Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Oklahoma This Summer

With summer underway, it’s never too late to plan a family vacation. Whether you’re looking for plenty of opportunities to get in touch with nature or want to take the kids to some fun and educational museums, Oklahoma is a great state to check out.

Here are some kid-friendly places to visit throughout the state, as well as a few travel safety tips to consider when you’re traveling with your brood.

1. Oklahoma State Parks

 If you’re unfamiliar with the state of Oklahoma, you might only think about “the wind sweeping down the plain” or a hotspot for tornadoes. While some parts of Oklahoma are more prone to tornadic activity and have flat plains, other areas of the state have mountains and forests. If you’re looking for a place to camp or a nice afternoon hike, Oklahoma has dozens of state parks to visit.

• Lake Thunderbird State Park in Norman is perfect for swimming and other water activities!
• Red Rock Canyon State Park in Hinton is a favorite spot for exploring, as well as for kids who want to practice their climbing skills.
• Alabaster Caverns State Park in Freedom is a “must-visit” for kids who love caves!
• Lake Murray has floating cabins for rent.
• Elephant Rock Nature Park offers yurts for a unique camping experience!

2. Family-Friendly Museums

As difficult as it is for us to pick just one state park to visit, we have an equally challenging time selecting only one family-friendly museum to visit in Oklahoma. We love visiting a children’s museum because not only are there activities for every age group, but adults have a good time, too. In the summer when school is out, children’s museums offer the perfect balance of fun and education (that’s okay, you don’t need to tell the kids). Here are some places to check out:

• Leonardo’s Children’s Museum in Enid: Check out the giant Lite-Brite and outdoor science playground!
• Science Museum of Oklahoma: Fans of outer space? The planetarium is a must-see! There are dozens of hands-on activities for the whole family!
• Railway Museum in Oklahoma City: Nearly every family has a member that is a fan of trains! You can take a real train ride with the kids (ages 3 and under are free)!

3. Water Parks

Water parks are the perfect summertime activity, whether you’re looking for a way to cool off in the middle of the day, or need to take a break in the middle of a long road trip. There are dozens of family-friendly water parks sprinkled throughout the state, and here are some of our favorites:

• Pelican Bay Aquatic Center in Edmond: Check out twilight swimming events and “dive-in” movie nights!
• Water Zoo Indoor Water Park in Clinton: Perfect for stormy summer days when the kids want to go swimming or float down the lazy river!
• Andy Alligator’s Fun Park and Water Park in Norman: Amusement park and water park combination for a fun all-day experience!

Travel Safety Insight from a Local Business

According to Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simmons Law Firm, there are several ways you can keep your family safe this summer when you head out.

Whether you’re visiting Oklahoma for the first time or are traveling to an unfamiliar part of the state, always check out your GPS or map app before you hit the road. Driving and looking at directions can be a big distraction and increase your risk of an accident.

Watch out for road construction, delays, or detours. Summer storms can put a damper on outdoor activities, so always stay in touch with the forecast and know what to do if you encounter a storm. Have a backup plan rather than trying to ride the storm out on the road!

Be sure to watch your speed! Often times, travelers making road trips throughout Oklahoma push the speed limits to reach their destination faster. In the long run, this can cost you much more than an expedited trip time. A speeding ticket can be costly and can cause you an unnecessary headache during your vacation time.

Don’t forget the essentials like sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and plenty of drinking water to keep you hydrated on these hot Oklahoma summer days!