Oklahoma City has a lot to offer, including some great ways to cool off on a hot summer day. If you’re looking for something for your family to do, you can take a dip in a lake or community pool, check out one of the many museums, or visit a water park or aquarium. Check out these fun places to stay cool in the Oklahoma City area.

Learn at the Science Museum Oklahoma

Image via Flickr by Wesley Fryer Licensed CC BY-SA 2.0

The Science Museum Oklahoma at 2020 Remington Place has numerous science-based exhibits for visitors to explore. If you’re looking to stay inside on a hot day, the museum is a great way to learn and have fun with the family. It has a lineup of live shows every day, such as Forces and Fire, a chemistry and physics show exploring combustion. You can also check out Journey Through the Cosmos, an astronomy program that promises to take the audience on an exploration of the solar system and beyond.

The museum has 390,000 square feet of science, history, and art exhibits for you to enjoy. Among the exhibits is CurioCity, where children learn about science and their environment through play. You can explore the Science Floor, which has hundreds of activities to entertain and teach guests of all ages.

Experience Hurricane Harbor OKC

When the temperature starts to rise, take a trip to Hurricane Harbor OKC, a water park with fun activities for the whole family. This exciting park features big slides like the 100-foot Calypso Cannonball or the free-fall waterslide Dive Bomb for thrill-seekers brave enough to try it out. For younger children, there’s Caribbean Cove, which features a zero-depth pool. The cove also has slides, jumping rocks, and lily pads. If you want some downtime, grab a tube and go for a leisurely float down the Castaway Creek lazy river. You can find Hurricane Harbor OKC at 3908 W. Reno Ave.

Visit a Family Aquatic Center

The Oklahoma City government has two aquatic centers to visit: the Earlywine Family Aquatic Center at 3101 SW 119th St. and the Will Rogers Family Aquatic Center at 3201 N. Grand Blvd. In the Earlywine Family Aquatic Center, you’ll find a zero-depth pool, swimming lane, and water toys for youngsters. Additionally, the facility has waterslides, spray fountains, and a play area your kids will love. The Will Rogers Family Aquatic Center also includes a zero-depth entry pool, along with a diving well, two large slides, and a spray park playground for children.

Enjoy the Bubba Play Indoor Playzone

Bubba Play Indoor Playzone, which you can find at 13429 MacArthur Blvd., delivers a jungle-themed indoor adventure for children. The Playzone provides kids with a chance to get some exercise on hot summer days while staying cool. Children have the opportunity to explore a three-level interactive jungle playground. Some features include a three-level spiral tube slide, a massive ball pit, and a toddler play area. The Playzone also has party rooms that are perfect for birthday celebrations.

Splash at a Sprayground

Spraygrounds can be a great way to cool down the family on a hot day. The Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Department has 17 spraygrounds that it operates for free throughout the city. You can find a complete listing of all the spraygrounds on the city’s website. The spraygrounds feature water geysers, cannons, and buckets, and they’re a great no-cost way to keep your family cool and entertained this summer.

Feed Stingrays at Blue Zoo

Blue Zoo, found at 2501 W. Memorial Road in the Quail Springs Mall, is an aquarium that can provide an entertaining yet educational experience for kids during the hot summer months. The aquarium emphasizes interactive elements such as a starfish touch pool. Children can touch and feed stingrays, birds, and reptiles as well. The aquarium also has water play tables and centers dedicated to saltwater and freshwater environments. Live shows at the aquarium include a pirate show with sword fighting and a mermaid meet and greet. There also are regularly scheduled feedings of sharks, electric eels, and mantis shrimp.

Visit Lake Thunderbird State Park

Located southeast of Oklahoma City at 13101 Alameda Drive, Lake Thunderbird State Park can be a great day trip for someone looking to cool off. The park features two swim beaches and numerous picnic shelters. If you want to do some boating, the lake includes nine boat ramps and two marinas. Also, you’ll find extensive campgrounds and full hookups for RVs if you want to spend the night. Other amenities include playgrounds and an archery range. If you want to work up a sweat before cooling off in the lake, you can enjoy some of the hiking trails throughout the park.

Explore Sam Noble Museum

The Sam Noble Museum at 2401 Chautauqua Ave. in the nearby city of Norman includes over 50,000 square feet of exhibit space. This natural history museum contains over 10 million items collected since its founding in 1899. Some of its permanent exhibits include the Hall of Natural Wonders, which features immersive dioramas of different environments. You’ll also find the Hall of Ancient Life, which explores Oklahoma’s pre-history and includes many fossilized specimens.

Swim at a Community Pool

Oklahoma City has three community pools for residents: the Woodson Community Outdoor Pool at 3405 S. May Ave., the Northeast Community Pool at 1226 NE 33rd St., and the Foster Recreation Center Indoor Pool at 614 NE Fourth St. The Woodson pool features a diving area, shaded lounge, and snack bar, while the Northeast pool has a zero-depth entry, waterslides, and a sprayground for younger children. The Woodson and Northeast pools are free, and the Foster pool costs $2 for adults.

Visit Arcadia Lake

Arcadia Lake provides plenty of water-based recreational opportunities for the whole family. Located in the northeast portion of Oklahoma County at 9000 E. Second St. in Edmond, the lake includes swim beaches and supports boating activities with launches. A short drive north of Oklahoma City, it has a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, horseback riding, and a disc golf course.

Discover Skeletons: Museum of Osteology

The Skeletons: Museum of Osteology, which you can find at 10301 S. Sunnylane Road, teaches visitors how the skeletal system functions. This 7,000-square-foot museum contains more than 800 specimens and over 40 exhibits, with topics like adaptation, locomotion, and forensic pathology. The skeletal exhibits include a variety of animals, along with a section on Oklahoma wildlife.

Crème de la Crème is proud to be part of the Oklahoma City community. We hope this list helps you take full advantage of all that the city has to offer during the hot summer months. Located at 14400 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Crème de la Crème provides a range of child care services, including summer camps. If you need child care during the school year or summer, give us a call at 405-977-0191.