Discover Omaha's Gems
Free Summer Break Kids Activities in Omaha
Uncover exciting, no-cost adventures for the whole family in Omaha. From parks to museums, find something for everyone!
Free Activities in the Omaha Metro
School’s out, and summer fun is just beginning! The good news is that you don’t have to break the bank to keep your kids busy. From parks and splash pads to community events and outdoor adventures, Omaha has plenty of free activities for families to enjoy all summer long.
- Play at a Park: There are hundreds of parks across the Omaha Metro area that are worth discovering!
- Visit a Lake Trail: Paved trails like Standing Bear Lake or Lake Zorinsky are wonderful options for strollers, bikes, or walking. Most trails in Omaha have playgrounds, too!
- Search for Animals at the Heron Haven Nature Center: 11809 Old Market Rd. Omaha, NE, 68164 – A fun, educational trail in Omaha with QR codes throughout the path to learn about various topics in the nature center, such as bats! You can see turtles, frogs, and more here!
- Beat the Heat at a Splash Pad: Hot summer days call for water activities – check out the splash pads across Omaha.
- Swing by the Lewis & Clark Visitor Center: 601 Riverfront Dr., Omaha, NE, 68102 – Check out the visitor center near the Bob Kerrey Bridge for a quick history of Lewis & Clark. There is a museum and a little area for games.
- Explore an Enchanted Fairy Garden: Armbrust Acres Park – 16701 Spring Circle, Omaha, NE, 68130 – Whimsical fairy garden to explore. Located right next to a playground to get all the energy out.
- Attend an Event at Turner Park: 3110 Farnam St., Omaha, NE, 68131 – Midtown Crossing offers various activities throughout the year, especially during the summer. Check out events like Jazz on the Green and more. See Events Here.
- Do a Free Craft at Learning Express Toys 120 Regency Parkway, Omaha, NE, 68114 – On most Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 am participate in a free craft. Check out their Instagram for the calendar of events each month.
- Explore the New Central Omaha Public Library 7205 Dodge St. Omaha, NE, 68114 – The new library offers three different areas for kids to play, a coloring table, various selection of books, and more.
- Walk the Memorial Park Trail 6005 Underwood Ave., Omaha, NE, 68132 – Paved walking trail next to Dodge, with a huge open field perfect for picnics or flying a kite! Check out the playground here as well!
- Skateboard at the Millwork Commons Skate Spot 1209 Millwork Ave., Omaha, NE, 68102 – Have kids who love to skateboard? Cool space to be! If you want a sweet treat – visit Coneflower across the street (not free).
- Be at Two Places at Once on the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge 705 Riverfront Dr., Omaha, NE, 68102 – Cross over the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge to stand both in Iowa and Nebraska. Visit the playgrounds on both riverfronts for a new adventure!
- Explore a Local Garden Center Omaha has multiple garden centers/nurseries worth checking out. Places like Mulhalls offers free events on the weekends to learn more about caring for plants!
- Browse the Wildlife Displays at Cabela’s 12703 Westport Parkway, La Vista, NE, 68138 – Throughout Cabela’s, you can see various wildlife exhibits with little facts about the animals. Fun adventure for kids who love animals!
- Attend an Event at Aksarben Village: 2285 S. 67th St., Omaha, NE, 68106 – Aksarben Village offers various events throughout the year, both at Stinson Park, the Inner Rail, and Sonny’s. You can find events here.
- Sign Up & Bowl for Free at www.kidsbowlfree.com: Look online for the listing of bowling alleys in Omaha that offer free bowling daily.
- Explore the Omaha Riverfront: 900 Farnam St #100, Omaha, NE 68102 – The Omaha Riverfront offers a skate ribbon, a couple of playgrounds, a splash pad, and so much more! You can find events here.
- See the History of Boys Town at the Boys Town Hall of History: 14057 Flanagan Blvd, Boys Town, NE 68010 – Look at the rich history of Boys Town at the difference it’s made in the lives of thousands over the past century. Swing by the visitor’s center to see the world’s largest ball of stamps.
- Walk the OPPD Arboretum: 10600 Blondo St, Omaha, NE 68164 – Beautiful place to learn about different trees in Omaha and powerline education. Pro tip – Great for taking photos!
- Walnut Grove Trinket Exchange: Hidden along the scenic walking trail between Holmes Street and North Circle Drive, the box sits just off the path as you make your way into Walnut Grove Park. Exchange a treasure for a treasure (no used or broken items please!)
- Go Frolfing/Disc Golfing Have kids that enjoy playing with a frisbee? Check out frolfing courses in Omaha. Lake Cunningham has a good course!
- Joslyn Art Museum 2200 Dodge St, Omaha, NE 68102 – Art? Yes, please! Great exhibits and free events for kids occasionally on Art-tastic Saturdays (1st Saturday of the Month)
- Hydrant Parties Various neighborhoods – Omaha Calendar & Council Bluffs
- Hot Shops Art Center 1301 Nicholas St, Omaha, NE 68102 – Great place to view arts of various types – glass blowing, painting, and more!
- Attend Festivals Varies – The Omaha Metro offers festivals of all types throughout the summer.
- Fat Brain Toys at Village Pointe 16909 Burke St #131, Omaha, NE 68118 – Visit their social media for free events (often a pinned post!)
- Union Pacific Museum 200 Pearl St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503 – Interactive exhibits and history about Union Pacific and its trains/railroads.
- Omaha Public Library Discovery Passes Online with a library card – Score free tickets to popular places across Omaha, such as Spielbound, Fontanelle Forest, the Durham Museum, the Omaha Zoo, SAC Museum, and more! Visit the website. *On a first come, first serve basis. Check back regularly!
- Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts 724 S 12th St, Omaha, NE 68102 – Free art exhibitions near the Old Market.
- Join Hy-Vee Kids Club: Any HyVee Location – Join the Hy-Vee Kids Club for free and enjoy a free item at each department of the store as you shop. For example – a friend piece of fruit at the Product Department or a free balloon at the Floral Department. You can join and find more details here.
- Attend Events at the Heartwood Preserve: 301 S. 145th St. Omaha, NE 68145 – Visit the Heartwood Preserve for events. The Heartwood Kids Club is a free weekly program designed for kids agres 4 to 8 every Saturday. View all events here.
- Home Depot Kids Workshop Various Locations Across Omaha – On the first Saturday of every month, participate in a free kids workshop (usually a craft of some sort). View the upcoming workshops here.
- Lowes Monthly Kids Events Various Locations Across Omaha – On the second Saturday of every month, participate in a free kids workshop (usually a craft of some sort). View the upcoming workshops here.
- Do Space for Kids Various Library Locations Across Omaha – Check out Do Space’s Curiosity Crew Experiment and Reactions – and Kid Coders – for various ages and times. View the upcoming events here.
- Hollywood Candy 1209 Jackson St. Omaha, NE 68102 – A fun experience that is sort of free (chances are your kiddos may want some candy). It’s like a museum here and there is much to see. The prices are low if you want to do the arcade or have lunch at the diner!
- Lakeshore Learning Store 12005 W. Center Rd, Omaha, NE 68144 – Offers free events for kids throughout the year from 11 am to 3 pm. Check out upcoming events here.
- The Mom Walk Collective Omaha: Various walking events for moms in Omaha – Visit Instagram for events.
- Wenninghoff’s Petting Zoo & Kid Play Area 6707 Wenninghoff Rd. Omaha, NE, 68122 – Although this is a farm and market for fresh produce, they do have a small petting zoo area where you can feed animals for $2/cup, but you don’t need to feed the animals to see them. They also have a kids play area.
- Little Free Libraries Various little free libraries across Omaha – Visit the website for all the locations
- La Vista City Centre Activities 8219 City Centre Dr, La Vista, NE 68128 Check out upcoming events here.
- Village Pointe Events 17305 Davenport St, Omaha, NE 68118 Check out upcoming events here.
- Attend Storytime at the Library Various libraries across Omaha – Visit the website for upcoming events
- Visit PetCo or PetSmart Various locations across Omaha Check out the fish and other animals at the stores. Be careful though, your kid(s) might convince you to bring home a new pet!
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