Healthy and Fun Spring Break Activities in OKC and Tulsa
Spring break is here, but you don’t have to hit the beaches or even travel far to enjoy a healthy and fun week in March. Oklahoma offers numerous opportunities to get outside, get moving, take in healthy activities and have a ball right within the state boundaries. From miles of trails to educational events at area museums and attractions, kids and families both can take the week to learn, live and laugh.
Get wild at the zoo
On any given week, Oklahoma zoos offer miles of walking trails that weave through exhibits featuring animals from around the world. During the spring break week, take the opportunity to explore the brand-new Sanctuary Asia exhibit at the Oklahoma City Zoo, which opened this fall. You can also walk on the wild side and join zookeepers for daily animal presentations and feedings for an up-close look at the wildlife.
In addition to lions, tigers and bears (oh, my!), as well as other wildlife, the OKC Zoo continues its statewide literacy program, Read for Adventure. Oklahomans can check out the original children’s book, “Our Day at the Zoo,” from any of the state’s 247 public library locations to receive four general admission ticket vouchers.
The Tulsa Zoo will host the Tall Tail Mysteries Spring Break camp March 18 through 22. Kids will solve mysteries, like discovering if the Big Bad Wolf did, or did not, blow down the houses of the three little pigs. Campers can also play detective on their favorite fairy tales while exploring the zoo grounds daily to solve these animal mysteries.
The Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks is also a great way to explore the worlds under the seas and rivers during spring break. The Oklahoma Aquarium is a 72,000-square-foot public aquarium that hosts events, daily feedings and educational opportunities.
Museum love
Education can be fun, especially when combined with crafts, story times, family-friendly activities and free admission. Several Oklahoma museums are hosting spring break events and specials for families.
March 12 through 16 and 19 through 23, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame will host a free Spring Thing from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City hosts spring break drop-in activities March 18 through 22.
The Sam Noble Museum in Norman will hold a Spring Break Escape March 18 through 22 with musical performances and more.
The Museum of Osteology in Oklahoma City, the only skeleton museum in the U.S., plans Spring Break STEM classes for kids up to fifth grade for hands-on educational programs that explore animals and the world of osteology.
On March 17, the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa will hold Sunday Funday with free admission.
AHHA Tulsa will present “What If… Spring Break Camp” March 18 through 22 to focus on artists’ habits of mind, such as observation, problem-solving and communication.
Discovery Lab in Tulsa will also host a spring break two-day camp for kids ages 6 to 10, "Don't Try This At Home," on March 18 and 19; a two-day camp for kids ages 8 to 12, "Robo Engineering," on March 20 and 21; and a one-day camp for kids ages 6 to 10, "Larger-Than-Life," on March 22.
These are just a handful of educational opportunities offered at the state’s many museums. Check in with your favorite museum for events this spring break.
Outdoor fun
With more shoreline than the eastern seaboard and 11 distinct ecosystems, Oklahoma is a hot spot of outdoor activities. The state has 39 trails covering 183 miles, so you're bound to find a perfect trail for your family to hike or bike.
The state’s 33 state parks shine with natural experiences where you can hike, fish, camp and much more. The national parks and national recreation and historic areas cover everything from the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Sulphur.
Spend a day on the Oklahoma River at Oklahoma City’s world-class, urban whitewater rafting facility, RIVERSPORT Rapids. The entire family can enjoy whitewater rafting, kayaking, adventure courses and so much more. The whitewater rafting and kayaking will be available on weekends from March 16 to May 19.
If getting out into the wild doesn’t appeal to you, your family can still explore the natural world at the Tulsa Botanical Gardens and Oklahoma City’s Myriad Botanical Gardens, both of which offer spring break activities.
Visit TravelOK for a complete list of the state’s outdoor offerings.
Keeping it close
Healthy activities over spring break can even be as simple as riding a bike in the neighborhood or walking through a neighborhood park. Backyard games are also a great way to sneak fun healthy movement into the week. Try scheduling a game of frisbee, organizing a nature scavenger hunt or trying your hand at badminton in your own backyard.
If, heaven forbid, the week is rained out, indoor games can liven things up. Schedule a dance party every day, set up a treasure hunt with clues or learn to make healthy meals and snacks together. Even better, head to your local library for daily activities like crafts, musical performances, experiments and camps during spring break.
We hope these ideas keep your family moving this spring break. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your INTEGRIS experts for their recommendations on how to keep your family healthy.