Trying to squeeze in a little more summer fun? Try these family-friendly things to see, do

Brandy McDonnell, Oklahoman
·8 min read

It's almost August, and here in Oklahoma, that means the countdown is on to the end of summer and the start of the new school year.

Fortunately, parents and children in the Oklahoma City metro area who are eager to squeeze the last bit of fun out of summer break without breaking the bank have plenty of choices.

From spicy dancing lessons to blockbuster art exhibitions, check out these events and attractions where children — and often the whole family — can get in for free:

Art centers and museums

Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art

  • Where: 555 Elm Ave., Norman.

  • Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

  • Information: https://www.ou.edu/fjjma.

Visitors to the University of Oklahoma's art museum can check out a working print studio as part of the new exhibit "Yellowstone in Color: Thomas Moran & Louis Prang Print the West."

Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center

  • Where: 11 NW 11.

  • Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, plus 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday.

  • Information: https://oklahomacontemporary.org.

The current exhibits at the Automobile Alley landmark are "ArtNow: The Soul is a Wanderer," the 2023 edition of Oklahoma Contemporary's biennial show highlighting works by several Sooner State artists, and "Patterns of Knowing," featuring works by Indigenous artists the late Benjamin Harjo Jr., Jordan Ann Craig and Jeri Redcorn.

Artspace at Untitled

Situated in the Deep Deuce District, the nonprofit gallery is featuring a summer solo show by New Mexican fiber artist Betty Busby. 

Tutu, an Egyptian mummy who died circa 332 B.C., is one of the must-see attractions at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art in Shawnee.
Tutu, an Egyptian mummy who died circa 332 B.C., is one of the must-see attractions at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art in Shawnee.

Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art

  • Where: 1900 W MacArthur St., Shawnee.

  • Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

  • Information: https://www.mgmoa.org.

One of the oldest museums in the state annually offers free summer admission through the end of August. Tucked into a quiet pocket of Oklahoma Baptist University’s Green Campus, the museum's eclectic collection ranges from Egyptian mummies to South American shrunken heads.

Art at the Capitol

  • Where: State Capitol, 2300 N Lincoln Blvd.

  • Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

  • Information: https://www.arts.ok.gov.

After nearly six years in storage during a $280 million restoration project, more than 500 works of art have been making a comeback at the state Capitol in the past year. Plus, the Oklahoma Arts Council has unveiled several new commissions and resumed organizing its rotating exhibits by Oklahoma artists.

Through September, visitors can see art by Minco leather artist and sculptor John David Rule in the Governor's Gallery, by Guthrie painter, sculptor and printmaker Wallace Owens Jr. in the East Gallery and by Tulsa fiber artist Taylor Painter-Wolfe in the North Gallery.

Red Earth Gallery

  • Where: BancFirst Tower south lobby, 100 N Broadway Ave.

  • Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. 

  • Information: https://www.redearth.org. 

The venerable nonprofit organization showcases a variety of works by Native American artists in two galleries in its downtown OKC home.

More: The heat of the night: Oklahoma's summer nights aren't cooling off as much, data shows

Sculptures from "True Nature: Rodin and the Age of Impressionism," a major exhibition of 100 artworks including sculptures, paintings, prints and photographs celebrating artist Auguste Rodin, is shown in June at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.
Sculptures from "True Nature: Rodin and the Age of Impressionism," a major exhibition of 100 artworks including sculptures, paintings, prints and photographs celebrating artist Auguste Rodin, is shown in June at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

Oklahoma City Museum of Art

  • Where: 415 Couch Drive.

  • Summer hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

  • Information: https://www.okcmoa.com.

Although adults still have to pay, the downtown OKC museum offers free admission for children and teens ages 17 and younger. That means it's more affordable for families to check out the blockbuster traveling exhibit "True Nature: Rodin and the Age of Impressionism," featuring works by iconic artists like Auguste Rodin, Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

Indoor and outdoor attractions

Thunder Fountain

Situated next to the Children's Garden, one of Oklahoma City's coolest water features simulates an Oklahoma rainstorm and offers both sun and shade. Children are urged to wear water shoes or foot protection.

Scissortail Sprayground

The OKC metro boasts many splash pads and pools where families can cool off, but Scissortail Park's water feature boasts a distinctive high-tech design. The fountains have wind sensors on the large jets that will stop when winds exceed 20 mph to ensure the circulating system continues to run effectively.

Arcadia Round Barn

An iconic landmark on Route 66, it was built by local farmer William Harrison Odor in 1898 using native bur oak boards soaked while green and forced into the curves needed for the walls and roof rafters. Volunteers staff the barn's indoor museum and gift shop daily, but they typically close it at 1 p.m. on extremely hot days. The loft remains open until 5 p.m.

45th Infantry Museum

With 27,000 square feet of exhibit space and a 15-acre park, the museum not only pays homage to one of the first National Guard units to be activated for World War II, but also honors all Oklahomans who have served in the military.

Oklahoma State Capitol Museum

The new ground-floor museum, which opened last year, spans 4,400 square feet and includes 13 exhibit cases. Created as part of the Oklahoma Capitol Restoration Project, it features more than 125 artifacts relating to the history of the state Capitol and the workings of Oklahoma’s state government.

KidSpace Park

The City of Shawnee opened in June the new 7.6-acre, $3.6 million park that boasts one of the biggest playgrounds in the state. Even better, the equipment is made from aggregate materials that keep it from getting too hot to touch in summer.

Edmond History Museum

Visitors will encounter history just walking through the door of this museum, which the Works Progress Administration built in 1936 as the armory of the 179th Infantry, 45th Division of the Oklahoma National Guard.

Metropolitan Library System

It may be quiet, but don't sleep on the library as an air-conditioned haven of free entertainment: The Metro Library System has 19 branches scattered throughout Oklahoma County, and families can find books, computers and toys and other fun offerings at all of them every day.

Billy Humphrey listens to music July 16 during Scissortail Park's Summer of Soul Night at Love's Travel Stops Stage and Great Lawn.
Billy Humphrey listens to music July 16 during Scissortail Park's Summer of Soul Night at Love's Travel Stops Stage and Great Lawn.

Free concerts and events

Scissortail Park's Listen on the Lawn

Information: https://scissortailpark.org/events/listen-on-the-lawn-featuring-the-music-of-miles-davis.

Scissortail Park celebrates the music of jazz legend Miles Davis with a series of free concerts at 8 p.m. Thursdays in August at the Love's Travel Stops Stage & Great Lawn.

Myriad Gardens' August concerts

Information: https://myriadgardens.org/august-in-the-gardens/.

The Myriad Gardens is hosting three diverse concerts in August at its Devon Lawn & Bandshell: Dhaka Topi, an Oklahoma-based band that mixes up Nepali, Bollywood/Hindu and English music, will play at 8 p.m. Aug 11; a lineup of local musicians will perform "Your Song: An Elton John Tribute" at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 25; and OKC singer-songwriter Ckai Dawson will entertain at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 27.

Heard on Hurd

The monthly street festival is in its 10th season of bringing out live music, food trucks and pop-up shops every third Saturday from March to October. The next installment is scheduled for 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 19.

Arcadia Round Barn's Elm Tree Concerts

Information: https://arcadiaroundbarn.com.

Coordinated by local musician Joe Baxter, the Round Barn hosts free Sunday afternoon acoustic concerts featuring Oklahoma singer-songwriters playing in the shade.

Indigenous Ballgames Exchange

The free, first-time event will include demonstrations of a Mayan Ballgame by players from Guatemala as well as a Southeastern social game from players in Oklahoma.

Scissortail Park's Rock in the Park

Information: https://scissortailpark.org/events.

Oklahoma acts Bee & The Hive and Baileyboy will play a free show at 8 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Love’s Travel Stops Stage & Great Lawn as part of the Scissortail Park Concerts series, which runs through September.

Dancing in the Gardens

The Myriad Gardens continues its popular summer series where people can take free dance lessons in a variety of styles. The series' August installments will Salsa Night at 7 p.m. Aug. 4 and Bollywood Night at 7 p.m. Aug. 18.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Family-friendly fun things to see and do continue across Oklahoma City