There are 7 family-friendly things to do in Oklahoma City that cover theme parks, water parks, wildlife, science, and free outdoor spaces. These include Frontier City Theme Park, Hurricane Harbor OKC, the Oklahoma City Zoo, Science Museum Oklahoma, Myriad Botanical Gardens, Scissortail Park, and the Oklahoma City National Memorial outdoor grounds.
For related reading, see Free Things to Do in Oklahoma City: 12 No-Cost Activities for Budget Travelers and Locals.
What Are the Best Family Activities in Oklahoma City?
The 7 best family activities in Oklahoma City are:
- Frontier City Theme Park (rides, water park, shows)
- Hurricane Harbor OKC (water slides, wave pool, lazy river)
- Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden (130-acre wildlife habitat)
- Science Museum Oklahoma (interactive science and planetarium)
- Myriad Botanical Gardens (free outdoor gardens and splash fountains)
- Scissortail Park (free 70-acre urban park with splash pad and farmers market)
- Oklahoma City National Memorial outdoor grounds (free, open 24 hours)
The table below shows which activities are free and which require a paid ticket.
| Attraction | Cost for Adults | Cost for Kids (3-11/12) | Free Entry Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier City Theme Park | $24.99 | $24.99 (48" & taller) | 2 and under |
| Hurricane Harbor OKC | $22 (online) | $18 (online) | 2 and under |
| Oklahoma City Zoo | $20 | $17 | 2 and under |
| Science Museum Oklahoma | $20.95 | $15.95 | 2 and under |
| Myriad Botanical Gardens | Free | Free | All ages |
| Scissortail Park | Free | Free | All ages |
| OKC National Memorial (outdoor) | Free | Free | All ages |
What Can Families Do at Frontier City Theme Park?
Frontier City is Oklahoma's oldest and largest theme park, open since 1958 and located in northeast Oklahoma City on Highway 66. The park covers 55 acres and features 5 roller coasters, 28 rides, 3 water rides, live entertainment, and the Wild West Water Works water park, all within a single admission. It is operated by Six Flags.
Frontier City is organized into themed areas for different age groups. Thrill rides serve older children and adults. The Timber Town section is built for young children. Wild West Water Works serves all ages.
What Rides Does Frontier City Have for Older Kids and Adults?
Frontier City has 5 roller coasters. These are the Silver Bullet, Diamondback, Steel Lasso, Wildcat, and Frankie's Mine Train.
- Diamondback: an extreme looping coaster for thrill-seekers
- Steel Lasso: Oklahoma's only suspended roller coaster, opened in 2008, standing 49 feet high at 30 mph with a double figure-eight layout
- Silver Bullet: a looping coaster
- Wildcat: a classic coaster
- Eruption: a drop tower described as the tallest ride in the state
Families can also ride the Grand Centennial Ferris wheel together for views of the surrounding Oklahoma City area.
What Does Frontier City Have for Young Children?
Frontier City has a dedicated children's area called Timber Town. It features 6 kid-sized rides. These include Frankie's Mine Train (a miniature roller coaster), Bucky's Whistlestop Depot (a miniature train), Sheldon's Balloon Race (a mini ferris wheel), and Hootie's Tree House, an elaborate playground at the center of Timber Town.
What Is Wild West Water Works at Frontier City?
Wild West Water Works is a water park attached to Frontier City and included at no extra cost with park admission. It is described as the largest water activity structure in Oklahoma, standing 5 stories and featuring 198 ways to get wet, 8 waterslides, and a 1,000-gallon tipping water bucket.
Frontier City also hosts seasonal events including a summer concert series and FrightFest in October.
How Much Does Frontier City Cost for Families?
General admission at Frontier City is $24.99 for guests 48 inches and taller. Children 2 and under are free. A season pass is $49.99 and covers unlimited visits across the full season. The park operates from March to October.
What Is Hurricane Harbor OKC and Is It Good for Families?
Hurricane Harbor OKC is a water park in Oklahoma City owned by EPR Properties and operated by Six Flags. It opened on May 23, 1981, as White Water Bay. It was renamed Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Oklahoma City in 2020. The park operates from May to September and features more than 15 water slides, 3 pools, and 2 rivers.
Hurricane Harbor is designed for all ages. It has dedicated areas for young children, high-speed slides for older children and adults, and a wave pool and lazy river suited to all family members.
What Water Attractions Does Hurricane Harbor OKC Have for Families?
Hurricane Harbor OKC has 4 types of water attractions. These are water slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, and a children's zone.
Water attractions by category:
- High-speed slides: Bermuda Triangle, Acapulco Cliff Dive, Cannonball Falls, Pipeline Wave, Mega Wedgie, RipQurl, Pirate's Plunge, Swashbuckler Flumes
- Wave pool: Hurricane Bay, with depths ranging from zero-depth entry to approximately 8 feet
- Lazy river: Castaway Creek
- Children's zone: Barefootin' Bay, Ship Wreck Island with wobbly lily pads, body slides, and a spray area
- Group raft ride: Big Kahuna, accommodating up to 4 passengers
Special events include Dive-In Movies (floating in the pool while watching a film) and Late Night Wednesdays, which extend park hours for evening family sessions.
How Much Does Hurricane Harbor OKC Cost for Families?
Online daily tickets are $22 for adults and $18 for children. A season pass that includes both Hurricane Harbor OKC and Frontier City is available from $69 to $79 per person and covers the full season.
What Can Families See at the Oklahoma City Zoo?
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is a 130-acre wildlife facility in the Adventure District of northeast Oklahoma City. It is home to more than 2,000 animals of more than 500 species. The zoo received 1.108 million visitors in 2024 and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). It is open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The zoo has 8 habitat areas. These are Expedition Africa, Cat Forest, Lion Overlook, Great EscApe, Sanctuary Asia, Oklahoma Trails, Wetlands Walkway, and the Herpetarium.
What Is Expedition Africa at the Oklahoma City Zoo?
Expedition Africa is the newest and largest habitat expansion at the Oklahoma City Zoo, covering 12 acres and opened in 2024. It is home to giraffes, wildebeests, antelopes, zebras, and dwarf mongoose. The habitat includes a state-of-the-art giraffe barn with a raised platform that allows guests to feed giraffes at eye level. Giraffe feeding is available year-round.
What Other Exhibits Are at the OKC Zoo for Families?
The OKC Zoo has 5 exhibits that are particularly popular with families. These are Cat Forest, Great EscApe, Oklahoma Trails, the Children's Zoo, and the Lorikeet exhibit.
- Cat Forest: home to jaguars, tigers, clouded leopards, ocelots, and caracals
- Great EscApe: great ape habitat
- Oklahoma Trails: an aviary walkthrough where lorikeets can land on visitors' shoulders
- Sanctuary Asia: home to Asian elephants, where caretaker presentations are held
- Wild Encounters: premium experiences to feed Indian rhinos, meet Komodo dragons, and interact with Galapagos tortoises and bison at an additional cost
How Much Does the Oklahoma City Zoo Cost for Families?
General zoo admission is $20 for adults (ages 12 to 64) and $17 for children (ages 3 to 11) and seniors (65 and older). Children 2 and under are free. The zoo opens at 9 a.m. with last entry at 4 p.m.
What Does Science Museum Oklahoma Offer for Kids?
Science Museum Oklahoma is the state's only physical science museum and a Smithsonian Affiliate. It covers more than 8 acres of hands-on science experiences in northeast Oklahoma City. The museum features over 100 exhibits across 9,600 square feet on the main science floor, a planetarium, and live science demonstrations.
Admission covers all permanent exhibits, the Love's Planetarium Theater, and Science Live shows at no extra charge.
What Is CurioCity at Science Museum Oklahoma?
CurioCity is a 20,000 square foot interactive exhibit at Science Museum Oklahoma designed specifically for younger children. It is built like a miniature town with 8 themed villages that teach science and math through play.
CurioCity villages include:
- BrainiAct: a kid-sized theater
- Pi Shop: teaches geometry
- Tinker Works: mechanics and engineering exploration
- Spark Park: physics-based activities
- Additional areas covering music, health, and physical play
The Kirkpatrick Planetarium Theater takes visitors on journeys through space, included in general admission. Science Live shows feature live demonstrations including chemistry explosions.
How Much Does Science Museum Oklahoma Cost for Families?
General admission is $20.95 for adults (ages 13 to 64), $15.95 for children (ages 3 to 12), and $15.95 for seniors (65 and older). Children 2 and under are free. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free on-site parking is available.
What Free Family Activities Are in Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City has 3 free family-friendly spaces with dedicated children's features. These are Myriad Botanical Gardens, Scissortail Park, and the Oklahoma City National Memorial outdoor grounds.
Myriad Botanical Gardens provides 15 acres of free outdoor gardens open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 301 W. Reno Avenue. It features a children's garden with a playground, splash fountains, and adaptive equipment. The grounds are free. The Crystal Bridge Conservatory inside has a separate admission fee starting at $10.50 for adults.
Scissortail Park is a 70-acre free urban park at 300 SW 7th Street, open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. It includes the Scissortail Sprayground, voted the number one splash pad in America by USA Today, open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. A weekly farmers market runs every Saturday morning. A free Walking Club meets every Thursday and Sunday.
The Oklahoma City National Memorial outdoor grounds are open 24 hours with no admission fee. The Field of Empty Chairs, Survivor Tree, and Reflecting Pool are all accessible at no cost.
What Is the Best 2-Day Family Itinerary for Oklahoma City?
A 2-day Oklahoma City family itinerary covers both paid attractions and free spaces without repeating any venue.
Day 1 covers the Adventure District:
- Oklahoma City Zoo (9 a.m., 2000 Remington Place): Allow 3 hours. Feed giraffes at Expedition Africa, visit Cat Forest, and walk through the Lorikeet exhibit.
- Science Museum Oklahoma (1 p.m.): Allow 2 to 3 hours. Start at CurioCity for younger children, then move to the Science Floor. Attend a Science Live show.
Day 2 covers the theme parks and downtown:
- Frontier City or Hurricane Harbor OKC (arrive at opening): Allow a full morning and afternoon. Frontier City suits families with mixed ages. Hurricane Harbor suits families visiting May to September.
- Scissortail Park (evening): Free. Walk the ornamental gardens, use the Sprayground if still open, and cross the Skydance Bridge.
- Myriad Botanical Gardens (close of day): Free. Children's garden, splash fountains, and dog park are open until 11 p.m.
Total estimated cost for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children ages 3 to 11) across 2 days:
| Activity | Adult x2 | Child x2 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| OKC Zoo | $40 | $34 | $74 |
| Science Museum Oklahoma | $41.90 | $31.90 | $73.80 |
| Frontier City (or Hurricane Harbor) | $49.98 | $49.98 | $99.96 |
| Myriad Botanical Gardens | Free | Free | $0 |
| Scissortail Park | Free | Free | $0 |
| 2-Day Total | $247.76 |
Prices exclude tax and food. Season passes for Frontier City at $49.99 per person reduce costs significantly for families visiting more than once in a season.
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