Events

Build and decorate a cardboard mannequin in your own (or inspired by your own) likeness. Once you learn this technique, you can build up a whole little world that spans across time and is full of all your favorite people, places, and things! Registration Required

Jeff Quinn's all-new magic show needs YOU! Get your friends and family together and join Jeff Quinn's Summer Reading Show. This is a free event for all ages.

This workshop is for writers who love to dream big, think outside the box, and have fun while learning. You’ll leave with exciting new ideas and maybe even the start of your next masterpiece. No matter your experience level, this class will help you grow your storytelling superpowers—and have a blast while doing it. Game on! This is a free program for ages 10-13. Registration is required

Join this summer for some stargazing at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park! Powerful telescopes will be set up at the park’s golf shack for a glimpse of the night sky spectaculars. The event is free to the public, but you will need a valid Nebraska park entry permit for your vehicle. Stargazing will begin at dusk. Remember to bring your camp chairs or blankets! Telescopes will be provided.

I spy with my little eye👀 a galaxy🌌 of fun textures, and everything outer space themed of course!!🪐Join as they create a one-of-a-kind I Spy 🧐 Sensory Bottle! These are perfect for all ages and make a fun, educational toy for the car or home!! This is a FREE, all ages event!! We recommend coming at 11 AM (open) to reserve your spot as spaces are limited and fill very quickly!

Pancake Pig 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.

Pancake Pig 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.

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!

Ages 7+.  Mandala Art

Oh no! We're stuck in the past! Or is this the future? Work together to find hidden relics from each era and fix the T.I.M.E machine before that hungry dinosaur eats you for dinner. Do you have what it takes? Registration is required 

Pancake Pig 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.

Giddyup! Let's learn about life on the farm! Our friends from Gifford Farm will be here to teach kids all about how farms work and what it's like to be a farmer. Plus, they're bringing a goat, a lamb, a duck, and a rabbit!

Join for a prehistoric pep rally all about life millions of years ago! From dinosaur skin all the way to extinction, this is an experience you won't want to miss! This is an interactive show most appropriate for families with kids in grades K-6. In the event of inclement weather this program will be moved to the CB Library.

Come enjoy a special magic show by Rainbow Trout the Clown!

Bennington Library Community Partners

Pancake Pig 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.

It's a bird, it's a plane ... no, it's Fontenelle Forest's Raptor Rescue! Join us for a high-flying storytime featuring guests from the rescue.

Let the sun power your creepy crawly creation! Build your own solar-powered robo-roach and watch it scurry when the light hits. Registration is required for this event.

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 Prairie Queen 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.

Experience stories, creative movement, music and more. Explore the early literacy skills of singing, playing, reading, talking and writing in each storytime! Children of all ages are welcome; storytimes will be tailored for the age of the children present. At this storytime, we will learn about fire safety with a local firefighter and even see a fire truck!

In order for curious minds to bloom, it is essential to plant a love of reading at a young age. Join OPL at Lauritzen Gardens for stories that celebrate gardens, plants, insects and more, and discover the joys of nature, movement, music, and literature. Storytime is geared for preschoolers, but all ages are welcome. Lauritzen Gardens will offer free admission to families who attend this storytime.

Pancake Pig 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 children’s book illustrator, Chloe Burgett, as she shares what it's like drawing pictures for children's books. Chloe will present about her job, read her book, answer questions, and lead a draw-along activity. This is a free event event for children of all ages. Registration is required

Oh no! We're stuck in the past! Or is this the future? Work together to find hidden relics from each era and fix the T.I.M.E machine before that hungry dinosaur eats you for dinner. Do you have what it takes? Registration is required 

Fairytale Ball Family Fun Weekend

All Ages. End Summer Reading with an outdoor bubble party!

Absolute Science’s Bubble Stations is one of the largest mobile bubble programs in the United States. The hand-made bubble solution makes bubbles not only bigger, but longer lasting! With hundreds of wands of different shapes and sizes from all over the world, this program is a wonderful hands-on experience that brings out the child in all of us! We’ll also be joined by the Parks & Recreation Rec on the Move program with their Imagination Playground blocks, games, and tons fun!

Join Friday, July 18th at 11AM for a Smurf-sized celebration of the brand new Smurf movie! 🎬🎉
Kids can make their very own DIY Smurf Sensory Bin filled with blue rice, magical mix-ins, and surprise Smurfy treasures! 🌲✨ It’s hands-on fun perfect for little creators and big imaginations! This is a FREE all ages event. First come, first serve, while supplies last! We recommend coming at 10 AM (open) to reserve your spot, as spaces are limited and they fill very quickly!

Unleash your creativity by making a one-of-a-kind monster! Use colorful 3D printer scraps, googly eyes, glue, and glowing LEDs to bring your beastie to life. Registration is required for this event.

Laugh and be dazzled by Jeff Quinn's amazing magic (and silly antics)! No library card or registration required.

On July 19, the topic will be cicadas! Groove to nature’s noisiest concert. From underground hideouts to sky-high serenades, we’ll uncover the world of these buzzing bugs. The event will be held at the pavilion east of the Caboose Park.

Pancake Pig 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.

Sprinkle on some pixie dust and fly on by for a Neverland adventure at Fat Brain Toys! There will be a real mermaid, a real pirate, plus a fun craft activity to make and take home. Just remember: think happy thoughts!

Visit with multiple local rural fire departments, law enforcement, OPPD, and other valuable safety entities to learn about fire safety awareness, along with firefighter and law enforcement job duties. Bring the kids out for fire truck rides, free food, face painting, a seatbelt simulator, and much more! Meet Smokey the Bear & Sparky. A valid state park entry vehicle permit is required. This event will be held at Fremont SRA Meeting Facility #16.

Come shop from local Kidpreneurs in our Omaha metro community!!🛒🛍 From Slime, Jewelry, Resin Art, crocheted plushies, to Sugar Scrubs and Bath Salts, there's something for everyone!! Bring the fam on in for fun, creativity and support for our young creators pursuing their dreams!!

Celebrate Parks & Recreation Month – “Build Together, Play Together” with ice cream, music, and playing outside!
Build your own FREE ice cream sundae, listen to live acoustic music and play in the park. This event is open to everyone from 1 – 3 p.m., invite your neighbors.

Jeff Quinn's all-new magic show needs YOU! Get your friends and family together and join Jeff Quinn's Summer Reading Show. This is a free event 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.

Let's go on a bug hunt!!🕵️‍♀️ Create your very own Bug Garden Sensory Bin.🐛 Then dig in and feel all the creepy crawly textures, observe your insects with a magnifying glass, and of course catch your bugs with the mini net!! This is a FREE, all ages event! First come, first serve, while supplies last!! We recommend coming at 11 am (open) to reserve your spot as spaces are limited and they fill very quickly!

Celebrate books and the end of summer at an afternoon of outside festival fun, themed on Laura Numeroff’s picture book series “If You Give A Mouse a Cookie”. There will be games and activities, big trucks, face painting, glitter tattoos, and a special storytime featuring Pancake Pig. Meet us in the parking lot to join the fun! Pancake Pig’s storytime will be held inside the Library Administrative Building at 2 p.m. This is a free event for all ages. All crafts and activities available while supplies last.

A beloved chapter in Nebraska’s musical heritage will be celebrated as the Nebraska Children’s Chorus presents the Bel Canto Alumni Reunion Concert, marking the ensemble’s 30th anniversary. This special event will be held on Sunday, July 20 at 3:00 PM at First Central Congregational Church, 421 S 36th Street in Omaha. Admission is free and open to the public, with a reception to follow the performance.

Design, decorate, and build your very own kite to take to the skies! This creative activity lets kids personalize their kite before heading outside to see it soar. It's the perfect blend of art and outdoor fun!

Join a member of the education team of the Omaha Symphony to explore the concept of pitch and learn to play Mary Had a Little Lamb together using plastic tubes.

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!! We recommend coming early to get a good spot in line!

Join OPL at “Once Upon a Time at the Castle” for storytime and activities, featuring stories, creative movement, music and more. Storytime is geared towards children ages 2-8, but all ages are welcome. Bring your own blanket and snacks and meet us in the gardens!

Bring your favorite stuffed animal friend to a pajama storytime! After storytime, your stuffie friend will stay at the library for a sleepover with the librarians, where we’ll take pictures of them doing all sorts of fun activities. This program is for kids ages 0-7, but older siblings are welcome too.

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.

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 Kindermusik with Overton Music Studios!

Join OPL for a Mario Kart tournament at Millard Branch. We will be playing the game on Nintendo Switch. This is a free program for ages 8-12. Registration is required

Discover the magic of mirrors and light in this colorful Make It session! Kids will create their own handheld kaleidoscopes using reflective surfaces, vibrant beads, and craft materials. As they build and decorate, they'll learn how light and symmetry work together to create ever-changing patterns. It's a creative, hands-on way to explore optics and bring home a mesmerizing toy of their own design! Registration is required for this event.

Bring your favorite stuffed animal friend to a pajama storytime! After storytime, your stuffie friend will stay at the library for a sleepover with the librarians, where we’ll take pictures of them doing all sorts of fun activities. This program is for kids ages 0-7, but older siblings are welcome too.

Join for Community Fishing Night at Kramer 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.

Enjoy a special storytime with officers from the Papillion Police Department.

Wildlife Encounters and their animal ambassadors will join us at the park for an exciting, interactive, educational program all about animals adaptations, history, geography, and cool facts about each animal. In the event of inclement weather, this program will move to CB Library Meeting Room B.

Bennington Library Community Partners

Laughing Matters is a show full of juggling, mime, hat tricks, stories, magic, and other nonsense featuring Jay and Leslie from Kansas. This show is free and appropriate for all ages!

Join OPL for a Mario Kart tournament at Millard Branch. We will be playing the game on Nintendo Switch. This is a free program for ages 13-18. Registration is required

Laughing Matters is a show full of juggling, mime, hat tricks, stories, magic, and other nonsense featuring Jay and Leslie from Kansas. This show is free and appropriate for all ages! 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.

Join children’s book illustrator, Chloe Burgett, as she shares what it's like drawing pictures for children's books. Chloe will present about her job, read her book, answer questions, and lead a draw-along activity. This is a free event event for all ages. Registration is required

Come cool off at our Watermelon Festival, held right here on one of the largest watermelon farms in the Midwest! We grow over 6 varieties of watermelon (plus cantaloupe!)—and during this special event, you can eat as much as you want. 

Join American Midwest Ballet at the Performance Pavilion in Gene Leahy Mall for a free dance class. This class is open to all ages and led by a company dancer, and focuses on learning new steps and discovering the joy of dance.

Come face to face with some of the amazing critters you can find in the forest and learn all about why they are so neat!  In the event of inclement weather, this program will be moved to the Library.

Participants will learn how animals use slime in nature and weird slime facts and will be invited to create a slime monster, blow slime bubbles or cut dripping slime with scissors. All supplies included. Children of all ages are welcome. Parents and/or caregivers are required to stay and help their children with this program.

Who's ready for a POOL PARTY?!🏊‍♀️🏖 Dive in to a splash of deliciousness as we craft our very own yummy crispie treats, then gather around for a story time while we snack on our Beach Bear🐻irresistible snacks!!😋 This is a FREE all ages event! First come, first serve, while supplies last!! We recommend coming as early as 10 am (open) to reserve your spot!

For a touch of holiday cheer at a beautiful park, bring the family to Indian Cave State Park on July 25-26, 2025 for the 12th Annual Campfire Christmas in July!

Celebrate the National Day of the Cowboy with us this Saturday, July 26th at the Bellevue Berry Farm! Join for music, carnival games, comfort food, vendors, entertainment, and more at the first annual Western Days.

On July 26, the topic will be critter clues! Be a wildlife detective. Uncover critter clues left behind in the wild as you observe tracks, fur, scat and more. The event will be held at the pavilion east of the Caboose Park.

In this class students will learn the basic movements and isolations so well as, posture and some basic styling associated with popular Egyptian and Turkish style belly dancing. You will learn fundamental muscle control and fluidity while toning those core tummy muscles. It will encourage good posture, improve flexibility and it is a great low impact exercise activity as well. Great for beginners but, all are welcome to participate. This class will be located at the 8th Street Plaza in Heartland of America Park.

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

Celebrate the National Day of the Cowboy with us this Saturday, July 26th at the Bellevue Berry Farm! Join for music, carnival games, comfort food, vendors, entertainment, and more at the first annual Western Days.