Omaha Children’s Museum

Forever Forest At Omaha Children’s Museum

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Omaha Children’s Museum had a sneak peek of its winter special exhibit, “Forever Forest,” last week. And it. Was. Awesome. It’s open now, so you can see it for yourself. There’s a giveaway at the end of this post to make your next visit FREE!

Ok, full disclosure, in addition to being a blogger here, I work at Omaha Children’s Museum. So, No. 1, last week wasn’t the first sneak peek of the exhibit for me. No. 2, I’m an employee there, so you know I’m biased.

But, it’s still awesome.

What to expect

From transportation to home construction, “Forever Forest” covers many areas where trees play a role in our lives.

“Forever Forest” is simply teaching families how we live, work and play thanks to trees. To do so, there is a part of the exhibit that reflects the forest, forest life, and recreation in the forest; then there’s the transportation of lumber and processing it into the everyday products we use. And finally, the real-life applications of what we use wood for.

Pretend fishing at Omaha Children’s Museum. The fish and poles have magnets on the ends.

There’s a lot packed into this space, and I envision a lot of time spent here on cold winter days.

What’s next for “Forever Forest”

Omaha Children’s Museum is taking “Forever Forest” on the road for its first-ever national touring exhibition. After Omaha, 2,000 square feet of the exhibit will begin a tour to other children’s museums, science centers and other cultural institutions for several years (likely, 10).

The termite colonies inside the “Forever Forest” exhibit at Omaha Children’s Museum. Kids can use a magnifying glass or camera to see the termites up close.

If you’re good at math and measuring, and have seen the museum’s upstairs exhibit space, you know that there is way more than 2,000 square feet up there. We’re lucky in Omaha, and have a lot more space than the typical museum has for a traveling exhibit. So, here in Omaha, you’ll see a lot more than what hits the road.

Some of the things unique to the Omaha exhibit:

– Climbable tree trunks donated by Fontenelle Forest (one has a verse etched into it by local artist, Watie White)

– Toddler space with a little playhouse

– Camp Cottonwood, where the museum’s education department will hold four different programs

– Termite display (way more fun for my kids than I expected)

– Kayaks and camping area with a pretend pond perfect for fishing.

And quite a bit more!

 

Forever Forest Giveaway

Want to see it yourself? Omaha Children’s Museum is providing a family four pack of passes for one reader to visit! To enter, just use the Rafflecopter entry form below. Giveaway ends Sunday, Oct. 29, at 11:59 p.m. CST. Must be 18 or older to enter. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Want to see another new exhibit in Omaha? I’m giving away four passes to The Durham Museum, which just opened “Zoom Into Nano.” Enter the giveaway here (it ends Oct. 22, 2017, so don’t wait).

Don’t Miss Another Giveaway

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Omaha Children’s Museum Family Membership Perks

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Updated: April 2, 2018. Full disclosure, I started working at Omaha Children’s Museum after this post was written. 

Ever since Farley was a roaming toddler, we’ve had a family membership to the Omaha Children’s Museum.

He could play, he could create, he could learn. And for exhausted parents, it guaranteed a tired kid at the end of the day.

When Mooch came along, it became her playground too.

Mooch has loved shopping at the museum's grocery store since a young age.
Mooch has loved shopping at the museum’s grocery store since a young age.

I’ve often written about our adventures there, checking out the newest exhibits, enjoying the special events that we could attend for FREE with our membership (like themed nights or seasonal exhibits like the one opening soon – Santa’s Magic).

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A fan is born #StarWars

A post shared by Kim Reiner (@ohmyomaha) on

Our loyalty to the museum through annual membership and frequent pictures shared from our visits helped secure a partnership between me as a writer and the museum as a major attraction in Omaha.

Part of that awesome partnership is a complimentary membership for my family. I would’ve renewed ours anyway and continued to tell you all about our adventures there, but this way I can help the museum out in areas they need (beyond just some mom raving about how awesome everything in general is).

One thing I haven’t written about much is all the perks we get with our family membership to the Omaha Children’s Museum. It goes beyond unlimited, FREE admission to the museum.

The Perks of OCM Family Memberships

*Unlimited, FREE admission to the museum

*Access to the traveling exhibits, like upcoming “Enchanted Kingdom” (opening May 25, 2019)

*Access to VIP events and member preview nights

*Access to member only hour every Tuesday through Friday at 9 a.m. (and Monday through Friday in the summer)

*Discounts on summer camps, birthday parties and museum store purchases

*Discounted admission to over 250 science centers as a part of the ASTC Passport Program. Learn about how that reciprocal membership works.

Omaha children's museum

Details

Cost: Starts at $129

Purchase your membership at OCM.org

Give the Gift of Play: Already a member? Give the gift of play this holiday season to a family you love so they can enjoy a whole year of fun.

Seasonal Exhibits:

Cobweb Castle – October every year

Santa’s Magic – The day after Thanksgiving through Dec. 23

To see what special exhibits are in the museum or upcoming, visit here.

Giveaway

Congrats! You found the hidden giveaway celebrating this blog’s fifth anniversary! In March and April, I’m giving away passes and tickets to some of my favorite things. This week, you can enter to win a family four pass to Omaha Children’s Museum (disclosure: I work there). Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway ends April 8, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. CST. I’ll draw one winner and contact him/her via email within 48 hours. Winner has 48 hours to reply before I draw another winner. Must be 18 or older to enter; prize has no cash value. Good luck!

First Friday Family Date Nights At Omaha Children’s Museum

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Have I ever told you what my favorite time to visit Omaha Children’s Museum is? Friday nights.

Specifically, First Friday Family Date Nights.

We never make it into the museum during the week – between work and school and all – so that leaves just two days to consider. Usually. There are special Friday nights when the museum stays open until 8 p.m. – these are the ones I love. We’ve brought the kids to these nights and they have so much fun (and they sleep so well after).

Let’s just call them FFFDN from now on. 

 

 

Check out what FFFDN are coming up and make plans to attend one:

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Sept. 4 – Storybook Night – Expect themed activities and character visits by Alice (of “Alice in Wonderland” fame), Dorothy and Red Riding Hood. Head to Imagination Playground for a Pete the Cat craft; the Creative Arts Center for book art; the Science Center to paint Go to Sleep Gecko sun catchers; and in the Special Exhibit area upstairs, make Cat in the Hat stovepipe hats. There will also be book giveaways and prizes.

Minions-in-the-Museum

Oct. 2 – Minions at the Museum – Don’t miss the science shows in Gru’s lab. Some of the activities schduled include making paper plate minions at the Imagination Playground and a mad scientist show in the Science Center.

Nov. 6 – Superhero Night – Several heroic activities are planned, including making superhero picture frames at the Imagination Playground; making comic books at the Creative Arts Center; superhero science at the Science Center; and make-your-own cape, mask and superhero puppet in the Special Exhibit area.

These nights can be very popular – get there early so you can enjoy all the activities.

 

If you go

First Friday Family Date Nights

When: First Friday of the month, museum stays open until 8 p.m.

Where: Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S 20th St

Cost: FREE for members and kids 2 and under; adults and kids, $11; seniors, $10

 

Disclaimer: I’ve partnered with Omaha Children’s Museum to regularly write about events and other good stuff going on at the museum with you in exchange for a family membership. I’d write about them anyway because the place rocks.

10 Things About Summer At Omaha Children’s Museum

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Omaha Children’s Museum celebrates the First Day of Summer on June 20. And while that’s great, we all get into a summer state of mind a lot sooner. The museum has plenty planned before June 20 – and lots more after June 20 – so your family can stay in your summer state of mind forever (or until school starts back up).

Here’s what to look forward to this summer

1. Saturday, May 23. Yes, look forward to this entire day. It’s starts off with Omaha’s only Children’s Parade at 9 a.m. You might just want to take part in the LEGO-themed float contest (decorate trikes, strollers and wagons) for $5 and then you have the chance to win a family getaway to Kansas City. The getaway includes admission passes to LEGOLAND Sea Life, a T-bones game, dinner at T-Rex Café and more. Don’t want to do a themed float? Your family can still march in the parade for free! Register here.

childrens parade

After the parade, head inside to explore the grand opening of OCM’s summer exhibits: LEGO Travel Adventure and Fairytale Land + the brand new permanent exhibit, Hy-Vee Grocery Store.

2. LEGO® Travel Adventure. I know my kids are going to love this 10,000-square-foot exhibit! There will be costume bins, build and play tables, travel tracks and a lot more. It’s open May 23 through Sept. 6.

LEGOTravel_SlideshowImage_ExhibitEntry_1132w-586x306_Title

 

3. Hy-Vee Grocery Store. The old grocery store has been spiffed up to be Omaha’s newest Hy-Vee (but kid-sized and without the cookie samples). New stuff to look for is the chance to build and decorate a layer cake, serve up a slice of pizza at the Hy-Vee Italian Express and grill some juicy steaks.

Hy Vee store

4. Fairytale Land. Remember this from last summer? The princesses and knight are back for daily programs featuring sing-alongs, dancing and make believe. It’s free with admission. Don’t dilly dally going there, Fairytale Land is only open May 23 through Aug. 16.

Fairy Tale Land

5. Fairytale Land tea parties. Prince Poppy and friends will be hosting some lovely dinners for Omaha’s princesses and knights, complete with sandwiches and drinks, for the family. See the dates below. You’ll have to head here for more details and to RSVP. The cost is $25 for kids, and $10 for adults.

June 12, 13, 26, 27 from 6 to 8 p.m.

July 10, 11, 24, 25, 31 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Aug. 1, 7, 8 from 6 to 8 p.m.

6. LEGO Master Night. Enjoy open play in the whole museum after hours on July 17 from 6 to 8 p.m., learning what it takes to be a true Lego master from the professionals. There will be  games, crafts and a few character surprises, plus a pizza dinner. Tickets are $25 for children, $10 for adults; space is limited.

7. The Creative Arts Center. Have a little artist at home? You probably find yourself at the Creative Arts Center every time you go to the museum. Check out what themes they have planned this summer: June is All About Beads, July is Messy Art, and August is Back to School Fun.

 

8. Special Sundays. There are a couple Sunday events this summer that might be right up your alley. On June 21, celebrate Father’s Day with special activities throughout the museum from from 1 to 5 p.m. Patriot’s Weekend is held July 5 from 1 to 5 p.m. with patriotic activities planned. Families with children on the Autism Spectrum may attend the free Autism Night, Aug. 30 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. It features an appropriate and supportive environment for play.

9. Worldfest. Held on two days – Aug. 9 and 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. – Worldfest brings your littles to Omaha’s Sister Cities around the world. It’s a chance to learn about different cultures through trying food, playing games and watching performances. On Aug. 9, visit Germany, Lithuania and Japan, and on Aug. 16, visit China, Mexico and Ireland.

WorldFest-Logo

10. Back to School Bash. All day on Aug. 8 (well, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), your kids can join in on one last party this summer. Stations include bookmark or science notebook decorating, a science show and make-your-own pencil case. It’s all included with admission.

 

Disclaimer: I’ve partnered with Omaha Children’s Museum to present quarterly sponsored posts. All opinions are my own, as are all typos.

Omaha Children’s Museum Santa’s Magic Giveaway

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I love visiting the Omaha Children’s Museum in the winter for many reasons, a big one being that it’s a big space indoors with plenty of room to play.

Another one is that around the holidays, the museum is magical.

Starting this Friday and running through Dec. 23, the exhibit and interactive show Santa’s Magic opens.

1-Santa's-Magic

To set the scene, the show takes place in a fireside room. Magical moments include the Snow Queen making it snow indoors and Santa calling each child by name.

Think your kid would dig that?

Santa’s Magic takes place multiple times daily during regular museum hours.

 

If you go

Santa’s Magic

Where: Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St.

When: Nov. 28 through Dec. 23, Tuesdays through Fridays at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.; Sundays are at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. FREE tickets are included with admission or membership and are available at the museum’s front desk; seating is limited for each show.

 

Giveaway

OCM giveaway

 

Omaha Children’s Museum has teamed up with Oh My! Omaha to give one lucky reader a family four-pack that will admit up to four people to the museum! It’s easy to enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Deadline to enter is Sunday, Dec. 7, at 11:59 p.m. One name will be randomly drawn within 48 hours; I will contact the winner via email. The winner has 48 hours to respond before another name is randomly drawn. Good luck!

 

Disclaimer: Omaha Children’s Museum provided the passes for this giveaway. All opinions are mine.

Be sure to check out the post “50 Holiday Activities in Omaha” – it’s full of great family-friendly events and ideas to make this year’s holiday season memorable!

50 Holiday image

Find out more about the following awesome events and giveaways:

 Nov. 14 – BLUEBARN Theatre presents “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)”  – Giveaway ends Nov. 23

Nov. 15 – The Rose presents “A Christmas Story” – Giveaway ends Nov. 30

Nov. 19 – Amazing Pizza Machine – Giveaway ends Dec. 7

Nov. 21 – Omaha Symphony’s Christmas Spectacular – Giveaway ends Dec. 7

Nov 22 – Ugly Sweater Run – Giveaway ends Dec. 7

Nov. 26 – Omaha Children’s Museum presents Santa’s Magic – Giveaway ends Dec. 7

Nov. 28 – Sky Zone Omaha – Giveaway ends Dec. 14

 

More from Oh My! Omaha:

Today’s Giveaways

50 Holiday Activities To Do In Omaha

Where To Go In Omaha With Your Baby

 

‘Once Upon A Farm’ Opens + Giveaway

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Being Omaha Family Dining Week, it’s timely to tell you all about the special exhibit that just opened at Omaha Children’s Museum: “Once Upon a Farm.”

Guess who grows all that good food?

Once-Upon-a-Farm LOGO

 

This interactive exhibit tells kids how the food on the table got there, and the important role agriculture plays in their everyday lives.

 

Some of the cool features:

Slide behind the seat of a combine to harvest your crops

Wheel around a pedal track maze and fill up at the ethanol station

Plant and irrigate your crops in the miniature planting station

Learn about water and irrigation while playing under the kid-sized center pivot

Create your own beef dishes in the Cow Cafe

Separate and sort grain into large grain bins

Crawl through a two-story worm wall

Care for livestock

Hop aboard the Ag Express Train (must purchase tickets)

Broadcast your own forecast at the weather station

 

My friends and their adorable kids checked out the exhibit on preview night last Friday. All smiles.
My friends and their adorable kids checked out the exhibit on preview night last Friday. All smiles.

If you go

Omaha Children’s Museum’s “Once Upon a Farm”

Where: 500 S. 20th St.

When: Through April 12, 2015; winter hours are Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (9 to 10 a.m. member-only hour); Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (open late until 8 p.m. on the first Friday of each month); Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m. Mondays, CLOSED.

Admission: 2 to 59, $9; 60+, $8; FREE children 2 and younger and museum members. “Once Upon a Farm” exhibit admission  is FREE for members and children 24 months and under; $2 in addition to regular museum admission for non-members.

 

I’m looking forward to bringing my kids to the new exhibit, how about you? Want some FREE passes to get into the museum? Omaha Children’s Museum has provided TWO (2)  family four-pack of passes (value up to $36 four each four-pack)! There are two ways to enter.

First chance to win

Update: Congrats to Kayla M. for winning the four passes!

One e-newsletter subscriber will win simply for being a subscriber! If you aren’t a subscriber, it’s FREE and easy to subscribe and you stay up to date on all the new openings, giveaways and inside scoop on good stuff to do in Omaha. Click to subscribe now and be entered to win. A random winner will be drawn via random.org Nov. 2, 2014.

Second chance to win

Update: Congrats to Katie H. for winning the four passes!

Enter using the Rafflecopter form below. A random winner will be drawn via Rafflecopter on Nov. 2, 2014, 11:59 p.m.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Omaha Children’s Museum provided museum admission passes for this giveaway. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

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