So, you’re a new parent in Omaha, and you’re wondering, “Now what?” After you get over the initial fear of driving with a baby in your car, you’re going to want to get out and show you baby the world. Luckily, there are a lot of places to take a baby to in Omaha.
This post was originally written in 2013 and updated in August 2019 with new suggestions and new advice to previous recommendations. If there are any changes that have happened since this post was updated, please let me know!
In my experience, most places in Omaha are fair game with a baby. Museum? Sure. Hiking? Of course.
Often, what interests you at this point should be a deciding factor – go where you want to go, and talk about what you are seeing with your baby. Let them touch things, if allowed. You enjoy yourself and your baby shares it with you.
That said, here’s a list of stimulating places to bring a baby or toddler.
Baby-friendly activities in Omaha
Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St. – A favorite for any age group, they do have the Wiggle Room that caters to the 3 and younger crowd. Shoes must be off or covered to protect crawlers.
Activities include building blocks, trains, puzzles, books and a little kitchen. I like the large mat on the floor because watching Farley learn to walk gave me heart palpitations and having a soft falling surface was reassuring for a first-time parent like me. This is a great place for play, exploring and being encouraged to touch everything.
There is something young ones can enjoy in all areas of the children’s museum. Just look for them. Here are some tips for visiting the museum!
Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St. – Once a month, the museum offers docent-led tours for adults with children in tow. Strollers and crying babies are welcome. They occur in the morning, so before nap time – yay!
At Joslyn you can look at and talk about art with other grownups without feeling self-conscious of your very vocal baby.
The Art Works studio in the lower level is also a good place to go for bright colors and usually some stackable blocks and kids books.
Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, 3701 S. 10th St. – The zoo holds animal presentations regularly, so while you might find the penguin feeding entertaining, something like the touch tank at the aquarium will give baby some tactile experience with new things. Check here for a schedule. Explore whatever interests you.
When the weather’s is nice, the sand and stream at the Children’s Adventure Trail is a fun place to be with a little one. The sandy area by the stream is especially fun for kids.
Related post: Expert tips for visiting Omaha’s zoo.
Do Space, 7205 Dodge St. – Do Space is a free community center that provides access to technology and unique learning experiences. The Littles Lab is a room dedicated to toddlers. While most activities will be too advance for a baby, you can still start introducing things at this early age.
When I visited, there were books and toys that might interest a baby.
Outdoor places in Omaha for babies
Lauritzen Gardens, First and Bancroft streets – Here’s where to go for exploring beautiful sights and scents with a baby. Any garden will do.
I’d recommend going to the Children’s Garden, which is a bit more hands-on and has plenty of pretty scents to seek out. And, you can’t miss the model train garden – it’s fun for any age.
Lauritzen Gardens also has a conservatory, making a visit possible year-round.
Related post: Guide to taking kids to Lauritzen Gardens.
Memorial Park Rose Garden, 6005 Underwood Ave. – Here’s a free garden to explore with your babe. Talk about colors, and the scent and feel of the rose petals.
Bonus: Just west of the rose garden is a park.
Fontenelle Forest, 1111 Bellevue Blvd., Bellevue – Mud Pies is an early childhood program that encourages adult/child interaction. It’s for 5-year-olds and younger, so I’m going to speculate here that if you go with your teeny one, he may be the youngest in the group. It’s included in the cost of admission and a different topic is taught each week at the interactive stations within Habitat Hollow.
Of course, you can always visit Fontenelle and explore with your kiddo if you feel awkward attending this program with a baby.
Definitely make the short trek to Acorn Acres, the natural playscape in the forest. The walk is via a wooden boardwalk, so it’s stroller-friendly.
Related post: Learn more about things to do at Fontenelle Forest with kids.
Heron Haven, 11809 Old Maple Road – This free wildlife sanctuary is hidden right in the heart of the city. The paths are easy for little feet to navigate, but they are not paved if you have a regular stroller.
Be sure to take your kiddo to the boardwalk, where you’ll likely see (or at least hear) frogs and birds.
Farms near Omaha to visit with a baby
Wenninghoff Farms, 6707 Wenninghoff Road – Weekends in the summer mean family-friendly activities at this Omaha farm. While your 6-month-old will have to sit out the games, here’s a chance to get her to see, hear and touch things not found in her day-to-day life.
Introduce her to the bunnies and chickens on the farm, and in October, explore the pumpkin patch.
Gifford Farm, 700 Camp Gifford Road, Bellevue – The first Saturday of the month from May to October, the Bellevue farm offers themed days. A lot of activities are going to be over your baby’s head, but simple things like checking out the Outdoor Nature Classroom’s textures or visiting with the farm animals will be fun.
Note: There has been quite a bit of flooding in 2019 around Gifford Farm, which may affect events.
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