Discovery Lab has been igniting curiosity in Tulsa’s youngest residents since 2007, when it launched as a “museum without walls” bringing informal science education directly to schools and communities. It earned its first permanent home in 2013 inside the historic Owen Park Recreation Center, and in January 2022 it moved into a purpose-built 57,000-square-foot facility at 31st and Riverside Drive, adjacent to Gathering Place. That upgrade wasn’t just a change of address — it transformed Discovery Lab into one of the premier children’s science museums in the region.
Today the nonprofit serves more than 300,000 children and families each year. Its mission is simple: inspire children, connect families, and build community through exploration, exhibits, programming, and play. The focus is STEAM — Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math — but the experience never feels like homework.
What to Expect at Discovery Lab
The museum’s Central Gallery anchors the whole experience. It’s where kids get their bearings, scope out the exhibits, and almost immediately spot the signature Tape Tunnels snaking around the upper perimeter of the space. Constructed from hundreds of rolls of clear packing tape, the tunnels are sturdy enough for adults and let climbers get a bird’s-eye view of everything happening on the floor below. There’s a slide at the end, so getting down is half the fun.
From there, the exhibits spread out in different directions. The Math and Music exhibit connects the science of sound with music-making in hands-on ways — visitors can mix tracks on turntables, experiment with a MIDI table, and play a Hammock Chime. It’s the kind of exhibit that makes abstract concepts click for kids who’ve never thought of math and music as related.
The HydroLab drops visitors into an immersive underwater environment, exploring the science of water and aquatic ecosystems. Meanwhile, the Energy exhibit covers the engineering and technology behind alternative energy sources. Neither feels like a lecture; both invite tinkering and experimentation.
The Imaginarium is a standout for younger visitors. Using projected environments of Oklahoma landscapes, it creates a sense of being transported outside the museum walls and connects children with the natural world of their home state. The Ballapalooza exhibit rounds out the experience with kinetic, interactive play that’s as entertaining as it is educational.
For families with toddlers, the museum includes a dedicated toddler area inside the Main Hall — a kid-scaled space that’s off-limits to older children, so little ones can explore without the chaos of bigger kids running through.
Discovery Lab’s Role in the Community
Discovery Lab is more than a weekend destination. The museum serves as the official Center for STEAM Education for Tulsa Public Schools, delivering hands-on programming to pre-K through fifth-grade students across the district. Over 25% of field trip students receive free or reduced admission through the museum’s Accessible Discovery program, and 40% of outreach programming is delivered at free or reduced cost to underserved communities. It’s a genuine community institution, not just an attraction.
The museum also runs a rotating calendar of special programs: Tinkerfest, Scout Programs, Family STEAM Night, Introduce a Girl to Engineering, and an annual Mad Scientist Ball benefit event. Sensory-Friendly Family Hours take place on the second Sunday of each month from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, offering a quieter, less-crowded environment for families who need it.
Members get access to exclusive perks, including Members-Only Nights on the third Friday of each month from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and Members-Only Sunday mornings on the third Sunday from 10:30 to 11:30 AM.
Discovery Lab Hours and Admission
Discovery Lab is located at 3123 Riverside Drive, Tulsa, OK 74105, right next to Gathering Place. General admission is $12, and children under 2 get in free.
- Monday: 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM
- Tuesday – Saturday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Hours can change due to special events, so it’s worth checking the calendar at discoverylab.org or calling 918-295-8144 before your visit.
Tips for Your Visit
Plan to spend at least two to three hours — most families end up staying longer than expected. The Tape Tunnels are a must, but don’t rush past the Make Shop, where kids can build and create with real materials under the guidance of museum staff. The theme changes monthly, so return visitors usually find something new to try.
If you’re visiting with children of very different ages, the separate toddler area is a genuine help for managing everyone’s energy levels. And if you’re already planning a trip to Gathering Place next door, Discovery Lab is the perfect indoor complement for days when Oklahoma weather has other ideas.
