Things to do with kids in Norman, OK
Checked · All times are local Central Time (Norman time)
Coming up in Norman: Norman Turkey Day 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk (Nov 26), Winterfest at The Depot (Dec 5), Norman Christmas Holiday Parade (Dec 5) and 4 more events. 9 always-open places, led by Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Thanksgiving events in Norman
Norman Turkey Day 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 5K 8:30am; 1 mile 9:30am
- Cost
- 5K $30 (no shirt) or $40 (with shirt); 1 mile $20 or $30; prices rise after Nov 15; no race-day registration
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Thanksgiving-morning 5K and 1-mile fun run/walk starting at Norman High School and finishing with a lap of the track. Costumes encouraged; finisher medals for all.
✓ Checked Oct 27, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: Santa, lights and tree lightings
Winterfest at The Depot
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · 3–6pm
- Cost
- No admission listed; vendors and food trucks sell items
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
City of Norman holiday market with local vendors, games, photo opportunities and food trucks. After the Christmas parade, the city tree lighting and a drone show follow on Jones Avenue.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Norman Christmas Holiday Parade
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · Starts 6pm
- Cost
- No tickets listed
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Holiday parade along Main Street from Pickard Ave to James Garner Ave, followed by the tree lighting and a drone show on Jones Avenue. Main Street closes around 5:30pm.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Free museum days and weekly programs
Free First Friday at the Moore-Lindsay House
- When
- Fri, Nov 6 & Fri, Dec 4 (First Friday of each month) · 10am–5pm
- Cost
- Free for all on the first Friday of each month
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
All admission fees are waived on the first Friday of every month; guided tours at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
FREE DAY: Celebrating Oklahoma! at the Sam Noble Museum
- When
- Sat, Nov 7 · 10am–4pm
- Cost
- Free admission all day
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
Free admission plus hands-on science stations celebrating Oklahoma’s people, animals and ecosystems.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Little Scientists at the Sam Noble Museum
- When
- Tue, Nov 10 & Tue, Dec 8 (Tue Nov 10 and Tue Dec 8) · 9:30–11am
- Cost
- Registration required (see site)
- Ages
- Ages 3-5 · Indoor
Monthly hands-on science for ages 3–5 with an adult: birds in November, fossils in December. Registration closes a few days before each session.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Free Second Friday at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art
- When
- Fri, Nov 13 & Fri, Dec 11 (Second Friday of each month) · 10am–5pm
- Cost
- Free for all on the 2nd Friday of each month
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
Admission is complimentary for everyone on the second Friday of each month (kids 17 and under are always free).
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History
- Price
- Adults $12, children (4–17) $7; 3 and under free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Dinosaurs and the hands-on Discovery Room at OU; Tue–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 1–5pm; closed Mondays
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art
- Price
- Adults $12; children and teens (17 and under) free; free for all on the 2nd Friday of each month
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
OU art museum; Tue–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 1–5pm; closed Mondays
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Moore-Lindsay Historical House Museum
- Price
- Adults and teens $5; children 12 and under free; free for all on the first Friday of each month
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Historic house museum; open 10am–5pm with guided tours at 11am, 1pm and 3pm
✓ Price verified Oct 26, 2026 · source
Lake Thunderbird State Park
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Lake, trails and the Discovery Cove Nature Center (Wed–Sun 10am–4pm)
Andrews Park
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Playground, shelters and splash pads (splash pads Memorial Day–Labor Day)
Griffin Community Park
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Large community park with a disc golf course and shelter
Reaves Park
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Kidspace playground, shelters and ballfields next to the Cleveland County Veterans Memorial
Ruby Grant Park
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
West Norman park with pavilions, ballfields and a 5K course
Pioneer Library System – Norman East
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Mon–Thu 9am–9pm, Fri 9am–8pm, Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 1–6pm
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Norman this weekend?
Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art and Moore-Lindsay Historical House Museum are open most days, but we don't have a Norman event listed for this weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1). Next up: Norman Turkey Day 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk (Nov 26) and Winterfest at The Depot (Dec 5).
What time is trick-or-treating in Norman?
The City of Norman recommends trick-or-treating on Friday, Oct. 30, instead of Saturday, Oct. 31, because of an OU home football game; it doesn't list official hours. Sunset is at 6:35 p.m. (Source: City of Norman.)
What are free things to do with kids in Norman?
These are free according to their official sites: 3 upcoming events in Norman, including Free First Friday at the Moore-Lindsay House (Nov 6 and Dec 4) and FREE DAY: Celebrating Oklahoma! at the Sam Noble Museum (Sat, Nov 7). See all 3 above.
Where can kids play indoors in Norman when it's too hot or stormy?
We list 4 indoor places in Norman: Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (kids 4–17 $7), Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (kids 0–17 free), Moore-Lindsay Historical House Museum (kids 0–12 free) and Pioneer Library System – Norman East.
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in Norman?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in Norman: Norman Turkey Day 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk (Thu, Nov 26). Our Thanksgiving weekend guide for the Oklahoma City area has more nearby.
When and where can kids see Santa in Norman?
We list 1 event with Santa in Norman: Winterfest at The Depot (Dec 5). Our Santa guide for the Oklahoma City area has more nearby.
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Norman?
We list 1 holiday light event in Norman: Winterfest at The Depot (Dec 5). Our holiday lights guide for the Oklahoma City area has more nearby.
Are there storytimes or regular kids' programs in Norman?
We list 4 everyday programs in Norman, 3 free: Free First Friday at the Moore-Lindsay House (First Friday of each month), FREE DAY: Celebrating Oklahoma! at the Sam Noble Museum (Nov 7) and Little Scientists at the Sam Noble Museum (Tue Nov 10 and Tue Dec 8). See all 4 above.
What is there to do with toddlers in Norman?
We list 6 places in Norman that welcome kids under 2, including Lake Thunderbird State Park, Andrews Park and Griffin Community Park. See all 6 above. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
How much do Norman family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 3 places in Norman: Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (adult $12, kids 4–17 $7), Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (adult $12, kids 0–17 free) and Moore-Lindsay Historical House Museum (adult $5, kids 0–12 free). Confirm before you go; prices change.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
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