Ultimate Summer Fun Guide - MetroFamily Magazine
MetroFamily Magazine

Where OKC parents find fun & resources

Ultimate Summer Fun Guide

by Lindsay Cuomo. Photos provided.

Reading Time: 11 minutesย 

From long-time OKC favorites and top trends in family funย to close-to-homeย travel destinations and boredom busters, check out these ideas to make your summer extra memorable!

The highlighted listings in this article represent paid partners.

 

OKC Staples & Favorites

1. Visit your local library!ย Both the Metropolitan and Pioneer library systems are hosting summer reading challenges, story times, family programming and much more all summer long.

2. Take a hike … at night!ย Go on a Park After Dark nature walk at Martin Park Nature Center on select Saturdays throughout the summer to hear and see nocturnal animals that only come out when the lights are out. Learn more atย okc.gov/parks.

3. Head to a local farm and pick your own produce! Find a farm near you atย metrofamilymagazine.com/okc-pick-your-own-farms.

4. Enjoy nostalgic family funย at a local drive-in movie theater. Find details for the few still in operation in Oklahoma atย metrofamilymagazine.com/drive-in-movie-theaters-in-oklahoma.

5.

Giddy up cowboy and head to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum to experience the American West through history, art and culture!

6. Stop in to Oklahoma City Museum of Art to see show-stopping flower art by Georgia Oโ€™Keeffe and costumes by award-winning designer Edith Head, some of which were worn by Hollywood stars Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and more. Admission is free for all guests on the second Sunday of each month and kids ages 17 and under always get in free!

7. Watch the sunsetย from atop the Wheeler Ferris Wheel.

8.

Step into fun with Summer Thursdays at the Oklahoma Hall of Fame! Enjoy FREE museum admission, crafts, story time and games for the entire family every Thursday in June & July. Activities run 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and each day has a different theme.

9.

Boost your familyโ€™s wellness factor at MetroFamilyโ€™s Thrive Fest, a celebration of family health and wellness, hosted this year at the Mitch Park YMCA on June 1.

10.

Experience turn-of-the-century territorial life in Oklahomaย at the Harn Homestead during their Picnic on the Prairie event on June 1. Bring your own picnic or buy lunch from a food truck on site.

11. Visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.

12.

Watch Shakespeare under the stars! Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park is bringing to life the iconic playย A Midsummer Nightโ€™s Dreamย June 13-30 in their outdoor theatre.

13. Celebrate Juneteenth, which marked the official end of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865. Find a family event near you atย metrofamilymagazine.com/celebrate-juneteenth-okc.

14. Witness the remarkable views of the setting sun as it aligns with the First Americans Museum Mound during the Summer Solstice Celebration on June 20.

15. Brush up on your angling skillsย with OKC Parksโ€™ Hooked on Fishing lessons, happening on select Saturdays all summer long. Kids ages 5-15 can sign up atย okc.gov/parks.

16. Kick back on the shores of the Oklahoma River to watch a full day of rowing and racing at the Stars & Stripes River Festival on June 22.

17. Explore military historyย and vehicles at the free Oklahoma National Guard Museum.

18. New Covenant Start the Party VBSSign up for Vacation Bible School! Churches around the metro host free events throughout the summer, including New Covenantโ€™s free Start the Party VBS June 24-27, where kids ages 4 through fifth grade enjoy crafts, games, songs and more. Get signed up atย metrofamilymagazine.com/vacation-bible-school-guide.

19. Dive into the science of osteologyย at SKELETONS: Museum of Osteology, where you can see skulls and skeletons from around the world.

20. Celebrate Pride Monthย at the OKC PrideFest Parade, Family Zone and PrideFest weekend at Scissortail Park June 28-30.

21. Celebrate all things red, white and blueย at Edmondโ€™s LibertyFest, with events held from June 14-July 4. Catch the iconic parade and fireworks show, both held on Independence Day.

22. Experience explosive fun, watch weather come to life and examine electrifying experiments during the all-new Science Live! shows at Science Museum Oklahoma in their newly renovated auditorium.

23.

Spend a day strolling through Bricktown.ย Ride the Bricktown Water Taxi, play a round of mini golf at Brickopolis Entertainment, catch an OKC Baseball Club game at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, visit the American Banjo Museum and much more!

24. Head to the Oklahoma State Capitolย to see where Oklahoma laws are made. Stop by the museum to learn about the history of the building. Donโ€™t forget to look up to admire the sculpture ofย The Guardianย by Enoch Kelly Haney (Seminole) atop the dome!

25. Catch Lyric Theatreโ€™s family-friendly productions ofย Mary Poppinsย June 25-30 and Rodgers & Hammersteinโ€™sย Cinderellaย July 30-Aug. 4.

26. Take a trip to Africa via the OKC Zoo!ย The newly opened Expedition Africa features Zoo favorites, like giraffes and the African Painted Dogs, in addition to species new to the Zoo. Enjoy views of the African savanna and naturalistic animal habitats across 12 acres, the largest Zoo expansion to date!

27. Ride the streetcar downtown.

28. Take your summer of fun to the streets!ย Visit a local street festival or community block party, like LIVE on the Plaza or Edmondโ€™s VIBES. Find our favorites atย metrofamilymagazine.com/family-friendly-okc-street-festivals.

29.

Celebrate the end of summerย at Yukonโ€™s annual Red Dirt music festival: Rock the Route! Held Aug. 29, the free concert features family activities and food trucks in addition to a variety of performances.

New & Trending

30. Cultivate your artistic side at a creative space in the metro. From visual and performing arts to culinary kitchens and makerspaces, there are so many ways to be a creator! Find your familyโ€™s outlet atย metrofamilymagazine.com/creative-spaces-in-okc.

31. Challenge your familyย to a friendly game of basketball, pickleball or futsal at the courts in the southern section of Scissortail Park.

32. Build a terrarium as a family at locally owned Plant People Shop in Midtown.

33. What happens when toys are let out of their boxes?! Experience the unique photography exhibitย Out of the Toy Boxย by Mitchel Wu at Science Museum Oklahoma beginning May 18.

34. Download MetroFamilyโ€™s Street Art Scavenger Hunt to explore some of the cityโ€™s most well-known public art atย metrofamilymagazine.com/street-art-scavenger-hunt.

35. Explore the Code of the West, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museumโ€™s newest interactive exhibition.

36. Experience the multi-media exhibitionย SHELTERย at Oklahoma Contemporary, where admission is always free. Artist Lisa Karrer explores the experiences of displaced peoples through oral interviews and video projections.

37.

Photo by J Pat Carter

Check out First Americans Museumย on the third Sunday of the month when kids ages 4-12 get in free for AT&T Sundays.

38. Catch a flickย at the deadCenter Film Festival, June 6-9.

39. Mark National Selfie Dayย on June 21 with a tour downtown to find your familyโ€™s favorite selfie spot. Find our suggestions atย metrofamilymagazine.com/family-photo-backdrops-okc.

40. Get everyone moving with a round of disc golf. Find tips for beginners and ideal local courses for families atย metrofamilymagazine.com/disc-golf-101.

41. Ride your bike over the tops of shipping containers (yes, really!) at RIVERSPORTโ€™s bike park.

42. Keep that bike-riding momentum going by exploring new (or new-to-you!) family-friendly bike trails, events and races. Plan your ride atย metrofamilymagazine.com/okc-bike-events.

43. Make a charcuterie-board style meal with healthy summertime inspiration from Shape Your Future Oklahoma.

44. Help your kids become OKC famous when you enter them in MetroFamilyโ€™s annual Cover Kids Search! Beginning July 17, kids ages 4-12 can enter for a chance to appear on a MetroFamily cover in 2025. Enter atย metrofamilymagazine.com/coverkidssearch.

45.

Walk through a giant ear into the unexpected, imaginative, immersive world of Mix-Tape at Factory Obscura, where the art on display is touchable and all around you.

46. Plan some #okcfamilyfunย with your pup! Check out our favorite dog parks in OKC atย metrofamilymagazine.com/dog-parks-in-the-metro.

47. Cap off your summer of fun at the Fireflight Balloon Festย in Shawnee on Aug. 9-10 with balloon launches, a kidsโ€™ zone, splash pad and the magical evening balloon glow.

Exploring Oklahoma & Beyond

48. Say hello to summer at the annual Sunfest in Bartlesville. The outdoor festival May 31-June 2 features a car show, live entertainment, food, activities for kids and more.

49.

Encounter penguins, rhinos, giraffes, otters, lorikeets, monkeys and much more at Tanganyika Wildlife Parkย in Wichita, Kan. Just 2.5 hours from the metro, the park offers unique opportunities to get up close and personal with exotic and endangered animals to learn how humans can impact conservation. Find out how you could win a โ€œBest Day Bundleโ€ to visit the park as part of MetroFamilyโ€™s Ultimate Summer Fun Contest!

50. Go horseback ridingย with Sequoyah Riding Stables through the variety of wooded and open trails in Sequoyah State Park in Hulburt.

51. Cool off with a cold treat at the free Chandler Ice Cream Festival on June 8. Held in honor of the Hiland Dairy plant, enjoy free ice cream, carnival rides, live music and more.

52.

Shake up your zoo day with a trip to the Tulsa Zoo to see tigers, giraffes, sea otters and everything in between.

53. While in Tulsa,ย experience the powerful story and legacy of Black Wall Streetย in Tulsaโ€™s Historic Greenwood District with stops at Greenwood Rising, the Greenwood Cultural Center and John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park.

54.

Hop aboard the Heartland Flyer for a unique trip to Fort Worth, Texas. Get a full itinerary for a weekend of fun on page 58.

55. Head to Shawnee to experience the new KidSpace Park, which features unique play spaces including giant outdoor checkers, a ninja obstacle course and a 40-yard dash track. Plan your trip atย metrofamilymagazine.com/shawnee-oklahoma.

56. Check out the newly updated Jasmine Moran Childrenโ€™s Museum in Seminole. Renovated outdoor spaces include a Childrenโ€™s Garden complete with a fairy garden, farm animals and a pretend farmers market.

57. Dig for selenite crystalsย at the Great Salt Plains near Jet, the only place you can do so in the world! Get tips for your trip atย metrofamilymagazine.com/digging-great-salt-plains.

58. Rent a dune buggy or ATVย to scale the 1,600 acres of sand dunes in Little Sahara State Park near Waynoka.

59. Cool off by visiting a caveย or go wild on a spelunking adventure. Find our faves atย metrofamilymagazine.com/caves-to-explore.

60. Head to Arcadiaย to see the Round Barn and enjoy a meal at Pops.

61. Sleep in a yurtย at Natural Falls State Park near the Oklahoma-Arkansas border.

62. Swim and rent canoes or paddle boatsย on Lake Altus, hike trails, fish, visit the amusement park and check out the newly renovated lodge at Quartz Mountain State Park in southwest Oklahoma. Find a full itinerary for a weekend getaway atย metrofamilymagazine.com/quartz-mountain-state-park.

Chickasaw Recreation Area

63. Splash around in nature at an Oklahoma swimming hole. Popular destinations include Blue Hole Park in Salina and the Chickasaw Recreation Area in Sulphur.

64. Spend a day in McLoud for the annual Blackberry Festivalย July 7-8, where you can sample fresh blackberries and blackberry-flavored treats in addition to watching the parade and enjoying carnival games.

65. Visit Durant, the headquarters of the Choctaw Nation, where the Choctaw Casino & Resort features a family-friendly tropical oasis complete with pools and waterslides. Plus, visit the Choctaw Nation Cultural Center where kids will love the unique technology and interactive spaces.

66. Enjoy free peaches and ice creamย at the 58th Peach Festival in Porter on July 18-19. Plus, check out the parade, arts and craft vendors, tractor pull and culinary contests.

67. Visit the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur and take part in the daily Stomp Dances. Stop by Chickasaw Nation-owned Bedrรฉ Chocolate Factory on your way!

68. Head to the beachย right here in Oklahoma! The Sooner State offers miles and miles of lake and reservoir splashing fun. Find our favorites atย metrofamilymagazine.com/best-beaches-in-oklahoma.

69. Float the iconic Illinois Riverย near Tahlequah. Pro tip: plan your float on a weekday, when the river is less crowded.

70. Visit Osage Nationย in northeast Oklahoma for fishing, hiking and swimming at Osage Hills State Park, a drive through the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie and a visit to Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve. Next, head to Pawhuska toย visit the Pioneer Woman Mercantileย and walk across the townโ€™s iconic swinging bridge.

71. Pack a picnicย and lace up your hiking shoes for a trek through Red Rock Adventure Park near Hinton.

72. Stay in a covered wagonย at Robbers Cave State Park.

73. Twister the movie museumPrep for the debut of the much-anticipated sequel Twisters with a visit to the Twister the Movie Museum in Wakita.

74. Savor the sweetness of summerย at the annual Watermelon Festival in Rush Springs on Aug. 10. Check out the carnival rides, craft fair, car show, watermelon-themed activities and seed-spitting contest!

Boredom Busters

75. Itโ€™s not too late to register the kids for summer camps! Find camps that still have room atย metrofamilymagazine.com/summer-camps.

76. Volunteerย as a family at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. Find family volunteer opportunities across the metro atย metrofamilymagazine.com/family-volunteer-opportunities.

77. Build a blanket fort!

78. Take a hike, ride your bikes or go on a nature walkย along the 13 miles of trails around Edmondโ€™s Arcadia Lake. The trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset.

79. Visit a locally owned bookstoreย such as Nappy Roots, Full Circle, Commonplace Books or Best of Books, many of which host weekly story times.

80. Head off the beaten pathย for some new-to-you attractions like the Oklahoma Railway Museum or Oklahoma Firefighters Museum. Find more ideas atย metrofamilymagazine.com/lesser-known-venues-for-family-fun-in-okc.

81. Have a hula-hooping contest.

82. Stay cool at a metro splash pad. Find our favorites atย metrofamilymagazine.com/splash-pads-pools-lakes.

83. Make a listย of your favorite local parks and playgrounds and then add some new-to-you locations you want to try. How many can you check off your list by the end of the season? Visitย metrofamilymagazine.com/metro-parksย to get started.

84. Enjoy the best of locally grown produce and foodsย by visiting a farmers market. Find a full list of our favorite local markets atย metrofamilymagazine.com/farmers-markets.

85. Check out an audiobookย from your local library and listen as a family.

86. Break out the glow sticksย for a twilight family walk.

87. Stay up late to stargaze.

88. Enjoy a summertime outdoor concert or movie.ย Find the metroโ€™s seasonal line-up atย metrofamilymagazine.com/outdoor-movies-concerts.

89. Get into the Olympic spirit with an active game night. Think balloon volleyball, relay races, water balloon shot put or pool noodle javelin toss.

90. Learn how to conserve water during the hot summer months. Get tips from local nonprofit SixTwelve atย metrofamilymagazine.com/how-to-conserve-water.

91. Grab a cool treatย from a shaved ice stand. Find local hot spots to enjoy cool treats atย metrofamilymagazine.com/places-to-find-cool-treats-in-okc.

92. Celebrate National Joke Day on July 1 with a donโ€™t-laugh challenge to see who has the best jokes in the family.

93. Learn more about snakes at the free World Snake Day Celebration at Martin Park Nature Center on July 13. Meet park ambassador snakes, make themed arts & crafts and more.

94. Take part in the most relaxing of holidays, National Hammock Day, on July 22. If you donโ€™t have a hammock at home, consider kicking back in the Wheeler Ferris Wheelโ€™s hammock grove.

95. Conduct science experimentsย with items you already have on hand at home. Visitย metrofamilymagazine.com/simple-scienceย to get started.

96. Plan a backyard campoutย or go camping at a state park.

97. Invite your neighbors to a popsicle party.

98. Go on an outdoor scavenger hunt.ย Find a list of things to search for atย metrofamilymagazine.com/outdoor-scavenger-hunt.

99. Prepare a puddling or insect-watering dish to get your yard ready for the fall monarch migration. After a particularly difficult season last year, these beautiful pollinators could use our help.

100. Create a digital scrapbookย or photo book of your familyโ€™s favorite summertime experiences so you can look back at the memories for years to come!

For even more summertime family fun, check out our Summer Fun Guides, packed with things to do all season long.

more stories