This winter, MetroFamily Magazine is celebration the Oklahoma City arts scene by revealing top ways to introduce your kids to the arts. We've revealed how to introduce kids to live stage performances and museum exhibits and in our January issue we discuss arts in the classroom.
While arts programs can be an important element of education and family fun, it's not necessary to spend a lot of money to expose your kids to arts experiences. We've rounded up a list of some of the top free and cheap arts programs in the metro to prove it.
In addition to these programs, taking your kids to see a museum exhibit they're interested in is a great way to expose them to something new. To see a list of current museum exhibits throughout the Oklahoma City metro, click here.
LIVE on the Plaza is a terrific way to expose your kids to the arts in a casual setting. The Plaza District (NW 16th between Classen & Penn) is full of art galleries that stay open late for this free monthly event. On the second Friday of each month, the district comes alive with food trucks, street performances and public art.
If you're looking for free art, look no further than Art Moves. The Arts Council initiative is presented by Devon Energy and offers an hour-long art demonstration every single weekday in downtown Oklahoma City. The initiative includes music, theater, short film, visual arts and more. Click through to their website to see who's on the schedule each day and where they will be performing.
Oklahoma City's Film Row (700 W Sheridan) boasts a powerful arts history and has a free monthly event to celebrate it. Premiere on Film Row happens the third Friday of every month and includes film screenings, live music and occasional street artists.
While art is not the main focus of the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (2401 Chautauqua, Norman), the museum features its fair share of sculptures and ancient artwork. Admission is free the first Monday of every month.
The Paseo Arts District (28th & N Walker) is perhaps the biggest local arts scene in all of Oklahoma City and more than a dozen galleries in the district celebrate art the first Friday of each month at the First Friday Gallery Walk. It's a great opportunity to let your kids browse all types of art in a casual setting without paying a dime. Older kids will love meeting the opportunity to meet the artists who created the works they see in the galleries.
Although not completely free, visitors only need to pay museum admission to take advantage of the unique Drop-In Art program at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (415 Couch Dr). Each Saturday, an art professional is on hand to guide children through making a unique museum-inspired craft.
On the first Saturday of each month, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63rd) welcomes little artists to make a special piece of art at Saturdays for Kids. The free event features seasonal crafts that explore different arts elements each month.
Oklahoma Contemporary (3000 General Pershing Blvd) welcomes little artists for a free craft the second Saturday of each month for their Make + Take Workshop. This totally free event focuses on teaching kids a new creative skill each month and provides the supplies to create and take home their special work of art.
Even if you think your kids are too young to enjoy a museum, ages 2 to 5 are invited to take part in a special art activity each Wednesday at Myriad Botanical Gardens (301 W Reno). Bringing Books to Life is a free event featuring the reading of a nature-themed book followed by a hands-on craft inspired by the selected book.
Also on Wednesdays, little ones can bring out their creative sides at Unpluggits Playstudio (575 Enterprise Dr #110, Edmond). For just the cost of admission, toddlers are invited to listen to a story and create a related craft at Toddler Story & Craft Time.
The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm Ave, Norman) offers free admission every day. The museum is packed with permanent and rotating exhibits that are sure to please little art enthusiasts. Visit the museum on Tuesday mornings for Art Adventures to complete a museum-inspired craft.
Lakeshore Learning (6300 N May Ave) welcomes artists each Saturday for Crafts for Kids. The free come-and-go event is perfect for families on the go seeking a weekend arts experience.
