The Best Places In Tulsa To Take Your Kids
BY ALICIA CHESSER & HOLLY WALL
201 N. Elgin Ave., Tulsa, OK 74120
Downtown’s minor league baseball stadium, where the Tulsa Drillers play every spring and summer, is also home to the city’s revived professional soccer team, FC Tulsa. The park’s designers definitely had families in mind when they created the space—two expansive lawn areas mean your kids don’t have to worry about sitting still, and there’s also a playground and a splash pad for half times and seventh-inning stretches. Keep an eye on the events calendar for special family activities as well. —Holly Wall
2650 S. John Williams Way, Tulsa, OK 74114
If you’re not sure just what to do on a given day, you can’t go wrong with a visit to this 100-acre wonderland on Riverside Drive, USA Today’s pick for 2019’s best new attraction in the nation. Come ready to be wowed by playgrounds for all ages that look like works of art, the skate park, the food options, the comfy Lodge and quiet lake, the fascinating Cabinet of Wonders and regular music events, all surrounded by native grasses and wildflowers.
Perfect for high-energy play or lazily swinging an afternoon away, a wander through these grounds will enliven the kid in you while giving the kids an adventure they won’t forget. There’s even an app to help you plan your day. —Alicia Chesser
610 S. Main St #200, Tulsa, OK 74119
The Tulsa Geoscience offers kids creative ways to learn about science. There’s a fossil station where kids can make their own replica fossils, as well as an earthquake/tsunami station, a fluorescence station, a rock and mineral station, a chemistry station, and more. The center is mostly geared toward student groups and birthday parties, but individuals can tag along on the group tours. Visit tulsageosciencecenter.org to view the schedule and book a tour. —Holly Wall
16150 Redbud Dr., Catoosa, OK 74015
Redbud Valley offers a rugged one-mile trail that takes hikers young and old through a variety of habitats. The main focus at Redbud Valley is to preserve and protect the plant and animal life, so please ensure your family respects the surroundings. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for rugged terrain. Free admission. —Holly Wall
208 N. Main St., Tulsa, OK 74103
This good old-fashioned general store carries all kinds of locally-themed gifts, including mugs, drinking glasses, hats, socks, onesies, greeting cards, candles, T-shirts, decorative pillows, coasters, books and more. It's the perfect place for visitors (or parents) to pick up a fun knick-knack. Kids will love the retro candy section, where they can fill goodie bags with bulk treats. —Holly Wall
560 N. Maybelle Ave., Tulsa, OK 74127
Located northwest of downtown in Owen Park’s former community center, the Tulsa Children’s Museum Discovery Lab offers a rotating array of exhibits designed to educate kids about science, math and engineering, as well as afford them (and their parents) a good time. The tape slide is a fan favorite, and The Workshop, a maker’s lab for tots, lets kids put their skills and creativity to use and gives them a souvenir to take home. —Holly Wall
111 E. Reconciliation Way, Tulsa, OK 74103
Guthrie Green, located in the Tulsa Arts District, is home to weekly events that the whole family can enjoy, from fitness classes to concerts to outdoor movies and more. Food trucks park there at least once a week, and there’s a fountain for splashing during the warmer months. Events and admission are always free and open to the public. —Holly Wall
6700 Mohawk Blvd., Tulsa, OK 74115
Bring your binoculars! Oxley Nature Center lets the kids use all their senses to explore nature. Birds and animals are plentiful and evidence of their presence is all around. The rules at Oxley are simple: take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints. Also, don’t forget to bring your own water, bugspray and sunscreen. —Holly Wall
1114 S. Yale Ave., Tulsa, OK 74112
The owners of this new ice cream shop, located on Historic Route 66, have the recipe just right: a build-your-own ice cream sandwich bar. With 12 cookie flavors, 12 ice cream flavors, two brownies and a sugar-free and gluten-free option, the possibilities are endless for cookie ice cream sandwich creations. Fresh and messy for just $1.99 each. —Holly Wall
3624 N. 74th E. Ave., Tulsa, OK 74115
The Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium offers hands-on exhibits (including one-of-a-kind aircraft), educational tours and special events that encourage kids and adults to learn together – along with the largest, most advanced planetarium in the state. Come experience the story of Oklahoma’s rich aerospace history. Kids four and under are free. —Holly Wall
1400 N. Gilcrease Museum Road, Tulsa, OK 74127
This Tulsa treasure is more than a place to see sculptures of cowboys. Founded in 1949, it houses more than 350,000 items related to the history and people of the Americas, including extensive representation of indigenous cultures and the world’s largest collection of art on the American West. Interactive technology and curation make the Gilcrease holdings accessible for kids and adults alike, all against the backdrop of nearly 500 acres of gardens themed around the art and history inside.
Social and educational offerings include the monthly Drop-In Studio, where experienced artists give you a hands-on look at art techniques and concepts, and the Learn and Play program for ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Visit on the third Sunday of the month for Funday Sunday, when Gilcrease offers free admission. —Alicia Chesser
Multiple locations across Tulsa
The Andolini’s brand of pizza is a Tulsa favorite, with new locations opening across town. Accompanied kids eat free on Mondays from 5:00 p.m. until close. And for good kiddos who finish their dinners, homemade gelato in more than two-dozen flavors awaits them. —Holly Wall
2727 S. Rockford Road, Tulsa, OK 74114
From the historic Italianate architecture to the herbs in the Secret Garden, you can learn as much outside this Tulsa landmark as inside. (The landscape design itself is a study in geometry, texture, and diversity.) Inside, of course, are artistic wonders unequalled in the city: indigenous pottery, medieval iconography, Picasso and Bougereau and Kehinde Wiley, as well as special exhibits that grow more special with multiple visits.
Homeschool art classes during the week, Second Saturday events that are free for children 17 and under, and surprises like the enchanting hand-built cabin at the edge of the grounds make Philbrook one of Tulsa’s friendliest and most magical places to absorb creative genius. —Alicia Chesser
514 S. Boston Ave., Tulsa, OK 74103
Elote may be one of Tulsa’s most kid-friendly eateries. The food is fresh, healthy and locally sourced. The kid’s menu, rather than chicken nuggets and corndogs, offers a child-size sampling of what the adults enjoy. Plus, if you’re willing to let the little ones stay up past their bedtime, you can enjoy some weekend luchador wrestling in the restaurant’s miniature ring. —Holly Wall
Located within The Boxyard, 502 E. 3rd St., Tulsa, OK 74120
The state’s only microcreamery, Rose Rock uses all-natural dairy to create interesting and adventurous flavors. In addition to the standard chocolate and vanilla, Rose Rock uses Oklahoma resources, such as Stilwell strawberries with balsamic and white pepper, buttermilk honey and blueberry sourced from local farms, and fresh Porter peaches. Rainbow sprinkles are available to adequately complete any child’s cone. —Holly Wall
400 Civic Center, Tulsa, OK 74103
For breadth and depth of activities for kids, it’s hard to beat this place. Recently renovated to LEED Gold-certified and American Institute of Architecture award-winning standards, this historic Tulsa complex makes it easy—even elegant—to find a book, ask a question, use a computer, take in a film in a sunken garden, use a 3D printer, learn to code or cartoon, listen to a story, hold a study group or meeting, and of course, just sit and breathe in the vast world with the help of Tulsa’s coolest librarians.
Don’t miss visiting the Seed Library, the Maker Space, and—you’ll need brain fuel—the cafe. —Alicia Chesser
107 N. Boulder Ave., Tulsa, OK 74103
Tulsa’s very first coney shop is still in business downtown near the Tulsa Arts District. You can’t beat their chili-cheese coneys (order three and they’ll throw in a free soft drink), and kids love to sit in the old-school wooden desks they’ve lined up in lieu of traditional tables and chairs. —Holly Wall
211 S. Elgin Ave., Tulsa, OK 74120
This eight-lane, retro-inspired bowling alley in downtown Tulsa’s Blue Dome District isn’t just a place for adults to play; during the daytime hours (4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 5:00 p.m. on weekends) it’s a great place to take the kids to knock over a few pins. Just a head’s up that the alley is all ages until 8:00 p.m. —Holly Wall
321 N. Detroit Ave., Tulsa, OK 74120
Built in 2009, John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park is a beautiful green space that serves to tell the story of the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921. Two public art pieces, Hope Plaza and the Tower of Reconciliation, educate and inspire with their depictions of the African American struggle—from the slave migration to settlement of free blacks in Oklahoma—and the horrific events that took place in 1921, as well as the resilience of the black community at the time, who rebuilt their neighborhoods and businesses after the riot.
As John Hope Franklin said, “Every story should start in a park – especially if it tells its own story.” Make outdoor time more meaningful and visit Reconciliation Park, open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. —Holly Wall
605 S. Main St., Tulsa, OK 74119
Downtown Tulsa offers a surprising amount of green space, perfect for letting the little ones run free and burn energy. Chapman Green is located in downtown’s central business district, and is home to occasional outdoor plays, concerts, art installations and festivals. Go anytime to get your picture taken with the "Be the One" 918 area code installation. —Holly Wall
18 E. Reconciliation Way, Tulsa, OK 74103
What restaurant is more family-friendly than one that feeds kids for free once a week (in this case, every Wednesday)? On the menu is straight-forward, homestyle cooking, with choices like meatloaf, fried catfish, pot roast and chicken and waffles. Definitely start your evening with a basket of Pucker Chips (fried pickles). —Holly Wall
102 E. Reconciliation Way, Tulsa, OK 74103
In addition to bringing Woody Guthrie’s extensive archives back to Oklahoma, the Woody Guthrie Center also offers an interactive public museum that traces the history, not only of Woody Guthrie’s life, but of folk music as well. The center also hosts concerts and other events on a regular basis. —Holly Wall
7025 S. Memorial Dr., Tulsa, OK 74133
This south Tulsa ice cream joint introduces the process of rolling ice cream that began in Thailand. Rolled ice cream is made by pouring a base of sweet milk on a cold surface and taking a metal spatula to chop fillings into the now freezing cream. When the base becomes frozen, it is spread across a pan and then tightly rolled. The rolled ice cream is then placed in a cup and topped with fruits, cookies, candy, nuts or sauces. —Holly Wall