Family Fun in Omaha

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

  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise

2022 Summer
Camp Guide

Best May
Fun

Kids Bowl
Free

Great Wolf
Lodge Deals

Birthday
Parties

READ MORE2022 Summer Camp GuidePlan your next Birthday Party!

Corn Maze Scavenger Hunt, Giant Slide, and More Fun at Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch

September 13, 2016

The entrance booths and sign at Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch.

Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch has partnered with us for many years as a Featured Listing in our Omaha Area Pumpkin Patch Guide. We are grateful for their invitation to visit Skinny Bones to experience all of the new attractions, and share them with you. 

 

Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch is a fun Fall family destination with many attractions to enjoy. We love the family-friendly atmosphere of Skinny Bones. From the planning, to the work they do year-round, to the taste testing of the perfect Kettle Corn recipe, the family aspect of Skinny Bones is evident.

Challenging Corn Maze and Scavenger Hunt

The entrance to JJ\'s Corn Maze at Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch.

Our FAVORITE part of Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch is their amazing Corn Maze! The Corn Maze is manicured by hand to make sure stalks are not pointing out into the walkway, and to create a smooth path to help make it wheelchair and stroller-friendly. Even though it had poured the day before, most of the Corn Maze was not muddy, and all of the paths were able to be walked through.

A close up of the path in the corn maze at Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch.

Look at how manicured the path is!

A fun addition to the Corn Maze is the Scavenger Hunt! Our entire family loved finding all of the stops, each with a different shaped hole punch. It took 3 tries to find #4, but eventually each of the 8 stops were found.

A sign in a corn field at Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch.

It was perfect active and fun family activity to do together. I kept saying there is nothing I would rather be doing on this beautiful Fall day!

They also offer a special Flashlight Night on Fridays and Haunted Night on Saturdays!

 

Fun for the Younger Ones

Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch offers several attractions for the younger visitors.

A small slide at Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch.

The Corn Pool is always a hit with the kids!

A room full of corn and toys at Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch.

The Mad Cow Ride is fun for the little ones with different names on each car.

A close up of a children\'s ride at Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch.

Look at this extra little seat for the little ones to ride along!

A close up of the go cars at Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch.

 

Frankenslide

This slide is so fast and fun! The Frankenslide is a new attraction in 2016, offering a beautiful view from the top of the stairs. It is deceiving how fast it goes, but it does give you a little adrenaline rush with a soft landing.

A close up of the stairs and platform for a giant slide at Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch.

With 2 slides side-by-side, it was perfect to race each other over and over again!

The exit to the slide at Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch.

 

More Fun at Skinny Bones

My son’s favorite activity was the Nerf Gun War Zone. He loved challenging us, darting between the barriers, and shooting through the little hole cutouts. It felt like we were kids again playing with the Nerf Guns.

A maze activity at Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch.

The Giant Jumping Pillow is always a favorite for all ages!

A wooden fence and benches at Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch.

The slanted house provides a unique experience you have to feel to believe. It is very deceiving. Be careful, though, it can cause you to feel dizzy!

A red crooked building at Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch.

The TWO new racetracks are so much fun! My kids enjoyed the smaller track and raced each other around it several times. The carts were nice and easy to navigate for them. The larger track is very long with lots of twists and turns. Once you got started, it was fun to race one another!

The go carts at Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch.

 

Amazing Kettle Corn

A pile of kettle corn bags at a Kettle Corn stand at Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch.

I love Kettle Corn, and this was some of the best I have enjoyed! Maria shared that it is a family-recipe with a perfect balance of sweet and salty, and full of large whole kernels. Highly recommend!

We had such a wonderful time at Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch, and filled the beautiful Fall afternoon with lots of family-friendly fun.

For more information, visit Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch!

Special thanks to Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch for inviting us to visit for the purpose of this review, and for being a Featured Listing in our Omaha Area Pumpkin Patch Guide. 

Filed Under: Family Fun Tagged With: Omaha, Reviews

Family Fun at King’s Pointe Waterpark Resort

June 19, 2014

A waterslide next to a lazy river at King\'s Pointe Outdoor Waterpark.

Are you looking for a fun family vacation within a few hours drive of Omaha?

King’s Pointe Waterpark Resort is located in Storm Lake, Iowa, about 2.5 hours from Omaha. We first discovered King’s Pointe through a Living Social deal and visited over Spring Break. We loved the indoor waterpark so much, that we wanted to return in the summer to try the outdoor waterpark. It turned out to be a perfect family vacation, full of water fun, bike rides, and creating memories together.

A person riding a bike near the waterline shore at King\'s Pointe Waterpark Resort.

The resort is located right on Storm Lake – this was the view from our room! The bike trail was easily accessible, and we enjoyed our early morning ride to the nearby playground and lighthouse. The kids enjoyed watching the ducks swim by and the fisherman fish from the nearby docks.

Outdoor Waterpark

A water park activity pool at King\'s Pointe Waterpark Resort.

The outdoor waterpark offers fun for all ages, with 2 diving boards, large swimming area, lazy river, and 5 waterslides! The kids loved the raft waterslide on the double tubes that allowed for parents to ride with their children easily. The zero depth entry and special kiddie area with two small slides are perfect for the younger children!

During the summer, they also offer rentals including pontoons, kayaks, paddleboards, peddle boats, aqua bikes, and canoes. Life jackets are provided for these activities as well as the waterparks.

Indoor Waterpark

The indoor waterpark and pool at King\'s Point Indoor Waterpark

The Indoor Waterpark, open year-round, is packed full of fun options. Our favorite was the tube waterslide, perfect for us to ride together. With two young children, we found King’s Pointe to be ideal, because they could ride on two of the indoor waterslides, ride along in the lazy river, try climbing across the lilypads, play in the zero depth entry, and climb all around the kiddie area. Plus, there was a lot of space for kids to swim or play basketball. The snack shack was perfect for lunch – with our recommendation going to the chicken sandwiches. Overall, we loved the indoor waterpark as much as the outdoor one!

Miniature Golf

A large oversized pirate on a mini golf course at King\'s Pointe Waterpark Resort.

 

The Pirates Pointe Mini Golf course is right next door, full of challenging holes, waterfalls, and pirate-themed fun.

The outside windows of a building at King\'s Pointe Waterpark Resort.

The staff was very helpful and professional. The lifeguards were constantly walking around monitoring the entire waterpark, ready to help if needed. We enjoyed the breakfast buffet at the Regatta Grille during our visit in April, which offered a beautiful view and delicious food.

The Room

The inside of a hotel room sittng area at King\'s Pointe Waterpark Resort.

 

We stayed in the Family Suite, which included two queen beds, plus a living area with sleeper sofa, desk (free wireless Internet), mini refrigerator and microwave. The room was clean and comfortable, and very quiet. We loved sitting out on the deck in the evening, watching the beautiful sunset over the lake. [Note: Some room rates do not include Waterpark passes.]

A sunset over a body of water, pier, and shoreline at King\'s Pointe Waterpark Resort.

We highly recommend King’s Pointe Waterpark Resort!

 

Other Helpful Resources:

  • Free Summer Fun in Omaha
  • Kids Eat Free
  • Ultimate Guide of Things to Do with Kids in Omaha

Filed Under: Family Fun, Popular Articles Tagged With: Giveaways, Reviews, Travel

WICKED Comes to Omaha!

May 10, 2014

A marquee sign for the show Wicked.

Spectacular… Funny… Thought provoking… Beautiful talent… Amazing performance…

WICKED, Broadway’s #1 show for nine consecutive years, comes to Omaha for the next two weeks! It is the untold story of the witches of Oz, and how these unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

Gina Beck and Emma Hunton_2014 (Photo by Joan Marcus)

From the minute the curtain rises, the audience is drawn in to the beautiful story of Elphaba and Glinda. With superb talent and beautiful singing, this story touches you in ways you would not expect. Gina Beck, as Glinda, is hilarious, and so fun to watch. Emma Hunton plays Elphaba beautifully, with a voice so amazing and filled with emotion, that you are touched every time she sings. The two interact perfectly together, especially during the favorite “I’m Popular” scene, and the moving scene “Defying Gravity”.

One of the best aspects of WICKED, is the story behind the story. We are all very familiar with the favorite Wizard of Oz, and have probably seen it several times. WICKED takes our preconceived thoughts on who the Wicked Witch and Glinda the Good Witch are, and gives us a different perspective on their backgrounds and why they are the way they are. Seeing The Wizard of Oz will never be the same (in a good way).

Emma Hunton1 2014 (Photo by  Joan Marcus)

Bullying is a dominant theme in WICKED, and they have a created a WICKED Anti-Bullying Summit to go along with the show. Several hundred students participated in anti-bullying workshops, focused towards preventing bullying in the classroom, and helping them become anti-bullying advocates in their schools.

With its combination of beautiful music, talented performers, heartfelt story, and entertaining scenes, WICKED has become one of my favorite Broadway shows!

The_Broadway_musical_Wicked 1

Performances and Tickets

WICKED will be in Omaha, Wednesday, May 7 through Sunday, May 25, at the Orpheum Theater, 409 South 16th Street.

Tickets are $35 to $160 and are available online at TicketOmaha.com; by phone at 402.345.0606; or at the Ticket Omaha box office inside the Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas Streets, Omaha, Neb.

LOTTERY

A day-of-performance lottery for a limited number of orchestra seats will be held for WICKED. Two and one-half hours prior to each performance, people who present themselves at the Orpheum Theater box office will have their names placed in a lottery drum; 30 minutes later, names will be drawn for a limited number of orchestra seats at $25 each, cash only. This lottery is available only in-person at the box office, with a limit of two tickets per person. Lottery participants must have a valid photo ID when submitting their entry form and, if chosen, when purchasing tickets.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Omaha Performing Arts for presenting another wonderful production, and for providing two tickets in exchange for sharing information about this show. Three photos were provided by Omaha Performing Arts. All opinions are my own. 

Filed Under: Family Fun Tagged With: Omaha, Reviews, Upcoming Events

Color Me Rad = Colorful Fun!

April 29, 2014

ColorMeRad

Beautiful day… Color everywhere… Smiles, laughter, friends, fun.  What a great start to a Saturday!  

I participated in my first Color Me Rad event last Saturday, April 26, at the Mid America Center in Council Bluffs. My niece joined me as we power-walked along the 5K course. Many people jogged, some brought strollers and wagons, and a few dressed in tutus and special costumes. 

Color Me Rad5

We began wearing white, which quickly became speckled with color from the color bags we were given to begin the fun.  As we proceeded around the course, we encountered several sections where volunteers covered us in color. It was fun to see some people rolling around in the colors, or throwing it at each other to see who could become the most colorful.

Color Me Rad4

We made our way to the last color spot (purple!) and then to the finish line, with more color and celebration. Everyone was so energized and happy, something about color and being outside that does that to people. The Color Me Rad was so much fun, and I look forward to participating again in the future!

Disclosure: Many thanks to Katie of Yellow Mango Life and Color Me Rad who provided two entries. All opinions are my own. See disclosure and privacy policy here.  

Filed Under: Family Fun Tagged With: Omaha, Reviews

Guest Post: Crane Watch is Great Day Trip

April 1, 2014

A flock of cranes flying in the sky

Today, we welcome Tim and Lisa Trudell, of The Walking Tourists!

Kearney, NE, is ground zero for one of the most beautiful scenes a person can view in their lifetime. The northern migration of the Sandhill Crane is a life-altering experience.

More than 500,000 cranes – about 75% of the world’s population – will visit a 75-mile stretch of the Platte River valley in central Nebraska during a 6-8 week period. This act has taken place for centuries. The Sandhill Crane is believed to be about 10 million-years-old as a species.

They come to this region to rest and build their strength for the rest of their trip. They will eat vegetation and worms in area farm fields. The cranes come to the area from their winter stops – including California, Florida, Texas and Mexico. Once rested and energy restored, they will continue their northerly migrations to places in Alaska, the northern contiguous United States, Canada and Siberia.

A flock of birds flying over a field.

The fact that this historic migration takes place about 2 ½ hours from Omaha makes this a must-do day trip. We took our first visit to the area in the late 1990s. I’d always wanted to visit Kearney during the crane season. We finally did it. We jumped in the car early one morning and headed to central Nebraska.

People come from all around the world to view the cranes. Famous people visit, as well. Famed primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall has visited numerous times. National news media outlets, including NBC and CBS, have recently visited for stories.

We were so amazed at the view of these majestic creatures. An adult crane stands about 2-4 feet tall and has gray plumage. Its head has a crimson crown.

A group of cranes in a field.

They are very timid birds, so be aware of that. They will quietly and quickly move away from humans. As you drive up to view a group, they may seem close, but within seconds you realize they have moved several feet away.

They are allowed to be hunted in nine of the 10 states that make up the Central Flyway. Nebraska is the only state in the region where hunting Sandhill Cranes is prohibited. You can understand why the birds are skittish of humans. A good pair of binoculars and a camera will give you a decent view of the birds.

Since the Nebraska migration season is a short one – usually mid-February to the first weekend in April – you have to roll the dice with your visit. The weather may cooperate and you get a beautiful, sunny and warm day to visit. Ok, I tried to type that with a straight face. Due to the time of the year, it could be chilly and gray. But, we’ve also had our fair share of beautiful weather.

Two cranes flying over a field.

Cranes can be found in almost any farm field in the region as far east as Grand Island and as far west as North Platte. The bulk of cranes will be seen in the Kearney area. That’s why it’s known as the “Crane Capital of the World.”

During our recent visit, there were a reported 180,000 in the area. You will see the birds in different sized groups. There may be a large group eating and flying together; or, you may see a smaller group. You may even see a couple or family by themselves. Cranes mate for life, so it’s common to see groups of 2-4 eating. It’s likely the parents and children.

A large wooden walkway and fence.

Rowe Sanctuary (www.rowe.audubon.org) is a great place to visit. The staff can answer questions and provide advice on crane watching.

There is etiquette to crane watching. A few tips for crane watching are offered by http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/:

  • Do not approach cranes on foot while they are in fields. Cranes do not tolerate humans.
  • Stay in your car and use it as a blind.
  • Use appropriate locations for viewing the cranes on the river. Do not attempt to approach or otherwise disturb cranes on the river.
  • Never approach a whooping crane. Flushing a whooping crane violates the Endangered Species Act. Stay in your car. View guidelines to avoid harassing whooping cranes.

Many paved and gravel roads traverse the area, and traffic travels fast. While driving to crane viewing areas, observe the following rules:

  • Do not slow or stop on the road. Drive onto the shoulder.
  • Never slow down or stop on bridges.
  • Never block a driveway or any other farm road.
  • Most land adjacent to the river and all of the agricultural fields are private property, so visitors should:
  • Stay on county roads. Do not drive on farm roads.
  • Assume all property is private and obtain owner permission before entering.
  • Never cross a fence or open a cattle gate without the owner’s permission.
  • Do not disturb farm animals, cross cropland or touch farm equipment. Respect the rights of the people who live in the area.

Rowe offers crane viewing tours. You can reserve a spot in a riverside blind for evening viewing as the cranes come in for the night. It’s a reasonable fee and you can learn more about it on their website.

We took the tour a couple of years ago. It was fascinating! We followed a guide out to a set of concrete blinds where we were able to watch the cranes fly in for the night.

Dress warm – layers. Don’t forget the gloves at home (like this writer). Cranes spend the night on sandbars in the Platte River and surrounding area tributaries. This is actually for their protection. Predators – coyotes, foxes, etc. – will wade through the water to get to the birds. The four-legged creatures splash water, and the noise alerts the birds. They’ll fly away for safety.

A group of cranes sitting in a wetland area.

As you stand in the blind, you see them land. One bird may land on a sand bar. Then another. Before you know it, hundreds of cranes are on a sand bar. They’ll repeat this until all the birds are in for the night.

Watching them come in for the night is a major reason to visit the area. They are almost synchronized on what time to head in for nesting, following a day of eating in area farm fields.

Around sunset, the sky will fill with thousands of birds flying and sounding off. The crane’s sound is unique. It’s a bugle sound, according to www.allaboutbirds.org. They last about two seconds and can be strung together. A crane call can be heard up to 2.5 miles away.

The Crane Trust near Wood River, NE, also offers crane viewing. The center is just off Interstate 80 at Exit 305. For more information, please visit its website at www.naturenebraska.org.

However, you don’t have to pay to see the cranes fly in for the night. There is an observation deck along the Platte River, just a few miles south of the Gibbon exit.

A group of cranes in a field.

Hundreds of people will fill the area about an hour before sunset, prepping for the evening descent. Watching the birds fly overhead is a great sight to take in. They are graceful in the sky. Thousands of them will fly in as you watch from the deck. If the sky is clear, you can see dark spots miles upriver in the hue of the sunset. It’s a special feeling.

Last year, our daughter’s best friend took in the trip for the first time. She left amazed at the experience. This year, we ran into the cold and gray that comes with late winter and early spring. The only thing that was truly affected was the evening viewing. We still saw the birds fly in. But, we didn’t have the color that comes with the sunset.

It was a cold, snowy evening. So, that kept some people from the viewing stand. We still had a decent turnout – maybe 40-50 people.

Doing a “Crane Watch” is a great way to spend a day. You just have to realize that it will be a long day trip. But, it is so worth it. Once you see the thousands of Sandhill Cranes, you will fall in love with the experience and want to make the trip west again.

Plan accordingly when you go. Bring coats, jackets, gloves and hats. Also, plan your meals accordingly. There are restaurants in the area, but you will need to go into Kearney or Grand Island. Bringing meals may be an idea. If you decide to spend the night, the area has a lot of nice hotels. We usually do a day trip, but have made the trip an overnight one.

Regardless, a day trip to central Nebraska for crane viewing can be a life change. Enjoy your visit.

We love traveling – locally, regionally, nationally and internationally (not as often as we would like). We originally started The Walking Tourist to share our experiences with friends and family. Whether it’s across the world or in our own backyard in Omaha, Nebraska, we love to explore the sites and experiences all around us. Check out more of Lisa and Tim’s travels at The Walking Tourists!

Filed Under: Family Fun Tagged With: Day Trips, Reviews, Travel

Dance and Sing with Little Musicians in Motion + Giveaway ($140 Value)!

February 22, 2014

Little Musicians in Motion

Sing, move, dance, clap, and play instruments! Little Musicians in Motion is a mommy and me, and/or daddy and me, musical jamboree class for children aged 4 months to 6 years who enjoy singing, dancing, and making music with instruments!

They offer classes, open gym, and birthday parties that keep your little one moving!

We participated in an Open Gym this past Fall, and the kids loved it! Melinda, the owner and teacher, is very friendly, enthusiastic, and easy-going. Her energy was contagious, and she had fun herself singing the songs and leading the motions. She learned the children’s names quickly and involved each of them actively in the class.  See our Full Review here!

Little Musicians in Motion-4

Fun Musical Jamboree Classes

Sing, dance, and make music through musical jamboree classes! In addition to the fun, creativity, and active movement your child will experience, Little Musicians in Motion also uses songs that target appropriate concepts like following directions, imitation, and vocabulary through choices, repetition and the use of visuals. Social interaction is also modeled and encouraged throughout the class.

Many Class Sessions are offered throughout the week with options Monday – Thursday, and Saturday. Most classes are offered in the morning, with one Wednesday evening session available. Each class session runs for 45-minutes for 10 weeks. 

Upcoming Sessions:

  • Spring Session: March 3 – May 26
  • Summer Session: June 16 – August 11

Not ready to sign up for a 10 week session? Try Open Gym or check the class schedule and feel free to drop in to any class with an open spot. Single classes cost $15.00 per class.

Little Musicians in Motion

Birthday Parties

Come and enjoy your child’s special day with a Birthday Party at Little Musicians In Motion! Each party will be 90 minutes long and will include:

  • 30 minutes of singing and dancing
  • 15 minutes of free play with the instruments and free dancing
  • 45 minutes for refreshments and opening of presents
  • An instructor who will help with the set up and clean up
  • The cost is $140.00 for a 10 child party and $8.00 for each additional child up to 6 additional children.

For more information or to schedule a party, please contact Little Musicians in Motion, send them an email or call 402-301-7802.

Little Musicians in Motion 3

  • For more information on Classes, Birthday Parties, or Open Gym: Visit Little Musicians in Motion website or Follow them on Facebook.
  • Location: 19102 Q St.
  • Contact: Email or call 402-301-7802

Giveaway: Win A 10-Week Class Session with Little Musicians in Motion!

One lucky Family Fun in Omaha reader will win a Gift Certificate valid for a 10-Week Session for one child at Little Musicians in Motion!  This may be used for any upcoming class session. ($140 Value!)LittleMusiciansinMotion-125x125

TO ENTER:

  • Simply enter through Rafflecopter below by signing in with your Facebook account or with your name and email address.
  • Earn additional entries as described.

THANK YOU FOR ENTERING AND GOOD LUCK!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

GIVEAWAY ENDS: Saturday, March 1, 2014, 11:59 p.m., CST.

OTHER: Entrants must be 19 or older and located in the US only.  The winner will be selected using Rafflecopter and notified via email.  Winner must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize, or another winner will be chosen.  Duplicate entries will be deleted.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Little Musicians in Motion who provided the gift certificate for the giveaway, and for being a long-term sponsor of Family Fun in Omaha. All opinions are my own. See disclosure and privacy policy here.  This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

Other Helpful Resources:

  • Omaha Kids Calendar
  • Kids Eat Free
  • Ultimate Guide of Things to Do with Kids in Omaha

Filed Under: Family Fun, Giveaways, Local Business Tagged With: Giveaways, Omaha, Reviews

Omaha Culinary Tours Chocolate and Pastries Tour: A Sweet Treat!

February 16, 2014

A small box with a large bow sitting on a table for Omaha Culinary Tours

Imagine tasting an authentic French croissant, visiting a German bakery, and meeting the entrepreneur behind the chocolate covered cordial cherries that made the list of Oprah’s Favorite Things… Imagine a 3-hour tour that feels like you are on a mini-vacation, tasting sweets while visiting adorable little shops, and being entertained and pampered the entire time… And all this, in Omaha!

Omaha Culinary Tours is a brand new company offering food tasting tours of Omaha’s culinary scene. Sample unique and delicious food, meet the owners and hear the stories behind their passions turned businesses, and visit locally-owned restaurants with a long history in Omaha, as well as those new to the city.

Chocolate and Pastries Tour

Their newest tour brings visitors to the most delicious and delightful locally-owned pastry shops, bakeries and chocolatiers in the Omaha area.

The Cordial Cherry

A collage of people and food items with overlay text that reads, Omaha Culinary Tours, The Cordial Cherry.

Our first stop, The Cordial Cherry, was a wonderful shop filled with masterfully hand-decorated chocolate-covered cherry cordials, each with a sweet liquid cordial center. The unique décor included salvaged wooden doors as tables and rows of beautiful cherries ready to be hand-picked. The highlight of our visit was hearing from Melissa, the owner, as she shared how she turned her passion into this shop using a recipe passed down from her Grandmother, and whose beautiful Nativity Set was recently included in Oprah’s 2013 List of Favorite Things!

Le Petit Paris French Bakery

Omaha Culinary Tours - Le Petit Paris

From delectable chocolate to melt-in-your-mouth pastries, we then headed to Le Petit Paris French Bakery, located next to Le Voltaire French Restaurant in Pepperwood Village. The bakery shop offers authentic French breads and pastries, all baked according to the exact recipes from France in their imported French deck oven.  The croissants and pastries were very flaky and delicious, so good that we returned a couple days later to try them fresh in the morning!

The Market Basket

Omaha Culinary Tours - The Market Basket

We traveled on to Countryside Village to The Market Basket, where we were greeted by a table full of sweet desserts. Since opening in 1986, this restaurant, bakery, deli, and gourmet market uses only fresh ingredients to treat local diners. The sweets from our tour were very rich and tasty as evidenced by our clean plates.

Gerda’s German Restaurant and Bakery

Omaha Culinary Tours - Gerda's

The next stop took us to midtown on Leavenworth. Established in 1976, Gerda’s German Restaurant and Bakery, is a favorite among locals for all of their wonderful German foods including Schnitzel and Spaetzle to wonderful German pastries and desserts. We were lucky to visit on the very popular pan-fried chicken night, and tasted the amazing chicken (a small break from the wonderful sugar high!).

Stories Coffeehouse

Omaha Culinary Tours - Stories Coffeehouse

A perfect spot for our final stop, Stories Coffeehouse filled whatever room we had left with tastes of wine, chocolate, popcorn, coffee, and soup. This wonderful place offers women-owned start-up culinary companies the opportunity to serve a variety of goodies in a relaxing and comfortable setting. Stories Coffeehouse is a place where you can sit for hours enjoying the company of family and friends or by yourself just relaxing with food, dessert, or drink.

In between stops, we were entertained by our fantastic tour guides with an introduction and history behind each restaurant/bakery, and were served delicious homemade hot chocolate and marshmallows from The Grey Plume, and pecan and lemon bars from Sweet Magnolia’s Bake Shop.    

Omaha Culinary Tours

In addition to the Chocolate and Pastries Tour, Omaha Culinary Tours also offers a Midtown Walking Food Tour. Exciting plans are in the works to add more tours including an Old Market Walking Tour, Omaha Steakhouse Tour, Pizza Tour, plus more! Gift certificates are available, as well as private group tours for special occasions or business outings.

Visit Omaha Culinary Tours for more information on scheduling a perfect date night, ladies night, or a fun and unique night on the town!

Disclosure: Many thanks to Omaha Culinary Tours for offering this fantastic new option in the Omaha area, and for providing tickets to my husband and I for the Chocolate and Pastry Tour.  All opinions are my own. See disclosure and privacy policy here. 

Filed Under: Local Business, Popular Articles Tagged With: Omaha, Omaha Travel, Reviews

“Balloonacy” at The Rose Theater

January 17, 2014

Balloonacy at The Rose Theater

What do you get when you add a playful balloon, fun storyline, and engaging comedy? The Rose Theater’s latest show Balloonacy, an entertaining pantomime intended for the youngest audiences.

I attended the preview show with my young daughter, along with several preschool classes from an elementary school. Laughter filled the audience from the beginning to the end, with enthusiastic participation and engagement in the story.

A man jumping in the air with a red balloon on stage performing Balloonacy at the Rose Theater.

Balloonacy is a wonderful show centered around friendship and imagination. This one-man show features Rose actor Kevin Ehrhart, as a solitary man planning to spend another birthday alone. Suddenly, a balloon appears who is determined to be his friend. Through a variety of fun-filled interactions, the old man learns to play again and discovers the importance of friendship.

This fun and sweet story is full of physical comedy and pantomime that is easy to understand for the youngest viewers, and enjoyable for everyone. Balloonacy communicates its heart-warming message without any dialogue, but with the actor’s excellent movement and pantomime, the story was easy to follow along, and kept the audience’s attention.

A man with a red balloon on stage performing Balloonacy at the Rose Theater.

Younger Audiences

One of the unique aspects of the show is that it is created specifically for a younger audience. There are no scary noises or actions, the music is gentle, and there are no blackouts.

Balloonacy is staged in The Rose Theater’s Hitchcock Stage (their blackbox theater), which provides a more comfortable setting for younger audiences. Each seat offers an excellent view, and feels close to the stage, encouraging more interaction.

Audience Participation

Another unique aspect of Balloonacy is the audience participation. Children are actively engaged in the play, invited to offer suggestions and share ideas for interactions between the man and the balloon. The audience was able to ask and answer questions with the story guide, who helped to explain part of the story and some of the behind the scenes ‘secrets’.

The highlight came at the end, when children were invited onstage to join in the birthday celebration. They danced and laughed onstage, truly making them feel as if they were part of the show.

A man with a red balloon on stage performing Balloonacy at the Rose Theater sitting in a chair.

Balloonacy is enjoyable, light-hearted, and entertaining for audiences of all ages.  My daughter laughed throughout the show, and followed along with the story. Through the excellent acting and fun interactions, the audience was drawn in, joining in the story of the friendship between the man and the balloon.

“In the end, we hope that Balloonacy lifts your spirit and draws a big smile on your face.”

~ Matthew Gutschick, Director

“Balloonacy” at The Rose Theater:

Performances (Length: 45 minutes): Saturday, January 18: 10:30 a.m. & 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, January 25: 10:30 a.m.; Saturday, February 1, 10:30 a.m.

Recommended Audience: Families with children ages 2 – 8.

Tickets: $10 general admission

Purchase Tickets: Call (402) 345-4849 or purchase online here.

Disclosure: Many thanks to The Rose Theater for offering this fantastic show, sponsoring this post, and providing tickets to the preview show to facilitate the review.

Filed Under: Family Fun Tagged With: Omaha, Reviews, Upcoming Events

Monster Jam at Mid America Center Review: High-Flying Fun!

January 5, 2014

A monster truck in mid-air in a dirt arena at Monster Jam at Mid America Center.

Wow! Crazy! Look at that!  These were the words excitedly shared by my kids as we watched Monster Jam Saturday at the Mid America Center in Council Bluffs. The event began with an introduction for each truck where they showed off some of their skills, jumping into the air, some almost at a 90° angle to the ground.

A group of parked trucks at Monster Jam at Mid America Center.

The crowd cheered as each truck then raced around the track, jumping over smashed cars, and flying high into the air.  Motor bikes, freestyle BMX-style bikes, and a very cool, very loud jet car entertained fans throughout the event.

A bright light on the arena floor in front of a large crowd at Monster Jam at Mid America Center.

The highlight of Monster Jam was the freestyle jumping and spinning at the end, where each truck tried to out-jump the one before it.  We could not believe how high some of the trucks were able to jump!

A monster truck decorated like a black and white dog with its tongue sticking out at Monster Jam at Mid America Center.

The Puppy Truck – My daughter’s favorite

 

A red and gold monster truck at Monster Jam at Mid America Center.

Iron Man – My son’s favorite!

 

A close up of the underside of a monster truck that has flipped at Monster Jam at Mid America Center.

At the end, to the excitement of all of the fans, El Toro Loco flipped over!

Recommendation: Ear plugs or ear protection, even for adults, as it is very loud. Additionally, be sure to dress warm, as the arena needs to be vented and is very cold.

Disclosure:  I am a Moms Connect member of US Family Guide, and in exchange for my participation in sharing information, discount offers, reviews, and giveaways for family-friendly attractions, US Family Guide has provided passes for my family. 

Filed Under: Family Fun Tagged With: Omaha, Reviews

Our Trip to ‘Narnia’!

December 9, 2013

A group of performers posing for Our Trip to Narnia.

Today, we welcome Sarah H. as a Guest Contributor to Family Fun in Omaha!

We had the pleasure of attending the sneak peek of ‘Narnia’ at The Rose Theater. My daughter & I have read the beloved children’s book ‘The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe’ by CS Lewis many times, so we were eagerly anticipating the play.

A close up of a poster and tickets for Our Trip to Narnia.

We arrived early, and took advantage of the fun photo booth provided by one of the play’s sponsors, WOWT/Channel 6. We stood in front of a green screen, but appeared in Narnia! We also took the opportunity for a photo op in the wardrobe out in the lobby.

The set was gorgeous – we felt like we had been whisked away to Professor Diggory’s lovely house in the English countryside. We sat near the infamous lamp post and it was great to be so close to the action on stage.

The stage for Our Trip to Narnia.

All of the actors did a wonderful job bringing the story to life – the casting was perfect! Our favorites were the White Witch and Mr. Tumnus the faun. The songs were catchy & fun, the dialogue was engaging – in short, it was a wonderful play!

You can see ‘Narnia’ at The Rose Theater December 6 – 29. This is definitely a better choice for older kids – the theater recommends it for ages 6-13. It is a perfect Christmas activity for your family to enjoy. Thank you, Family Fun in Omaha and The Rose Theater for providing tickets for us to attend!

Disclosure: Many thanks to Sarah for being a guest contributor, and to The Rose Theater for providing the passes. 

Filed Under: Family Fun Tagged With: Omaha, Reviews

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • Next Page »

Read Our Latest Issue:

A group of cabins with overlay text that reads, Cabin Rentals. A table of food with overlay text that reads, Kids Eat Free. A close up of a waterfall with overlay text that reads, Day Trips.

Looking for Things to Do this Weekend?

Welcome

Family Fun in Omaha - 180x180

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!

Work With Us

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact

Stay Connected

A Facebook IconA Twitter IconThe Pinterest Logo
Subscribe button to join the Family Fun in Omaha email newsletter

Most Popular Pages

Copyright © Family Fun in Omaha, LLC · Privacy Policy