25 Free/Almost Free Things To Do in Oklahoma This Summer

 

Summer in the metro has ARRIVED! We love getting out and playing with our kids all summer long, but we know that sometimes you need to get out of the house and have a fun day on a dime. We hope you’ll find some serious fun with this list of free & cheap summer activities!

  1. Take in a movie at the Summer Movie Fun Series at Harkins Theater – Season tickets for all 10 movies are just $5.  Individual tickets are available the day of the show for $2 each. Doors open at 9 a.m. and all shows begin at 9:45 a.m. with movies running every weekday through Friday, August 4.
  2. Summer Concert Series at Hafer Park – Every Thursday night from May 25 through July 27, head to Hafer Park with your family to hear local bands perform. Music starts at 6:15 p.m.
  3. Free Crafts for Kids – Make your way to the Lakeshore Learning Store at 6300 N May Ave every Saturday for free crafts! The event is open to kids ages 3 and up, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., no reservation required.
  4. Fish for Free– The City of Oklahoma City offers free fishing days on the first Saturday of every month. For those 16 and older, a state license is required.
  5. Catch a Movie in the Park– The City of Edmond hosts Movie Night in various parks on the second Friday of the month through June. Admission is free, and movies are family-friendly.
  6. Live! on the Plaza– The Plaza District’s art walk occurs every second Friday of the month. From 7 to 11 p.m., you can enjoy live music, local artists, special events, shopping and more!
  7. Catch a baseball game – Catch an OKC Dodgers baseball game in Bricktown. Tickets start at $8.00 and the season lasts all summer.
  8. Visit the National Memorial– For a few moments of history and reflection, take the family to the Oklahoma City National Memorial in downtown Oklahoma City.
  9. Splash or swim – Soak up the sun at your (or your friends’) neighborhood pool or check out the local splash pad for some outdoor fun! Need help finding a splash pad? Check out this guide.
  10. Moore “Play in the Park” – Every Friday from June 2 through July 14, Moore parks staff will host fun games and activities at a different park. No charge to participate.
  11. Attend the 36th Annual NCAA College World Series – Get your tickets today for the Women’s College World Series hosted at the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame – OG&E Field. Games are scheduled daily, June 1-7.
  12. Show off your Ping Pong skills – Join other Ping Pong enthusiasts at The Station at Central Park in Moore on the fourth Thursday of June and July for Ping Pong Mania. All skill levels are welcome, and staff will be offering tutorials. 
  13. Venture to McLoud for the Blackberry Festival – Find all sorts of blackberry items including cobbler, sodas and more. There will also be live music, a parade, a pageant and fireworks for you and your family to enjoy. The festival begins Friday, June 30 at 5 p.m. and ends Saturday, July 1 at 11 p.m.  
  14. Bust out your red, white and blue for Libertyfest – Take in the all-day activities in Edmond this July Fourth. Check out the parade, festival activities, food, music and more throughout the day, and wrap your night up with a brilliant display of fireworks over the UCO campus at 9:30 p.m. Most events are free.
  15. Rush Springs Watermelon Festival – Who doesn’t love watermelon in the summer? Visit Rush Springs as they celebrate the watermelon harvest with seed spitting contests, arts and crafts, live entertainment, a 5k Watermelon Run, FREE watermelon and more.
  16. Oklahoma Balloon Festival – End your summer adventures with the Oklahoma Balloon Festival, Aug. 30 through Sept. 4. Check out daily balloon launches, live music, pop up shops, food and more at the Lost Lakes Ampitheater and Water Park in Oklahoma City.
  17. Float the Illinois River – Make a trip to Talequah and choose from various float trip lengths ranging from six to 70-mile stretches. You can choose between kayak, canoe or inflatable rafts for your adventure! Prices vary by resort. 
  18. Go Camping – Pitch a tent in your own backyard or choose one of Oklahoma’s beautiful campgrounds or state parks for your outdoor experience. 
  19. Great Salt Plains – Take your turn at digging for unique selenite crystals on the beautiful salt flats of the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge near Jet, OK. It’s free, and you get to take your treasures home with you! 
  20. Tinker Inter-Tribal Council Powwow – On Saturday, June 10, from 1 to 11 p.m., take part in this free event as veteran warriors from Oklahoma Native American tribes are honored. Experience the fascinating culture of the American Indian tribes that call Oklahoma home with traditional NAtive American dance, singing, food and much more. 
  21. Express Clydesdale Ranch – Enjoy a free tour of the working Express Clydesdales Ranch in Yukon. You and your family will be able to get up close to the large Clydesdale horses and learn more about their Western Heritage.
  22. Oklahoma City Boathouse District – Hike along the Oklahoma River and let your kids enjoy the modern playground located on the banks in Oklahoma City’s Boathouse District. While you’re there, be sure to kick back and watch the various boats, canoes and kayaks working their way up and down the river.
  23. Keystone Ancient Forest – Hike and explore this unique-to-Oklahoma forest, made up on 500-year-old post oaks and 300-year-old cedars located in Sand Springs. You can also take a break at Keystone Lake to enjoy wildlife watching. Open during select Saturdays.
  24. Third Thursdays at Gaylord Pickens Museum – Enjoy free museum admission on the third Thursday of each month at Gaylord Pickens Museum. Families can take in a story and participate in craft time beginning at 10 a.m.  
  25. OSU Museum of Art Family Day – All summer long, on the second Saturday of the month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., visit the OSU Museum of Art for free, hands-on art activities for all ages.

What do you plan on doing this summer? Whether you try something on this list, or know something we left off, let us know in the comments! 

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Leigh Ann
Hailing from a small west Texas town, Leigh Ann came to Oklahoma for college and now happily calls the state her home. She and her husband, Conner, met in college, were best friends for three and a half years before dating, and the rest is history. The couple now has two Australian shepherds and a new baby boy! Leigh Ann holds a bachelor’s degree in communications, with a minor in music, as well as a master’s degree in marketing. She enjoys being outdoors, traveling, spending time with family/friends, staying active and cheering on her favorite sports teams.

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