Editor’s Picks: Daily Spring Break Inspiration - MetroFamily Magazine
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Editor’s Picks: Daily Spring Break Inspiration

by Hannah Schmitt

Reading Time: 7 minutes 

March is here, which means it’s time for a one or two-week hiatus from the classroom. If you have school-aged kids, you’ll want to make the most of Spring Break with plenty of activities to burn energy and make family memories. To ensure the fun doesn’t stop during your Spring Break, we’ve rounded up daily inspiration. This guide offers you a family-friendly activity for every day of the school holiday. Find even more ideas in our Spring Break Activities Guide.

Friday, March 6

When that final bell rings, your kids are sure to be full of Spring Break energy. Celebrate the first night of freedom with a trip to the Mustang Public Library (1201 N. Mustang Rd.) for the Friends of the Mustang Library Chocolate Festival. Your family will dine on chocolate treats from local makers and can even purchase some sweets to take home and enjoy throughout the school break. Tickets are $8 for eight samples. Learn more at www.mustanglibrary.org or by calling 850-8671.

Saturday, March 7

Kick off your Saturday morning with a trip to a beloved neighborhood coffee shop, Cuppies & Joe (727 N.W. 23rd St.). The shop will present Storybook Hour from 10 to 11 a.m. Perfect for all ages, the little ones can gather around to hear a children’s story while older kids munch on cupcakes or cinnamon rolls and adults get a chance to relax. 

The first Saturday of Spring Break is sure to be one of the most crowded for local attractions, but you can beat the crowds by heading outside to experience the great outdoors. We’ve rounded up the best outdoor experiences in the metro at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/nature.

Sunday, March 8

Your Sunday will get a lot more exciting with an evening trip downtown to see the Oklahoma City Thunder face the Toronto Raptors at Chesapeake Energy Arena (100 W. Reno Ave.). The game starts at 6 p.m., but be sure to arrive early so your kids can soak up all the pre-game excitement. Ticket prices vary. Purchase tickets and learn more at www.nba.com/thunder.

Monday, March 9

Get your break started off on the right foot by celebrating local art at Oklahoma City’s Farmers Public Market (311 S. Klein Ave.). The venue will be buzzing with the work of young Oklahoma artists at Momentum OKC, a one-of-a-kind exhibit of work of Oklahomans under age 30 spanning mediums like film, performance and music. The gallery is open from 2 to 7 p.m. for your family to experience the creations of dozens of locals. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Find ticket purchasing locations at www.momentumoklahoma.org or by calling the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition at
879-2400.

Tuesday, March 10

Spring Break doesn’t have to be a break from education. Science Museum Oklahoma (2100 N.E. 52nd St.) has a new exhibit “Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body” that reveals educational elements of the human body in a fun and unique way. Your kids will learn the science behind bodily functions through 12 interactive exhibits including a burp machine and a game that explores the role kidneys play in digestion. The exhibits are designed for kids ages 6 to 14. Children and senior admission is $11.95; adult admission is $13.95; children under 2 are free. Visit www.metrofamilymagazine.com/kids-pass for an admission coupon. Museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Learn more at www.sciencemuseumok.org.

Wednesday, March 11

While formal museums feature endless learning opportunities, Oklahoma City is home to plenty of offbeat arts experiences ideal for curious kids. One can’t-miss destination for your Spring Break is Oklahoma Contemporary (3000 General Pershing Blvd.), which is home to the exhibit “Small Town: Portraits of a Disappearing America.” The exhibit features photos taken by photographer Alex Leme of Cotton Plant, a rural Arkansas town. The exhibit captures the slow pace and tightly-knit communities that still define much of rural America. The exhibit is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

After visiting the photography exhibit, be sure to head to Oklahoma Contemporary’s current outdoor feature, “Terra,” at Campbell Park (N.W. 11th & Broadway). The enormous piece of visual art is made of 1.4 million feet of recycled lobster-fishing rope and beckons kids to climb, explore and interact with the large-scale installation. Find more free and inexpensive arts experiences in the metro at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/free-art.

Thursday, March 12

Spring Break is the perfect time to expose your kids to a little culture and the UCO Jazz Lab (100 E. 5th St., Edmond) is the perfect place to do it. The Central Jazz Jam will present classic jazz music to an all-ages audience at 7 p.m. The event is free (donations are accepted) and pizza and beverages from Hideaway Pizza will be available for purchase. Learn more at www.ucojazzlab.com.

Friday, March 13

End your adventure-filled Friday with a trip to the Plaza District (N.W. 16th between Classen & Penn) for LIVE on the Plaza. This exciting neighborhood event highlights the best parts of the district by keeping businesses and restaurants open later for exploring. Food trucks and street artists also flock to the area for an evening of family fun. Learn more about this free event at www.plazadistrict.org.

Saturday, March 14

If you’re not celebrating your Spring Break outside the metro, this is the perfect weekend to take the family to Yukon for a family dance. Yukon Czech Hall (205 N. Czech Hall Rd., Yukon) has been hosting a polka dance every Saturday night since 1930. Go back in time and experience the dance as a family as local musicians and traveling bands present classic polka music for your enjoyment. The family-friendly dances kick off at 8 p.m. Peanuts, popcorn, candy, hot dogs, klobasy sandwiches and beverages are available for purchase. Admission is $5 for adults. Ages 13 and under are admitted for free. Learn more at www.czechhall.com.

Sunday, March 15

Connect with nature and learn something new at Lake Thunderbird’s free Eagle Watch. Meet at the Discovery Cove Nature Center (Off Hwy. 9, 0.9 miles north of the Clear Bay entrance) within Lake Thunderbird State Park in Norman for an information session to start the event. Experts will take visitors through the park to see eagles in their winter home. Bring binoculars to enhance the viewing experience. Reservations are required. Call 321-4633 to reserve your spot. 

Monday, March 16

Did you know you can ride a train out of downtown Oklahoma City to Purcell? Leave from the Amtrak Station (100 E.K. Gaylord) and arrive at your destination in less than an hour. Enjoy sightseeing on the spacious train, which has bathrooms and even a snack bar on-board. Spend the day exploring Purcell’s Main Street, just uphill from the train station, which is packed with Oklahoma history, quaint shopping experiences and charming restaurants. Ride fares start at $7. Learn more and purchase your tickets at www.heartlandflyer.com.

Tuesday, March 17

Don’t forget to wear green today! There are several St. Patrick’s Day celebrations happening throughout the metro but Myriad Botanical Gardens (301 W. Reno) is where you’ll want to be. The Gardens will welcome the Pierce-Hart Celtic Band for a live performance on the Water Stage followed by a performance by the Oklahoma Academy of Irish Dance. The free event starts at noon. Learn more at www.myriadgardens.org.

Wednesday, March 18

The weather in March in Oklahoma City can be kind of unpredictable, but you won’t even have to consider the forecast before heading out to the Water-Zoo in Clinton. The indoor water park has extended hours for Spring Break so you and your family can enjoy a balmy day of splashing no matter how it feels outside. They’ll be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily through the break. Admission is $21.99 for guests less than 48 inches tall (children under 3 are free) and $31.99 for guests 48 inches and taller. See our Kids Pass for an exclusive coupon. See our top five reasons for visiting this incredible attraction at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/water-zoo

Thursday, March 19

If your wallet has started to notice that your kids have been out of school for 12 consecutive days, it’s the perfect time to find free entertainment. We asked our readers what their favorite free activities were in the metro and they had plenty of budget-friendly inspiration. To see their responses, visit www.metrofamilymagazine.com/reader-free.

Friday, March 20

Your Spring Break has been packed with events and activities, so everyone is likely ready for a little breather. The Moore Public Library (225 S. Howard Ave., Moore) has you covered. They’ll be screening the kid-friendly movie “The Boxtrolls” at 2 p.m. The movie is free and guests are welcome to bring their own blankets and pillows to enjoy the film in comfort. Learn more by calling 793-4347.

Saturday, March 21

Your time of family bonding and Oklahoma exploring is coming to a close, but take advantage of your last Saturday of Spring Break with a day trip to Sulphur and Davis. These two side-by-side Oklahoma towns are located less than an hour and a half south of the metro and boast limitless family fun. We’ve already rounded up six ideal stops in Sulphur and Davis just for your family. They range from exploring nature to tasting Oklahoma-made chocolate and learning about American Indian heritage. Read about these six stops at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/sulphur-davis.

Sunday, March 22

You’ll return to your regular routine tomorrow, so take this final day of Spring Break to recover and recharge at home. If you’re looking for one last family outing, see what’s happening in the metro today at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/calendar.

[Editor’s Note: If you’re looking for a Spring Break camp for your kids, see our Spring Break Camp Guide at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/okc-spring-break-camps/.]

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