We know parents like to plan ahead.
And now that the days are starting to get colder, snow is on it’s way and the holidays are nearing, we figured you’d need some help getting a few fun events marked down on your calender.
In reality, there are plenty of things to do in Omaha with kids this fall and winter.
Here’s what we suggest:
HOLIDAY FESTIVALS
Attend Shadow Lake Towne Center’s Tree Lighting Festival 6 p.m. Wednesday. (Photographed above.)
Celebrate “Holiday in the Village” at Rockbrook Village, 2800 S. 110th Court, on Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit the Holiday Lights Festival downtown starting Thursday.
Head to Miracle on Farnam Street at Midtown Crossing
Florence Community Center, 2920 Bondesson St., will host “Munchkin’ Morning with Santa” on Dec. 8 from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Saddlebrook Community Center, 14850 Laurel Ave., will have a special visit from Santa on Dec. 8.
Visit the Bass Pro Shop where Santa has set up his Wonderland shop as well this year.
STORY TIME
Storytime at Barnes & Noble near Oakview Mall is 11 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday.
Momaha and The Rose Theater will host a special “Madeline’s Christmas” play date for families 10 a.m. Nov. 24 at Glo Lounge at Midtown Crossing.
Join momaha for its Evening Children’s Story Time at 7 p.m. on the last Friday of each month at the Bookworm Bookstore, near 87th and Pacific Streets. Bring your kids in their pajama for the reading and milk and cookies afterwards. The next is Nov. 30.
“Saturday with Santa: A momaha play date,” is a story time with Santa at Shadow Lake Towne Center on Dec. 1 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. We’ll decorate cookies, meet Santa, a professional photo shoot is available for a small fee.
Join the Shadow Lake Towne Center for it’s monthly Kids Club meeting for story time fun with Santa at Old Navy on Dec. 13.
AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITY
Visit the Benson Community Center,6008 Maple St. It offers a game room and crafts free, open to the public Monday through Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sign up for it’s “Dodgeball Saturdays,” on Dec. 1, 8, and 15. Cost: $1.
TAKE A WALK
If you’re a Henry Doorly Zoo member who is age 50-and-older, join the zoo’s walking club.
JOIN A PLAY GROUP
Fontenelle Nature Association hosts “Mud Pies” play group for children age 5 and younger every Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. It also has “Triassic Thursdays” from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. where you can trek through time, bring a picnic dinner, and enjoy the dinosaurs at dusk.
TAKE A TOUR
Check out the place where former President Gerald Ford was born.
Visit huge exhibits of “stuffed” animals at Cabela’s. or Scheel’s Sporting Goods, which has the indoor ferris wheel.
ATTEND A KIDS WORKSHOP
The Home Depot offers a kid’s build-and-grow workshop on the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon for children ages 5 to 12.
SEE THE STARS
The Mallory Kountze Planetarium on the University Nebraska at Omaha’s campus on the first Friday and Saturday of each month for $3.
WHEN IT FINALLY SNOWS, GO SLEDDING
A few places to play in the show or go sledding include:
Memorial Park, 6005 Underwood Ave.
St. Robert’s near 120th and Pacific Streets.
Nathan Hale Middle School, near 60th Street and Sorenson Parkway.
Prairie Lane Elementary, near 114th Street and West Center Road.
YOUTH MUSICAL
Get your children and teens involved in a Christmas musical to be presented on Dec. 16 at the Salvation Army Kroc Center, 2825 Y St. Youth Alive Musical classes are Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
VISIT A COMMUNITY CENTER
Adams Park Community Center, 3230 John Creighton Blvd., will host free youth programs for children ages 6 to 15 Monday through Friday from 3 p.m to 5 p.m. and from noon to 4 p.m. when school is out.
A.V. Sorensen Community Center, 4808 Cass St., hosts “Tot and Parent Gym Time” every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to noon for children ages 5 and younger. Kids are free, $1 drop-in fee per adult.
FREE OR REALLY CHEAP FILMS
Every first Monday of each month students can enjoy a free show at the Ruth Sokolof Theater,1340 Mike Fahey St.
Watch films for $2.50 at Westwood 8 Cinema, 2809 S. 125th Ave. Click here to see what’s playing.
Watch shows for $5 at Aksarben Cinema, Rave Cinemas and Great Escape Theater.
VIEW OUTDOOR ART
“Odyssey” near South 24th Street and Interstate 80
”Molecule Man” and “Haymartket Rabbits” sculptures at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs.
”Fertile Ground” along North 13th St. between Cass and Mike Fahey Streets.
The Bronze Bison sculpture at 15th and Dodge Streets
”Illumina” at CenturyLink Center Omaha
”Two Brothers” at Boys Town
“Carved Stump” at 50th and Blondo Streets
ART MUSEUM
Get free admission to Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St., every Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.
Olivia Grigg,22, is a College of Saint Mary’s student interning for momaha this fall. Read her blogs here.
If you know of an event and it’s not on our list, email momaha@owh.com
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