Sometimes kid-friendly doesn’t mean toddler-friendly. Luckily, Oklahoma City offers a variety of exciting and educational experiences perfect for young children and many are free for the right age! From hands-on science exhibits and historic cowboy adventures to lush botanical gardens and thrilling zoo encounters, there's something to delight every curious mind and energetic explorer. Here is a list of places that my two-year-old son loves to visit.
THINGS TO DO
Myriad Botanical Gardens
Crystal Bridge Conservatory is free for kids 4 and under
One of the local favorites, you’ll find the downtown crowd dancing in the gardens, walking dogs, sharing a picnic, listening to free concerts and enjoying the beauty of this 17-acre urban botanical garden. At the center of the Myriad Botanical Gardens is the Crystal Bridge Conservatory, which houses plant collections, sculptural points of interest, overlook terraces and a waterfall feature. Children can learn about the connection between plants and the many animals and insects that support the rainforest ecosystem in the Discovery Room on the second floor. There is a skywalk on the third floor that overlooks the Conservatory and offers an educational interactive display focusing on the senses. If your toddler is itching to play, take them to the Children’s Garden, an inclusive playground. It’s one of the best playgrounds in the city for little ones since it’s covered by lots of trees and offers plenty of shade. If you’re visiting in the summer, check out the Thunder Fountain, located next to the Children's Garden, a spray ground that provides a full sensory experience of an Oklahoma thunderstorm!
OKC Zoo
Free for kids 2 and under
The OKC Zoo is an absolute must if you’re visiting the Modern Frontier with little ones. You’ll want to explore Expedition Africa on your trip, the Zoo’s newest habitat featuring 60+ species and spans over 12-acres. There is a new state-of-the-art giraffe viewing area where we were able to feed the giraffes. We also fed flamingos on our visit. My toddler loved both experiences! There is a lot of ground to cover at the Zoo, I recommend renting a Scooter Pal that you can ride on with your child. You can even take the scooter into some of the buildings, including the newly renovated pachyderm building. There is also a Children’s Zoo where you can pet animals, splash pad area and playground.
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Free for kids under 5
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is a treasure trove of galleries and exhibits that showcase the American West. You’ll want to take a stroll through Prosperity Junction, a replica turn-of-the-twentieth-century cattle town. We had so much fun looking at the old shops, offices and schoolhouse. Visit Liichokoshkomo’, an outdoor learn-and-play area featuring more than 100,000 square feet of hands-on learning experiences for families, including replicas of an Intertribal Village and Western structures, activities and more. The Cowboy Museum has also put together an adorable Kid’s Guide, where you can follow a museum mascot as they solve the Cowboy Code!
Science Museum Oklahoma
Free for kids 2 and under
Kids (and adults) of all ages will love exploring eight acres of hands-on science experiences with thousands of aviation, space and cultural artifacts at Science Museum Oklahoma. They offer live science shows daily about weather and fire. Toddlers will enjoy the CurioCity exhibit, pronounced "curiosity," a 20,000-square-foot village featuring eight whimsical neighborhoods where children get a taste of the wonderful world of science. Each neighborhood has its own personality that allows you to explore a scientific concept utilizing interactive devices and unusual settings to encourage learning through play. You can come back multiple times and discover something new every time!
Oklahoma City Museum of Art
Free for kids under 17
I was a bit nervous to take my two-year-old to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, but when I arrived that quickly went away. As soon as you enter there is a large family space where you can go and do art activities together. The older kids can draw on the large sketch pads, they even have places to hang your art on display. For the younger kids, there are toys, hands-on-activities and books. There is also a quiet space and private nursing space available in the back of the room. You’ll want to grab a discovery pack before you enter the galleries, filled with a storybook, an OKCMOA sketchbook with guided drawing prompts (you can take this home), match & discover cards featuring works of art found in the galleries, sketching materials and more. You don’t need to be quiet in the galleries! The museum encourages talking, questions and even the occasional song in the galleries.
Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum
Free for kids under 6
I don’t know about your toddler, but mine is obsessed with firetrucks! Lucky for us, the Oklahoma Firefighters Museum is in OKC and has restored firetrucks located inside and outside. The museum contains exhibits on the London Fire Brigade, firefighter patches and a large collection of firefighting gear dating back to the mid-18th century. There’s plenty of activities to keep the kids busy, including a play station with coloring books and fire truck toys and a playground outside.
Lake Hefner
Free
Lake Hefner is one of our favorite places to go on a family walk. There is a lighthouse along the East Wharf that’s the perfect spot for a photo op and one of the best ways to enjoy an Oklahoma sunset. You’ll find restaurants along the path to grab a bite to eat. Louie's Grill & Bar has a big patio with outdoor games that’s fun for the whole family. If you keep walking down the path, you’ll discover Lions Children’s Playground, an accessible playground which is great for strollers and wheelchairs.
ATTEND A GAME
OKC Thunder Game
No ticket required for kids 2 and under (if they need a seat then they need a ticket)
My son is obsessed with basketball and loves attending OKC Thunder games! There are several free activities all around the arena before and during the game, from caricature artists and spirit stations to photo ops. As a parent on a budget, I appreciate the cost-effective kid meal options around Paycom Center. In collaboration with KultureCity, the OKC Thunder offers fans sensory kits to help reduce sensory overload during game nights. You can pick up the sensory kits at customer service. There is also a designated sensory room in Section 112 that offers a calm and quiet atmosphere if your child needs a break from the game.
OKC Comets Game
Free for kids 2 and under (if they need a seat then they need a ticket)
Attending an OKC Comets game is always a home run with the kids! We attended a baseball game months ago, and my son is still talking about it. During the game, there are games and dances to keep the little ones entertained. Brix and Brooklyn, the team’s mascots, make appearances throughout the game. You’re going to want to go to a Friday night game to watch the firework show at the end of the game. Pro tip: go to customer service and tell them it’s your child’s first game and they’ll receive a pin and baseball!
Discover more things to do with kids and indoor play places in the Modern Frontier.
