Keeping kids entertained can be a challenge, but Lincoln is packed with spots where little ones can play, learn, and burn off energy. From hands-on museums and underground adventures to wild animal encounters and indoor playlands, there’s something for every family’s pace and budget.
Let’s get to it.
Robber’s Cave Tours
When you visit Robber’s Cave Tours in Lincoln, you’re not signing up for a textbook history lecture or a casual park stroll. Instead, you head almost 30 feet below ground into a cool sandstone maze where it stays around 55 degrees year-round. You’ll climb over rocks and duck under low ceilings as Joel Green, Nebraska Book Award winner and guide, shares tales of Jesse James, Native American history, secret brewery tunnels and even ghost stories. He ties in weird historic graffiti, Underground Railroad rumors, and local lore without sounding like your middle school history teacher.
The tour runs about 45 to 60 minutes and groups cap at 30 to keep things personal. No special gear is required except comfy shoes and a jacket for that steady chill. Afterward, you can browse the quirky cave shop filled with retro T-shirts, books and souvenirs. It’s an adventure packed with genuine Nebraska legends, cool geology and a fun atmosphere that feels equal parts museum, storytelling event and scavenger hunt.
Lincoln Children’s Zoo
At Lincoln Children’s Zoo, everything’s designed for hands-on animal fun. You can watch a cheetah sprint around the track and then jump into the “Eat That Fish!” penguin feeding experience that feels more like a game than a zoo show.
Grab a handful of goat feed for just a couple bucks and walk right up to the friendly goats. Little ones can splash in water features by the duck pond, while a train circles the park if you need a break. Outdoor playgrounds mix slides and climbing nets with shaded rest spots.
Indoors, the Butterfly Pavilion and WildSafari Theater keep you busy when Nebraska weather flips. The staff runs interactive programs every hour—think budgie encounters and reptile presentations. They’re Sensory Inclusive certified, so quiet areas and sensory kits are available for kids who need them.
Summer camps cover STEAM topics, complete with adult supervision so parents don’t have to chase crafts. Admission fees are straightforward, and memberships pay off if you’re planning multiple visits. Whether it’s raining or blazing hot, there’s always an animal encounter waiting.
Pioneers Park Nature Center
With 668 acres of prairie, woodland and wetland, Pioneers Park Nature Center is Lincoln’s go-to spot when kids have extra energy. Trails wind through tall grass and forests, so you can explore at your own pace and spot wildlife like deer or a family of turkeys.
Indoor interpretive centers add hands-on displays and live animal encounters… from raptors to small mammals behind safe enclosures. Kids can pop in if the weather turns on you without missing out on learning.
The natural play area is a highlight—there are logs to climb, tunnels to crawl through and a digging pit that never loses its appeal. Year-round programs include camps for ages 3 through middle school, preschool meetups and seasonal workshops. The Nature Center also hosts themed birthday parties where reptiles or birds take center stage.
Drop-off camps let parents sneak in some free time, or you can stick around for family days filled with guided hikes and crafting stations. Admission is free, though donations are suggested to support trail upkeep and educational programs. Beginner friendly trails and clear signage keep outings simple, even for first-time explorers.
Lincoln Children’s Museum
Downtown Lincoln hides a gem for families: the Lincoln Children’s Museum. Spread over three floors, it’s stacked with exhibits like a farm-to-table kitchen where kids harvest pretend produce and a bustling mini grocery store that rivals a real one on a busy Sunday.
Beyond that, you’ll find rotating exhibits that keep families coming back. There’s a water play area, an art studio with ever-changing projects and a build-it zone for STEM challenges. Hands-on science experiments, creative arts stations and physical activity zones cover science, arts and literacy in playful ways. The three-story climbing structure pumps out enough excitement to wear out the most energetic kid before lunchtime.
Accessibility is a key focus. The museum offers sensory backpacks, a calm room and staff trained to support children with different needs. Parents appreciate the one-to-five ratio rule—every five kids must have an adult—which keeps things under control.
Hours are flexible, with drop-in visits, sensory-friendly sessions and after-4pm pricing that’s easier on the budget. Summer camps and special play dates on Husker game days fill the calendar. Admission is tiered by age, and infants get in free. Between the interactive learning and endless play options, this place makes a day downtown feel like a new adventure each time.
University of Nebraska State Museum – Morrill Hall
When it comes to hands-on natural history in Lincoln, the University of Nebraska State Museum – Morrill Hall really delivers. Their summer camps are a kid’s dream, with weeklong themes like creative arts, astronomy, fossil digs led by real paleontologists, and artsy workshops where science and painting mix. Everything happens indoors, so you won’t have to battle Nebraska humidity or mosquitoes.
Groups stay cozy, usually about 15–20 campers each, and there’s a staff-to-kid ratio that even the most nervous parent will appreciate. Camps are divided by age, from kindergarten newbies to opinionated middle schoolers, and they offer ADA accommodations if you let them know ahead of time. The price tag is a bit steep, but you get serious science value for every dollar. If you’re not ready to commit to a full week, their weekend drop-in programs are free with museum admission. Whether it’s fossils, telescopes, or nature journaling, they pack in plenty of snack breaks to keep energy up. It’s far from boring and always hands-on.
Sun Valley Lanes & Games
Step inside Sun Valley Lanes & Games and you’ll see that this isn’t your average bowling alley. There are 32 high-tech lanes with HyperBowling features and a 175-foot video wall that lights up every roll. If bowling loses its charm for a minute, head to the arcade aimed at ages eight and up, or gear up for a military-style, two-level laser tag battle. Lucky Putt mini-golf tracks your score automatically, so no cheating siblings allowed. Outdoor sand volleyball leagues for 18+ give you that beach vibe without the ocean.
On weekends, glow bowling carries on until midnight, and mini-golf or laser tag rounds come with wild lighting that amps up the fun. Everything’s built with accessibility in mind—wheelchair ramps, bumpers on the lanes, even ramp supports. You pay per activity, so there’s no surprise bulk cover fee at the door. With staff around to help out, parents can grab a seat, relax, and cheer (or commiserate) as the gutter balls roll.
Lost In Fun!
Over at Lost In Fun! in Lincoln, the goal is simple: let kids bounce off every wall safely. This indoor playground has it all—a giant jumping pillow, an 18-hole mini-golf course, a laser maze, arcade games, and inflatable bounce houses. They split play areas by age, so toddlers under two have their own little ball pit zone, and bigger kids can go full tilt without worry. Parents get in free and are welcome to join in or just watch from the sidelines as their kid attempts an epic slam dunk.
There’s foam padding everywhere, which means softer landings and braver play. Staff members are on hand for safety checks, though you’ll still referee toy disputes now and then. Admission is reasonable, but extra time in the arcade or laser maze can add up. They’ve got party rooms, a snack bar, and you can drop in any day with a simple pass. Open year-round, Lost In Fun! keeps the fun going no matter what the weather is doing outside.
Nebraska History Museum
Down at the Nebraska History Museum, you’ll find far more than dusty relics behind glass. Exhibits cover 12,000 years of local history with real artifacts and interactive stations that keep kids (and adults) awake. If you’ve got a PreK to eighth-grader in tow, they’ll love racing through the obstacle course or diving into the Play Unplugged series, which explores Indigenous games, Victorian pastimes, and activities brought over by more recent settlers.
Workshops run all year and take place indoors, which is a blessing in both summer heat and winter chill. Their summer camps tackle themes like mystery-solving and Nebraska’s gold rush era, each session lasting about an hour and led by actual museum educators. Admission is friendly on the wallet, with EBT card perks available. Everything is set up for groups without ever feeling chaotic—staff keep things organized and playful. It’s one of the rare museums where touching things isn’t off-limits.
My Gym
My Gym is like an indoor playground on steroids for kids. With padded equipment and bright colors everywhere, it feels like stepping into a happy cartoon world.
Classes start for children as young as seven months—they even call the first group “Waddlers”—then move up through toddler, preschool and kindergarten levels. Parents join the littlest sessions, which is cute until you almost trip over a foam block. Older kids take on ninja-style obstacle courses, puppet shows and a mini zip line that makes simple slides look basic.
My Gym is part of a national chain known for safety, redirection and positive energy. They welcome kids of all abilities and work at each child’s pace.
Sessions run mornings, evenings and weekends with no long contracts. You sign up for a four-week block, pay as you go, and can drop in for camps or Parents’ Night Out that double as backup childcare. Coaches keep classes small—around eight to ten kids—so everyone gets personal attention. The foam mats, soft beams and low bars reduce risk but boost fun. It’s all about building motor skills, social confidence and good old-fashioned play.
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
When you step into Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park, it’s like a dream playlist of every kid activity rolled into one. Toddlers have their own mini bounce zone called Kid Court, while older kids can tackle ninja courses, climbing walls, and a Sky Rider zip line that feels part roller coaster, part training mission.
The park is built to handle birthday parties, school outings, or just weekend visits. Staff are everywhere, reminding everyone about grip socks and safety rules. Private party rooms mean you can claim a little basecamp, and if you’d rather sip coffee and watch the chaos, they’ve got a viewing area with seating. They even offer sensory-friendly sessions with dimmed lights and quieter sounds for those who need it. Equipment gets cleaned and checked constantly, so you don’t worry about trampoline mishaps. Pricing is flexible: choose single sessions, all-day passes, or memberships if jumping off walls becomes a regular hobby.
