NOTE: This page is updated almost daily.
Fall has arrived, which means new exhibits, new stage shows, and lots of outdoor events for families are here. Get the scoop on kid-friendly activities, free events and more fun stuff that will keep your family busy exploring Omaha.
How to read this post: The first events listed are things to come in chronological order, followed by all the on-going events like exhibits or shows that have already opened. The post ends with weekly activities at recreation centers and libraries (you may want to call ahead to make sure it is happening the day you plan on visiting).
Bruce The Bear Visits Storytime
When: Nov. 9-17; storytimes are on Nov. 9 at Saddlebrook (10 a.m.), Nov. 10 at Benson (10 a.m.), Nov. 13 at Washington (10:30 a.m.), Nov. 14 at Main (10:30 a.m., Nov. 15 at Abrahams (10 a.m.), Nov. 16 at Florence (10:30 a.m.) and Nov. 17 at Swanson (10:30 a.m.)
Where: Various Omaha Public Library branches
Cost: FREE
Sitting Bull’s Great Grandson Q&A
When: Nov. 13, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Where: The Durham Museum, 801 S. 13th St.
Cost: $11, adults; $8, seniors; $7, children (ages 3-12); FREE for children 2 and younger
Forever Young Family & Children Series “Sherlock Jr.”
When: Nov. 15; check theater for times
Where: Film Streams at Dundee Theater, 4952 Dodge St.
Cost: $10, general admission; $2.50 for children younger than 12
“Wild Kratts Live 2.0!”
When: Nov. 16, 6 p.m.
Where: Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.
Cost: $25-$100
Battleship
When: Nov. 16, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Montclair Community Center, 2304 S. 135th Ave.
Cost: $20 per team of 4 (for sixth through eighth graders)
Maker’s Market
When: Nov. 17
Where: Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum, 28210 West Park Highway, Ashland, Neb.
Cost: Included with admission, which is $12, adults, and $6, children (ages 4-12)
Forever Young Family & Children Series “Warner Bros. Classics”
When: Nov. 17, 18, 22, 24, 25 and 29; check theater for times
Where: Film Streams at Dundee Theater, 4952 Dodge St.
Cost: $10, general admission; $2.50 for children younger than 12
“Santa’s Magic”
When: Nov. 23 through Dec. 23, multiple shows daily
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St.
Cost: Included with admission, which is $13 for children and adults, $12 for seniors, and FREE for members and children younger than 24 month
“Yesterday and Today”
When: Nov. 23 through Dec. 31; performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays, at 2 and 6:30 p.m.
Where: Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St.
Cost: $40
Home Depot Workshops For November
When: Nov. 24, 9 a.m. to noon
Where: The Home Depot, various locations
Cost: FREE
Omaha Symphony presents “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert”
When: Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 25 at 2 p.m.
Where: Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St.
Cost: $19-$89
Horse & Carriage Rides
When: Saturdays, Nov. 24 through Dec. 15, 1 to 5 p.m.
Where: Village Pointe Shopping Center, 17305 Davenport St.
Cost: FREE
18th Annual Teen Poetry Bash
When: Dec. 1, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Omaha Public Library Main branch, 215 S. 15th St.
Cost: FREE (registration required; must be in grades 8-12)
Home Depot Workshop For December
When: Dec. 1, 9 a.m. to noon; DIY activity is Sled With Reindeer
Where: The Home Depot, various locations
Cost: FREE
Make A Dream Catcher Workshop
When: Dec. 2, noon to 4 p.m.
Where: Fontenelle Forest, 1111 Bellevue Blvd. N, Bellevue, Neb.
Cost: $10 per dream catcher (for ages 10+; registration required)
Curling World Cup
When: Dec. 5-9
Where: Ralston Arena, 7300 Q St.
Cost: TBD
Family-Friendly Things To Do: Exhibits & Shows Ending Soon
Fall Chrysanthemum Show
When: Through Nov. 16
Where: Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St.
Cost: Included with regular admission and FREE for members
“Some Illustrator!” Pictures By Melissa Sweet
When: Through Dec. 30, 2018
Where: Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St.
Cost: FREE
“Thomas D. Mangelsen: A Life In The Wild”
Where: Through Jan. 6, 2019
Where: The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St.
Cost: Included with museum admission, which is $11 for adults, $8 for seniors, $7 for children (ages 3-12) and FREE for children younger than 24 months
Game On: This History of Science & Gaming
When: Through Jan. 6, 2019
Where: Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, 28210 W. Park Highway, Ashland, Neb.
Cost: Included with admission
“Fighting for the Good Life: Nebraskan Memories of World War I:
When: Through Jan. 28, 2019. Opening day activities for kids from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St.
Cost: Included with regular museum admission
“Super Sports: Building Strength, Sportsmanship & Smarts”
When: Through April 14, 2019
Where: Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St.
Cost: Included with admission, which is $13 for children and adults, $12 for seniors, and FREE for members and children younger than 24 months
Weekly Activities For Families & Kids
These activities are on-going and held on the same day each week. Still, it’s a good idea to call ahead before going, just to be sure.
Toddler Tuesdays
When: Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. to noon
Where: Where: The Salvation Army Kroc Center, 2825 Y St. (gym or at the pool starting at 10:30)
Cost: FREE for members; non-members participate by paying a $4 activity fee for your toddler (age 9 months to 4 years) and the attending parent is FREE.
Crafty Tots
When: Wednesdays, 11 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Omaha Public Library Saddlebrook Branch, 14850 Laurel Ave.
Cost: FREE
Tots of the Town
When: Second Thursday of the month, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Shadow Lake Towne Center, 7775 Olson Drive, Papillion, Neb.
Cost: FREE
Story Time At Barnes & Noble
When: Fridays at 9:30 a.m. (Crossroads) and Saturdays at 11 a.m. (Crossroads and Oakview)
Where: Barnes and Noble at Crossroads, 7400 Dodge St., and Barnes and Noble at Oakview, 3333 Oakview Drive
Cost: FREE
Inflatable Fridays
When: Fridays, 4 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Salvation Army Kroc Center, 2825 Y St.
Cost: FREE to members; non-members pay daily entry fee of $5 per youth, $7 per adults
Family Fun Night
When: Fridays, 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: SkateDaze, 3616 S. 132nd St.
Cost: $11.99 (skate or play), $3.99 for non-skating parent
Kids Craft Time
When: Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Mangelsen’s, 3457 S. 84th St.
Cost: $1
Second Saturdays Nature Program
When: Second Saturday of every month, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Heron Haven Wetland Sanctuary, 11809 Old Maple Road
Cost: FREE
Kidz Kayak Racing
When: Saturdays, 2 to 4 p.m.
Where: The Salvation Army Kroc Center, 2825 Y St.
Cost: FREE to members; non-members pay daily entry fee of $5 per youth, $7 per adults (for ages 8-12)
Arts for All
When: Saturdays, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Omaha South Public Library, 2808 Q St.
Cost: FREE (ages 8-12, registration required)
Sunday Funday
When: Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m.
Where: The Salvation Army Kroc Center, 2825 Y St.
Cost: FREE to members; non-members pay daily entry fee of $5 per youth, $7 per adults (for ages 8-12)
Family Fun & Fitness
When: Sundays, 1 to 6 p.m.
Where: SkateDaze, 3616 S. 132nd St.
Cost: $8 (skate rental is additional $4)
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I'm a mom, wife, writer & coffee addict. I love my hometown, Omaha, but cannot resist the thrill of travel. Life is best spent discovering the extraordinary at home and on the road. With any luck, I'll inspire you to think the same. Inquiries at ohmyomaha@gmail.com
