Family events in Council Bluffs, IA

Explore the birds of local woods and wetlands on a guided walk designed for all ages and skill levels. This birding program blends education with citizen science, helping participants identify resident species at Gifford Farm, sharpen observation skills, and deepen connections with nature. Admission is $8 for adults and $7 for children, with free entry for ages 2 and under. Payment is taken the day of the program by cash or check only. All ages are welcome, and participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. After the class, stay for an Open to the Public event at no additional cost.

Enjoy a laid-back day at the farm. Attendees may bring a snack or lunch, see the animals, and take a hayride that travels into the forest. Admission is $6 per person ages 2 and up, payable by cash or check.

Ease into the week with relaxed tabletop fun at The Game Shoppe. Attendees may bring a favorite title or choose from the in-store collection, which includes strategy games, light party picks, and cooperative play. New players are welcome, and the community offers recommendations, rule explanations, and friendly guidance to get started. It works for a short visit or an extended stretch of gaming, at whatever pace feels right. Anyone feeling ill is encouraged to wait for a later week.

A weekly Pokémon League at The Game Shoppe Bellevue welcomes players of the Trading Card Game, video games, and Pokémon GO. Participants bring decks or devices for casual matches or focused practice, and beginners can learn the basics from Pokémon Professors. There are opportunities to test strategies, trade cards, and grow collections, with weekly participation offering chances to receive Pokémon Series Prize Packs. Organized play includes monthly League Challenges and quarterly League Cup events where Championship Points can be earned. Check in is available using a Pokémon Play! Access account on a mobile device. The focus is on connecting with fellow fans through collecting, battling, and shared enthusiasm for the world of Pokémon.

The Nebraska Humane Society offers flexible drop-in dog training for pet owners who want guidance without committing to a multi-week series. Trainers provide practical coaching and welcome questions throughout the session. Instruction often includes building name recognition and reliable recall, teaching sit, down, and stay, improving house training routines, living harmoniously with children or other animals, greeting visitors politely, preventing jumping, using a crate effectively, and walking calmly on leash. Participants may register in advance or pay upon arrival.

Cultivating Curiosity invites children to explore the world of plants through a hands-on, drop-in experience that connects them with the horticulture team. Through conversation and discovery, young learners can ask questions, observe how plants grow, and investigate everything from seeds and roots to blossoms and beyond. Each month brings a fresh focus, with 2026 themes including Sowing Seeds in April, Parts of a Plant in May, a Pollinator Scavenger Hunt in June, Guess This Herb in July, Prairies in August, All About Roots in September, and Pumpkins in October. Participation is included with paid garden admission, garden members attend for free, and no pre-registration is required.

Explore a wide selection of used titles, with thousands available. Hardcovers cost $1.50, and paperbacks and children's books are 50 cents each. The sale is located on the lower level of Swanson Library.

Safe Kids Douglas County teams up with Nebraska Medicine, Children’s Nebraska, and the Creighton Child Safety Center for a hands-on car seat safety event at Salem Baptist Church. Certified child passenger safety technicians provide personalized car seat checks along with practical instruction on installation and fit so every ride is as safe as possible. Expecting parents, grandparents, and any caregiver are welcome. Checks are handled in the order participants arrive, and each seat requires a brief appointment. Please bring your vehicle owner’s manual, your car seat manual, your child, and the seat you currently use. There is no cost to attend, and voluntary donations support community injury prevention efforts. In addition to the inspections, look for injury prevention activities and enjoy complimentary shaved ice from Kona Ice.

Celebrate a Legacy of Joy at the Brick x Brick Celebration, an open house in the Anarcha Center Courtyard honoring the names already engraved there. Take time in the space to pay tribute to the stories preserved in the courtyard and to reflect on the love that continues to shape it. This gathering is suitable for families. Those who wish to add their family’s legacy to the Anarcha Center Courtyard can purchase a commemorative brick in advance or on site.

Set in Bayliss Park, Farmers Market Council Bluffs features a mix of seasonal offerings and rotating vendors. The presenting partner is CHI Health Mercy, Council Bluffs. Visitors can explore wellness activities supported by All Care Health Center, and families will find weekly kid-focused fun made possible by First Interstate Bank.

At Aksarben Village, Blood Cancer United Light The Night brings the community together to recognize, support, and pay tribute to people affected by cancer. Families, friends, schools, company teams, and sponsors participate side by side, raising funds that fuel lifesaving research, advocacy, and assistance for blood cancer patients and their loved ones. This all-ages gathering features a Kids Glow Zone, local food vendors, a fireworks show, and a variety of activities for everyone.

A weekly Pokémon League at The Game Shoppe – Omaha welcomes fans of the Trading Card Game, video games, and Pokémon GO. Participants bring their own decks and devices for relaxed matches or focused practice, and newcomers can learn TCG fundamentals with guidance from Pokémon Professors. It is a friendly setting to try out strategies, polish decks, and get ready for tournaments or regional events. Trading is encouraged, giving players a chance to swap cards and grow their collections. Participation each week comes with opportunities to receive Pokémon Series Prize Packs. Have your Pokemon Play Access account ready to scan on Android or iOS. The emphasis is on community, learning, and connecting with other trainers who enjoy collecting, battling, and catching them all.

This class consists of five sessions. Recordings of each session are posted online for on-demand viewing, so if you miss one you can watch it whenever it fits your schedule. Registration can be completed online. Westside students may contact their counselor for a discount code that makes the course free.

Pack a snack or lunch for a relaxing day at the farm. Spend time with the animals, take a hayride into the forest, and enjoy everything the farm has to offer. Admission is $6 per person for ages 2 and up, payable by cash or check.

Meet adoptable dogs and puppies at a meet and greet held at Omaha Dog Bar.

At Quadcon in Omaha, there will be a booth dedicated to Kara at Oakview Mall. Look for the banner mentioned in the announcement to spot the booth.

This Omaha Lending Library meeting focuses on connection and practical help. Educators will be present for the entire session to assist attendees. Participants may bring their own carriers or explore options from the lending collection. Library carriers must be returned early so there is time to try items on before checkouts begin.

Explore Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a grappling discipline that favors leverage and refined technique over raw power. Instruction emphasizes practical approaches for competition, personal safety, and mixed martial arts applications. Whether the aim is to prepare for tournaments, enhance fitness, or develop dependable self-defense skills, Dynasty Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/BJJ offers a comprehensive program for newcomers and seasoned practitioners alike, with training shaped to support all age groups and ability levels.

This free community market at Oak View Mall features shopping with local businesses, music, games, and a bounce house. Browse offerings from area vendors and reconnect with favorite mall retailers in a lively setting that highlights Omaha businesses.

Nebraska’s largest annual dog-friendly celebration returns with the 37th Annual Margre Durham Walk & Dog Fest at the NHS Meadow. Admission is free for this Nebraska Humane Society fundraiser that celebrates pets, their people, and the community while supporting animals in need. Spend the day exploring sponsor tents, rescue group booths, raffles, exclusive merch, a family zone, and plenty of delicious food and drinks at the beer garden and Tito’s Canine Cantina. Catch energetic FlyBall demonstrations and a K9 handler showcase, enjoy the Adoption Parade, then set out for a mile-long walk along the Keystone Trail before returning to the meadow to wrap up the festivities. Shuttle buses will run during event hours, with parking available at the main shelter and additional complimentary parking nearby. New this year, the $150 Golden Paw offers VIP access plus 40% off merchandise, five raffle entries, four drink tickets, a walk T-shirt, and a food voucher. Dogs are welcome, and bringing one is optional. Registration is not required to attend, and sponsorship opportunities are available for brands hoping to connect with more than 1,200 pet-loving people and up to 500 dogs.

Symphony of Sports turns the concert hall into a spirited arena, blending the excitement of athletics with the power of orchestral music in a family-friendly program. Beethoven’s Fifth gets a playful football twist, and the triumphant sweep of John Williams’ Olympic Theme adds to the thrill, creating a lively connection between the field and the stage. Expect interactive moments with movement and chances to cheer, welcoming young athletes, music fans, and their adults to take part together and celebrate teamwork in both sports and music. An ASL interpreter will be present for this performance. Before the music begins, enjoy pre-concert lobby activities such as hands-on crafts, musical instrument demonstrations, and more to spark curiosity and build anticipation. Presented at the Holland Performing Arts Center.