Family-Friendly Destinations

By Kelly Early

Sing it with me… “school’s out for summer!” When I hear that iconic Alice Cooper song, I think of the joy I felt walking off campus for the last time at the end of the school year. Freedom! Summer held so many possibilities: hanging out with friends and family, going to fun and exciting places, and best of all, NO HOMEWORK!

Now that I have kids of my own, I’m filled with the same excitement when I think of summer vacation. I imagine the road trips, days at the park, roller coasters, merry-go-rounds, swimming for hours and seeing animals at the zoo. The relaxation of summer free time as I’m reading a book in a hammock, a cold glass of lemonade resting on the grass, the breeze gently rustling through the leaves…

Then panic sets in.

Free time? Summer vacation? That used to mean something when I was young. Now my “free time” consists of runs to Target or the grocery store, doing laundry, or working to bring in some extra cash. I do these things when the kids are at school.

Now there is no school.

I’m not the student off for summer vacation. I’m the parent now. I’m the planner, the scheduler, the child-wrangling, sippy-cup-toting, diaper-bag-wearing master of ceremonies. Summer activities don’t happen unless I say they do, and I say bring it on!

The tricky thing about summer vacation is that your kids have the summer off, and you don’t. Though I never realized it when I was young (because I was out having fun), my dad was working everyday and my super-mom was making sure everything ran smoothly. I always had amazing summers because my parents put in the time and effort to make it so.

Summer is a time for families to get out there and make some wonderful memories. You don’t have to break the bank to do it, and throwing in a spurge now and then is always a treat. There are three main family-friendly categories for summer fun: free (my favorite), local, and road trip destinations. Here are a handful of ideas to get you started, so get out there this summer and have a blast!

FREE

• Set up a lemonade stand
Ok, this might not be completely free, but it will definitely pay for itself in the long run. Bring back the good ‘ol days and set up a lemonade stand on a hot day. Make sure the price you charge is reasonable – no more than 25¢ per glass - that way, who can resist?

• Picnic at the Park
Make your lunch to go and head down to your local park for the afternoon. Be sure to bring a ball or Frisbee and have fun just hanging out with your family. Set up potato sack races and water balloon fights. Make it a day of pure, clean fun.

• Outdoor Safari
Grab the binoculars and head outdoors to look for birds or try to catch butterflies and bugs. Pretend the neighborhood cat is a lion, and do your best Discovery Channel voice-over for your kids (An Australian accent gets major bonus points!).

• Art School
Take some chalk and make your driveway an outdoor art gallery. Take pictures before you wash it off to keep for posterity.

LOCAL

• Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden
The Zoo features a diverse and fascinating animal and plant collection. Ranked the third-best family-friendly zoo in the country. www.okczoo.com

• Andy Alligator’s Fun Park
Andy Alligator's Fun Park features attractions for the entire family. Score big in the arcade, climb the 32' climbing wall, or soak your friends on the blaster boats. www.andyalligators.com

• Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum
Discover this hands-on, award-winning museum - uniquely created as an imaginary town where children can actually BE the doctor, the judge, the firefighter, the waterworks engineer and much more. www.jasminemoran.com

• Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History
Over 300 million years of Oklahoma’s natural history can be seen in a 195,000 square foot facility. Visitors can immerse themselves in the fascinating natural and cultural history of Oklahoma. www.snomnh.ou.edu

• OKC Yard Dawgz Arena Football
Join the Yard Dawgs in the hunt for the 2008 Arena Cup! Ball games and hot dawgz make for great bonding time with the kids. Home games are May 31, June 21, June 28, July 19 and July 26. www.okcyarddawgz.com

• Little River Zoo
The Little River Zoo is a refuge to over 400 animals which you can meet personally on a guided tour along natural pathways. The zoo is nestled in 55 acres of a remote wooded paradise in beautiful lakeside Norman. www.littleriverzoo.com

• Pelican Bay Aquatic Center
Pelican Bay is a tropical paradise complete with colorful cabanas surrounding a water playground. Features include: a lap pool that host six 25-yard lanes, 150-foot waterslide, aqua climbing wall and more. www.edmondok.com/parks/pelicanbay

ROAD TRIP

• Oklahoma Aquarium
Through exhibits, programs and hands-on encounters with aquatic life, visitors come away from the Oklahma Aquarium with a greater understanding and appreciation of the many fish, sharks, corals and other species that inhabit our world's waters. www.okaquarium.org

• Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum
Voted America’s Favorite Zoo, the Tulsa Zoo offers a variety of weekly scheduled activities, ranging from live animal presentations to train rides. www.tulsazoo.org

• Bartlesville
Frank Lloyd Wright, Oil Barons, the story of the American West... Bartlesville offers many attractions including the Sunfest Arts and Entertainment Festival, the Mainline Model Train Show and Woolarc Kidsfest. www.visitbartlesville.com

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