Yes, plenty is free with little kids in Omaha this week: we found 18 free outings, including Spooktacular Storytime (Downtown Branch), Spooktacular Storytime (A.V. Sorensen Branch) and Halloween Safe Night at Papillion Landing, plus 12 library programs. Four free days and events are coming up, including two museum or zoo free days, each with its date. And three places never charge admission, like Joslyn Art Museum and The RiverFront.
This week
Every free outing on this week’s Omaha list, rebuilt every Thursday. Library programs may need a quick sign-up.
Downtown Branch · 1401 Jones St., Omaha, NE 68102
Halloween storytime: come in costume (or not) for festive stories, trick-or-treating, a scavenger hunt and crafts. Free, no registration.
Millard Branch · 13214 Westwood Ln., Omaha, NE 68144
Simple songs, dance, play and short stories for active toddlers and a grown-up; best for 15 months to 3 years.
Council Bluffs Public Library · 400 Willow Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
A half hour of music with Lori Lynn from Overall Buddies in the Tree House, for kids 5 and under and their grown-up.
W. Clarke Swanson Branch · 9101 W. Dodge Rd., Omaha, NE 68114
A storytime all about eyes, followed by free vision screening by Lions Clubs for ages 6 months to 6 years (parent permission needed).
Central Library · 7205 Dodge St, Omaha, NE 68114
Simple songs, dance, play and short stories for active toddlers and a grown-up; best for 15 months to 3 years.
A.V. Sorensen Branch · 4808 Cass St., Omaha, NE 68132
Halloween storytime: come in costume (or not) for festive stories, trick-or-treating, a scavenger hunt and crafts. Free, no registration.
Council Bluffs Public Library · 400 Willow Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Stories, music and fun for kids 5 and under; the theme repeats all week, with more sessions Tuesday and Thursday.
Council Bluffs Public Library · 400 Willow Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Thirty minutes of music, dance and a story with Miss Abbey from Motion Works Dance, for kids 5 and under with a grown-up.
Milton R. Abrahams Branch · 5111 N. 90th St., Omaha, NE 68134
A hands-on STEM class for kids under 6: learn about gravity and weight, then build a tower strong enough to hold a small pumpkin.
South Omaha Library · 2808 Q St., Omaha, NE 68107
Bilingual storytime in English and Spanish with stories, music, games and movement. All kids welcome.
Central Library · 7205 Dodge St, Omaha, NE 68114
A hands-on STEM class for kids under 6: learn about gravity and weight, then build a tower strong enough to hold a small pumpkin.
Papillion Landing Field House · 1022 W. Lincoln St., Papillion, NE 68046
A free family Halloween night with a costume contest, trick-or-treating, game booths and bounce houses, run by Papillion Recreation.
Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch · 2100 Reading Plz., Elkhorn, NE 68022
Halloween storytime: come in costume (or not) for festive stories, trick-or-treating, a scavenger hunt and crafts. Free, no registration.
Downtown Branch · 1401 Jones St., Omaha, NE 68102
Hear a read-aloud about pet adoption, then pick a plush animal to take home, make it a collar and a house, and fill out an adoption certificate.
Willa Cather Branch · 1905 S. 44th St., Omaha, NE 68105
Halloween storytime: come in costume (or not) for festive stories, trick-or-treating, a scavenger hunt and crafts. Free, no registration.
Saddlebrook Branch · 14850 Laurel Ave., Omaha, NE 68116
Stories, creative movement and music tailored to the kids who come.
Benson Branch · 6015 Binney Street, Omaha, NE 68104
Simple books, rhymes, music and play for babies and a grown-up.
Westroads Mall · 10000 California Street, Omaha, NE 68114
Trick-or-treat with library mascot Scamper and costumed book characters like Pout-Pout Fish, Penelope Rex, Click Clack Duck and Curious George. Storytimes at 1:30 (bilingual) and 2:15pm, and each child gets a free book while supplies last. In the level 1 atrium outside Von Maur.
Nothing free on this day yet. Try an always-free place.
Mark the calendar
Museum and zoo free days, free festivals and other one-off free events, soonest first. Some free days are only for residents or cardholders, so each one says who gets in free.
Kiewit Luminarium · Omaha
Only the cardholder gets in free, so bring the card and an ID.
Downtown Omaha · Downtown Omaha, NE
Nightly
Downtown Omaha · Downtown Omaha
Nightly. The lights are on every night from Saturday, Nov. 28.
Kiewit Luminarium · Riverfront
Issued on site only.
Any day
Parks, gardens, nature centers and museums that don’t charge admission.
Every week
Free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers at branches around the city.
Weekly at 11 locations; Monday–Saturday, mostly mornings, plus some evening sessions
Keep planning
Good questions
This week we found 18 free outings for ages 0–6, including Spooktacular Storytime (Downtown Branch), Spooktacular Storytime (A.V. Sorensen Branch), Halloween Safe Night at Papillion Landing and Spooktacular Storytime (Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch). See free this week; the list is rebuilt every Thursday.
Bank of America Museums on Us weekend: Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8, Sat Dec 5 and Sun Dec 6. Museums for All at the Kiewit Luminarium: Any open day ($1 per person for up to 2 adults and 6 children with a SNAP EBT or eWIC card). Dates come from each venue’s own page; see free days and free events.
Holiday Lights Festival (downtown lights) is free this season. Dates and times are on each card under free days and free events.
Joslyn Art Museum, The RiverFront and Heartwood Preserve don’t charge admission. Some charge for parking or special exhibits; the cards say so where the place does.
Yes. Omaha Public Library runs free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Times change by branch, so check the calendar linked below.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 19, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday for dated events and once a month for free places. How we choose and check.
Littles Weekly
One short email every Friday morning with the best things to do with little ones in Omaha that weekend, free ones flagged.
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