Fun Places Around Town
Fun Ideas
Bumper Bowling at Riverlanes
8711 S. Lewis Ave. 254-8889
Bumpers can be positioned to block the gutters at this bowling alley. Children as young as two-years-old can push a ball down the lanes and are guaranteed to hit at least one pin. Riverlanes is a non-smoking facility. Cost: $2.50-3.00/game, shoe rental is $2.50. In addition, Riverlanes is adding new party rooms, indoor go-carts, and a renovated game room that are scheduled to open soon. Website: http://www.riverlanesbowling.com
Ollie’s Restaurant
4233 S. Yukon 446-0524
Thomas the Train fans will love this restaurant! Miniature railroad tracks are all over the restaurant and some are even suspended above the tables. Several operating model trains are running at all times. The food is good, too, and many of the patrons during the lunch rush hour are employees of the nearby railroad yards. Website: http://www.olliesstation.com
Jenks Fire Department
211 N. Elm Street 299-2727
The door is always open to visitors at the Jenks fire station. It’s never too early to familiarize your child with the firemen and fire engines and teach them fire safety. In the past, the firemen have allowed our children to climb onto the fire engines, listen to the sirens, and even spray a fire hose. Ask for the captain on duty.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
10128 E. 71st St. 294-5293
Grab a group of kids and sign them up for a mouth-watering tour of this business. Follow the production line and watch as raw ingredients are transformed into yummy doughnuts that pass under the glaze waterfall. The kids will have an opportunity to decorate their own doughnuts. Website: http://www.krispykreme.com
Blue Bell Creameries
8201 E. Hwy 51, Broken Arrow 258-5100
Ever wonder how ice cream gets from the cow to the grocery store? Blue Bell lets you in on their secret by offering tours of their facility. A brief historical video of the company is shown and then you’re lead to observation areas to view the machines and processes that make it all happen. A free scoop of ice cream is your reward after the tour. This is a wonderful introduction to the world of factories. Tours are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. by appointment. Cost: $2/adult, $1/children 6-18, free/5 and under.
Directions: Drive east on the Broken Arrow Expressway, exit at 193rd East Ave. (the last exit before the Muskogee Turnpike), merge onto Highway 51 and the factory will be on your left near 81st Street.
Website: http://www.bluebell.com
Tulsa State Fair “We’re on a Roll!”
21st Street between Yale and Harvard
The “Fun on the Farm” children’s exhibit has expanded and offers a great learning experience in commerce. Children can collect “eggs” from the miniature chicken barn, “milk” a cow in the milk barn, and “plant and pick” vegetables from a garden. (Of course, this is all pretend.) They then exchange their loot for “cash” which is used to buy a small toy. After all this work, they can ride the tractors near the tractor barn and look at real peanut, corn, and cotton plants.
In addition, the Just-for-Kids building usually features on-stage entertainment, contests, and reptile shows by Brad’s Retile World. Fair dates are September 25th to October 5th. Website: http://www.tulsastatefair.com
Purple Glaze Pottery Studio
91st and Sheridan (Southeast corner) 491-6900
This painting place caters to the young and old, experienced and inexperienced painters alike. You can choose from many unfinished ceramic pieces, such as bowls, picture frames, plates, and statues. The cost varies with the size of the project. The studio is spacious and the staff is very helpful. Hours: 11-9 Monday-Friday, 11-6 Saturday, and 1-5 Sunday.
Website: http://www.purpleglazestudio.com/Pottery.html
Zebco Casting Pond
Jenks Aquarium 299-2334
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is hosting fishing clinics at the Zebco casting pond that sits just south of the Jenks Aquarium. Beginning in late spring and through the summer, the pond will be open to the public on selected Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:30-8:30 to learn about conservation, knot-tying, casting, and fish identification. Cost is free and rods and reels are provided. Pre-registration is required. Website: http://www.okaquarium.org/odwc.php?subPageName=odwc
Bass Pro Shop
101 Bass Pro Dr., Broken Arrow 355-7600
This is a great place for kids to explore! The Bass Pro Shop sells gear for camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, etc. The building itself is impressive inside. They have a large aquarium full of fish that are fed Tuesday and Thursday at 6pm and on Saturday at 2pm. There’s a laser shooting stage for the older kids and younger kids can gaze at the many animal figures stuffed, hoisted, and hung throughout the store. Directions: Take the Broken Arrow expressway east, exit at Elm, head north to 61st Street, and take a right onto Bass Pro Drive. Website: http://www.basspro.com
Linnaeus Teaching Garden at Woodward Park
21st and Peoria 746-5125
This unique teaching garden is built in Woodward Park. Stone, brick, steel/iron, wood, and the newest plant species are creatively used to demonstrate the most successful gardening techniques. Meander along paths that parallel babbling streams. Walk through the gourd tunnel where gourds are hung to dry. Visitors are encouraged to touch, taste, feel, and smell their way through the garden and learn from educational exhibits. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 9-4pm; Sunday, 1-4pm. Visit the park’s webpage at www.tulsagardencenter.com for more information.
Southwood Nursery
91st and Lewis 299-9409
You need flowers. You’re children need to play. Combine the two at Southwood Nursery. Children can follow you along the paths of plants and flowers riding tricycles provided by the store. Website: http://www.southwoodnursery.com/index.html
Oxley Nature Center
5701 E. 36th St. North (Mohawk Park) 669-6644
Experience the untouched land. This nature center has several paths that lead you through the woods and around ponds that have been virtually untouched by man. You might discover owl feathers, fluff from the cottonwood trees, or the skin of a snake. Cost is free. But, please note that a $2 parking fee is charged on weekends when entering Mohawk Park.
Website: http://www.oxleynaturecenter.org
Pump It Up
13675 E. 61st (East of 129th East Ave. on 61st) 250-5553
This is a ginormous indoor inflatable play zone great for deflating your kids’ pent up energy! Two large rooms hold Jupiter jumps and inflatable slides and basketball courts. This is appropriate for children ages 2 and above. During the summer, pop-in playtime days will be Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30 – 11. As summer approaches, another day and time may be added as well. Cost is $6.50 for 1 ½ hours of non-stop jumping. Please call ahead of time to confirm dates and times for pop-in play. Website: http://www.pumpitupparty.com/ok/broken-arrow/tulsa/home-p1q120.htm
Bounce U
91st and Memorial (Northwest corner) 294-0090
More inflatables! Open bounce days and times during the summer are Monday-Friday, 1:30-2:45. Cost: $6.95/child. Reservations are still strongly recommended and openings may change due to parties and special events. Please call ahead of time. Website: http://www.bounceu.com/cities/tulsa.ok/index.htm
Heaven Fun
7234 S. Lewis Ave. 576-6605
This is a new and only daily walk-in indoor inflatable play center in Oklahoma … no reservations required! Jump days and times are Monday-Saturday (no Wednesdays), 10-6. Cost: $7/child; $6/participating parents with children older than 4 years. With paid admission, children under 2 and non-participating parents are free. Friday, Saturday, and holiday jump costs are $8/child. Bring socks! Website: http://www.heaven-fun.com/201.html
Tulsa Air and Space Museum
3624 N. 74th East Ave. (near the Zoo) 834-9900
This museum is ever changing. In addition to the many aircraft exhibits, it provides several opportunities for interactive play including a space shuttle robotic arm, a space shuttle launch, and an F-16 wind tunnel. The BIG DEAL, though, is the planetarium. TASM is the 2nd museum in the world to debut a planetarium with a projection system that takes you on a 3-dimensional digital journey through space! Cool beans! Take a look at www.tulsaairandspacemuseum.com Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10 –5; Sunday, 1-5. Cost: $6/adult, $4/children 4-12,
free/under 4. Cost for combo museum & planetarium tickets: $10/adult, $6/children 4-12, free/children 3 and under.
Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinics
4908 E. 15th St. 712-8475
For those Bob the Builder fans, this is a fun idea. Get a group of your child’s friends together and schedule a group building project at Lowe’s. Past projects have included birdhouses, bird feeders, model trains, and model cars. Cost is minimum.
Website: http://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com
Chick-Fil-A
71st and Mingo 461-0777
When the summer days get to sizzlin’, this is a good place to take your children three years of age or younger to play. The indoor play area is just suited for their size. Note: It’s best to go before 11:30 or after 1pm when it’s not so crowded.
Oilers Ice Center
6413 S. Mingo 252-0011
Play where it’s cool. Oilers Ice Center is open for public skating Monday – Friday, 11:30-1:30; Thursday, 6:15-8:15pm; Friday Christian Skate Night, 8-11pm; Saturday, 12-2; Sunday, 1-3pm. Cost: $6.50/older kids and adults, $3.50/5 and under. Skate rental is $2.50.
Trapeze University
Riverwalk Crossing, Jenks 381-TRAP
Swing like the monkeys! This full-size trapeze is a blast if you have no problems with heights. Certified trapeze staff will harness children 4 years and older (and even adults) in safety gear and lead them through swings and acrobatic moves high above a large safety net. Open swing times are available as well as classes. It’s also a fun idea for birthday parties. Call for prices and available times or visit them at www.trapezeuniversity.com
Great Harvest Bread Co.
5203 S. Sheridan (The Farm Shopping Center) 622-1115
Watch as bread is handmade from start to finish. This company offers group tours where kids can watch as the flour is ground and the dough kneaded by hand, shaped, and baked into bread. Try a free sample or stay for lunch and have a sandwich. Kids can pick up a coloring page, decorate it, and return it for a free giant cookie. (Idea: Buy a loaf, take it home, and have your kids make homemade butter to spread on it. Visit www.foodnetwork.com for easy instructions.)
Bit of a Drive
Discoveryland
19501 W. 41st St., Sand Springs 245-OKLA
You’ll feel as if you’re part of the show as you watch the theater production “Oklahoma” performed on an open-air stage. Performances include live animals and all of your favorite Oklahoma songs and characters. Shows begin at 8pm with pre-show activities for kids and adults beginning at 6pm. The production runs from June 6th – August 16th. Discoveryland is located 10 miles west of Tulsa on 41st St. Please note that W. 41st Street is not a thru street. If you plan to head west from Jenks, you must take W. 51st Street first. For reservations and directions, go to http://www.discoverylandusa.com
Owasso Sports Complex Funtastic Island Playground
116th St. North btw Garnett and Mingo, Owasso
Built in a week by Owasso residents, this is an outstanding park that is located on three acres of land! This is one large unit that is ramped so children can go from one end of the structure to the other without having to touch ground. Themed sections, like the space area, include giant slides, swings, spring riders, etc. A fence with only one entrance and one exit surrounds the entire structure so children stay put. Visit www.cityofowasso.com, click on parks, and look for Funtastic Island for pictures and information.
Safari Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary
26881 E. 58th St., Broken Arrow 357-LOVE
Walk and talk like the animals at this rescue wildlife park. Children will have opportunities to be up-close with tigers and bears … literally. See the rare golden tabby tiger, feed the leopards, spray down the water-lovin’ tigers during the summer months, and pet and feed barnyard animals. (We saw a chicken lay an egg in a mailbox!) Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 12-5; weekdays by appointment. Cost: $6/adult, $5/kids, free/3 and under. Feed for the animals is an additional cost. Directions: East on 71st Street to 268th East Ave. Look for the signs. Website: http://www.safarissanctuary.org
Swan Brothers Dairy
938 E. 5th St., Claremore 341-2298
For a lesson about where milk really comes from, visit the Swan Brothers Dairy in Claremore. This is a small family-owned operation. Windows make it possible to see the cows being milked at 3pm every day. Children can watch as the milk flows through clear pipes, into a tank, and to the bottling area. Cheese is also made there and both can be purchased. A quick left and then right after exiting the Will Roger’s Turnpike will take you right to this small, but thriving business. (The farm is located behind the Super 8 Motel.) Website: http://www.tiawah.com/swandairy.htm
Out of Town
Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum
1714 Highway 9 West, Seminole 405-382-0950
This is quite a drive from good ol’ Tulsa, but well worth the time! This museum is touted as one of the world’s largest children’s museums. Kids can sit in the real cockpit of an airplane, pretend they’re the checker-outers at a kid-size grocery store with real food containers and shopping carts, learn how to properly brush their teeth, and see themselves on TV while looking into a television camera and giving a news report. Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10-5; Sunday 1-5. Cost: $7/children & adults, free/under 3. Directions: From I-40, take the Seminole-Prague exit and travel 9 miles south on U.S. Highway 377 (SH-99). Turn west onto Hwy 9 and go 1 mile. The Museum is on the north side of the highway. Website: http://www.jasminemoran.com
Bartlesville Kiddie Park
215 N. Cherokee Ave. in Johnstone Park, Bartlesville 336-5337
This is an amusement park specially designed for the little kids. It features a roller coaster, pirate ship, bumper cars, Ferris wheel … everything you would find at a regular amusement park, just tyke size. Tickets are 25-cents a piece and most rides only require one ticket. Visit their website at www.kiddiepark.net for directions. Hours (after May 24th): Tues-Thurs 7pm – 9:30pm pm, Fri & Sat 7pm -10pm.
River Country Family Water Park
3600 Arline St., Muskogee 684-6399
This is a fun family water park. It includes water slides, lazy river rides, beaches and playgrounds. This is an especially neat park for kids. Cost: $5/adult, $4/children 3-15, free/under 3. Twilight admission (after 5pm) is a bit less. Directions: Muskogee Turnpike, South on Highway 69, and West on Arline. Visit www.cityofmuskogee.com for some pics. Hours: Monday-Friday 11-6; Saturday 11-8; Sunday 1-6.
Gatesway Balloon Festival
Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs, 20900 S. 4200 Rd., Claremore 258-3900
Just a short trip north, this balloon festival features hot air balloons of every shape, size, and color! It’s an extraordinary sight. The festival, August 1-3, will also feature entertainment, arts and crafts, and food. Cost: $5/vehicle.
Website: www.gatesway.org
Natural Falls
Hwy. 412 just west of Siloam Springs, Arkansas (918) 422-5802
Take a day trip to Oklahoma’s newest state park. Enjoy a 77-foot waterfall, campsites, picnic tables and grills. There is also a nature trail, volleyball, horseshoe and basketball courts, and catch-and-release fishing. Note the $3 admission fee per vehicle.
Additional
Tulsa Kids magazine is an excellent resource for kids’ activities, camps, lessons, party ideas, etc. Monthly editions can be found at any Tulsa public library. For more information, go to http://www.tulsakids.com
MOPS at The Life Connection 
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