The cost of living may be up, but there’s no reason that Enid folks can’t get down this summer—down with FUN! That is undeniably cheesy, but it is also undeniably true. There are a lot of free and low-cost fun things to do in and around Enid this summer, so keep reading for the inside scoop!
Most people will start at home. There are the usual suspects of television, tablets, and maybe even the occasional book. The Public Library of Enid & Garfield County has a fantastic summer reading program, and don’t forget about Putnam Six Bookstore, Ruth’s Christian Bookstore, and Park Avenue Thrift for delightful assortments of new and gently used titles. But eventually, even the most dedicated viewers and readers will feel like they want to venture out of the house.
In town, some of the best-loved free summer options come courtesy of the City of Enid Department of Parks and Recreation. With over 30 parks and recreational areas within the city (over 400 acres total!), options include “playing fields for baseball, tennis, football, soccer, disc golf, pickle ball, several small lakes for fishing, a swimming pool, splash pads, and walking trails.” Of special note for parents are the numerous playgrounds that dot the city. Some well-known ones include Champlin Park, Crosslin Park, Government Springs Park, and Meadowlake Park. These are complemented by numerous neighborhood playgrounds, such as Monsees Park or Phillips Southern Heights Park. These tend to be smaller, but they are loved by locals.
Of course, it’s summertime, and here in Oklahoma, blazing temperatures can be a part of life. When your kids need more than a garden hose and a sprinkler from Walmart, take advantage of Enid’s splash pads. Parks & Rec maintains two: Hoover Park and Splash Pad (3000 West Oklahoma Avenue) and Champion Park and Splash Pad (700 North 10th Street). Open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, seven days a week, both sites provide endless fun-filled relief from the heat, all free of charge. Youngsters can also enjoy the playgrounds at each location, and everyone will appreciate the restrooms on site.
When the family (or just you by yourself!) needs to take a plunge, Champlin Pool awaits. Located by the Denny Price YMCA downtown, the pool is a beloved Enid institution. Generations of kids have learned to swim there, fitness buffs have taken numerous water aerobics classes there, and countless families enjoy cooling off there every summer. With concessions, locker rooms, and picnic tables available, the pool offers tremendous value to Enid families, charging a nominal fee of $3.00 per person per day (pass options also available).
Every summer, Champlin Pool offers the community a multitude of great events. There’s Adult Float Night with a Movie (June 21) and the once-a-month “Teen Night.” There is the Flying ACEs Summer Splash, which will involve a swim clinic with Coach Hogan Thomas, food trucks, relay races, and a mock meet (June 14—registration required). “Anybody can participate as long as they know it’s a race and aren’t doing cannonballs in the deep end!” said Jessica Nelson, who manages the pool. But one of the most exciting events is the annual Cardboard and Duct Tape Boat Race, which invites teams to see whose boats are the most seaworthy. Last year’s winners were “The Beekeepers, and they used 72 rolls of duct tape. And they wore their big beekeeper hats. It was wild!” recounted Jessica. This year’s races will be held on Saturday, June 25, so be sure to head to Champlin to see boats that defy both physics and imagination.
Even local dogs have joined in on the fun at Champlin. No, you can’t exactly take Fido swimming with you, but when the pool closes for the season, dog owners can bring their pups for a special “Doggie Dip” before emptying the pool. “It’s very popular!” according to Jessica, who said that the event has been going on for at least the past five years.
Meadowlake Park offers a variety of fun things for kids of all ages. Located on Van Buren, you’ve probably driven by and seen the train tracks and Ferris wheel. The rides and concessions are operated by the Kiwanis Club, with all proceeds benefiting local children’s charities. Carousel rides, miniature golf, and paddle boats are also available, along with walking and biking trails, horseshoe courts, courts for both tennis and baseball, a dog park, and a playground for children. Rides and concessions are generally open on the weekends but check https://visitenid.org/meadowlake-park for specific hours.
The weekend of July 4th is one of Meadowlake’s chances to shine. Before the evening concert by Enid Symphony Orchestra and the dazzling fireworks display, there is the fishing derby. Starting early in the morning, it is open to all and especially welcoming to children (adults need a license, but kids do not). Prizes are awarded for the largest fish, but anyone who catches a fish with a special color tag can choose from a variety of prizes such as tents, camping gear, etc.
Speaking of July 4th, the town of Carmen throws a spectacular celebration on July 5th. Just under an hour west of Enid, Carmen’s annual July 5th bash is one of the largest fireworks displays in northern Oklahoma. So, if your kids can’t get enough fireworks, head to Carmen’s city park on the 5th of July and make a day of it. The city pool will be open, and there’s food trucks and entertainment, and of course, fireworks.
Fireworks in Carmen aren’t the only thing happening nearby. Given the price of gas, this story sticks to things within a one-hour radius of Enid, but even so, there are plenty of options that are both family and budget friendly.
You may remember hearing about sod houses in history class, but have you ever seen a real one? Head to just south of Carmen, and you can visit the Sod House Museum in Aline, Oklahoma. It preserves the “only remaining sod house” that exists in Oklahoma and “interprets the early-day lifestyles of a pioneer, from the establishment of the Cherokee Outlet in 1893 to 1920.” The “Sod House Museum is the number one rural museum in Oklahoma,” according to Carla Burdick, executive director of Red Carpet Country, the tourism bureau for our region. The sod house even allows visitors to “enjoy the experience of walking through the “soddy.” Admission for children is just $4.00 (adults are $7.00).
A bit southwest of Aline brings you to Gloss Mountain State Park, which is unlike any other park you’ve been to pretty much anywhere. The mountains have a “high Selenite content that mimics a shiny glass exterior,” giving the park its name. There is no camping available at Gloss Mountain State Park, but you can hike from sunrise to sunset.
Heading to the east, you’ve got more options. There is Perry, Oklahoma, which hosts a famous “Family Fun Day” in early August. Kids can see firsthand blacksmith demonstrations, experience sack races, and all kinds of other old-timey pursuits.
There are also opportunities to celebrate Oklahoma’s Native American cultures. Our state hosts dozens of powwows every year, and two of them are within an hour of Enid. They are free and open to the public, and they offer a unique look at the rich historical and modern tribal heritage found in Oklahoma. The Tonkawa Tribal Powwow will take place the last weekend in June, and events will include Native American dancing, crafts, a Veteran’s Supper, and several sporting contests.
Also, on the schedule before summer’s end is the Standing Bear Powwow, which takes place in Ponca City. Scheduled for August 21-24, the powwow is celebrating its 149th year and is considered “one of the most significant Native American events in the nation.” According to Carla, “Powwows are open to the public. They don’t care if you take pictures but be polite about it…just try to be mindful of their traditions. But it’s a really neat thing, and if you’ve never seen a powwow, it’s probably the best one close by here and the best setup.”
Heading south on Hwy 81, there is something that should interest almost everyone. Given the distinct lack of a movie theater in Enid, folks who want to see a movie often feel like they have to trek all the way to OKC. Well, did you know that there is a bona fide movie theater down the road in Kingfisher? It’s called “The 89’er,” it’s about 45 minutes away, and they show first-run films. Tickets cost far less than a big city multiplex, which leaves you with enough left over for popcorn and soda. “It’s a very clean, historic type movie theater,” said Carla, who also pointed out that there are movie theaters in Tonkawa and Ponca City.
Wherever you go, there are things to do in almost every direction from Enid, all within about an hour’s drive. And remember that here at home, ongoing events such as First Fridays keep the fun going. Brought to you by Main Street Enid, they feature vendors, music, food trucks, and lots of kid-friendly activities. Whether you need an ice cream cone, a cold adult beverage, a little shopping, or your kids want to ride on the BAT express, there’s something for everyone at First Fridays. Just head to downtown Enid from 6-10 P.M. on the First Friday of June, August, September, or October (July is excluded this year due to falling on the weekend of July 4th ) for good times and good eats!
For close, it’s worth mentioning perennial favorite Leonardo’s Children’s Museum. With an impressive array of fun and educational elements, thousands of youngsters have made countless memories at Leonardo’s throughout the years. Inside you will find the permanent exhibits, but these aren’t your stodgy, “Don’t touch!” exhibits of traditional museums. Instead, children will find interactive, hands-on features that offer tons of learning disguised as fun. There is even a small animal room, which features a variety of reptiles, amphibians, and a few small mammals. Staff educate guests and will carefully hold the animals so that guests can directly (and gently!) interact with them. And of course, during the summer, Leonardo’s operates a water feature in the outdoor Adventure Castle.
For summertime, one of the most special things offered by Leonardo’s are the Discovery Camps. These camps are a ton of fun for elementary kids, and they run throughout the months of June and July. The theme for 2025 is “Adventure!” and each week, kids will learn about a different country. From arts, culture, food, science, and more, campers will dive into the people and places that make up our world.
All children deserve the opportunity to learn and play, and to that end, Leonardo’s is committed to making itself accessible to all members of the Enid community. With that in mind, there are scholarships available for the Discovery Camps, so cost need not be an obstacle. In addition, reduced admission is available year-round thanks to Leonardo’s participation in Museums for All, an initiative of the Institute of Museums and Library Services. This program allows guests “to receive all day admission to Leonardo’s Children’s Museum and Adventure Quest for $3 per guest for up to 4 guests when they present their SNAP EBT or WIC card and photo I.D.”
From your local playground to Ponca City, there’s a lot to do. Enid residents have plenty of free and low-cost options for summer fun – and truthfully, there wasn’t enough room in this story to mention every single one. If you ever find yourself wondering what else is out there, conduct a quick and simple Google search or use local resources to find out what’s going on in the surrounding areas, or check out the events calendar within Enid Monthly for local events and activities!
- “Standing Bear Powow” images courtesy of Visit Ponca City
- Leonardo’s Children’s Museum images courtesy of Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation
- Champlin Pool and splashpad images courtesy of City of Enid Department of Parks and Recreation
