Summer is a glorious season when kids are out of school and families get to spend lots of extra time together. As many parents know too well, entertaining little ones can get expensive. We’ve got you covered with this list of 50 exciting summer ideas all under $5. Most of these events and activities are actually totally free! Oklahoma City offers plenty of frugal fun, so be sure to take advantage of these incredible inexpensive programs and activities.

Editor’s Note: This list was updated as of May 31, 2019.

1. Look to the skies for some high-flying action at the FREE Star Spangled Salute Air Show at Tinker Air Force Base. The US Navy Blue Angels will be this year’s headlining act! June 1 & 2
2. Step outside and check out some public art. These must-see murals are scattered throughout town and don’t cost a dime to visit.
3. 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 mealtime for free. Our list of top picnic spots in the metro should provide you with an ideal location.
4. Kids ages 8 – 17 can test the waters of the game of golf at the FREE Junior Golf Clinic at Westwood Park Golf Course. No registration is required. June 4 & 5.
5. Tour the town on the new streetcars! Day passes are just $3 and, on the third Friday each month, OKC Streetcars are offering free rides until September.
6. Visit your local library. Both the Metropolitan Library System and Pioneer Library System have several locations and dozens of free events offered all summer. Even if you don’t catch a special event, these facilities are havens for families seeking free summer fun.
7. Outdoor Summer Movies & Concerts are offered totally free at many local parks. Spend a few bucks on concessions and you have a killer summer outing!
8. FREE Summer Thursdays at Gaylord-Pickens Museum (1400 Classen Dr) features story time and a craft for families as well as FREE museum admission. 10:30 a.m. every Thursday.
9. Visit a historic one-room schoolhouse. Many of the ones on our list offer free admission.
10. deadCENTER film festival rolls out the Oklahoma Red Carpet for independent films and their kidsFEST lets kids celebrate too. Families can enjoy a series of kid-friendly short films for free at the Downtown Library. June 7 & 8.
11. Watch some high-speed action at the Wheeler Criterium in the Wheeler District. Some of Oklahoma’s top riders race on the fast-paced, flat track while attendees enjoy fun activities and food trucks too. The weekly event is free to attend. Tuesdays, 5-8:30 p.m.
12. Celebrate the charm of Old Route 66 with a fun weekend in El Reno. Enjoy a car show, Hot Wheels races, drag races, burnouts, antique car cruise, kids games and more at the Small Town Weekend in El Reno. The festival is free to attend. June 7 – 9.
13. Drop at line at the FREE Kids All-American Fishing Derby at Arcadia Lake. Young anglers, ages 5-15, can compete for prizes and enjoy a day by the water. June 8.
14. Watch “The Meg” poolside at The Station Aquatic Center’s Dive-in Movies (700 S Broadway, Moore). The lap pool will be open for viewing on the water. June 8. Catch “Ralph Breaks the Internet” on July 19.
15. Visit the Wiley Post Park Splash Ground (SW 17th & Robinson) or any of the other free splash pads and parks on this handy list.
16. Catch a movie at Northpark 7 (12100 N May, Ste G). This theater offers inexpensive ticket options including discounts on Tuesdays and select movies in 3D.
17. Celebrate Asian culture at the Asian District’s Night Market Festival. Explore merchants, see cultural performances, dine on food truck cuisine and more. June 15.
18. Suit up for family fun no matter the weather and take a dip in the water at Goldfish Swim School’s Family Swim times or at any of the other indoor pools in the metro. Goldfish’s family swim is open to the community and admission is $5 per swimmer or $15 per family. Fridays, noon – 1 p.m. & 6:30 – 8 p.m. 
19. Oklahoma City parks offer kids a chance to learn to fish without the expense of equipment or a license during their FREE Hooked on Fishing lessons at various city ponds and lakes. Everything’s provided, just show up ready to have fun. The lessons are held weekly at various parks.
20. Spend a day at the beach, the Bricktown Beach! Enjoy a large sand-filled outdoor park with umbrellas, lounge chairs, volleyball equipment and outdoor games.
21. Summer Movie Express at Warren Theatre (1000 S Telephone Rd, Moore) features kid-friendly screenings of fun movies for a discounted price on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. See website for a list of scheduled movies. 10 a.m.
22. Hit up Sonic’s Happy Hour or any of the other special meal discounts on our Restaurant Family Discount page for seriously cheap refreshment.
23. Take part in the world’s largest swim lesson at Pelican Bay. Special activities are planned to help swimmers expand their skills in the water. June 19.
24. Okietales at the Oklahoma History Center (800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr) features a one-of-a-kind reading and storytelling time where kids can see and hear history. Best suited for ages 5-9. Museum admission included. $2 for members; $4 for nonmembers. Wednesdays in June & July, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
25. Full Moon Bike Ride and Run at Myriad Gardens (301 W Reno Ave) features a leisurely hour ride through downtown and time training runs. $5 suggested donation. All ages welcome. 8 – 9:30 p.m. Rides are planned for June 21, July 16, Aug 15 & Sept. 12.
26. Have fun with STEAM at Geekapalooza: A STEAM Festival for Kids. Enjoy hands-on expo booths, demonstrations, robotics and short workshops, all focused on science, technology, engineering, arts and math. June 22, 9 a.m. – noon & 1 – 4 p.m.
27. Enter the world of enchantment at Paseo Arts’ FREE Fairy Ball. Children are encouraged to create a fanciful costume that captures their feelings of wonder. Originality is encouraged. June 22.
28. Tuesday Night Classics at Harkins Theatre (150 E Reno) features special presentations of classic films on the big screen every Tuesday at 7 p.m. for $5.
29. Weekly Walk-ups at Myriad Gardens (301 W Reno Ave) features fun activities that explore and celebrate the plant world. Activities vary by each day’s theme. $2 suggested donation. 10 a.m. – noon, weekdays from June 24 – Aug. 9.
30. Celebration summer at the Historic Capitol Hill District’s FREE Fiesta Friday. June 28, July 26 & Aug. 23.
31. Unpluggits Paint & Play offers discounted admission on select days this summer. Have fun crafting and playing for just $5 after 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays.
32. Drop a line at the City of Moore’s FREE Fishing Derby on July 27! Kids ages 5-15 can cast a pole to try to catch a prize fish.
33. Watch as expert kiters paint the sky with their talents at the FREE LibertyFest KiteFest. Enjoy kite demonstrations, night-time kite flying and more. Everyone is welcome to fly a kite so feel free to bring yours! June 29 & 30.
34. Spend a summer evening at Charles J. Johnson Central Park in Midwest City during FREE Family Fridays and enjoy live entertainment, a movie in the park, yard games, food trucks and more, on June 7, Aug. 2 & Sept. 6 from 7 – 11:30 p.m.
35. Enjoy an evening of dance at Myriad Gardens’ Dancing in the Gardens. Admission is free and a live DJ will keep the tunes grooving. Food and drink special will be available for purchase. July 5 & 26.
36. Try a new playground! There’s no better way to entertain the kids than to take them to a new open-air play place. These 10 are totally free and recommended by our readers.
37. Take advantage of FREE Sales Tax Appreciation Day at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Visitors of all ages receive complimentary admission on July 9.
38. Summer Movie Fun Series at Harkins Bricktown 16 (150 E Reno Ave) features fun family films every day of the week for a discounted price. See website for a list of movies. $2. 9:45 a.m. weekdays.
39. Taste the sweet harvest at Porter’s Peach Festival. The town celebrates its prize crop with a parade, a car show, music and more. They serve up free peach ice cream on Saturday while supplies last. July 18 & 20.
40. FREE Summer Concert Series at Hafer Park (1034 S Byrant St) features local bands performing in the park every Thursday in May 24 – August 9 from 6:15-8:45 p.m.
41. Banana Fro-Yo is a cheap snack that will hugely upgrade a banana bundle. Use on-hand ingredients to make this stellar summer snack.
42. Spend a day at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum for FREE during their Wide-Open Wednesdays beginning in August.
43. Communities in the metro host exciting events filled with live music, local food and activities for guests of all ages. Grab your family and take part in thrilling street festivals in your community.
44. Go bowling! At local bowling lanes are offering free games every day for kids out for summer break. You’ll have to pay for shoe rental, but this is still incredibly cheap summer entertainment. Learn more about these offers on our Indoor Summer Fun Guide.
45. Head to an indoor playground. Play places are available at Penn Square Mall(1901 NW Expy), (Sooner Mall (3301 W Main St, Norman) and Quail Springs Mall (2501 W Memorial) to provide a little air conditioned entertainment at no cost.
46. 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.
47. Explore Full Circle Bookstore (1900 NW Expy) with the whole family. The shop has an extensive children’s area and regular events like live music and story times that are offered at no charge.
48. Volunteer together helping those in need at Love OKC. Volunteer opportunities available for ages 12 and up.  Aug 17.
49.  Slide Outta Summer at Mitch Park celebrates the end of summer with inflatable water slides, music, food trucks and a sand pit. All ages are welcome and admission is $5.  Aug. 24.
50. Get some fresh air and exercise together on a bike ride. There are plenty of scenic trails to discover together including the Boathouse District trails, Spring Creek trail at Arcadia Lake and many more.

Looking for even more summer time fun? Check out our lengthy list of summer resources.