Things to do in Tulsa with kids

A city with classic Midwestern charm along the historic Route 66, Tulsa is a gem located in the state of Oklahoma. The city smashes the stereotypes of a typical cowboy town. With stunning art deco architecture, quaint shops, hip cafes, and unique breweries and bars – is this really a city in Oklahoma?

But Tulsa retains the best of the Midwest in its friendly locals and warm community living. If you’re in the city with the family and planning a great day out, you might want to extend your stay! Here is a list of the best things to do in Tulsa with kids.

Gathering Place

Make your way to the Gathering Place – Tulsa’s gorgeous Riverfront Park that’s perfect for a day out in the sun. With beautiful gardens, walking trails, boat rentals, and one-of-a-kind playgrounds, the kids have plenty to choose!

The playground at the Gathering Place is every child’s wonderland. It includes a magical Skywalk Forest floating 20 feet from the ground, seven towers to clamber around, a maze of Spiral Connectors, and an enchanting Fairyland Forest. Charlie’s Water Mountain is the place to be during the summer.

Tulsa Zoo 

Undoubtedly at the top of things to do in Tulsa with kids, discover the wonders of the wild at the Tulsa Zoo. There’s nothing like the animal kingdom to add magic to children’s lives! The Zoo introduces visitors to wildlife and wild habitats from the Chimpanzee Connection to the Lost Kingdom with its fascinating Snow leopards and Komodo Dragons.

Centre of the Universe

Looking for interesting things to do in Tulsa with kids? Take them for a visit to the Centre of the Universe. A mysterious space sure to tickle the children’s fancy, it’s a small concrete circle placed within a larger brick circle. Stand in the center, speak, and hear your voice amplified several times over. What’s the catch? People outside the circle allegedly won’t hear it at all! Give it a go!

The Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium 

Dazzle the children with the magic of the universe at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium. With a focus on Oklahoma’s history in the space industry, children can explore interactive exhibits, along with Navy helicopters and aircrafts commissioned by J. Paul Getty.

Discovery Lab -Tulsa Children’s Museum

We’ve all heard of slides, but what about a giant slide made from packing tape? Step into the crazy world of the Discovery Lab and experience just that! Imagine the delight on the children’s faces as they slide down a giant slide made entirely out of packing tape. Made with 16 miles of tape and suspension engineering, the slide is completely safe to use.

Some of the other attractions at the Tulsa Children’s Museum are The WorkShop which offers immersive design experiences for kids. The Zoo in You is a fascinating exhibit about the microscopic organisms that inhabit the human body.

Woody Guthrie Center

Fancy a musical afternoon out with the family? Take them to the Woody Guthrie Center that pays tribute to the life and music of the famous Oklahoman singer. Introduce the kids to Guthrie’s music and check out some cool merchandise at the gift shop. Unleash the songwriter in you – sit together, pen your lyrics, and submit your songs to the center for posterity!

Tulsa Garden Center at Woodward Park

The Tulsa Garden Center at Woodward Park offers a world of discovery for kids. The fairy gardens and lagoons are delightful for people of all ages. You could also visit the gorgeous grotto and historic mansions within the premises.

Chandler Park

Chandler Park is a one-stop destination for fun family time in Tulsa. Enjoy its expansive playgrounds, rock climbing walls, as well as an 18-hole disc golf course. Have packed lunch at the many picnic shelters across the park.

The Cave House

Constructed in 1924 during the Prohibition, the Cave House is a popular landmark in Tulsa. Fun fact: it was first built as a Chicken Restaurant! During Prohibition, it became a place to secretly quench your thirst! A visit here is one of the top things to do in Tulsa with kids. Take in the unusual architecture and hear some intriguing stories behind the place. The Cave House is a perfect recreation spot for family, friends, and people of all ages.

Gilcrease Museum

Introduce the kids to stories from the American West at the Gilcrease Museum. The museum contains the world’s largest collection of artwork and artifacts from the American West.

Oklahoma Aquarium

If your little ones love creatures from the deep, take them for a visit to the Oklahoma Aquarium. The most exciting attraction here is a walk-through tunnel where kids can observe bull sharks swimming overhead and in front. Check the Aquarium’s calendar for special experiences such as behind-the-scenes tours and feed shows.

Tulsa Segway

Why walk when you can Segway! Explore the sights of Tulsa differently on a Segway tour with the family. The tour is one of the most exciting things to do in Tulsa with kids. It passes through important sights such as the Brady Arts District, the Center of the Universe, and the Art Deco district. You can also plan a customized tour. Take the food truck tour on Wednesdays and have lunch at Guthrie Green!

Fun restaurants in Tulsa

Family time for most people always involves great food. Whether you have excited toddlers, teens who pick on their food, or a family who likes culinary variety – the restaurants in Tulsa will cater to all kinds of taste buds!

Enjoy the special pizzas or build your own at ‘Hideaway Pizza’. Burn Co BBQ is popular for briskets, ribs, and sandwiches. Delight the kids with amazing mac and cheese or chicken wings at ‘Bread and Butter Chicken.’ You could also savor delicious burgers at Brownie’s Hamburger Stand – a local favorite since 1956.

There’s nothing like exploring new places with people closest to you. And there’s no place better than beautiful Tulsa for some unforgettable memories!