Family Fun in Omaha

Your local resource for family-friendly activities and events in Omaha.

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Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt

We had so much fun doing the Shamrock Hunt, that we decided to create a Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt!

Walk around and explore your neighborhood while searching for the items on the list. You can add your own ideas to the list, too!

Find more Fun Activities to Do at Home here and an Indoor Scavenger Hunt, and Alphabet, Number, and Color Scavenger Hunts here!

 

CHALLENGE: For older children, add a color, description, etc. to each item. For example: For Sale/Sold Sign, Red Front Door, Heart Door Hanger, Cardinal, Blue Bench, etc.

 

Click on the image below for a printable to take with you on your next adventure!

 

PIN IT

P.L.A.Y. at Home – Positive Learning Activities for You

Together we can help one another!

See below for links to each day’s posts. We will add them as they are published. Also, find many more Fun Things to Do at Home here!

We are Sharing FUN Ideas with You Every Weekday at 10 a.m.

Events are being canceled, activities are postponed, and schools are closing. We know it will be a challenge for kids to be away from school, for working parents trying to juggle child care, and for parents home with little ones all day.

Each weekday morning at 10 a.m. on our Family Fun in Omaha Facebook page, we will be sharing videos, links to educational FB lives, helpful resources, and more – all full of activities and ideas for things to do with your kids during the unique time.

People helping people, this is what is going to help us all through this. So many individuals and businesses stepping up to help one another, and we want to help make it easier for you by sharing it all in one place.

Our mission at Family Fun in Omaha is to build our community by sharing fun things to do with families, and we will continue to be that helpful resource for you.

 

How to Follow Along

>> Each weekday morning at 10 a.m. on our Family Fun in Omaha Facebook page, we will be sharing videos, links to educational FB lives, helpful resources, and more – all full of activities and ideas for things to do with your kids during the unique time.

See below for links to each day’s posts. We will add them as they are published.

 

Stay tuned for all this and more in the coming weeks. We’ll also be sharing videos and tips on Instagram and Facebook and we would love to have you follow along there.

Follow Family Fun in Omaha on Facebook

Follow Family Fun in Omaha on Instagram

Subscribe to our weekly Email Newsletter for links to activities

 

How to Get Involved

Feel free to SHARE the FUN with friends and family who are looking for ideas for things to do with their families in the coming weeks.

 

LOCAL BUSINESSES: Do you have a business that would like to get involved? We would love to hear from you! (It is FREE to participate, as we are all in this together!)

Please email us for more details.

 

Thank you to all of our community partners and YOU for supporting one another!

 

Links to Each Day’s Posts

Be sure to also check out these fun activities:

 

Past P.L.A.Y. at Home Activities: 

March 16 – FREE Educational Resource from Scholastic Learning

March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day Activities

March 18 – Preschool Virtual Class with Household Items with Metro Stars Gymnastics

March 19 – Fun Recipes to Make at Home with Kids

March 20 – Draw or color a picture of flowers to celebrate the Second Day of Spring

March 20 – Introduced Chalk Your Walk Wednesdays

March 23 – Meet Oliver the Kinkajou with Wildlife Encounters

March 24 – Fun Science Experiment with Double Arrows

March 25 – Chalk Your Walk Wednesdays

March 26 – Local Organizations offering Free Online Resources

March 27 – Build a Fort Challenge

March 30 – Virtual Class for ages 6 & up with Metro Stars Gymnastics

March 31 – Stained Glass Chalk Drawing

April 1 – Meet Tater Tot the Three-Banded Armadillo with Wildlife Encounters

April 2 – Painted Rocks – Creative Fun to Spread Joy

April 3 – Participate in Great Omaha Easter Egg Hunt

April 6 – 10 Ideas for Easter Fun at Home

April 7 – Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

April 8 – Alphabet, Number, and Color Scavenger Hunts

April 9 – Garden Magic with Lauritzen Gardens

April 13 – Build a Foam Plate Glider with the SAC Museum

April 14 – Earth Day and Arbor Day Virtual Events and Activities

April 15 – Movie Coloring and Activity Pages with Marcus Theatres

April 16 – Indoor Scavenger Hunt

April 17 – Learn all about bunnies with Gifford Farm

April 20 – Mail A Hug

April 21 – Iago the Eurasian eagle owl with Wildlife Encounters

April 22 – An owl pellet dissection with Wildlife Encounters 

April 23 – Learn about Lambs with Gifford Farm

 

20-Day Activity Challenge

April 27 – Go on an Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

April 28 – Make May Day Baskets with That Pottery Place

April 29 – Family Read Aloud Time with the Omaha Public Library

April 30 – Create a Birdhouse Together with The Wonder Nook Omaha

May 1 – Deliver May Day Baskets

May 4 – Share Your Favorite Recipe

May 5 – Painting at Home with That Pottery Place

May 6 – Build Foil Boats

May 7 – Learn about Llamas with Gifford Farm

May 8 – Create an Obstacle Course

May 11 – Go on an Indoor Scavenger Hunt

May 12 – Learn about Goats with Gifford Farm

May 13 – Create a Salt Painting

May 14 – Teach your child how to do something new in the kitchen.

May 15 – Go on a hike or walk together.

May 18 – Live Event on Reaching Ivy FB page: Kitchen Music Jam & Bubble Play

May 19 – Go for a bike ride together

May 20 – Make a Special Treat Together

Members of Omaha Public Library can check out Free Passes to Omaha Children’s Museum!


Members of the Omaha Public Library will be able to check out a FREE Pass to the Omaha Children’s Museum (while supplies last).

>> The next round of passes to the Omaha Children’s Museum will be available for check out beginning on Wednesday, March 4, 2020! <<

We love visiting the Omaha Children’s Museum and enjoying many of the resources the Omaha Public Libraries offer, and are very excited about this partnership!

Join our growing community and keep updated on Omaha family-friendly events and activities and Sign up for our Free Email Newsletter!

 

How to Check Out Omaha Children’s Museum Passes at the Omaha Public Library

Each of Omaha Public Library’s 12 locations will have a limited number of single-use tickets for checkout while supplies last during the following periods:

  • The next round of passes to the Omaha Children’s Museum will be available for check out beginning on Wednesday, March 4, 2020!

OPL cardholders ages 18+ who are Douglas County residents or have a non-resident paid membership to OPL are eligible to check out the passes. Due to the great demand and limited supply, passes cannot be held or reserved.

Only one pass per library card and customer can be issued per distribution period. Each pass admits up to four people, and must include at least one adult and one child.

To find out more about this program and to see which OPL locations have tickets available, visit the Omaha Public Library website. You may also call any OPL branch location to check availability.

Omaha Children’s Museum joins Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Fontenelle Forest  and Lauritzen Gardens to offer free admission passes through Omaha Public Library.

 

Other Participating Libraries

The Bellevue Library will have passes to the Omaha Children’s Museum on Wednesday, March 4. Starting at 9 a.m., the Omaha Children’s Museum family one-day admission passes will be available to valid Bellevue Library cardholders. Passes will be limited to one per family (no phone reserves possible; requests must be made in person) and will be valid through May 21, 2020.

 

The Council Bluffs Public Library – Next release date TBD. One-time use passes are available to adult library card holders residing in Council Bluffs, Crescent, Minden, McClelland, Treynor, Underwood, or unincorporated and rural areas of Pottawattamie County. A finite number of passes are distributed throughout the year during 3 sessions. Passes are available on a first come, first serve basis and admit up to 4 individuals. Holds cannot be placed on passes and an individual can only receive one pass per session. Other restrictions may apply.

 

The Ball Room is one of our favorite places to play!

 

More Library Partnerships

 

Find More Omaha Fun:

Enchanted Tales at Marcus Theatres Omaha!

Love going to the movies with your family?

Special thanks to Marcus Theatres for partnering with us to help share all of the FUN events they have coming up!

Join our growing community and keep updated on Omaha family-friendly events and activities and Sign up for our Free Email Newsletter!

 

We LOVE watching movies with our kids, and especially enjoy going to Marcus Theatres!

I love the ease of using the app to purchase our tickets and select our seats. My kids love the comfortable reclining seats, and the movable armrest so we can snuggle like on our couch at home!

Our favorites are the $5 Tuesdays with a FREE complimentary-size popcorn for Magical Movie Rewards Members, and other specials they have throughout the year!

 

Enchanted Tales at Omaha Marcus Theatres

$6 Disney Classics Return to Marcus Theatres January 24-February 17

Looking for fun and affordable ways to cure winter boredom? Our friends at the Marcus Majestic of Omaha, Marcus Twin Creek (Bellevue) and Marcus Village Pointe (Omaha) Cinemas can help.

That’s because they’re bringing back the Enchanted Tales Film Series January 24-February 17!

This season’s line-up features a collection of classic Disney films including “Aladdin,” “The Lion King,” “Sleeping Beauty” and “Pocahontas” on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays!

Enchanted Tales is the perfect way to introduce your family to the magic of beloved Disney films the way they were originally meant to be seen — on the big screen!

Better yet, admission to any film in the series is just $6 per person — get your tickets online or in theatre!

(Pro tip: Click here to download a coloring sheet, have your kids color in their favorite character, then bring it to Marcus Theatres during your Enchanted Tales show to receive a FREE complimentary-size popcorn!)

 

$6 Movie Line-up

All movies play at 10 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. each day.

(Pro tip: The series features one “bonus” day on Monday, February 17 — President’s Day! There’s no better way to spend a day away from school than the movies.)

 

Why These Classic Disney Movies are Even Better on the Big Screen

1.Seeing where it all began with the original animated movies that inspired last year’s hit live-action remakes.

2. Sharing the experience watching beloved favorites from “Disney’s renaissance” in the theatre — just like you did — with your kids. And have you EVER seen 1959’s “Sleeping Beauty” on the big screen?!

3. THAT MUSIC. These films feature three award-winning songs, from “A Whole New World” to “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” to “Colors of the Wind” — and they all sound even better in a movie theatre.

What are you waiting for? Get your tickets, download your coloring sheets and we’ll see you at Marcus Majestic of Omaha, Marcus Twin Creek and Marcus Village Pointe Cinemas soon!

 

Mark Your Calendars: Kids Dream Returns February 21 with $3 Family Films

And stay tuned for more information about the return of recent family favorites like “Abominable” and “The Secret Life of Pets 2” during the Kids Dream Family Series!

The fun kicks off February 21 and runs through April 5 at participating Marcus Theatres.

All films will be just $3 per person (and they’ll also be plenty of ways to score free tickets courtesy of American Family Insurance)!

 

Find More Fun:

Helping Hands: Create Homemade Hearts and Valentines!

Join in this fun project with your kids this Valentine’s Day!

Join our growing community and keep updated on Omaha family-friendly events and activities and Sign up for our Free Email Newsletter!

Make Valentine’s for the Open Door Mission!

Brighten up another’s day by creating homemade cards and hearts to be posted on campus and handed out to individuals!

Craft homemade hearts to be hung around campus, and homemade cards to be passed out. You can use stickers, inspiring words, scripture verses, and then tape candy to the back of your cards.

Drop off cards and hearts to Open Door Mission’s Administration Building – 2828 N. 23rd St. E Omaha, NE 68110.

Please drop off cards and hearts before Valentine’s Day, Friday, February 14.

 

Other Helpful Resources:

Free Passes to Lauritzen Gardens can be checked out for Members of Omaha, Bellevue, and Council Bluffs Public Libraries!

Members of the Omaha Public Library, Bellevue Public Library, or Council Bluffs Public Library can check out FREE passes to Lauritzen Gardens!

Join our growing community and keep updated on Omaha family-friendly events and activities and Sign up for our Free Email Newsletter!

Omaha Public Library and Lauritzen Gardens

The Omaha Public Library (OPL) and Lauritzen Gardens will partner to offer free garden admission to library patrons. All OPL branches will be checking memberships out to library cardholders.

Each of OPL’s 12 locations will have day passes available (one per location) for checkout year-round to adults (ages 18+) who are Douglas County residents or have a non-resident paid membership to OPL.

Passes are good for one-time admission and each pass admits two adults and children from their household. Only one pass may be issued per library card and customer. Passes must be returned to any OPL location within five days of checkout. Unreturned or late passes will be subject to a $5 replacement fee.

To see which OPL locations have passes available, visit here! Or you can also visit omahalibrary.org and search for “Lauritzen Gardens” in the online catalog. You may also call any OPL branch to check availability.

 

Anyone interested in obtaining an OPL card may find more information about how to get a card at omahalibrary.org/get-a-library-card or by visiting any OPL location. Library cards are free for residents of Douglas County.

Lauritzen Gardens joins Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Fontenelle Forest, and Omaha Children’s Museum as the fourth community organization to offer free admission through Omaha Public Library!

 

Council Bluffs Public Library and Lauritzen Gardens

Lauritzen Gardens has also partnered with the Council Bluffs Public Library to offer family passes available for checkout to anyone with a Council Bluffs library card.

The family pass will be available year-round and will admit 2 adults and children under 18 from the same household.

Passes are available on a first come, first serve basis. Holds cannot be placed on passes and must be checked out with an Adult library card. Passes not returned to the library within five days of check out are subject to a $5 replacement fee.

For more information, please contact the Circulation Desk at 712-323-7553, ext. 110.

 

Bellevue Public Library and Lauritzen Gardens

The Bellevue Public Library now has two passes to the Lauritzen Gardens for check out year-round. The passes admit two adults and children under the age of 18 from their household. Only one pass per family per week can be issued.

To see if the Bellevue Public Library has a family pass available on the day you want to visit the Forest, check the availability here by going to the library’s online catalog and then typing “Lauritzen Gardens” in the title search. Or, call (402-293-3157) or visit the library.

 

More Library Partnerships

 

Find More Omaha Fun:

 

Marcus Theatres Holiday Movie Guide for Families 2019

Special thanks to Marcus Theatres for sponsoring this guide!

It’s the most wonderful moviegoing time of the year!

Whether catching a new release, cozying up to a classic or finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list, Marcus Theatres is your holiday headquarters with three Omaha-area theatres including the Marcus Majestic of Omaha, Marcus Twin Creek Cinema and Marcus Village Pointe Cinema.

Join our growing community and keep updated on Omaha family-friendly events and activities and Sign up for our Free Email Newsletter!

 

Must-see Family Films

This year’s holiday movie slate offers something for everyone. Not sure what to see? This guide is for you! Click the links to check out the trailers for each film.

Animated Films:

  • “Playmobil: The Movie” (PG)— Out December 5 (Tip: every showing of this film — every day — is just $5 for all guests!)

 

Action Films:

  • “Jumanji: The Next Level” (PG-13) — Out December 12 (Tip: the Majestic of Omaha will be hosting a Jumanji Adventure Night on December 12. Enjoy a photo station, giveaway and chance to win a movie-themed raffle prize!)

 

Drama/Musical Films:

 

Planning to take multiple trips to the movies? Make sure to take advantage of $5 Movie Tuesday featuring $5 movies, plus free popcorn for all Magical Movie Rewards members! (Tip: Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve both fall on a $5 Movie Tuesday this year!)

And don’t forget about $6 Student Thursday featuring $6 movies and free popcorn for students and school faculty.

 

Cozy Up to a Holiday Classic

Sure, watching movies at home is nice, but there’s something even more magical about seeing Clark Griswold try (and fail) to light up the house on the big screen! That’s why each year Marcus Theatres brings back a collection of favorites during its Holiday Classics Retro Series. This year’s line-up features:

  • December 6-12: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “White Christmas” and “Elf”
  • December 13-19: “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and “The Polar Express”

All films are just $6 per person. Fun fact: Marcus Theatres recently polled 11,000 of its Magical Movie Rewards members and “Christmas Vacation” was voted Nebraska’s favorite holiday classic!

 

Gifts that Entertain

Looking for a gift that’s perfect for friends, family, teachers, babysitters and more? Try a Marcus Theatres gift card! They’re perfect for family outings and date nights alike.

Now through January 5, receive $5 in FREE Snack Cash with every $25 gift card purchase in theatre or online. Visit the Marcus Gift Store for more details and the latest deals. (Tip: pair a gift card with an Ultimate Popcorn Tub for the gift that keeps on giving!)

 

Gifts that Give Back

While you’re busy checking everyone off your list, Marcus Theatres is also giving you the opportunity to gift a Magical Movie Experience to a Make-A-Wish Nebraska child battling critical illness. Visit www.MarcusTheatres.com/Wishes to learn more and spread some joy to a local family this holiday season.

 

Find More Holiday Fun:

Trick or Treat Times in Omaha

Are you looking for the Trick or Treat times for Omaha?

Hint: We do not have any specific times.

Join our growing community and keep updated on Omaha family-friendly events and activities and Sign up for our Free Email Newsletter!

 

Trick or Treat Times in Omaha

If you lived in another city who had specific trick or treat times for Halloween night, you might be wondering what are the Trick or Treat times in Omaha?

We actually do not have specific trick or treat times here. Many people start to head out around 6:00 and stay out until 8-8:30 on Halloween night. Some families with little ones start earlier like at 5:30.

The general rule is that houses will turn on their outside lights if they are welcoming trick-or-treaters on Halloween night.

It is interesting, because I have lived in Omaha all of my life, and had never heard of trick or treat times. And people who move here from other cities are surprised to hear we do not have scheduled times!

 

Many More Halloween Events

For more Halloween fun, be sure to visit the following pages FULL of events and fun!

     

     

Family Fun at Arbor Day Farm & Lied Lodge in Nebraska City

This post was sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation. One of our contributors, Joanna, recently visited Arbor Day Farm and Lied Lodge with her family!

Looking for a quick family getaway?

Just an hour drive from Omaha, Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City offers one-of-a-kind experiences to keep the entire family entertained! The NEW Treetop Village opened this fall and is worth the trip itself, but you’ll also want to make sure you check out the Nature Explore Classrooms, the Discovery Ride, and the unique shopping and dining options available onsite. Click here to book your own family getaway today!

Many thanks to Arbor Day Farm who is a Featured Listing in our Omaha Area Pumpkin Patch Guide and Omaha Area Apple Orchard Guide.

 

Get a glimpse of all of the Family Fun you can have at Arbor Day Farm here!

 

 

Arbor Day Farm’s Tree Adventure kept my kids busy for hours! They loved building, climbing, and making music in the Nature Explore Classroom. This area is fun and accessible to kids of all ages, so it will definitely be a crowd pleaser for any family!

 

The Tree Adventure has lots of little “extras” to keep kids engaged. Mine loved following the tracks on the ground, guessing which animal they belonged to, and then checking the signs to see if they were correct. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled because there are also several stops along the path with fun play equipment like a slide and zip-line!

 

Treetop Village was at the top of our bucket list, and it did not disappoint! Our entire family loved scaling the various kinds of rope bridges and checking out each of the eleven treehouses. Book now to check out Treetop Village for yourself!

I think we all agreed that the WonderNet (think GIANT trampoline) was a highlight of the weekend! I’m not sure our kids have ever seen their parents jump like that before!

Just remember to wear closed-toed shoes! Also know that if you exit the course via slide or platform, you will need to start over at the beginning. On a busy day, this could mean waiting in line again.

 

The Discovery Ride was one of my personal favorites! It was very interesting to hear about the history of the property and J. Sterling Morton while taking a wagon ride through the beautiful Arbor Day Farm forest. It was also a great opportunity to rest our legs for a bit and grab a quick snack (some delicious apples of course)!

 

Speaking of apples, we couldn’t turn down a chance to head into the orchard and pick a bag for ourselves. We nabbed a hayrack ride out to the rows with the ripest apples and found some beauties!

 

Apple House Market was the most adorable (and tastiest) stop of our weekend. We ate an amazing BBQ lunch at Porter’s and grabbed some chocolate dipped caramel apples and wine as gifts for some family back home.

 

After adventuring through the trees, we were ready to relax and unwind at the gorgeous Lied Lodge and Conference Center. The nature-inspired hotel is an easy walk from Arbor Day Farm and offers the most spectacular views of the property. My kids were most impressed with the delicious breakfast buffet at Timbers and the Olympic-sized indoor pool!

Lied Lodge and Arbor Day Farm were a perfect pair for a fun family getaway! Start planning your trip today!

 

8 Kids Halloween Costume Contests in Omaha + A Dog Costume Contest!


Do your kids have a fantastic costume this year? Choose from a variety of Halloween Costume Contests in Omaha for kids and pets!

Join our growing community and keep updated on Omaha family-friendly events and activities and Sign up for our Free Email Newsletter!

Please Note: It is always a good idea to verify the information with the business before visiting, as details may change.

 

2020 UPDATE: Most of these events are not happening this year, and we hope to see them again in 2021. Please visit Halloween Events in Omaha for the most updated list of fun and creative events this year. 

 

Halloween is Brewing with Fun at Mahoney State Park – Oct. 3 (2:30 – 5:30 p.m.), FREE [NE State Park Entry Permit required]

  • Celebrate Halloween with a kids’ costume contest, pumpkin carving contest, scavenger hunt, and a bonfire. 
  • Location: Mahoney State Park, 28500 W. Park Hwy., Ashland, NE.

 

Dog Days of Fall: Dog Halloween Costume Parade – Oct. 31 (12 – 2 p.m.), $10/dog, $10.95/person

  • Dress up your pups and show them off at our first ever dog day at the orchard!
  • $10/dog (all dogs require the fee, whether in costume participating or not); $10.95/person activity passes available for orchard activities, FREE for children ages 3 and under
  • Location: Ditmars Orchard, 19475 225th St., Council Bluffs, IA.

 

Find More Halloween Fun!

     

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Family Fun in Omaha is your local resource for family-friendly activities and events in Omaha! Created by a local Mom who loves finding new adventures with her family and wants to help you enjoy all that Omaha has to offer. We recommend starting here. Thank you for visiting!

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