Events

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!

Get ready for an exciting night of hard-hitting action as No Coast Roller Derby presents a thrilling Home Doubleheader! Join for two action-packed games featuring some of the best roller derby teams around.

Create your own working flashlight using simple materials! This hands-on activity is a fun way to explore how light works—and it’s perfect for nighttime adventures or reading under the covers.

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.

Dive into a hot springs bath with Capybaras with this Slime workshop sure to please any Capybara enthusiast! This is a FREE, all ages activity! First come, first serve, while supplies last! (we recommend comin as early as 10am to reserve a spot!) 

Ages 0 - 12.  Sand Art

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 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.

Kids are introduced to basic computer programming by exploring codes and programs using the Ozobot! The Ozobot is a miniature robot with color sensors that allow it to follow lines and read color codes to complete commands. In this program, youth will learn and draw basic color codes, integrate color codes into storytelling, and use Ozoblockly - an online coding program to explore sequential block coding. This class is taught by 4-H School Enrichment teachers. Class size is limited, so registration is required.

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

Join for Community Fishing Night at Towl Lake! 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.

Bennington Library Community Partners

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.

Come celebrate HUMP DAY and take a selfie with a camel from our program partners at Scatter Joy Acres! Grab a bite to eat from the 13th Street Food Truck Lane!

Join for a wildly good time! On Wednesday, June 11, Wildlife Encounters will take over the library with plenty of fuzzy, scaly, and crawly friends. This event is free to attend and open to everyone. Yes, adults, that means you can come too!

Join us for a free community dance class with a cast member from MJ the Musical! This hit Broadway musical tells the story of Michael Jackson’s rise to stardom and fame. People of all skill levels age 12 and up are welcome! Register!!

Come and help us celebrate playtime with playtime! They'll have piles of toys set out and ready for kids to enjoy freely, from baby toys to building toys to crafty, creative toys. Plus, every kid will get a FREE orange Simpl Dimpl! Come on, let's play!

Star Party Hosted by Bennington Public Library & The Omaha Astronomical Society

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

Join OPL at the Gene Leahy Mall for storytime! Storytime is geared toward preschoolers, but all ages are welcome to join in the fun. Rain or shine, we'll be there! They will be under the big white pavilion.

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.

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!

How much do you know about the animal kingdom? Can you tell the difference between a monkey and an ape? What farm animal is more dangerous than sharks? Join OPL and educators from Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium for this gameshow-style program.

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

Join Omaha Street Percussion for a workshop designed to give young patrons an opportunity to drum, while at the same time learn the importance of teamwork. Participants will be challenged to multi-task by using skills such as counting, listening, and watching for instruction and guidance in order to accomplish the ultimate goal, which is to perform as a whole group!