Things For Kids To Do In Omaha

Omaha might not be the first city that pops into your head when you think "kid paradise," but give it a minute. This place is quietly stacked with stuff that makes children lose their minds in the best possible way. And most of it won't require a second mortgage.

The good news? You don't need a week-long itinerary. A weekend, a few snacks, and a willingness to say "yes" to the gift shop will do the trick.

Obviously, Start at the Zoo

The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium isn't just a zoo. It's a full-day commitment that your kids will bring up until they're teenagers. The Desert Dome alone is worth the trip — you walk into a giant glass bubble and suddenly you're standing in the Sahara.

Then there's the aquarium, where sharks glide past your face like they're late for something important. The indoor jungle is humid, loud, and absolutely magical. Bring comfortable shoes, because you will walk five miles without noticing.

Pro tip: go early. Like, alarm-clock early. The animals are more active, the crowds are thinner, and you'll snag a parking spot without circling like a vulture.

Science, But the Fun Kind

The Kiewit Luminarium downtown is basically a playground for curious brains. Kids can build things, break things, and press every button in sight without anyone telling them to stop. It's hands-on in the truest sense — expect to leave with slightly tired arms.

If your kid is the "why does that work?" type, this is your spot. If your kid is the "can I climb that?" type, it's also your spot. Everyone wins.

Rainy Day Rescue Missions

The Omaha Children's Museum is a lifesaver when the weather decides to be dramatic. There's a grocery store, a ball pit, a giant bubble station, and enough noise to drown out your own thoughts. Honestly, that's a feature, not a bug.

For older kids who need to burn serious energy, The Amazing Pizza Machine delivers arcade games, bumper cars, and pizza that's better than it has any right to be. Everyone wins. Except your wallet, maybe.

Top 10 Things to Do with Kids in Omaha | Family Fun in Omaha

History That Doesn't Feel Like Homework

The Durham Museum lives inside Omaha's old Union Station, which is gorgeous all by itself. Kids can wander through vintage train cars and imagine traveling before tablets existed. Shocking, I know.

Across the river, the Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs is small but mighty. It's free, it's quick, and it has enough buttons and screens to keep little hands busy for a solid hour.

The Joslyn Art Museum is another sneaky-good option, especially since admission is free. Give a kid a gallery and a scavenger hunt and watch them suddenly care about paintings.

Run Around Outside

The Gene Leahy Mall downtown got a massive glow-up, and now it's basically a kid magnet. There's a huge playground, slides built into the hills, and plenty of grass for spontaneous somersaults. Pack a picnic and call it a day.

Then walk (or scooter) across the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. You can stand in two states at once, which is a weirdly thrilling thing for a nine-year-old. Take the photo. You know you want to.

If your family leans outdoorsy, Fontenelle Forest offers miles of trails and a ropes course that'll make your palms sweat. Lauritzen Gardens is the calmer option, with seasonal train displays that enchant kids and grown-ups alike.

20 Fun Things to Do in Omaha with Kids (for 2024)

Cheap Thrills and Sugar Highs

The Old Market is perfect for wandering, especially when you let the kids pick the route. Hollywood Candy is a sensory overload in the best way — walls of candy, old arcade games, and a soda fountain. Yes, you'll spend money. No, you won't regret it.

If it's summer, catch an Omaha Storm Chasers baseball game at Werner Park. Minor league games are affordable, weirdly entertaining, and there's usually a mascot doing something ridiculous between innings.

Come fall, Vala's Pumpkin Patch turns into a full-blown festival with corn mazes, pig races, and more pumpkins than any human should reasonably see. It's chaotic. It's delightful. Wear boots.

One Last Stop

Fun-Plex serves up waterslides, go-karts, and mini golf in one convenient package. It's the kind of place where kids go feral in the happiest way imaginable. Bring sunscreen, bring patience, bring snacks.

Omaha has this quiet superpower: it's big enough to be interesting and small enough to feel doable. You don't have to plan perfectly or spend a fortune. Just show up, pick a thing, and let the day unfold.

Your kids will remember the zoo, the bridge, the candy, and that one time you said yes to ice cream before noon. That's the whole point, isn't it? Go make some happy chaos.