one filled with flash-fried avocado. They also serve tasty nachos – both chicken and vegetarian – as well as a salad option. You can choose from a variety of salsa and sauces for an extra punch of flavor.
Take on New Heights at iFly OKC Indoor Skydiving
iFLY Indoor Skydiving in Oklahoma City is a fantastic activity for kids (and parents) that offers a thrilling and unforgettable experience. With a specialized wind tunnel, kids can experience the feeling of free-fall in a safe and controlled environment. The iFly staff are highly trained and provide thorough safety instructions and gear to ensure a safe and fun experience. Kids will love the adrenaline rush and the feeling of weightlessness as they soar through the air.
Once they’re geared up, your child will step into the wind tunnel and experience the sensation of freefalling. It’s an exhilarating feeling that’s both fun and educational, teaching kids about the physics of flight and the importance of body control.
The instructors will guide your child through a series of hand signals and body movements, allowing them to fly higher and higher in the wind tunnel. It’s an exciting and memorable experience they won’t forget. It’s one of the best things to do in OKC for families seeking thrill and a perfect indoor adventure to beat the Oklahoma weather.
Favorite Place to Eat Nearby: Hatch and Uncle Julios
This one is hard because iFly OKC is located in the Chisholm Creek Entertainment District and there are a lot of really good options. Hatch is one of my favorite restaurants in OKC as a whole, but their focus is brunch. It really boils down to food preference. For any other meal, my favorite is probably Uncle Julios. However, there are several restaurants here that will make you happy.
For pizza, try Birra Birra or Razzoo’s if you’re in the mood for Cajun. There are also several places where you can get a sweet treat. Crumbl Cookies, Domenico, and BiBi’s Ice Cream are a few standouts.
FAQ About Things to do in OKC with Kids
What are some other outdoor things to do in OKC?
There are a lot of ways to enjoy the outdoors in Oklahoma City. Besides the zoo, two of the most popular outdoor locations are the Myriad Botanical Gardens and Hefner Lake and Park. Other popular places include the Will Rogers Park & Gardens as well as the Martin Nature Center.
What are some free activities that kids might enjoy?
Hefner Lake and Park is a great place to spend the afternoon without needing to spend any money. If you have kids that like military history, the 45th Infantry Division Museum is popular. The Oklahoma Railway Museum is fun to explore. During the summer, you can ride a train for a small fee. Other popular and free activities include touring the Capitol and visiting Scissortail Park.
What are some cultural significant places I can take the kids to learn about history and heritage?
Oklahoma City is loaded with museums that are interactive and educational. A must-visit is the Oklahoma Memorial and Museum in the downtown area where you can learn about the Oklahoma City bombing, its impact, and its significance. Another important and impactful museum is the First Americans Museum is a fantastic museum reaching into cultural heritage of the state’s 39 First American Nations. The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum dives into the history and culture of the American West.