Family Fun in Omaha

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

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Exciting Omaha Symphony Family Series 2018-2019

Looking for a unique and entertaining musical experience for the whole family? Love Star Wars, Star Trek, Pirates, or Aladdin and Cinderella?

Special thanks to the Omaha Symphony for partnering with us this year to help us share all about the exciting Family Concerts they offer!

The Omaha Symphony Family Concerts are perfect for families, with a unique blend of creative and engaging one-hour programs, each with inspiring themes.

Come early to each concert for fun and interactive lobby activities perfect for children!

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

 

** Be sure to follow our Facebook page for the opportunity to win tickets to each of these concerts this year!

Omaha Symphony Family Series Concerts 2018 – 2019

Performance times: Sundays at 2 p.m.

Lobby activities: Start at 1:15 p.m.

Location: Holland Performing Arts Center

Cost: $15 General Admission

Find out more information and purchase tickets here!

 

Symphony Spooktacular: Out of this World – October 28, 2018

Ernest Richardson, conductor

Calling all Jedi and Sith Lords! Celebrate Halloween in costume with music from your favorite space adventures, including Star Wars, Star Trek and more!

Help your Omaha Symphony find out who’s stronger with the force – join the Rebel Alliance or Imperial Army, play games, and hear incredible music.

Make sure you dress in costume and stop by the lobby before and after to trick-or-treat and take pictures with the 501st Legion.

Lobbies open at 1:15 p.m. for pre-concert activities and trick-or-treating!

 

Aladdin, Cinderella and more Magical Tales – February 10, 2019

Ernest Richardson, conductor | Heartland Youth Ballet

“Be Our Guest” as we celebrate magical music that tells timeless tales, including songs from Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and selections from Prokofiev’s Cinderella. “A Whole New World,” “Friend Like Me,” “Prince Ali,” and more!

 

Pirates Ahoy! – March 31, 2019

Enrico Lopez-Yañez, conductor

Ahoy, matey! All hands on deck to sail the Seven Seas in search of Blackbeard’s treasure. Beware the notorious Captain Guerrero and his salty crew of scalawags who are also on the hunt and will stop at nothing to get to the treasure first.

Lobbies open at 1:15 p.m. for pre-concert lobby activities including an instrument petting zoo and craft.

 

Tickets to performances such as these make fantastic gifts and help create wonderful memories. Find out more about the Omaha Symphony Family Concerts here!

Visiting Colorado Springs with Kids

Special thanks to Colorado Springs CVB for sponsoring this article to help us share all about the family fun in Colorado Springs! Many of the photos have been provided by the Colorado Springs CVB.

 

A few years ago, we took an amazing trip to Colorado Springs, Colorado, located about 8.5 hours from Omaha, and 1 hour South of Denver.

I remember going there as a child, and was so excited to take my own family and kids. It was even better than I remember, and is still considered one of our favorite family vacations!

Experience the magnificent beauty of the mountains together with a multitude of family-friendly things to do, and enjoy Colorado Springs as a perfect vacation destination for families!

 

Garden of the Gods

A must-see on any visit to Colorado Springs is Garden of the Gods. This beautiful park is filled with walking paths that take you right up close to the magnificent red rock formations. Both the park and Visitor & Nature Center are free and open to the public.

 

The Perkins Central Garden Trail is a 1 1/2 mile paved trail that is wheelchair and stroller accessible. Additionally, there are 15 miles of trails in the park to explore the beauty of this geological wonder. Love to hike? See 5 easy hikes for kids in Colorado Springs here!

 

Be sure to stop by the Visitor & Nature Center for a picturesque-view of Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak, and to pick up a free map with all of the hiking and biking trails in the area. While there, we asked which hikes would be best for our young children.

 

Rock climbing is permitted in the park (Guests must fill out the free registration form), and it was amazing to watch the climbers!

 

A perfectly-framed photo of Pikes Peak!

 

Pikes Peak

Pikes Peak offers a stunning backdrop to the city of Colorado Springs!

Reach the summit and experience the mountain up close by ascending the scenic Pikes Peak Highway, a spectacular (and occasionally intense) drive that winds its way up the mountain. Visitors can also try cycling or hiking to reach the top!

 

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Built into the side of a mountain, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was another favorite stop on our trip to Colorado Springs. Kids will love the interactive exhibits, and hand-feeding the giraffes. Families will enjoy seeing the wide variety of animals surrounded by a stunning view!

 

Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center

If you love the Olympics, be sure to visit the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center. They offer year-round 1-hour guided tours of the OTC facilities, with a video presentation followed by a walking tour of the Complex. It was fascinating to see the facilities and learn about the athletes, and even watch some of them train!

 

Cave of the Winds Mountain Park

At Cave of the Winds Mountain Park, explore the caves and choose from 3 cave tours including a Lantern tour!

 

For a unique adventure, try the Wind Walker Challenge Course. Once harnessed, visitors will climb over steel beams, ropes and ladders, all over the Williams Canyon!

 

More to See in Colorado Springs

The U.S. Air Force Academy is free and open to visitors daily. Guests can visit several outlooks that include the Falcon Stadium, a beautiful chapel, and a museum honoring Air Force personnel.

Train lovers of all ages will enjoy the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad, with a scenic and informative 45-minute trip.

 

For help in planning your vacation to Colorado Springs, visit the Colorado Springs CVB to order a free Visitors Guide, and discover more ideas of things to do, including Unique Attractions and Family-Friendly Itineraries!

 

Special thanks to Colorado Springs CVB for sponsoring this article to help us share all about the family fun in Colorado Springs! Many of the photos have been provided by the Colorado Springs CVB.

 

Find more Fun:

Go Ape Treetop Adventure Course at Mahoney State Park

Special thanks to Go Ape for providing passes for us to experience the Treetop Adventure Course. Some of the links are affiliate links, which means when you make a reservation using my link, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you.

 

The NEW Go Ape Treetop Adventure Course is now open at Mahoney State Park!

Are you looking for an exciting adventure? Experience this High Ropes Adventure Course full of exciting challenges, fun obstacles, and thrilling ziplines!

 

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

Watch and get a taste of the Exciting Adventure awaiting you at Mahoney State Park!

Exciting FUN at Go Ape Mahoney State Park

Get ready to complete exciting challenges and relax and take in the beauty on the Zipline Rides!

 

The Go Ape Treetop Adventure course is divided into 6 sections. The first site is the training site, with one challenge and a small zipline, to help you practice using the equipment and learn about safety.

The other 5 sites have about 4-5 obstacles, each ending with a thrilling Zipline!

 

Being a little afraid of heights, I was not sure if I would be able to complete the course. Keeping my focus on the challenge ahead of me, and the next step I needed to take really helped ease my anxiety. I felt safe the entire time and my confidence grew with each challenge that I completed.

 

Once a staff member gets you started on each site, guests will go on the course independently and self-paced, with guidance from the staff below, if needed.

I loved this as I never felt rushed and was able to take my time to complete each obstacle. At some of the platforms, guests can choose between moderate and difficult challenges. Family and friends can also watch from the trail below!

 

Challenging Obstacles

The Treetop Adventure Course includes a variety of challenging obstacles – some are easier than others, but all involve traversing from one platform to the next.

 

I thought the Flying Carpet was the most challenging!

 

 

Looking back, some of the obstacles are scarier or more challenging than others, but the excitement and confidence you feel afterwards is amazing!

 

 

Training and Safety

Although we were high off of the ground, I felt safe the entire time!

The first half hour is spent getting everyone’s equipment on and secure, and showing you how to use it. Each person is attached to a cable the entire time you are on each site.

 

Water coolers are at the beginning of each course and so you do not need to worry about bringing water with you.

 

Go Ape does an excellent job of providing safety training and showing you how to maneuver the trolley and the carabiner. In Site 1 (which is low to the ground), each person practices using their equipment with the staff ready to help.

The entire staff was enthusiastic, happy to answer any questions that we had, and encouraging along the way!

 

Children and Participant Requirements

Children can participate as long as they meet the height requirement (4’7″). We had several children in our group, and were amazed at how great they did! Everyone goes on the main Treetop Adventure Course (we do not have a Treetop Junior in Nebraska.)

A Park Permit is required to enter Mahoney State Park.

Supervision Requirements: One participating adult (19+) is required to supervise up to four youths (ages 15 and under). Participating adults may not supervise from the ground. *** 16-18 year olds do not require a participating adult, but do require a waiver signed by their legal guardian.

Participant Requirements: Minimum Height is 4’7″, and Maximum Weight is 285 lbs.

Go Ape has 16 locations around the United States, with some offering a Treetop Junior course!

Helpful Tips: Wear closed toe shoes, dress in layers, and arrive with a little extra time to use the restroom and relax before your adventure begins. Gloves are also an excellent idea to help protect your hands.

 

I Want to Sign Up!

Ready for an exciting and challenging adventure?

Get started and reserve a time and purchase tickets here!

 

 

Family-Friendly Events this Weekend in Omaha {10/5 – 10/8/17}

Enjoy many family-friendly events this weekend! It is always a good idea to verify before visiting, as event details may change. [Not the current week? See more Upcoming Events in Omaha here!]

 Keep updated on the latest Omaha fun and Sign up for our Free Email Newsletter!

 

Popular this Week

     

 

Enter to Win

 

Top Picks this Weekend:

FEATURED EVENTS

Nobbies Haunt Fair and Spooktacular Carnival – Oct. 8 (1 – 4 p.m.), FREE

  • Watch a magician perform, enjoy Halloween crafts, play carnival games, win prizes, take your picture with your favorite costumed character, and more.

Super Hero Trick-or-Treat at the SAC Aerospace Museum – Oct. 7 (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

  • Two super hero characters, “Wonderful Woman” and “Spider Guy,” will provide an autographed picture and be present for picture opportunities. Museum educators will help young guests create their own super hero cape and guests are encouraged to come in costume, bring a bag, and trick-or-treat around various stations at the Museum. Included in regular admission.

Planes, Trains & Autos at The SAC Aerospace Museum – Oct. 7 – 8

  • Features aircraft, unique muscle cars along with rare autos, and several model train displays throughout the Museum. Included in regular admission.

Books with Blue – Oct. 6 (10 a.m.)

  • Special storytime with the La Vista Police Department, followed by donuts and a craft.
  • Location: La Vista Public Library, 9110 Giles Road.

Family Night at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum – Oct. 6 (5 – 7 p.m.), FREE

  • Enjoy special events on the First Friday of Every Month. Visitors to the Union Pacific Museum will experience “¡Todos a Bordo!: Hispanic Heritage Night at the Museum.”

Villains Takeover! at the Omaha Children’s Museum –Oct. 6 (5 – 8 p.m.)

  • Arrive early to play in the museum, and then enjoy themed activities inspired by pop culture villains starting at 5 p.m. Costumes are encouraged. Family costume contest. Included with museum admission.

Harvest Fest at Village Pointe Farmers Market – Oct. 7 (8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.), FREE

  • Free hayrack rides, bounce house for the kids, face painting, pumpkin decorating, live music, craft vendors, specialty products from local farmers, and more.

Home Depot Kids Workshops  – Oct. 7 (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.), FREE

  • Build a fire house bank.

City Sprouts Harvest Festival – Oct. 7 (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.)

  • Family-friendly event features activities for children, light snacks, and beverages. Location: City Sprouts, 4002 Seward St, Omaha.

October Harvest Spoon Tour – Oct. 7 (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

  • Travel through Iowa’s Loess Hills and celebrate the food and culture of western Iowa. Visit all 7 partner businesses along the Harvest Spoon route for a variety of experiences including tours, samples, experiences & much more.

Owl Prowl at Hummel Park Nature Center – Oct. 7 (7 – 9 p.m.), FREE

  • Explore the trails at night, cook fire roasted marshmallows, and learn all about owls from a guest speaker from Raptor Recovery. Remember to bring a flashlight.
  • RSVP online at parks.cityofomaha.org under “Activity Registration” button.

La Vista One Sky, One World Kite Festival – Oct. 8 (12 – 4 p.m.), FREE

  • A popular event with many kites! See giant beautiful kites or bring your own kite to fly. Location: La Vista Soccer Complex (just South of 66th & Harrison Streets, La Vista).

Fire Department Open House – Oct. 8 (1 – 3 p.m.)

  • Meet the firefighters, tour the station and fire trucks, and more.
  • Location: Station 4, 8110 Parkview Blvd., La Vista.

Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch – Sept. 9 – Oct. 31

  • Skinny Bones’ 10-acre corn maze is their most popular attraction. Activities also include the Pee Wee Maze, giant jump pillow, pedal karts, hayrack ride, bonfires, the pumpkin patch, and more!

Arbor Day Farm

  • Spend the day exploring the Arbor Day Farm Tree Adventure and picking apples!

 

More Helpful Resources

            

We do our best to share current information in Family Fun in Omaha, but event details may change. It is always a good idea to verify the information before visiting.

Have a wonderful fun-filled weekend!

Welcome to Family Fun in Omaha!

Family Fun in Omaha

Welcome to Family Fun in Omaha!  We have changed our name from The Spirit of Saving to better reflect what we are all about – your local resource for family-friendly activities and events in Omaha!  We will still highlight those that are free or inexpensive, but now will include ALL family-friendly events!

Here you will find:

  • Many Upcoming Events, with weekend events in Omaha posted every Thursday! 
  • Giveaways for tickets to local attractions and events, and other fun prizes!
  • Plus so much more!

Please join Family Fun in Omaha on Facebook and spread the word!  (Unfortunately, Facebook does not allow us to change our name, and so head on over to our new page and ‘like us’!)

Thank you for your patience as we work through this transition.  We are so excited for our new focus and have many fun plans ahead to help you enjoy all of the wonderful resources we have in this amazing city of ours!

Kids Consignment 101: Why Should You Consign?

Kids Consignment 101

Welcome to our series on Kids Consignment 101.  We are very happy to have Mary, a volunteer with Reruns R Fun for 16 years, share all about consignment sales including the benefits, process, tips for success, and a basic overview from both the selling and buying point of view.  Our hope is to provide the best tools to be successful whether you are a beginner or seasoned professional!

Children’s Consignment Sales: What are they?

 Why should you consign your items?

Have you ever been to a bi-annual children’s consignment sale? There are several right here in the Omaha area and it’s an event you will definitely want to seek out!! If you have nice things your children no longer use and you’re just hanging on to it all because you don’t know what to do with it, selling at a consignment sale might be the answer for you!

HOW THEY WORK:

Consignment coordinators round up families willing to part with their children’s outgrown, gently loved items, weed out the junk and organize all the best stuff…all under one roof. They then market their sales event extensively and sell for anywhere from 4 to 14 days, depending on the sale.

Consignors prepare their items according to the sales specifications. Then they bring their things in at an appointed check-in time to be inspected and accepted. Be sure to weed out any items that are damaged, out of date, or too worn.

These sales are usually very strict about the quality of the items families can consign and inspect each item carefully before accepting it into their sale. These are NOT garage sales! And because it’s not a garage sale, the consignors make more money on their stuff than they would if they tried to sell it themselves.

Because it’s only held twice a year (usually spring and fall), it creates excitement and a sense of urgency to shop the sale. Customers eagerly anticipate these sales and keep track of them on their calendars; setting aside a whole day for their shopping trip!

Customers appreciate the gathering of high quality; good valued items all in one space and are willing to pay for it.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

A consignor generally makes about 65% of the asking price of the items they sell. (They are paid only on the items sold). It’s a fantastic way to make some much-appreciated extra cash. It’s also a great motivator to clean out your kids closets, toy rooms, garage, back yard, etc.

I have been consigning my three girls’ things for 16 years now. The first time I consigned it was a bit overwhelming, but I was determined to figure it out. And boy did I! By my second sale I was making enough money to cover 100% of what I spent at the sale. By my fourth sale, I was making MORE than what I spent. So for 14 years I have been able to get nearly everything I need for my children and, ultimately, coming out with cash in my pocket!

WHEN TO CONSIGN:

The general thinking for most new parents is, “We might have more kids so we’ll hang on to these things for awhile.” When they DO have another child, most of the things they hung on to are out of date. Manufacturers continually improve the design on baby equipment and toys, so why hang on to older versions? By constantly cycling your things through a consignment sale you are able to make money on these things while they’re still “current” and you’re able to get the newer, up-to-date versions for your own family.

Every family has items their children don’t use anymore…even when you have newborns! How many gifts do you get that never get used? These items are perfect for consignment! All you need is a minimum of 20 items. This gets you in the sale, gives you a feel for how it works AND gets you an early shopping pass!

So, no need to wait until you’re “done” having kids. Get started as soon as you have your first!!

PICK A SALE:

My personal favorite sale is ReRuns R Fun. There is so much to love about this organization! Not only are they the very first to bring Children’s Consignment to the Omaha area, they are non-profit and donate all of their profits to local and worldwide charities! I love that! They’ve given away $2.4 Million in donations already! If you want the best experience for your first time consigning, I’d highly recommend starting with ReRuns R Fun! They are the pros and will give you a feel good first time consigning experience!

NEXT WEEK: The Consignment Process

Mary is a mom to three wonderful girls and is a volunteer addict. She loves to be involved in organizations that give back to her community. She is also always looking for great deals for her family and her friends!

Shared at Thrifty Thursday and The Mommy Club

2 Minute Survey: How Can The Spirit of Saving Be More Helpful to You?

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It is very hard to believe it has been 1 year since The Spirit of Saving began.  We have exciting plans in February to celebrate, plus more fun ideas ahead, and so I hope you will continue to join us as we move forward.  I truly appreciate everyone who visits.  Thank you very much!  

Now, I would like to hear from you: How can The Spirit of Saving be more helpful to you?  What would you like to see in the future?  I appreciate all feedback and ideas I receive to help improve the site and make it more effective as a wonderful resource for you and your family.

Thank you for your help!

Note:  If you are reading this through email, you will have to visit the site to see the survey.

Thank you again for visiting!  Your responses are greatly appreciated!

Successful Meal Planning Tips and Class Review

crockpot

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I will receive a commission if you purchase through these links. 

UPDATE: Nicole recently released her new book, The Extraordinary Art of Meal Planning, with helpful tips!

 

Imagine this… it has been a typically busy day full of school, homework, meetings, work, and suddenly, you realize it is 5:30pm, and the kids are hungry.  You open the fridge, hoping there are leftovers from a recent night out at a restaurant.  No luck.  Pasta … pancakes … pizza …  Does this sound familiar?

As a child, I remember sitting around the dinner table and enjoying a home-cooked meal almost every night.  Even to this day, my Mom makes a huge effort to cook our favorite meal when we are there for dinner, including the best mashed potatoes and gravy I have ever had.

One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to be a better cook for my family so that they can enjoy these same memories.  I want to use the crock pot more, eat healthier meals, and have a better plan so that we are not deciding at 5:30pm what we are having for dinner that night.

Meal Planning Success

To help with this process, I recently took a Free Meal Planning Class offered by Nicole McDonald at the Millard Public Library.  She suggested starting with a dinner theme for each day of the week by type of food (Mexican, Italian, etc.), main ingredient, or cooking method (crock pot, oven, grill, etc.), and then filling out a week’s meal plan based on meals we already cook.  It was amazing how many meals in different ‘categories’ I could fill up (especially since it feels like all we eat is chicken and pasta!).

I loved how Nicole made it personal, encouraging us to do what works with our families, schedules, and tastes.  She recommended adding a new recipe a couple times a month, and doubling or tripling recipes, freezing the leftover portions for quick meals at a later date.  Favorite recipes, websites and tips were also shared by others in the class.

Since taking this class, I am proud to say we have prepared several tasty home-cooked meals, created a meal plan for the week ahead, and have collected some fun and easy recipes on Pinterest.  [Right now, you can get the Slow Cooker 101 E-Book with 101 Great Recipes for Free on Amazon!]  I also plan to laminate a meal planning chart (such as the one from Nicole’s class, or a printable one here or here), add magnets to the back or post it on our bulletin board in our pantry, and then reuse it weekly to plan our meals.

You can discover many more helpful tips in Nicole’s meal planning class, or in one of her other popular coupon and freebies classes.  They are offered at local libraries (for free!), and at Community Colleges and local Moms groups.  See her upcoming schedule of classes here.  She also blogs at Mom Saves Money, sharing coupons, freebies, and deals.  Thank you, Nicole, for offering this class and giving me the encouragement and tips to successfully plan our meals.  I hope this is one resolution I can keep!

What are your best meal planning tips?  Please share in the comments below!

CC image courtesy of Janine

My New Year’s Resolution in One Word

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Recently on Money Saving Mom, she challenged readers to pick one word to be their focus for 2013.  Many different words immediately popped into my head – organize (a popular one!), focus, family, goals, peace, balance, patience…

After some deep thought while sledding with my children yesterday, I decided on one:

LAUGHTER

I can learn so much from my family, and laughter is key.  My daughter laughs at everything, and tries to make us laugh all the time – and is often very successful!  My son is very creative and even mundane tasks become an adventure.  My husband loves building forts, singing songs, and being a human jungle gym with the kids, relishing in the moment and not getting too worked up about other worries of the day.

Over the holidays, one of my favorite days was when we did not have power for most of the day.  We played games, colored, read stories, and cuddled in front of the fire.  It was a day filled with so much laughter and joy!

My focus for 2013 is to allow laughter to fill my day, instead of always having a ‘to-do’ list running through my head.  I can still work on organization, exercise, cooking more, etc. but with an added dose of laughter, I will be creating memories and moments and not just completing tasks.

Bring on more dance parties in the living room, sledding in the cold, puzzles on the kitchen floor, cuddling on the couch, baking messes in the kitchen – 2013 is going to be a blast!

What word will be your focus for 2013?

OneWord2013_laughter150

Special thanks to Melanie at Only A Breath for making this awesome button!

Mega Swagbucks Friday!

It has been a long time since I have written about Swagbucks, but today is the perfect day since it is Mega Swagbucks Friday, which means you can earn more Swagbucks when you search!

Swagbucks is a super easy way to earn prizes and gift cards to many places including Amazon just for searching on the Internet!  Instead of searching at Google, you can search through Swagbucks (make it your default search engine) and earn Swagbucks that you can exchange for prizes!  It is 100% Free and 100% Legitimate.  New accounts receive a bonus of 30 Swagbucks.

Want to learn more?  Check out more details in Helpful Tools!

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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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