My four year old son and I are having a daddy, son day tomorrow and I'm thinking of taking him to a playground. We live out by Harrah so we've been to most in the area and I don't mind driving to the other side of the city if it's worth it.

We love being outdoors so I saw some recommendations for the Route 66 park by Lake Olverholser but that's quite a drive but if it's worth it that's fine.

Just wondering if anyone else has some hidden gems they know of.

Thanks.

Not as playgroundish as others, but the Children's Garden at the Myriad Gardens is nice. Was there with my kids today.

So for the MWC/DC area....

Depends on what you're looking to do. Regional Park on Reno/Douglas has quite a lot of equipment as well as the nature trail. Also has plenty of large fields and a dog park.

Bicennential Park on 29th/MidAmerica has less equipment but for a 4 year old, there are still two areas that are fun....and it's astroturfed. Means it's good if it's wet outside since its not muddy, but it's hot as a skillet in the summer.

Ray Trent at Sunnylane/I-40 also has some large fields and some dog park stuff and some good play equipment.

Hafer Park in Edmond. at 9th and Bryant. Has some nice playground equipment and a duck pond so you all can watch the ducks. later the splash pad just north of Edmond rd (third st) on Kelly is the location of the free splash pad. He might like that when its warmer when it opens for the season. You might try to make it a fun day for him. End it with some ice cream or something like that.

Thanks for the suggestions, we made it to several parks over the course of the last couple weeks and I'll post some of his favorites!

- The Science Museum in OKC, we haven't been in a few years and apparently they've built a massive indoor kids area perfectly geared towards my sons age and he had the absolutely best time playing in there. They have a water room where you can interact with water and flow and things and they have what looks like a 3 story multi faceted jungle gym that honestly had me worried because I lost him a time or two in there, thankfully the people on hand were more than happy to let you go in and interact with your kids up there. (not sure if that's the norm). A bit pricey of course so we probably won't get there too often but a couple times this summer he will really think it's something special.

- Lake Hefner Playground, the views are amazing, super clean and a really large outdoor play area. He just had a blast, the wind was pretty rough coming off the lake but we were pretty impressed with it.

- Lake Overholser Route 66 Park, almost on par in size and fun of Lake Hefner but definitely on the rougher side, lots of trash and equipment was a little rougher but it had a more rustic feel and he had more fun exploring the dam and the woods so that was neat. No bathrooms to be found though, we found one very very nasty porta potty but the bathrooms down the way were locked and said for guests only so that was weird.

I asked for MWC recommendations and we only made it out to the playground by the travel center with the plane models but he had fun there, it was a little smaller of course compared to where he'd been but he had fun walking the water area they have and checking out the airplanes across the road.

We're gonna try to check out the rest over the next couple weeks, thanks for all the recommendations!

Not close to MWC, but I think Martin Nature Park is pretty great.

It is often forgotten about but the OKC Zoo has the best outdoor playground in town in my opinion. Of course you have to pay to get in. The playground is right by the front entrance so it is easy to get to. We got a membership to the zoo and some days we go just to go the playground and not even look at animals.

Also they have a little kids area at the Boathouse District that has a giant trampoline thing, a mini-zip line and a mini-ropes course all for little ones. It costs $10 I think but that's for all day. They also have a pretty cool shaded playground down there that is free to the public but good luck taking your kid to the free playground and not eventually being begged to pay for the other attractions.

Went to the zoo yesterday and my 3 year old spend lot some of time at all the playgrounds there.

John1744, kudos to you for making great memories with your young son!