60+ Free Things to Do in OKC with Kids This Summer

Summer Guide Free Thing to Do OKCSummer is almost here, and it’s time to start planning! The sun is shining, and luckily there is NO shortage of fun in the OKC Metro. And the best part is that so much of it is free or cheap!

You’re going to want to bookmark this post for later – Enjoy this Summer Bucket List of Free & Cheap Fun in OKC – and let us know if we missed anything!

60+ Free and Cheap Things to do in OKC This Summer

Ultimate OKC Summer Guide with Kids

Special “Freebie” Days You Don’t Want to Miss

1. Free Slurpee Day – On July 11th, grab a free slurpee at 7-11! (See what they did there?)

2. Free Chick Fil A – Dress like a cow for a free Chick-Fil-A Entree on July 11th. 

3. Free Donuts – On June 2nd, head to Krispy Kreme for a free donut in honor of national donut day!

Head to a Museum for Free

4. Oklahoma Railway Museum – Open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9 am-5 pm. Museum admission is always free, but you must purchase a ticket to ride a train! Trains run first and third Saturdays through August.

5. Art Adventures at Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art – Admission is always FREE! Be sure to pick up a scavenger hunt or BINGO card to keep your kiddos engaged while at the museum.

6. OKC Museum of Art – Adult tickets are $12, but kids 17 and under are ALWAYS free at OKC Museum of Art! There are family-friendly activities throughout the museum, and of course we love the Chihuly’s glass exhibit.

7. Sensory Playdate at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum – Meet up with friends on the third Tuesday of the month through September within a safe community space. Enjoy refreshments for both adults and littles. Kids also can take part in a craft activity. Free with membership or museum admission.

8. Visit the Edmond Historical Society Museum – Another free attraction, this museum features a Children’s Learning Center with hands-on play areas, costumes, and more. 

9. 45th Infantry Museum – Check out World War II relics and other items from military history at this free museum set on a beautiful 15-acre park. 

10. Second Saturdays Make & Take Art – Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center offers free art projects for children every second Saturday of the month from 1-4pm. Projects are fun for children of all ages and experience levels. Also worth mentioning: admission to the OK Contemporary Arts Center is ALWAYS free! 

11. Summer Thursdays at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum – On Thursdays in June and July, beginning at 10 am, enjoy free admission to the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City! Crafts, story time, and outdoor games are also included.

12. OSU Museum of Art – Admission to the OSU Museum of Art is always free – AND includes its exhibitions, events, and programs!

Catch a Movie, Game, or Concert for Nearly Nothing

13. Art Moves – The Arts Council of OKC and Devon present this free art event that features daily performances in various locations downtown. From Noon – 1 p.m. every day, bring the kids out and enjoy something new! Currently streaming only on the Art Moves Facebook page here

14. Take in a movie at the Summer Movie Fun Series at Harkins Theater – Beginning June 5-9, catch a family-friendly movie on for just $1 per person if you purchase a season pass, or $2 at the door, depending on availability!

15. Live! on the Plaza – The Plaza District’s art walk occurs every second Friday of the month. From 6 to 10 pm, you can enjoy live music, local artists, special events, shopping, and more!

16. Catch a baseball game – Catch an OKC Dodgers baseball game in Bricktown. Tickets start at $15, or just $9 for group ticket sales!

17. Ride the OKC Streetcar – The third Friday of the month is free to ride the streetcar, along with Memorial Day and OKC special election days! Check out the free transit days here. 

18. Summer Concert Series at Scissortail – FREE concerts already scheduled at Scissortail Park on May 21 & May 26! Check back here as they continue to add concerts. 

19. Sonic Summer Movies at Myriad Gardens – FREE outdoor movies on the Devon Lawn! Every Wednesday beginning at 7 pm, from June 14-July 12! Food trucks will be available, or pack a blanket and picnic! Movies begin at sundown.

Foster a Love of Reading at a Local Storytime

20. Metro Library Story Times & Activities – Check out your local library’s calendar of events for storytimes and other awesome free activities. Your child (or yourself!) can also participate in Metro Library’s summer reading program to earn free books!

21. Commonplace Bookstore – Storytime with Littles on Saturdays at 10:30am For toddlers thru age 6, but the whole family is invited! Enjoy the cozy atmosphere and storytime – sometimes with a special guest!

22. Keep a Home Reading Log – these book recommendations will keep their minds & imaginations running all summer long! 

Free & Cheap Outdoor Fun

23. You Pick Farms & Orchards – This guide lists great pick-your-own farms around the area for you to enjoy!

24. Weekly Walkups at Myriad Botanical Gardens – From June 22-August 2, you can stop by the Children’s Garden each weekday from 10 am-noon. Each weekday features a different theme with different activities for kids!

25. 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 still required. “Hooked on Fishing” classes are also offered from 8-10 am on select Saturdays for kids aged 5-15! Bait, tackle, and poles are provided for these classes, but please register in advance here.

26. Visit the Clydesdales – Located in Yukon, the Express barn is home to the world-famous Express Clydesdales. You can get up close and personal with these gentle giants for free!

27. Head to an Area Splash Pad – Soak up the sun and check out this guide, which will help you find splash pads near you.

28. Spend Time in the Park – Find a park or recreation center near you to explore and play outside. (OKCYukonEdmondNormanMoore).

29. Go Geocaching – Geocaching, the world’s largest treasure hunt, is both free and educational. Using GPS devices, you try to locate hidden containers and share your experiences.

30. Backyard Games – Never run out of fun at home with this great list of fun games!

31. Fairy Houses – Such a sweet way to pass the time!

32. Plant a Garden – Teach the kids about gardening by picking a few flowers or trees and watching them grow.

33. 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! 

34. 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. Bonus: at the time of publication, season memberships to Riversport are 30% off!

35. 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.

36. Gathering Place – This is WORTH the drive to Tulsa for an amazing park with fun for all ages.

37. Tour the Pioneer Woman Lodge – Another freebie worth the day trip, but be sure to check out these tips for a great day in Pawhuska before you go!

38. Complete Guide to Outdoor Fun – Wanting more outdoor ideas? Check out our complete guide to getting kids outside in the metro.

39. Explore the Great Outdoors on a Family Field Trip – Pack up and GO! Oklahoma has a lot of beauty to offer to those who are ready to explore!

Have a Hands-On Experience with History

40. Explore Historic Guthrie – Check out Oklahoma’s First Capitol, ride the trolley, or just stroll through downtown and window shop. 

41. Travel Route 66 – You don’t have to go far to find Route 66 in Oklahoma. A quick drive to Pops and the Round Barn in Arcadia are quick ways to discover some of the state’s quirky, beloved roadside attractions.

42. Territorial Schoolhouse – Step back in time and visit the first one-room schoolhouse in Oklahoma. Open to the public on Saturdays from 1-4 pm or by appointment at 405-715-1889.

43. Visit historic all-black towns – Bonus points if your kids do some research before you go!

44. 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.

Keep it Local at a Festival or Special Event

45. Attend an Art Walk – The Paseo Arts District hosts the First Friday Art Walk on the first Friday of every month (rain or shine!) from 6-9 p.m. with themes exhibits, guest artists, and more! 

46. 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 runs July 7th & 8th. 

47. Experience Native American Culture – At the Red Earth Festival, enjoy a variety of both traditional and contemporary artworks will astound as you move through the exhibits featuring some of today’s most celebrated Native American artists. June 2-3.

48. 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. 

49. Rush Springs Watermelon Festival – Who doesn’t love watermelon in the summer? Visit Rush Springs on August 12 as they celebrate the watermelon harvest with seed spitting contests, arts and crafts, live entertainment, carnival rides, FREE watermelon and more.

50. Farmer’s Market Guide – Support local artists, farmers, and bakers and enjoy an open market at your local Farmer’s Market. 

Learn Something New at a Free or Cheap Class

51. Michael’s Camp Creatology & Classes – Your child can enjoy crafting and a variety of other events monthly. Simply search the “classes and events” and make sure to search the store nearest you. 

52. Build and Grow With Lowe’s – Attend free workshops at Lowe’s that help kids learn how to make fun projects! June’s build project: a kids’ putting green kit, just in time for Father’s Day! Register ahead for these monthly events.

Summer Classics

53. Set up a Lemonade Stand – Minimal cost, maximum fun (and cute!) Plus you can totally pass this off as a teachable activity – put those little entrepreneurs to work!

54. Catch Lightning Bugs – This summer staple can’t be beat, and it’s free fun for the whole family.

55. Go Camping – Even one night can create happy memories (or a funny story!) with your kiddos!

56. Have a Water Balloon Fight – Bonus points if you’re the one that starts it, mom!

57. Make Your Own Art – While you’re outside with the water balloons, break out the sidewalk chalk and let your little artists create their own masterpieces.

58. Get Pinteresty – With this great list of kid-approved crafts!

59. Sprinklers – Turn ’em on. Run like crazy. Water your lawn and wear out the kids all at once. Yes please!

60. Sign Up for Vacation Bible School – with SO many options around the metro you’re bound to find one right in your backyard! 

61. Go Bowling – Did you know you can register your kids to receive free bowling all summer long? Bowling alleys in OKC and Norman (and other parts of Oklahoma!) participate in this program, and it’s a great way to save money and stay busy.

What are YOUR summer plans? 

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Oklahoma City Mom
Oklahoma City Mom is the go-to parenting resource for parents navigating life in the Metro. We love to explore OKC with kids and provide practical information and helpful resources as well as connecting moms to our local community and each other.

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