Boulder Creek Amusement Park features 2 outdoor mini golf courses, batting cages, outdoor roller skating rink, hedge maze, rock climbing wall, and more! Open April-October (weather permitting)

Chalco Hills has a 4.2 mile paved path along Wehrspann Lake with benches and picnic tables scattered around the trail. There is also a playground and unpaved hiking trails. ADA accessible bathrooms available in the visitors center.

DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge features hiking trails, an auto tour, picnic areas, hiking, fishing and a visitor center. Different animal species such as bald eagles, turtles, ducks, blue herons, deer and more can be spotted.

$3/vehicle entrance fee

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Fontenelle Forrest has tons of outdoor play opportunities! Check out Acorn Acres (a natural playscape), two stroller friendly boardwalks, a zipline (ages 4+), and plenty of hiking trails. There are strollers available for free (first-come, first-serve).

Fontenelle also offers an educational program (Mudpies) for ages 3-5.

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Fun Plex is a water and amusement park. The waterpark has plenty of areas for the littlest ones to enjoy, and things to keep older kids happy too like water slides, wave pool, and lazy river. The amusement park side has go karts, bumper cars, and rides specifically for the younger members of the family.

Day and season passes available.

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The Gene Leahy Mall reopened in 2022 after extensive upgrades to the old park. The park includes an epic playground, the classic Omaha slides, sculpture garden, greenspace, Cascades fountain (splash area), yard game area, performance pavillion and more. It's an urban oasis and it won't be hard to find something here to keep everyone in your family happy.

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Halleck Park in Papillion has 70 acres of parkland which includes walking trails, playgrounds, sports fields, lake, arboretum and more. Restrooms available throughout the park.

Omaha's zoo consistently ranks in the top 3 zoos in the United States for good reason. Aside from thre animals there are fantastic areas for kids to run around and play. Check out the Glacier Bay Landing playground, Alaskan Adventure Splashpad, Bay Family Children's Adventure Trail, and Stingray Beach. There are nursing rooms throughout the zoo and you can choose to bring your own food, or purchase from one of the many concession areas.

Heron Haven is an urban sanctuary with a nature center, boardwalk, butterfly garden, and different types of animals that roam the property.

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Lauritzen Gardens is filled with exciting things for kids to explore. Check out the children's garden, model railroad garden, Kennefick park (the big trains visible from I-80), StoryWalks (seasonal) and an indoor play area near the cafe. Most of the garden is stroller friendly. Outside food and drink are permitted at Kennefick park, but not in the main garden grounds. To help keep kids engaged, download a scavenger hunt to take along with you!

Mahoney State Park has plenty of outdoor activities. The aquatic center features a swimming pool with waterslides and a wave pool. There is plenty of opportunity for hiking, a ropes course, and mini golf.

A classic Omaha destination! The Old Market is an ecclectic neighnorhood with plenty of shopping and dining. There are lots of fun restaurants/shops for kids to experience, like Ted and Wally's and Hollywood Candy. Wandering around, checking out the street performers, and grabbing a treat is a great way to spend time in the Old Market. It also hosts a farmer's market in the summer.

OPPD Arboretum is an outdoor education area with paved and unpaved trails. It's a quick, peaceful, and mostly shady walk with a few places to sit scattered through the trail. It also features a substation overlook with information explaining how the substation works. It is centrally located so you'll likely hear traffic as you walk. Restrooms are available (not stroller friendly as it is a single port-a-potty).

Papio Fun Park is a mostly outdoor adventure park with go karts, mini golf, laser tag, an arcade and more! Children must be 50" AND 8 years old to drive the go karts independenly, but anyone not meeting those requirements can be a passenger with an adult driver. Admisssion to the park is free, you only pay for the activities you choose to do, wristband combo packages are available.

Platte River State Park has hiking trails, a natural playground, Stone Creek waterfall, Crawdad Creek, spray park, and camping/glamping options. There are restrooms scattered throughout the park.

Scatter Joy Acres is a rescue ranch for animals and provides therapeutic interactions for those with developmental disabilities and at-risk children. The ranch is open to the public and has a petting zoo where kids can get up close to a variety of animals like donkeys, sheep, llamas, alpacas, ponies and a camel! The ranch also has a playground and picnic areas.

The Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari park features a 4 mile drive-thru wildlife experience, 2 miles of hiking trails, and a petting zoo. You can spot a variety of animals like bison, elk, prairie dogs, wolves, bears, pelicans and more!

*photo courtesy of Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park.

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Open April-October