Whether you have young grandchildren visiting or are just hoping to spend quality time with the children in your life, Omaha offers an impressive variety of engaging spots for families. From immersive museums and outdoor adventures to creative arts spaces, there’s something nearby for every interest and energy level.
Let’s get to it.
The Durham Museum
Step inside Omaha’s restored Union Station to find The Durham Museum, where hands-on fun meets local history in a stunning Art Deco setting. Kids ages 3 to 12 can explore The Platform makerspace with marble runs and train tables, or tinker at stop-motion stations in the Animation Academy. School-age children won’t run out of things to do—climb inside real train cars or solve interactive puzzles spread throughout the galleries. With climate control in every gallery, this spot is a safe bet year-round, especially on sweltering summer days or blustery winter weekends.
Accessibility receives careful attention. Tactile exhibits, motorized scooters, and wide pathways make the museum welcoming for visitors of all abilities. Adults and grandparents will appreciate historic artifacts, and the 1940s soda fountain dishes up sweet retro treats. Museum staff and volunteer train hosts keep everything running smoothly, and kids five and up can explore certain zones with minimal supervision. Rotating special exhibits add fresh appeal, and ticket prices stay reasonable (plus free admission with a library pass). Educational, affordable, and packed with activity, The Durham Museum ranks high for family outings in Omaha.
The Rose Theater
Arriving at The Rose Theater, you’ll discover a vibrant hub for children’s performing arts. The historic mainstage presents family-friendly musicals and plays throughout the year, and many performances are free or pay-what-you-can. That access makes shows affordable for all budgets. Semester-based classes welcome kids as young as two through teens, covering preschool play sessions, scene study, musical theater, and advanced intensives. Professional instructors keep class sizes small and focus on inclusion. Caregivers decide how involved they want to be—parents can join little ones on stage or drop off confident older kids.
Safety and accessibility are taken seriously here. The Rose offers sensory-friendly matinées, ASL interpretation, and quiet zones. No prior experience is required unless a child is auditioning for a lead role, so beginners can jump right in. Summer camp programs and daylong workshops add more creative options, and the annual outdoor Rosefest each August draws families to picnic blankets and live performances. With its welcoming atmosphere, flexible pricing, and wide class offerings, The Rose Theater makes it easy for kids to explore stage life.
Omaha Children’s Museum
Inside Omaha Children’s Museum, every exhibit is designed for hands-on learning across ages. The entire facility is climate controlled, making it perfect for winter breaks or humid summer afternoons. Little ones can safely explore the padded Wiggle Room, while preschoolers dive into big foam blocks in the Imagination Playground or splash at the water tables. Grade-schoolers head straight for the science exhibits, kid-scale hospital and bank, or the Tinker Factory, which often hosts NASA-themed workshops and rotating art projects.
Accessibility is woven into the design. Wide walkways, sensory kits, adaptive seating, and elevators ensure families of all needs can enjoy every floor. Museum staff encourage participation but also allow independent play, so caregivers can choose how hands-on they want to be. Annual memberships pay for themselves quickly, especially if you visit more than twice in a year. Seasonal pop-up exhibits and drop-in camps keep the space fresh, making Omaha Children’s Museum a dependable destination for active learning and family fun.
Joslyn Art Museum
Offering complimentary general admission, Joslyn Art Museum welcomes families with children of all ages. Climate-controlled galleries showcase the permanent collection, while Art Carts stocked with materials invite toddlers and teens to experiment with drawing, collage, and sculpture. Monthly art-themed storytimes in the gallery nurture early literacy, and Saturday drop-in studios let caregivers and kids work side by side. After-school classes provide more structure if you prefer regular sessions.
Outdoors, the sculpture garden spans lush lawns and winding paths, giving families space to stroll and discover large-scale pieces. Accessibility features include ramped entrances, wheelchair-friendly galleries, and quiet-hour options for sensory-sensitive visitors. Special exhibitions carry a modest fee, but most interactive activities and permanent installations are free. With its blend of hands-on art, welcoming staff, and zero-cost admission, Joslyn Art Museum offers an enriching outing that fits any schedule or budget.
Chalco Hills Recreation Area
Spanning 1,350 acres just outside Omaha, Chalco Hills Recreation Area offers free outdoor fun for families. Two separate playgrounds serve toddlers and older kids, while teens and adults can tackle miles of paved trails on foot or bike. Wehrspann Lake features a universally accessible fishing pier, so everyone can cast a line. Wide picnic lawns and sheltered tables make it easy to spread out lunch, host birthday gatherings, or plan neighborhood get-togethers without parking hassles or fees.
Stroller- and wheelchair-friendly loop trails connect restrooms and picnic shelters designed for universal access. Seasonal amenities shift from spring birdwatching and bike rentals to fall boating and winter cross-country skiing. Benches near playgrounds ensure caregivers have a comfortable spot to relax. Special events throughout the year—hot air balloon launches, model airplane demonstrations, and community runs—add extra excitement. With open spaces, accessible facilities, and no entry cost, Chalco Hills Recreation Area makes it simple to enjoy nature with the whole family.
Kiewit Luminarium
When boredom strikes at home, head to Kiewit Luminarium. This fully indoor space features over 125 interactive stations designed for elementary school kids through teens. Colorful light tunnels beckon exploration, bubble exhibits demonstrate physics in action, and geometric climbing structures offer physical challenges.
The open layout ensures clear sightlines so caregivers can relax without chasing kids around corners. Guides in bright vests, called Luminators, roam the floor offering demos or answering questions. Everything is wheelchair and stroller accessible. Elevators and wide pathways let everyone move freely.
Once inside, there’s no rush. Lockers are free for personal items, freeing you from juggling snack bags or jackets. Admission costs can add up for larger families, but local library passes cover bigger groups, and discounts apply for seniors, teachers, and veterans.
Whether you drop in for a quick afternoon visit or stay until closing, Kiewit Luminarium makes learning and play equal priorities. It’s an ideal spot for sparking curiosity in a clean, climate-controlled environment any time of year.
OPPD Arboretum
Just north of Omaha’s city limits, OPPD Arboretum serves as a free, self-guided outdoor classroom. Paved trails wind through groves of hardwood trees, accessible to strollers and wheelchairs. Along the path, benches and covered gazebos invite rest stops or wildlife observation.
Interpretive signs highlight tree species, ancient oaks, and tips for safe planting around power lines. In spring, prairies erupt with wildflowers, while fall brings a cascade of red and gold leaves. Winter walks have their own quiet beauty, though proper footwear is essential on icy patches.
Since this open space has no admission or parking fees, spontaneous visits are easy. The absence of rigid schedules means families can wander at their own pace. Toddlers toddle freely, teens can venture farther, and adults can point out native plants or spot songbirds.
With a low-key vibe and plenty of fresh air, OPPD Arboretum makes for a relaxed family outing. Pack a picnic, grab a trail map at the kiosk, and let everyone uncover their own favorite spots in this understated gem.
Heron Haven Nature Center
At Heron Haven Nature Center, a tranquil retreat in Elkhorn, you can explore one of Omaha’s last oxbow wetlands at no charge. A quarter-mile boardwalk threads through the marsh, with benches for bird-watching or quiet reflection. The path is fully wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Inside the nature center, a small yet well-curated museum showcases local wildlife specimens. A reference library offers books and interactive displays. For added structure, kids can scan QR codes along the trail for self-guided scavenger hunts.
Seasonal programs include guided tours that delve into wetland ecology and conservation. Staff-led butterfly releases in spring let children observe pollinators up close. Photography contests add a creative element for budding shutterbugs.
There’s no admission fee and no time limit, so you can stay half an hour or linger for a few hours. Friendly staff and hands-on exhibits ensure an engaging visit for toddlers through teens. Whether you’re out for a brief nature break or a deeper dive into wetland habitats, Heron Haven delivers a calm, educational experience.
Standing Bear Lake
Standing Bear Lake offers families the freedom to choose their own pace. A wilderness-themed playground caters to younger children with canoe-shaped climbers, rope bridges, and open fields for active play.
Older kids and teens can cycle the three- to five-mile paved loop, fish from the lake’s edge, or launch kayaks at the seasonal boat ramp. Trails traverse varied habitats—wooded groves, open meadows, and shoreline views—so every turn feels fresh.
Several picnic shelters accommodate groups of up to fifty, while wide lawns give space for casual games. Nature enthusiasts can stroll the floating boardwalk and read interpretive signs that identify local bird species and plant life.
All park amenities, including restrooms and parking, are ADA-accessible. Clear signage and railings along steeper segments maintain safety without sacrificing scenery. If your family craves a blend of active pursuits and laid-back nature walks, Standing Bear Lake adapts to every interest.
Joslyn Castle & Gardens
On the edge of Omaha’s Midtown, Joslyn Castle & Gardens greets visitors with early 1900s grandeur and family-friendly activities. Guided tours navigate three floors of richly decorated rooms built in 1903. Docents welcome questions, sharing insights on period architecture, original furnishings, and the Cossitt family’s story.
For younger guests, special programs recreate a child’s life in the castle—dressing up in replica attire, handling artifacts, or trying simple household chores under supervision. These sessions run on a set schedule, so check the website before your visit.
Outside, the free-to-enter gardens showcase formal flower beds, shaded promenades, and bubbling fountains. Wide paved paths ensure strollers and wheelchairs pass easily between rose arches and stately trees. Interpretive signs point out plant species and explain historical landscape designs.
Admission for the indoor tour is modest, with discounts for kids 12 and under. While very young children may find parts of the tour lengthy, grade-schoolers often soak up every detail. Together, the castle and gardens balance cultural enrichment with light exercise, making for a well-rounded family outing.
The Escape Omaha
For families craving an off-screen challenge, The Escape Omaha delivers an hour of live-action puzzling that pulls everyone into cooperative fun. Set in the heart of Aksarben Village, it offers private escape rooms with themes ranging from mad-scientist labs to mysterious alien encounters. Each room is fully indoor, climate-controlled, and wheelchair accessible.
Adults must team up with kids under 14, so it’s not a drop-off event. That arrangement keeps things safe and tailored to families and multigenerational groups. Sessions run just under an hour, with friendly on-site staff monitoring remotely. They’re ready to offer clues or hints when needed, but will never step into the storyline unless you ask.
A flat $99 fee covers up to seven people. You won’t share the room with strangers, and there’s no pressure to solve every puzzle. Whether you’re planning a winter outing or a summer birthday celebration, this fast-paced experience fills a niche for larger families and groups all year round.
Zorinsky Lake North Playground
Tucked into Zorinsky Lake Park, the North Playground spans nearly 10,000 square feet and doesn’t just serve the basics. Climbing towers rise high enough to challenge school-age kids and early teens, while gentler slides and wide ramps welcome little ones right in.
Colorful rubber surfacing and ground-level play panels bring children with mobility challenges into the action. You’ll also find wheelchair-accessible swings, in-ground merry-go-rounds, and musical play areas that encourage exploration through sound. Clear visual cues guide each section and safety features offer peace of mind.
No reservation is needed. Caregivers appreciate benches and picnic tables scattered throughout, perfect for relaxing or keeping an eye on everyone. The playground is open year-round with no admission fee, so you can pop in anytime from early morning through evening. Thoughtful layout and inclusive design make it a must-visit spot for toddlers, tweens, and families of all abilities.
