Exploring Fontenelle Forest With Kids

Fontenelle Forest is a lovely place to visit any time of year, I’m discovering. Most recently, my family visited in January on an unseasonably warm day.

A hike at Fontenelle doesn’t have to be strenuous, especially if you’re bringing little ones along.

If you haven’t been since your grade-school class trip, it’s time to return. With or without kids.

But, being that this is a parents blog, you’re probably bringing along a little one or two.

So, is it just peaceful mile after peaceful mile of dirt trails in tree-dappled shade? There’s a lot of that, yes. Pack some water bottles and explore it with your little trekker.

But there’s also this fantastic boardwalk that’s stroller-friendly, that will take you to a nice view of the Missouri River and downtown Omaha.

A section of the boardwalk at Fontenelle. Notice one of my kids off in the distance, trying to lose me.

Fontenelle has one thing that other parks and forests don’t also claim – Acorn Acres. This place is so fun for kids, and we haven’t even checked it out in nice, spring or fall weather.

Farley and his uncle playing at Fontenelle Forest.

There’s a tree house to climb, musical instruments to play (when the weather cooperates – it was covered in January), holes to dig, plenty to climb on and when it’s nice out, a nice little pond to investigate.

An old photo of Mooch playing at Fontenelle. On our visit in January, the instruments were covered to protect them from the elements.

It’s enough to tucker a kid out.

The look of a tired hiker.

Other things you’ll want to check out – things that are hard to miss anyway.

1. The welcome center – Well, you have to enter Fontenelle through the building, so you can’t miss it. There was an indoor playground the last time we visited.

2. Right out back of that center are protected shelters for an owl and a hawk. You can look at these pretty creatures from behind a fence.

Your turn: What’s your favorite thing about Fontenelle Forest?