Exploring OK: Fall Break Frolics
Fall break weather in Oklahoma is unpredictable. It could be 92 degrees or it could be 40; it could rain or we could be under a burn ban. Outdoor conditions are hard to predict, but one thing is certain during fall break—children want to be entertained. Luckily Norman, a short trip south of the Metro, offers educational entertainment for all ages, both indoors and out.

Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History

If you haven’t been to the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History you’ve missed a treat. Located on the OU campus, the museum houses several full dinosaur skeletons, including the world’s largest Apatosaurus, a Pentaceratops whose skull is in the Guinness Book of World Records, and a Saurophaganox—a predator found only in Oklahoma. In addition, the Hall of Ancient Life houses many rare fossils and a glass elevator that lets children look the Apatosaurus straight in the eye.

The Hall of Natural Wonders features dioramas that bring you up close and personal with the plant and animal life above and below ground in three of Oklahoma’s environmental zones. The Hall of the People of Oklahoma traces the Native American experience from our first archeological evidence through modern life. Kids will love exploring the pole house and the replica of a cedar canoe. The Gallery of World Cultures highlights holdings from around the world.

From October 17-January 15, the museum will have a special exhibit called “Natural Wonders,” featuring 60 small art pieces which focus on the natural world. Recreating some of the animal figurines would be a great post-visit project for kids.

If you have children under age 10, plan your visit when the Discovery Room will be open (Tuesday-Thursday, 10am-1pm; Friday, 10am-4pm; Saturday, 10:30am-4:30pm; and Sunday 1:30-4:30pm). The Discovery Room provides children the opportunity to touch and explore real museum artifacts. If you have children under six, take advantage of the guided ground walk called “Trotting Through Nature.” The walks are scheduled for October 14 and 28 at 11am. Of course my kids couldn’t leave without a visit to Excavations, the museum store that features hundreds of educational toys and games for all ages. I couldn’t leave without a snack from the Redbud Café.

The Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm and Sunday, 1-5pm. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $3 for children 6-17. Military families with ID receive $1 off each ticket. Children under six and OU students are admitted free. Visit snomnh.ou.edu for a preview or call 325-4712 for more information.

National Weather Center

Although drop-in visits are not allowed, if you have a weather buff in your family, scheduling a visit to the new National Weather Center is worth the extra effort. The new facility houses both the National Weather Service and the National Severe Storms Laboratory.

Tours for family groups are scheduled periodically and pre-registration is required. Call Daphne Thompson at 366-0581 for tour dates and times. Tour admission is free, and the talk by the meteorologist is fascinating. For more information, visit nssl.noaa.gov.

Little River Zoo

Have you ever wished that you could have a private tour of the zoo by someone who knew all the information about the animals that wasn’t printed on the signs? Your wish is granted at the Little River Zoo.

The philosophy behind Little River Zoo is that education about animals and their needs is the way to protect our planet and the creatures that share it. If fall break weather is nice, take advantage of this unique opportunity for your children to learn about native and exotic animals from a Zoo Ambassador who will walk with your group, talk about the animals as they are encountered, and show you how to interact with the friendly ones. The Zoo Ambassadors love to talk about each animal’s personality. Plan on a two-hour visit for older children, a little longer for younger kids. Walkways are handicapped and stroller accessible.

The zoo is open daily from 10am-5pm; admission is $6 for adults, $4 for children 3-11 and seniors, children under 3 are free. Visit LittleRiverZoo.com or call 366-7229 for details.

Lake Thunderbird

Lake Thunderbird offers many recreational opportunities. While the lake is frequently crowded in the summer, it’s a quiet retreat during fall months. There are numerous facilities for family picnicking and camping, including eight recently built one-room lake huts that rent for $45 a night. The Thunderbird Riding Stables (321-5768) offer trail rides or you can hike nature and interpretive trails on your own two feet. The Clear Bay area on the south side of the lake houses the Crow’s Secret Nature Center (360-3572), which offers interpretive programs. The Oklahoma Parks website, OklahomaParks.com, has an excellent printable park map.

Pam Washington is the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Central Oklahoma. She and her husband Mike have been married for six years and have traveled Oklahoma with their blended family of five children.