50 Things to Do This Spring Under $5

Spring is such an exciting time in Oklahoma City. Neighborhood street festivals and statewide festivals usually get kicked off in spring and tons of opportunities for family fun abound. With summer break just around the corner, save your money this spring by attending family events that are cheap or totally free. Here are 50 opportunities to have family fun under $5 this season. For more ways to save money on family fun, check out our coupons to popular local attractions.

(Editor’s Note: This is a working list last updated on Feb. 23, 2024. Check back often for updates throughout the spring season.) 

1. Tour the town on the streetcars! Here are seven platform stops that would make excellent family adventures.
2. April 24-28: See the best of the best at the largest Barrel competition in the nation at the FREE BBR World Finals at Jim Norick Arena.
3. Check out these must-see murals scattered throughout town that don’t cost a dime to visit.
4. April 25-27: Norman Music Festival features three jam-packed days of music. Hear music from local, regional and national talent including festival headliners Alvvays. Festival admission is FREE.
5. April 26-27: Olympic hopefuls are competing for their spot on the US Olympic Team at the 2024 Paris Games. Cheer them on from the shores of Riversport OKC.
6. April 27: FREE Mama Mixer & Market at Wheeler Ferris Wheel (1707 S Western Ave) features locally owned OKC businesses, pop-up shops plus free activities for kids including bounce houses, face painting and more. 9 a.m.-noon
7. April 27: Artspace at Untitled is hosting a FREE Steamroller Print Fest. Enjoy art demonstrations, food trucks, live music and other family activities from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
8. April 27: Celebrate Independent Bookstore day with a FREE storytime and book signings at Best of Books.
9. Disc golf is a fun and low-cost outing for families. Public courses across the metro welcome players of all ages to enjoy some friendly competition.
10. May 2: Enjoy the Edmond art scene with its monthly art walk in downtown Edmond. VIBES will connect local artists and participating businesses as they offer a variety of art experiences.
11. May 3-5: See artists from around the country at the FREE Downtown Edmond Arts Festival. There will also be live art demonstrations, music and activities for kids.
12. Go old school with a classic flick at Harkin’s Tuesday Night Classics. This spring’s lineup includes The Twilight Saga: New Moon. $5. Tuesdays, 7 p.m.; Wednesdays. 1 p.m.
13. May 4: Score a FREE comic book on FREE Comic Book Day. Participating retailers will be handing out free comic books while supplies last.
14. May 4: Festival of the Child at Yukon City Park (2200 S Holly Ave, Yukon) is a one-day celebration featuring over 50 areas of fun including kayaking, pony rides, painting, inflatables, crafts and more. Activities are geared for children 12 and under. Kids, $5 in advance, $7 day of; adults, FREE. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
15. May 4: Stop into Myriad Gardens’ Children’s Garden and use the garden as inspiration for your watercolor masterpiece. For a $2 donation, a tray of art materials will be provided. 2-3 p.m.
16. May 4: Head west to El Reno Burger Day and take part in fun for the whole family! An 850lb Onion Fried Burger, vendors, music, kid’s zone, food trucks, car show and more. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
17. Hunt for (or help hide) books in a local park through Little Read Wagon’s Look for a Book program.
18. May 5: Kick-off bike month at the FREE Bikefest at the Wheeler Ferris Wheel. Chat with local bike shops, listen to live music and enjoy family-friendly activities. Noon-3 p.m.
19. May 5: Enjoy food, music, dance performances and more at the FREE Cinco de Mayo Fiesta at Scissortail Park. 4-10 p.m.
20. May 10: FREE LIVE on the Plaza in the Plaza District (1700 block of NW 16^th St) features local artists, live music, special activities, local shopping and more. May’s theme is dance. 6-10 p.m.
21. The City of Oklahoma City offers FREE fishing on the first Saturday of each month. No city permit is required; however, a State license is for anyone 16 and older.
22. May 11: Say hello to the farm residents at Mollie Spencer Farm at the annual FREE Spring Open House. Visit an apiary and pollinator garden, too! 9-11 a.m.
23. May 11: OKC Flower & Garden Fest at Myriad Gardens (350 S Reno Ave) features a variety of vendors with herbs, perennials, roses, produce, pottery, jewelry, wineries, food products and food trucks. There will also be a festival for kids in the Children’s Garden. Free to attend. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
24. May 11: FREE Second OHOF Saturdays at Oklahoma Hall of Fame! Create a craft in their Makerspace, explore exhibits, get your selfie in “Picture Yourself” and see new art and history exhibits. During the first hour, guests can take part in a sensory-friendly experience (9-10 a.m.) 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
25. May 11: FREE Second Saturday at Oklahoma Contemporary (11 NW 11th St) features a community and family-focused day of art focused on tiny treasures. 1-4 p.m.
26. Use grass, leaves, sticks and a bit of yarn to create your own natural paintbrushes with this #AtHomeArt project.
27. May 18: Create a colorful landscape painting of your own at OKCMOA’s drop-in art event. Activities are free with general admission and kids always get in free! 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
28. May 18:  Enjoy local food, unique shopping and live music at the Heard on Hurd Street Fest (1st & Hurd, Edmond). 6-10 p.m.
29. May 18: Explore all that the rec center has to offer at the FREE Summer Kickoff at Southern Oaks Recreation Center. 2-6 p.m.
30. Stop in for a story at Myriad Garden’s FREE Reading Wednesdays. Each week offers a nature-themed story time and a related craft.  Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m.
31. Get some fresh air and exercise together and go for a bike ride. There are plenty of scenic trails to discover together.
32. See the breathtaking glass creations by Dale Chihuly at Oklahoma City Museum of Art for free on the second Sunday of each month, thanks to the generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.
33. Explore a spring festival! Whether you are looking for a large festival in the Oklahoma City metro or an event with small-town charm, this guide can help you plan day and weekend trips in Oklahoma.
34. Embrace the great outdoors by heading to one of these top spots for exploring nature in OKC.
35. Go to your local library and find some fun books to read aloud at home.
36. Train for a 5k race or 10-mile bike ride as a family. Test your skills at the weekly Oklahoma River Run at Bar K on Wednesdays.
37. Grab your phone and hit a local park for a family photo session. Capture silly memories together and share them with your family and friends.
38. Taking the whole family out for a restaurant meal can be expensive. Pack up your regular homemade lunch and take it on a picnic to instantly upgrade your meal time for free. Our list of top picnic spots in the metro should provide you with an ideal location.
39. Dive into the science behind spring rainbows. Explore light refraction with this simple science experiment to learn how light “bends” through different materials.
40. Take a tour of a working alpaca ranch! Magnolia Blossom Ranch books private tours for $5 a person so families can hang out with some gentle grazers and learn how their fleece is used to make a variety of products.
41. Host a family game night with homemade prizes for the winner. Find reader-recommended family games at metrofamilymagazine.com/family-board-games.
42. Head out on a scavenger hunt! Can you find all of these things in your backyard or on a neighborhood walk?
43. Become your own CSI and investigate the science behind fingerprints. This simple science experiment takes a closer look at the three main types of fingerprints and the endless variations possible.
44. Admission at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm Ave, Norman) is always FREE. They’re open Tuesday through Sunday and packed with exhibits your little ones are sure to find intriguing.
45. Whether you are looking to explore something new or simply excite your mind in a new way, museums are a fun way for families to spend time together while learning about our world. From art and science to history and more, visit a local FREE museum.
46. Get the kids into the kitchen and make tasty yogurt pops that are a customizable, healthy snack the whole family will love.
47. This one is for mom and dad! Boost your mental and physical wellness with these easy self-care strategies for busy parents. Because parenting is hard and we need some downtime too.
48. May 25: Bethany 66 Festival (Ashbury & College Ave, Bethany) is a family-friendly event featuring live entertainment, a car, motorcycle & truck show, arts & crafts booths and children’s activities including a Princess & Action Hero Parade and a Pet Parade. Free to attend. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
49. Check out our monthly list of the top 10 FREE events for families or scan our searchable calendar filled with family fun!
50. Enter our contests! You could win tickets to local attractions, family getaways and so much more!!

For even more family fun? Check out our other Spring Fun guides.