Oklahoma offers plenty of spring-fever remedies in adult and kid dosages. No spoonful of sugar is necessary.

 

With paid admission to the Tulsa Zoo you get a free trip to the COX Nature Exchange. Bring up to five items found in nature: an insect wing, beaver-bitten branch, you name it. Trained staff will discuss your finds with you and give you points based on how much you know. Use points to purchase items from the swap shop, or save them for your next visit. Stop by between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday at the Tulsa Zoo at 6421 E. 36th St. N in Tulsa. Check out www.tulsazoo.org for more.

 

Just two hours north of Dallas on Highway 75, you can cool off at the four-diamond Choctaw Casino’s Oasis Tropical Pools. The upscale water park features four pools with fountains, rivers, caves and waterfalls, a spiral waterslide, plus three steamy spas for mom and dad. Cabana rentals are available to hotel guests, and party packages are offered. Not a hotel guest? Play for the day. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Visit www.choctawcasinos.com or 3735 Choctaw Road near US-69/75 in Durant.

 

Want to play in the state’s biggest sandbox that’s open 24/7? Little Sahara State Park, 101 Main St. in Waynoka, is what’s left of prehistoric times when the Cimarron River covered the area. The park offers more than 1,600 acres of 25- to 75-foot-tall sand dunes begging for big fun on dune buggies, motorcycles, Jeeps and ATVs. Bring your own or rent one nearby at Stewart’s Buggy Shop. Check www.travelok.com for more information, including ATV rules.

 

No matter your English riding ability, there’s a horseback lesson, class or camp for you at Prairie Lane Farm, 12221 N. 97th East Ave. in Collinsville. Lessons are taught by a national equestrian champion. The grounds will impress you, housing ponies and giant horses plus some dogs and cats. Visit www.prairielanefarm.com or call 918-371-1767.

 

The Tulsa Children’s Museum, www.tulsachildrensmuseum.org, can bring traveling exhibits to you. If you’re more of a show-up-and-dance kind of person, check out the museum’s spring concert that’s sure to rock tots and please parents with positive messages and silliness. Hosted by the museum, The Verve Pipe will play from its “A Family Album” at 2 and 4 p.m. Sunday, April 1, at the Williams Theatre at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $10. Call 918-596-7111 or visit www.myticketoffice.com.

With all these opportunities for fun, no kid big or small should be stuck at home playing video games or surfing the Internet. Get out and enjoy springtime in Oklahoma.