Safe Spring and Summer Break Fun Around Osage County
Several school breaks are quickly approaching, meaning kids will soon have a lot more free time. Filling down time with fun, stimulating activities can help keep youth busy and out of trouble during school breaks. According to a study from the National Institute of Health (NIH), teens who felt bored were more likely to engage in dangerous underage alcohol and drug use. There are many fulfilling activities that are free or inexpensive in and around Osage County that can keep kids’ minds and bodies busy in a beneficial way. Below are some fun ideas for kids of all ages!
Neighborhood Fun
Depending on where you live, if you have siblings or neighbors your age, there may be many activities for you to do regularly! Make sure to take stock of tools you already have access to, to have fun like:
Bikes, skateboards and scooters
Basketballs, soccer balls and volleyballs
Chalk, paint and crayons
Neighborhood parks, pools and sports courts
Outdoor Attractions
There are plenty of opportunities for adventure when you spend time outdoors. Osage County is filled and surrounded by beautiful scenery and wildlife along with - fun attractions that are perfect for youth and families to enjoy.
Skiatook Lake: Whether you want to go boating, hiking, swimming, camping, picnicking or hunting and fishing, Skiatook Lake is the place for you!
Woolaroc Wildlife Preserve: Enjoy the scenic views of Osage Hills and 30+ varieties of native and exotic animals and birds or take a tour through the Western art and history museum.
Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Reserve: Take a scenic drive through Pawhuska and see one of the largest herds of bison in the country! There are also nature and hiking trails along with historic bunkhouses.
The Lodge at Taylor Ranch: Play a round of disc golf, go plum and berry picking, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding and more at this family-owned ranch.
Wolf Creek Ranch: Enjoy trail rides and horse-riding lessons at this local ranch owned by a fifth-generation Native American rancher and his wife.
Cross Timbers Marina at Skiatook Lake: Stay in rentable cottages at Skiatook Lake and visit local eateries or go boating and skiing.
Osage Cove Campgrounds: Take a family camping trip at the banks of Kaw Lake; multiple areas boast wonderful fishing and hiking sites.
Kiddie Farm by OK EAT: Kids can learn about the agriculture and energy industries here in Oklahoma through hands-on activities like operating battery-powered, 12V ride-on toys, such as front loaders, tractors with trailers, ground loaders, excavators, and gators.
Bartlesville Kiddie Park: Enjoy fun rides and relax at this local park. The park offers mini train rides, bumper cars and more.
Lee Lake Paddle Boats: Travel throughout Lee Lake on a paddle boat or in a kayak and have fun partaking in nature while getting some exercise!
Osage Hills State Park: Visit the heart of Osage Nation and play tennis, go hiking, or go swimming at the pool at this nearby state park!
Indoor Attractions
Don’t let the Oklahoma heat keep you stuck at the house when there are plenty of local activities that include much-needed AC!
Woolaroc Western Art and History Museum: This local museum showcases a variety of art and artifacts, including Native American pottery, beads, baskets, blankets and cultural art.
The Bucking Flamingo: Shop for beautiful silver and turquoise jewelry and Native crafts at this unique boutique in Pawhuska, OK.
B’Ville Axe Shack: Partake in some friendly competition and practice your aim at Bartlesville’s first axe throwing establishment. Try out axes, knives and throwing stars to see what works best for you!
Remi’s Arcade & Bistro: Visit this local arcade and enjoy an assortment of games and delicious snacks, burgers, hotdogs and more.
Red Apple Bowling: Challenge your friends and family to a game of bowling or try out their arcade!
Philbrook Museum of Art: Take a tour through this nearby art museum, enjoy the historical gardens or attend one of their regularly scheduled events, such as Family Nature Walks, Story Times with the Tulsa Zoo or their Saturday Open Studios, where you can create art with a diverse collection of mediums.
Oklahoma Aquarium: Enjoy seeing and learning about different aquatic life or take a more hands-on approach at their regularly scheduled sensory nights!
Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium: Visit and learn more about aviation, history and the stars! The museum and planetarium have unique and exciting events perfect for families.
Discovery Lab: Partake in unique learning experiences through the Discovery Lab’s ever-changing exhibits that combine science, technology, engineering, art and technology (STEAM).
Oklahoma, and specifically Osage County, boasts so many unique, thrilling, educational and (most importantly) safe attractions that will fill children’s and families’ time with positive experiences. Don’t let boredom sneak up during school breaks and plan ahead to maximize your free time in a fulfilling way!