There are many free (or almost free) fun family activities coming up both locally and nationally to enjoy! A special welcome to Berkshire Hathaway visitors! It is always a good idea to verify with the business before visiting. See these and other family friendly events in Omaha Attractions (many recently added!) and in the Event Calendar!
Don’t miss:
- Mother’s Day Freebies and Events – with more added soon!
Local
- Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Omaha! Activities include a banquet, concerts, carnival, parade, 5K run/walk, mariachi Mass, car show, health fair and fiesta.
- Held the first Friday of each month, 6-9pm, First Friday is a free event celebrating local creativity in Omaha’s most historic neighborhood. They are also offering free parking and free rides on Ollie the Trolley, 6-9pm. Nebraska at the Market, 1215 Leavenworth, is generously offering their 60 parking spaces for free. Park there and start your walking tour or hop aboard the trolley to circulate the neighborhood.
- 8am-12:30pm. Approximately 110 vendors each Saturday sell fresh, locally grown produce, baked goods and flowers. ”Buy local and eat fresh.”
- Local food from Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota farmers held on Saturdays, 8 am to 1 pm, Rain or Shine
- During the open house, artist studios will be open for visitors, and they will have organized art displays, live music, and gallery shows. The amazing demonstrations will also include bronze pouring, clay work and raku firings, iron forging, and glass blowing. Please donate a non-perishable food item for the Food Bank when you visit the Hot Shops Art Center Open House. Collection boxes will be available near the front entrance.
- Enjoy FREE general admission, Saturdays, 10 am–noon. Additional charge for some special exhibitions. Joslyn Art Museum’s Peter Kiewit Foundation Sculpture Garden is open year-round from 7 am to 11 pm each day, and admission is free.
- May 12th – It’s A Relief! Saturday Surprise Kids’ Program at Joslyn Art Museum – Through partnerships with local artists and area organizations or special programming for children and families, there is always something new to explore here at the Museum! Join us every other Saturday from 10 am–noon for a self-guided art project at Joslyn!
- AAA is hosting several free bike helmet fittings from 10-2pm at various AAA offices over the next two months. Free helmets will also be available to children ages 5-12, while supplies last. Dates and locations of fittings at AAA offices:
- May 5, 10am-2pm, 132nd & West Center (northwest corner)
- May 12, 10am-2pm, 160th & Evans Street
- Bring a canned/non-perishable food item to Werner Park and receive one free McDonald’s Berm ticket. 1 per canned non-perishable item. Fans are encouraged to bring more. Food will be donated.
- 9am-1pm. Each Sunday, local growers sell fresh, locally grown produce, baked goods and flowers. ”Buy local and eat fresh.”
- Professional kite flyers for National Kite Month at the LaVista Sports Complex, 7346 S. 66th Street, LaVista, NE . The free event runs from 12 noon – 5:00 pm.
- 12-2 at the Hy-Vee, 180th and Pacific, Omaha, NE. ACRODUNK, semi-finalists on America’s Got Talent, will be performing at your Pacific Street Hy-Vee today. Bring the family and some lawn chairs and come enjoy some awesome entertainment. There will also be a big BBQ smoking event going on all day for you to check out! ACRODUNK Meet & Greet 12:00 noon. ACRODUNK Performance 1:00 p.m. – East Loading Dock Area.
Nebraska’s Great Park Pursuit – 5/1-9/17
- Registration is now open for the Great Park Pursuit, a FREE outdoor adventure throughout Nebraska. Participants can visit up to 20 local, state or federal parks from May 1st through September 17th. At each park, visitors follow clues to find the post and make a nature impression. Impressions are mailed in, reflecting the total number of parks visited. Entry into prize drawings are based on the number of impressions collected. There are a few near Omaha and Lincoln!
Mud Pies at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center – Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays during the school year
- Children ages 5 and younger with accompanying adult can explore nature activities through interactive stations. A different natural science topic is introduced each week. $2 member/$3 non-member. It is held every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during the school year from 9:30 – 11:30 am.
Free Outdoor Activities at Gene Leahy Mall – Mondays – Thursdays beginning 5/7
- The Omaha Downtown Improvement District Association (DID) will offer FREE activities and mini events all summer at the Gene Leahy Mall! Activities will be held from 5:30-6:30 p.m., Mondays-Thursdays during the months of May, June, August and September at 14th & Farnam Streets.
- Mondays – Family Fun
- Tuesdays & Thursdays – Boot Camp Exercise Classes
- Wednesdays – Arts & Culture
Shadow Lake Towne Center Kids Club – 5/10
- Shadow Lake Towne Center offers Kids Club, a FREE hour (10:30-11:30am) of fun for children. A different activity is featured in a different store / restaurant each month. Register early since these tend to fill-up quickly!
Free Admission to Lauritzen Gardens – 5/11
- Free Admission on Friday, May 11th, from 9-5 to help celebrate National Public Gardens Day!
Family Skate at Motto McLean Ice Arena – 5/12
- Saturday, May 12th, 12-2pm. Family Skate at Motto McLean Ice Arena (inside Hitchcock Park- 45th x Q). Only $10 for a family of four, and $3 for each additional person. This includes admission, skate rentals, popcorn, and drink.
- Mothers will receive a free gate gift upon arrival, while supplies last, and they can register to win a prize that includes a $100 shopping spree and gift certificates for dining and entertainment. Event activities are free to Omaha’s Zoo members or with regular paid Zoo admission.
National Events
Michael’s Special Mother Day Events – 5/4-5/12
Home Depot Free Kids Workshop – 5/5
- Home Depot offers FREE kid’s workshops on the first Saturday of each month, from 9am-12pm. They are designed for children ages 5-12. Workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety. All participants will receive a Kids Workshop Apron, commemorative pin and certificate of achievement.
- Saturday, May 5th, 1-5pm, in select stores, and online all day. FREE Gift with any full-size signature collection purchase, and enter to win a Mother’s Day VIP Tote! Find a store here.
- In Omaha, this includes Oakview Mall and Westroads Mall. Check with other local stores for participation before visiting.
- Nurses get a Free Cinnabon Classic Roll May 6-12, 2012, at participating Cinnabon locations! Show your healthcare ID badge to enjoy your well-deserved treat!
- Enjoy preschool storytime every Tuesday and Thursday at Barnes and Noble stores nationwide. Times and dates may vary. Please verify with your local store before visiting. In Omaha, Storytime is at 11am at the Oakview store.
Pottery Barn Kids Special Mother Day Events
- Mother’s Day Storytime – Tuesday, May 8th, 11am. Find your nearest location.
- Mothers Day Doll Tea Party – Saturday, May 12th at 3 and 4pm. Mothers and Grandmothers are invited to a special afternoon of refreshments and stories. Enjoy tea-time with your child who may bring their favorite doll or teddy bear to share in the fun. RSVP required. Find your nearest location.
- Held annually the Friday before Mother’s Day to raise awareness of the role America’s public gardens have in promoting environmental stewardship and education in communities nationwide. Almost 500 gardens will participate by offering special events and activities for visitors.
- Kids can make a picture frame planter for their Mom’s at Lowe’s Free Build and Grow Clinic on Saturday, 5/12, 10-11am. Registration is required. Space is limited, and so sign up early!
CC image courtesy of dbking