Running out of fresh ideas to keep your kids entertained? Tulsa is packed with kid-friendly spots, hands-on museums, and indoor playgrounds that let them burn energy no matter the weather. If you’re searching for your next family outing or a rainy-day rescue, we’ve found the best activities around town.
Let’s get to it.
Philbrook Museum of Art
When you step into the Philbrook Museum of Art, you find yourself in an old villa that feels equal parts grand and welcoming. Inside, you can drift from classic paintings to interactive gallery spaces designed for curious little ones. On hot days, the air conditioning is a relief, but if you’re in the mood for fresh air, the gardens and sculpture lawns are just outside.
You can wander through winding floral paths where touching the art is actually encouraged. Exhibits switch up regularly, and the Studio Lab always has new hands-on activities. Little Garden Explorers keeps toddlers busy while art camps for tweens cover everything from printmaking to puppetry. You’ll find programs on weekday mornings, Saturdays, and the first Sunday of each month, all free with admission, which is ideal for larger families. Sensory-friendly mornings are offered each month, and peanut-free snacks actually feel like a treat. The staff are friendly pros who help every age dive into art and nature.
Adventure Avenue
Walking into Adventure Avenue feels like stepping into a pint-size town built just for kids ages 1 to 10. Everything happens indoors, so Oklahoma’s heat or rain doesn’t matter. Infants get in free, and parents are invited to stay and play—no drop-off allowed.
Each two-hour session is capped at about 22 kids, which keeps things friendly and manageable. Staff members actively guide play rather than just watching, and they reset and clean every zone between sessions. You’ll find a mini farmer’s market, a tiny fire station, a bakery stocked with pretend pastries, a hospital, and a costume corner that almost convinces you there’s a toddler mayor in charge. Padded flooring and a sensory-friendly area mean kids can run, climb, and imagine without worry. Admission is $13.50 per child or you can grab a punch card at a discount. It’s a neat mix of pretend play, creative exploration, and a little break for parents who sneak in some on-the-floor bakery duty.
Tulsa Zoo
At the Tulsa Zoo, you’re not just staring at animals—you’re encouraged to dive into hands-on experiences. Nature Buddies sensory play sessions let the youngest explorers get messy, while themed camps like Dino Institute and Cryptozoology run during every school break.
Riding the Wildlife Carousel or hopping on the Safari Train gives little legs a break, and the Gem Dig lets kids hunt for treasures in sand tables. When the weather turns, indoor rainforest exhibits and classrooms offer a cool escape. Memberships come with perks like discounted camp fees that scale by age and length of stay. The zoo prioritizes accessibility with ramps, an accessible carousel, and quiet zones for families who need a breather. Don’t miss Zoorassic World, which runs animatronic dinosaurs through Labor Day—it’s a roaring good time for dino fans and animal lovers alike.
Discovery Lab
Over at Discovery Lab inside Gathering Place park, you get 57,000 square feet of hands-on fun for curious kids under twelve (and their grownups). Ballapalooza combines a playground vibe with simple-machine challenges. HydroLab turns water play into engineering experiments, and the sound lab lets little DJs mix beats with math. The tape tunnel is legendary for stickiness and giggles.
Babies and toddlers have their own splash zones, while parents are encouraged to jump in. You can drop in for a single visit, sign up for summer camps, or choose monthly sensory-friendly mornings if your crew needs a quieter pace. Admission is family-friendly, and teachers get free entry. Staff members keep a close eye on safety, offering tips and high-fives as they go. When it’s time to wrap up, the on-site café and gift shop make good bribes for kids who don’t want to leave.
Andy B’s – Tulsa, OK
Looking for a grown-up upgrade on the classic bowling alley? Andy B’s in Tulsa has it all. Bowling lanes feature ramps and light balls for kids, while adults chase strikes and neon lights. The arcade has games for every age, from toddlers to grown-ups aiming to win that giant stuffed dinosaur.
Their laser tag is top notch, with refs making sure nobody goes wild, though kids under the height limit need an adult escort. Indoor go-karts mean no worries about rain or wind, and they’ve got helmets, staff monitoring the track and even two-seat carts for anyone who wants a copilot.
Everything runs on a pay-as-you-go model, so you can pop in for a quick game or end up booking an escape room after lunch. If your crew wants a party vibe, they offer group packages and glow-in-the-dark egg hunts too. Just know a “quick stop” often turns into a three-hour arcade domination session before you’re ready to call it a day.
The SafeHouse Tulsa
If mental puzzles are more your speed, The SafeHouse Tulsa turns small groups into detectives and code-breakers for an hour of serious brainwork. All escape rooms are indoors, fully air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible. The only rush you’ll feel comes from cracking a clue before time runs out.
Themes rotate, so you might tackle a creepy mental hospital one month and a quirky murder mystery the next. Most rooms suit kids around 12 and up, with parental discretion advised. Each booking is private, so you won’t share space with strangers who might hog the hints.
Prices run about $25–$30 per person depending on group size, and they often post Groupon deals. Whether it’s a family outing, date night or team event, the staff guide your progress from the control room—no spoilers, just helpful nudges when you’re stuck. It’s a clever, unique twist on game night that gets your brain firing on all cylinders.
Tulsa Air and Space Museum
Ready to explore the skies without leaving town? The Tulsa Air and Space Museum brings flight simulators, planetarium shows and a genuine F-14A Tomcat under one roof. Kids dive into hands-on STEM exhibits, then climb into simulators that range from space shuttles to hot-air balloons.
Toddlers have their own patch of air time during Toddler Time on Tuesdays and Thursdays before regular hours. Most exhibits are inside a vast hangar, but there’s a rocket-themed playground outside next to an active runway where little ones can burn off energy and watch real planes taxi by.
Admission is $11 for adults, $8 for youth and free for kids under five. Combo tickets add planetarium access, ideal if you’ve got the stamina for both in one visit. The museum is wheelchair friendly with service-animal access too. For anyone curious about aircraft and space, it’s a full day of discovery without ever boarding a real flight.
Fun 4 Kidz Playground Tulsa
When you hear excited squeals echoing near the food court at Woodland Hills or Promenade Mall, Fun 4 Kidz Playground is probably to blame. This place goes way beyond a few slides—it features multi-level climbers, big ball pits, trampolines, and air-blaster guns that seem to magnetically attract everyone under 12. Little ones under 36 inches get their own padded play zone so they can explore safely without worrying about getting trampled.
Admission is straightforward—about $12 for three hours of playtime, and Tuesdays offer a 2-for-1 deal if you time it right. Safety is a big focus here: everything important is padded, kids wear non-slip socks, and staff keep a close eye on things. Each location has its own theme: Promenade Mall feels like Candy Land, while Woodland Hills leans into a jungle adventure. Parents appreciate the clear sightlines, on-site restrooms, and peace of mind knowing the chaos stays inside and the Tulsa weather stays out.
Tulsa Botanic Garden
Just northwest of town, Tulsa Botanic Garden stretches across 170 acres of themed gardens, walking trails, and outdoor art installations. You can stroll or bike along winding paths, peek at seasonal FLORIGAMI sculptures hidden among the blooms, and relax by ponds filled with koi.
The Children’s Discovery Garden is a two-acre playground complete with a wadeable stream (shoes optional), boulders for climbing, and a 15-foot Spring Giant water feature that never fails to delight. Kids can bang on oversized musical instruments or head up to the Tree Fort Storytime for half an hour of books and silliness under the trees. After storytime, art walls and scavenger hunts keep little ones busy. On summer Thursday evenings, the garden stays open later for families to enjoy cooler air and live music. Admission comes with a price tag, but if you plan to let the kids get muddy and explore, it’s worth every penny.
Slick City Action Park
Ready for a fun indoor day that feels like all your childhood favorites rolled into one? Slick City Action Park blends slides, playground gear and air courts into a climate-controlled playground. There are already 16 locations open with more on the way. Kids four and up grab action tickets, and the little ones under 45 inches slide into the “Junior Jungle” with their own pint-sized setup.
Sessions run 90 or 120 minutes, and everyone who goes barefoot needs to rent CitySocks. Parents fill out waivers and keep an eye on the action. Cushioned landings, non-slip mats and trained staff at every zone keep safety front and center. Height and age rules for each ride make sure nobody ends up flying off the rails.
Slick City is open daily year-round, and they even host Sensory Hours for a quieter session, plus glow-in-the-dark nights when you’re up for extra excitement. Admission isn’t exactly cheap, but with so many play areas and reliable air conditioning in the summer, it adds up to solid value.
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
When you need to burn off a suspicious amount of energy, Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park has your back. This all-indoor spot is decked out with trampolines, obstacle courses, indoor go-karts, a zipline overhead and a battle beam that tests your balance more than your bravery.
They’ve nailed safety across the chain with required grip socks, padded surfaces everywhere, digital waivers and staff who keep an eye on every zone. Little ones have the Shorty 40 section limited to 40 inches tall, while bigger kids and adults can jump in on the main attractions.
Summer camps mix in STEAM sessions from Snapology, and there’s even a VR arena if you need a break from physical workouts. You can drop in for a single hour, go for all-day passes or grab a membership to make regular visits part of your routine. The on-site café offers discounts when you upgrade your playtime, so it feels like a mini-vacation without leaving town.
Main Event Tulsa
If you’re looking for a spot that crams every kind of fun under one roof, Main Event Tulsa delivers. You’ve got bowling lanes, laser tag arenas, gravity ropes courses, bumper cars, and an arcade all inside a huge, climate-controlled building. The dragon-shaped bowling ramps are cute and perfect for beginners as young as four, and the ropes course includes a zip-line that even makes adults feel a bit heroic.
Beyond the active stuff, there are VR gaming pods, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, pool tables, and a full bar and restaurant for the grown-ups. Parents can keep an eye on up to six kids each, which works out nicely during busy times. The staff handles everything from fitting harnesses to refereeing laser tag matches and sanitizing gear between uses. You don’t need to bring or know anything in advance—they provide all the equipment and clear instructions. With late-night hours all year long, Main Event Tulsa is always ready whenever you’re up for some indoor excitement.
