Willa Cather Branch

Unearth A Story: Animals from the Past: Journey back in time this summer as we look at how modern-day animal adaptations can help us uncover the truth about our past!

Discover the fascinating process of fossilization! Join to explore the layers that entombed the dinosaurs and construct an edible model of their burial. This is a free event for children. Registration is required.

Calling all dino-designers; get ready for an adventure millions of years in the making! Unleash your inner sculptor and join us to make a clay dinosaur. After your prehistoric pal is built, you can give them a voice by writing a thrilling mini-adventure about their life in the wild! No experience needed—just bring your imagination! All materials are included, while supplies last. This is a free event for children ages 8-12. Registration is required.

You will be "locked" in a room with puzzles, clues (and a few hints) to see if you have the smarts to figure out how to get out of our escape room! This escape room is based on the best-selling Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas.

Something went wrong on a paleontology dig, and your team has been transported back to the age of the dinosaurs! You’ll need to work together to solve clues and puzzles hidden in the cave and your field gear to activate the portal device and “return home”. Can you escape the prehistoric world or will you be stuck with the dinosaurs forever? Registration is required.

Professor Pippy P. Poopypants has captured best friends Harold and George! Captain Underpants needs your help to save them. You’ll have to work together to solve clues and puzzles themed around the Captain Underpants series by Dav Pikey to save Harold and George before time runs out. Do you have what it takes to be a hero like Captain Underpants? Registration is required.

Join our community partners from Papio NRD for an interactive program all about insects! Kids will explore real specimens, learn fun facts, and discover why insects are essential to healthy ecosystems. This is a free event for kids. Registration is required.

Become the best babysitter you can be! Training will include a babysitting guidebook, basic first aid, and age-appropriate practices for caring for infants, preschoolers, toddlers, and school age youth. The clinic is taught by Nebraska 4-H Extension staff. This is a free program for ages 11 and up. Registration is required 

Get ready for a roaring good time! In this hands-on musical experience inspired by Dinosaurumpus!, kids become the musicians as they explore the many ways percussion instruments make sound—shaking, scraping, and striking along with the story. Guided by a staff member from the Omaha Symphony, young participants will stomp, chomp, and make music together while discovering how rhythm brings this dino-filled tale to life.

Join OPL for a special program featuring the book Harry and Hot Lava by Chris Robertson! At the conclusion of the story, children will jump and hop their way through an obstacle course using various surfaces. Go as fast as you can, but don’t fall in because…the Floor is Lava! This is a free event for children 4+. Registration is required.

Join our Creative Movement Workshop! Perfect for all levels, this fun session explores expressive movement to boost confidence and unique style. Learn a simple dance routine from a teaching artist with Pear Tree Performing Arts. This is a free event for kids 6-12. Registration is required.

Lil Rosies Teaching Artist, Chloe Hug, from The Rose Theater will be visiting to lead an interactive reading of the book "Frozen." Children and families will get to enjoy the story, participate in fun theater activities, and get excited as we prepare for our spring show "Frozen." Don’t miss this lively morning of imagination, singing, dancing, and storytelling—all inspired by snow, princesses, and the magic of live theater! All are welcome!

Come enjoy a cooking demonstration with No More Empty Pots to learn skills such as nutrition, teamwork, and food-safety. The session will feature local, seasonal and garden fresh foods. This free event is open to adults and children aged 5 and up. Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult caregiver. Registration is required.

Get ready for a super-powered story time! Join us for a special event with wrestling superstar, Latin Thunder. Latin Thunder will read a story, demonstrate some of his signature wrestling moves, and answer all your questions. After the story, it's your turn to unleash your inner hero! Decorate your very own luchador mask and then strike a pose with the champion himself!

Sushi with a twist! Come hang out and make your own sushi using Rice Krispie treats and candy. Learn about different types of sushi, test your skills with some chopstick games, and enjoy a fun (and tasty) challenge. Registration is required.

¡El Pato Clic Clac llega para una hora de cuentos especial! Ven a disfrutar de cuentos, música, juegos y movimiento creativo. Todos los niños son bienvenidos, y adaptamos las actividades según la edad de quienes participen.

Celebrate reading with a party all about bookmarks! Kids can decorate a variety of bookmarks using fun supplies and their own creativity. From colorful designs to imaginative patterns, everyone will leave with a collection of unique bookmarks to enjoy with their favorite books. All supplies are included while supplies last. This is a free event for kids ages 6-10, and registration is required.

Bundle up and join Keep Omaha Beautiful educators for a wintery exploration of nature’s hidden magic! We’ll begin by reading "Jayden’s Impossible Garden," a heartwarming story about a boy who finds beauty and nature in unexpected places—even in the middle of a city. After our story, we’ll head outside on a short winter nature walk to observe animal tracks, bare branches, dried seed pods, and other signs of life that often go unnoticed in the colder months. Back inside, we’ll share our discoveries and create a collaborative mural that captures the quiet beauty of Omaha’s winter landscape.

Join Omaha Symphony musician Rosario Galante as he introduces the fun music the clarinet can make during this playful reading of "Kitten's First Full Moon" by Kevin Henkes. Designed for kids ages 3-5, this storytime is fun for friends of all ages with some support by their adults.

Dog Man is in trouble! He needs your help to escape Petey’s Secret Lab before time runs out! Come solve clues and puzzles themed around the Dog Man series by Dav Pilkey. Can you help Dog Man escape in time? This is a free event for children ages 8-12. Registration is required. There will be a session at 10:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.

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!

Join Bri Wright from Golem Forge and try a new crafting hobby. They’ll be making Dragon Eyes out of clay based on the How to Train Your Dragon books by Cressida Cowell. All craft materials will be provided while supplies last. All you need is your imagination! Fantasy awaits! This is a free event for children 6-12. Registration is required.

Members of American Midwest Ballet will join us for a special storytime about ballet, being a professional dancer, and The Nutcracker. Experience stories, creative movement, music, and more! Each storytime explores early literacy skills like singing, playing, reading, talking, and writing.

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 9-12. Registration is 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.

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 OPL as we welcome staff from Papio Natural Resources District. They will teach us all about turtles! Did you know Nebraska is home to 9 species of turtles? With the help of a few animal educators, we will learn all about what makes a turtle, a turtle!

Calling all witches and wizards! Think you have what it takes to participate in this Wizarding Adventure? Come solve puzzles and clues to unlock a prize box before time runs out in this escape room based on the best-selling "Harry Potter" book series. There will be three escape rooms, at 2 p.m., 2:45 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. for participants ages 8-12. Try to escape over summer break! Registration is required