Shoestring Budget Spring Break Ideas Near Owasso

1. Oologah Lake

Take a short trip north on HWY 169 to Oologah, and spend time fossil hunting along the Skull Hollow Trails that overlook the lake. Take this printable to learn more about the points of interest along the trail (#schoolday!). Pack a picnic lunch and some beach toys to enjoy the rest of your time at the sandy beach. Take a few dollars to pay the car entrance fee. MAP to the lake.

2. Redbud Valley Nature Preserve

Open Wednesdays through Sundays from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m, Redbud Valley Nature Preserve is a family favorite hiking location. Enjoy small caves, waterfalls, prarie trails, and unique plant life. Take advantage of the site's picnic tables and visitor center. Free Admission.

3. Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch

Drop by the Ranch Tuesday or Thursday for free activities. The ranch boasts breathtaking views of Oologah lake, picnic tables for lunch, and farm animals to pet. Tuesday, get a behind the scenes look at the Birthplace Ranch including the house and barn. Will Rogers Roper (docent) Ivan Pace, who bears a resemblance of Will’s father, Clem, will be at the ranch to conduct tours of the house. Thursday, the Ranch will be hosting a living history day. Admission to the ranch is donation based.

4. RSU Nature Reserve

Hop over to Claremore to spend the day exploring points of interest at the RSU Nature Reserve including a butterfly garden, multiple trails, fishing pond, the wetland boardwalk and more. Free admission.

5. Tulsa City-County Library Events

Check out the calendar for free events in Collinsville, Owasso, and all over Tulsa. Some highlights include Teen Tech Month actitivies and the Birds of Honor, Birds of Prey demonstration.

6. Tulsa Botanic Garden

Friday, March 18th, from 12-3pm, get ready for spring by creating your own paper flowers. Afterwards, take a walk to see what you can find in the garden, then make discoveries in the woodland nature trails. The Botanic Garden is open Thursday - Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., General admission is $5 for ages 13 and up. $2 for ages 3-12 yrs. Ages 2 and under are free.

7. Geocaching

Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location. In other words, geocaching is a GPS-enable treasure hunt that can extend all over the world, even under water. Download a geocaching app, create an account, select "caches near me", and begin your treasure hunt! There are many caches in Owasso. You may even find some at the locations listed above.

8. Linneas Teaching Garden

Thursday, March 17 at 10 a.m. Children read and sing about the wonders of nature, gardening and creatures who live in the garden. Free admission and no registration. The Kids's corner is located in the Linnaeus barn along the east wall, and gives children of all ages a chance to learn about gardening and creatures who live there while visiting the garden. It includes an informational poster and accompanying activity, materials for a take-home activity, a display of children’s books to borrow and read during their visit and a table of interesting finds to explore. Kids can visit this area whenever the Linnaeus barn is open. Linnaeus Teachin Garden is located in the Woodward Park complex due east of the Rose Garden and the Tulsa Garden Center at: 2435 S. Peoria Ave. www.tulsagardencenter.com.

9. Art at Home

Pick a video, make a trip to Hobby Lobby using their weekly coupon, and learn a new art technique with your kids.

10. Serve Together

Visit a local nursing home or retirement village and deliver St. Patrick's Day cards. Take cookies (or the art projects from #9) to your grandparents. Try random acts of kindness.