Events

Welcome to Mission: Astronaut, a hands-on experience where visitors learn about space exploration, the technology that makes it possible, how it benefits life on Earth, and more through astronaut training challenges. Each section presents interactive tasks that require an astronaut’s mindset to solve and focus on engineering, physics, teamwork, and fun!

Enjoy the timelessness of painting “en plein air,” an inspiring way to immerse yourself in the beauty of the outdoors as you capture it on canvas. Supplies are provided; however you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer. Join Metropolitan Community College at the Lakeside Amphitheater at Heartland of America Park for this artistic experience.

Get ready to wiggle and giggle with Bluey!! Dance, twirl, and pop bubbles with your favorite blue pup!! Let's make memories that will have us saying 'yippie, yi, yay!' all day long. Don't miss out on this pawsome party, mate! This is a free all ages event.

Join on an expedition to the deep! Miss Jill will read a sea-themed story. Then, she'll guide little explorers through an exciting maritime craft activity. Plus, there will be mermaids, bubbles, and of course, sidewalk chalk! Stop on by and dive on in

Unleash your creativity and get ready to customize your own adorable Calico Critter Keychain! Choose your favorite critter and dazzle it up with a funky bead strand! Perfect for hanging on your purse or backpack, this cutie-pie will be your stylish sidekick everywhere you go! Join for this fun-filled event for just $10 upon arrival. Open to all ages.

Join OPL as we celebrate children around the world for DIA. We’ll take a look at the children and the culture of Japan with kamishibai, Japanese paper theater. This traditional method of Japanese storytelling combines beautiful illustrations with dramatic narration. A representative of the Japan Outreach Initiative will present kamishibai, answer questions, and tell us a little about children in Japan.

Looking for something to do with your little ones? Join us Friday May 23rd, 2025 from 10AM-1PM at Mahoney Park Shelter #1 in Lincoln (first shelter near the entrance of the park) for a fun-filled morning of outdoor exploration designed for infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children. There will be a nature discovery area, live animals, a wildlife habitat station, and a nature crafts station. Quality time in nature has several benefits for young children. This includes increasing creativity, problem-solving skills, plus intellectual, social and physical development. Adults benefit from more outdoor time too! So, let’s make the most of this time in our local environment.

Aloha  from Experiment 626!! Get ready to mix up some Hawaiian blue slime with mix-ins and a stitch charm!! This is a FREE, all ages event!! First come, first serve while supplies last!

Join OPL as we engage in digital storytelling through exciting STEM and coding activities with our new community partner Snapology! While children are exploring robotics, coding, and design challenges using LEGO® bricks and technology, they are learning new skills and having fun! This is a free event for kids 6-12.

Join at the La Vista Community Center for our Last Day of School Celebration. They’ll be serving up delicious root beer floats to help you celebrate the start of summer in style. It's the perfect way to unwind, have fun, and make the most of the first day of your summer break. Don’t miss out on this sweet treat!

A hilarious group of Big Canvas improvisers brings short-form improv for the whole family to the Blackstone district every 4th Friday. Each show is a new adventure you don’t want to miss!

Sofia's Play Garden Members Preview. Reserve a time slot!

Park Naturalists will teach visitors about Nebraska reptiles and amphibians with live animal ambassadors. This program is free. A valid state park vehicle permit is required for entry.

Help us celebrate slippery, slimy, wonderful worms! This special storytime will feature books and songs all about wiggly worms. At the conclusion of storytime, stay and observe real worms! If real worms make you squirm, don’t worry, worm themed crafts will be available. All supplies included. While supplies last. Registration is required

Let's make some music! Brains will grow and smiles will shine as kids work together to make some awesome music with Miss Kerry from @kindermusikomaha!

Join OPL staff at different parks and places for storytime, featuring stories, creative movement, music and more. Storytime is geared toward preschoolers, but all ages are welcome. Rain or shine, we'll be there!

Join Bennington Public Library on the patio at Cup & Cone in Bennington for Out & About Storytime

While observing and painting you will learn basic water techniques such as: controlling water (wet on wet, wet on dry), blending, and how to paint from observation. Overall, visitors will have fun, unwind, and enjoy the flowers. All levels welcome, supplies are limited. Visit the Arrival Plaza at Lewis and Clark Landing for this event.

Look for the Family Fishing Trailer, where loaner rods and reels, bait and fishing instruction are available free to participants. Fishing Instructors are also available to provide helpful tips and answer questions. This is the perfect opportunity for people of all ages who have never been fishing or haven’t fished for years to learn.

Hats off to a fun afternoon of getting creative!! Customize your very own trucker hat with patches and fabric markers!! Fashion Designers of all ages are welcome! $10 per participant upon arrival of the event! Supplies are limited, we recommend coming early to secure a spot

Join Nebraska Game and Parks for a one-of-a-kind guided hike as we search for the secretive and often misunderstood reptiles and amphibians that share our Nebraska landscapes. From sunbathing snakes to chorus frogs calling from the wetlands, we’ll uncover the hidden lives of these unique creatures!

Rotating schedule of free instructor-lead wellness classes sure to get you moving. This Week’s Activity: Sculpt BootCamp

Beep Beep! Join for Touch-A-Truck where kids will have the opportunity to climb aboard, honk horns, and meet the friendly professionals who operate these amazing machines. In addition to the vehicles, there will be face painting, balloon animals, interactive activities, food trucks, and more. They will also be implementing a "No Horn Hour" from 11am-12pm for children with auditory sensitivities. No horns or sirens will be used during this time.

A summer reading celebration. They'll have an inflatable obstacle course, face painting, a balloon artist, henna tattoos, a visit by the Stormtroopers from the 501st Legion, cake & other treats.

Poop, vomit, slime, and even more amazing disgusting topics will be explored as we learn about some of the grossest (and coolest) animal traits. Join OPL and educators from the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium to learn about mammal digestion and discover why scientists use poop to track animal migration patterns.

In June, they will learn about snakes.

Join for 30 minutes of singing and musical fun with Lori Lynn from Overall Buddies! This program is most appropriate for kids ages 5 and younger and an adult companion. In the event of inclement weather, this program will move to Library Meeting Room A.

Dive into an underwater adventure as we create our very own Ocean Sensory Bins!! Delve into the smooth, prickly, gritty textures of sea creatures, coral reef, sand and water!! This is a FREE all ages event! First come, first serve, while supplies last.

Kick off the summer by learning all about the Reading Dragons Program, created by the Dover Public Library! We'll have snacks, play cards, and have a craft available.

Stormy -- the mascot for the Omaha Storm Chasers baseball team -- will visit for a special storytime. Children of all ages are welcome. Experience stories, creative movement, music and more. We explore the early literacy skills of singing, playing, reading, talking and writing in each storytime.

Just how do instruments make sound? In this storytime with the Omaha Symphony’s education team, we’ll explore pitch and vibration in this interactive program centered around Mary and her Little Lamb (and Llama!). Designed for students ages 3-7, all ages are welcome in this musical adventure.

Hiyah! Premier Martial Arts is going to turn our toy store into a dojo! Your little warrior will have a blast learning basic martial arts and self-defense skills, as well as techniques to improve concentration, self-discipline, respect, and confidence.

All ages. Ages 10 and under need an adult with them. While supplies last.

Are you in your beaded bracelet era? Join OPL to make these widely popular statement pieces! Use polymer clay beads, letter beads and more to bedazzle your own bracelet or make one for a friend. This is a free event and is suggested for kids aged 7-14. Registration is required

All ages and ability levels are welcome at OPL’s Tabletop Time At the Library where we’ll be playing popular, modern board games like Catan, Ticket to Ride, Splendor, King of Tokyo and more! Come hang out with friends or family, learn a new game, or enjoy a group favorite at the library. This is a free event for all ages. Registration is required 

Join for a dazzling show with circus performer Sam Rezz! There will be hula hoops, juggling and more! In the event of inclement weather, this program will move to Library Meeting Room B.

Take a journey with us as we explore our world’s amazing habitats and the animals that live within them! We hope you can join us to learn about our animal ambassadors we share this planet with.

Poop, vomit, slime, and even more amazing disgusting topics will be explored as we learn about some of the grossest (and coolest) animal traits. Join OPL and educators from the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium to learn about mammal digestion and discover why scientists use poop to track animal migration patterns.

Join for Community Fishing Night at Halleck Lake! All participants ages 16 and older need a fishing license. A valid state park entry permit is also required for events at state park areas.

Kick off your summer with Kids FunFare — a lively, family-friendly event happening every Thursday morning in June at Regency Shopping Center!

Join OPL for a musical storytime with guests from the Omaha Conservatory of Music. This storytime will include a special musical story, songs with movement, and an instrument petting zoo, where participants can try out a violin, cello, glockenspiel, stirring xylophone, lollipop drum, and a shaker instrument.

Stop by and cool off with a refreshing dose of creativity! We've got all the supplies and plenty of inspiration for kids to make and take home something awesome. All they need to bring is their unique personality!

Roll on into OPL and roll up some candy sushi! We’ll explore the different types of sushi, make our own out of candy and rice krispie treats, and practice our chopstick skills in this free, interactive program for children ages 8-12. Registration is required

Compete against other teams to complete the same puzzle in the fastest amount of time. All teams will be provided with a puzzle and will have two hours to finish the challenge. The first team to complete the puzzle wins!
Space is limited, and registration is required.

The 4th annual Wine-d Down with Wings, presented by our friends at Google, is Thursday, June 5, 2025, from 6:00 to 9:00pm at the pastoral Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard just outside Council Bluffs. Make plans now to attend - it's a great way to usher in summer while raising money for a great cause! If you're unavailable that day, please consider a donation.

Ages 0 - 8. Have a monstrously good time with the colorful monsters at the library! There will be crafts, activities, and more!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar will visit for a special storytime! Children of all ages are welcome. Experience stories, creative movement, music and more. We explore the early literacy skills of singing, playing, reading, talking, and writing in each storytime. There will be opportunities to take photos.

Let's celebrate National Donut Day!!  Join for a fun craft that is good enought to eat!! decorate your very own delicious donut while you hear the story "If You Give a Dog a Donut" It's a FREE all ages event.  First come first serve while supplies last! We recommend coming as early as 10am(open) to reserve your spot.

It’s your time to shine! Join OPL and instructors with Pear Tree Performing Arts studio to explore culture through the power of oral tradition, folktales, and drama. Participants engage in a variety of arts-based lessons and learn about the world, diversity, different cultures, values, virtues, and morals through tales passed down from generations. This is a free event for kids, ages 6-12. Registration is required

every First Friday of the month in the Benson Creative District for a night filled with art, live music, food, and community! From 5 PM to 2 AM, experience a variety of gallery openings, art exhibitions, local vendors, and live performances at venues across Maple Street and beyond!

This fun and energetic dance class combines elements of ballet and hip-hop. Join MCC at the 8th Street Plaza in Heartland of America Park to learn this exciting dance style and perfect your moves! Some dance experience is required.

Bluey will make a special appearance, as well as an interactive experience with Wildlife Encounters who will bring animals such as a baby kangaroo, an alligator and even an armadillo! We will have face painters and much more!

Bring the entire family to Arrowhead Park for a morning of fishing fun in the sun on Saturday, June 7th at 10:00 a.m. This event is held in conjunction with Iowa's FREE fishing weekend, which means a license is not required for Iowa residents. All other IDNR fishing regulations apply. A $3 per vehicle entry fee or Pottawattamie Conservation membership is required to participate

The Very Hungry Caterpillar will visit for a special storytime! Children of all ages are welcome. Experience stories, creative movement, music and more. We explore the early literacy skills of singing, playing, reading, talking, and writing in each storytime. There will be opportunities to take photos.

Join OPL at The Joslyn for storytime, featuring stories, creative movement, music and exploration of a piece of art. Storytime is geared toward preschoolers, but all ages are welcome. This Storytime is part of The Joslyn's monthly Art-tastic Saturdays.

Blast off into summer fun at our Summer Passport Kickoff Event, designed for adventurous kids ages 6–12—and best of all, it’s completely FREE! This is your first chance to pick up a Do Space Summer Passport, your guide to a summer packed with tech, creativity, and hands-on challenges. The first 300 kids will also get a free drawstring bag and water bottle to start their journey in style!

Through movement, yoga poses, breathing exercises, games, mindful activities, and guided sensory relaxation techniques, discover fun and engaging ways to enjoy the outdoors for all ages!