Runza
$Locations around Omaha
A Nebraska fast-food classic with kids’ meals on the menu.
Kids usually order
Kids meals
Good for: A cheap, quick Nebraska classic on the road.
Skip if: you want a sit-down meal; it’s fast food.
Report a problemGUIDE Omaha · The Gateway to the West
Things to do with toddlers and little kids in Omaha: the parent guide.
Omaha is a strong little-kid city: one of the country’s biggest zoos, a children’s museum downtown, a new riverfront science museum and playgrounds along the river.
Around town16 spots · checked Oct 16
The Omaha places we go back to, again and again.
Not this week’s events, just the reliable stuff. Where to eat with a toddler, where to burn off energy when it rains, where to splash, what’s worth the admission, and where to spend a night without going far.
Eat
Kid-friendly restaurants
Places where a dropped fork is no big deal and nobody minds a little noise.
Ted & Wally’s
$Old Market and Benson
Homemade ice cream in small batches, a sweet stop after the Old Market.
Menu prices
- Kids’ meals $2.59 child scoop
Good for: A $2.59 child scoop after an Old Market walk.
Skip if: it’s late and sugar won’t help bedtime; it’s open until 11 on weekends.
Sun–Thu 11am–10pm · Fri–Sat 11am–11pmSite ↗ for Ted & Wally’s
Report a problemUpstream Brewing Company
$$Old Market
A big, casual brewpub in the Old Market that takes reservations.
Menu prices
- Kids’ meals $5–$11
Good for: A big, casual Old Market dinner you can book ahead; kids’ meals are $5–$11.
Skip if: you want somewhere small and quiet.
Mon–Thu 11am–10pm · Fri–Sat 11am–11pm · Sun 10am–10pmSite ↗ for Upstream Brewing Company
Report a problemBlock 16
$Downtown
A small counter-service spot known for burgers and fries.
Good for: A quick burger lunch downtown.
Skip if: you want dinner Monday to Wednesday. It closes at 2pm.
Mon–Wed 11am–2pm · Thu–Sat 11am–8pmSite ↗ for Block 16
Report a problemFeatured partnerThis spot is open.Run a place in Omaha that belongs in this section? One featured spot here is set aside for a local partner, and it’s always labeled.About featured spots →
Play
Indoor play and rainy days
For rainy mornings, cold afternoons and anyone who needs to run in circles for an hour.
$17Everyone 2–59
Omaha Children’s Museum
Downtown
Play exhibits for young kids, and free for babies under 24 months.
Tickets
- Under 24 months free
Plus tax; $8 in the last hour
Good for: The best first morning for under-5s; under 24 months is free and the last hour is $8.
Skip if: your free day is Monday; it opens Tuesday to Sunday.
Tue–Fri 9am–4pm · Sat–Sun 9am–5pmSite ↗ for Omaha Children’s Museum
Report a problem$13per child (4–17)
Kiewit Luminarium
Riverfront
A riverfront science museum full of hands-on exhibits and a maker space.
Tickets
- Adults $18
- 3 and under free
Good for: Older preschoolers who like making things; 3 and under are free.
Skip if: it’s a Monday, when it’s usually closed.
Tue–Sun 10am (Wed until 7pm) · closed most MondaysSite ↗ for Kiewit Luminarium
Report a problem$10per child (3–12)
The Durham Museum
Downtown
Old train cars to climb inside, in a grand art deco train station.
Tickets
- Adults $17
- 2 and under free
Plus tax
Good for: Climbing into old train cars; 2 and under are free.
Skip if: you go on a busy weekend. Wednesday and Thursday afternoons are quietest.
Report a problemFree
Joslyn Art Museum
Midtown
A free art museum with family art-making days.
Good for: A free, short visit, especially on family art days.
Skip if: your toddler needs to touch everything; galleries need gentle hands.
Report a problemFeatured partnerThis spot is open.Run a place in Omaha that belongs in this section? One featured spot here is set aside for a local partner, and it’s always labeled.About featured spots →
Splash & ride
Parks and outdoor play
Pools, fountains, zoos and theme parks: the big all-day outings.
DowntownFree
The RiverFront
Gene Leahy Mall’s playgrounds, slides and splash areas by the river.
Good for: Free slides and splash areas walkable from the Old Market.
Skip if: you want to stay dry in summer; the splash areas are part of the fun.
Report a problemBellevue$
Fontenelle Forest
Boardwalk trails through the trees and a nature center.
Good for: Stroller-friendly boardwalk trails and the Acorn Acres nature play area.
Skip if: you want to stay downtown; it’s out in Bellevue.
Report a problemSouth Omaha$$
Lauritzen Gardens
Botanical gardens with a model railroad garden.
Tickets
- Kids 3–12 $11
- Adults 13–64 $18
- 2 and under free
Advance prices
Good for: The model railroad garden next to the zoo; 2 and under are free.
Skip if: you buy at the door; listed prices are advance.
Report a problemWest OmahaFree
Heartwood Preserve
A newer park with trails, open lawns and seasonal festivals.
Good for: Free lawns and trails, plus seasonal festivals.
Skip if: you need playground equipment.
Report a problemFeatured partnerThis spot is open.Run a place in Omaha that belongs in this section? One featured spot here is set aside for a local partner, and it’s always labeled.About featured spots →
Explore
Museums, zoos and big outings
Museums, animals and farm days that hold a little one’s attention.
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
$$South Omaha
A huge zoo with an indoor desert, a rainforest and an aquarium.
Tickets (last season)
- Kids 3–11 $20.95
- Adults 12+ $28.95
- 2 and under free
Oct 1–Nov 30 prices; winter prices from Dec 1
Good for: Any weather, with an indoor desert, rainforest and aquarium; 2 and under are free.
Skip if: you try to see it all in one day with a toddler.
Report a problemStrategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum
$$Ashland · about 30 minutes
Giant airplanes and missiles under one roof.
Tickets
- Kids 4–12 $10
- Adults $18
- 3 and under free
Plus tax
Good for: Plane-crazy kids; 3 and under are free.
Skip if: you don’t want to drive about 30 minutes toward Lincoln.
Report a problemFeatured partnerThis spot is open.Run a place in Omaha that belongs in this section? One featured spot here is set aside for a local partner, and it’s always labeled.About featured spots →
Stay
Staycations and overnight trips
A night away without a long drive. New bed, same bedtime.
≈30 minutes · Ashland$$
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
Cabins, a lodge, an indoor play area and trails, halfway to Lincoln.
Good for: Cabins with an indoor play area, halfway to Lincoln.
Skip if: you want to be near the Old Market.
Report a problem≈50 minutes · Nebraska City$$$
Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm
A lodge next to a tree adventure trail and orchard.
Good for: A lodge by a tree adventure trail and orchard about 50 minutes out.
Skip if: you want to be near the zoo and downtown; it’s about 50 minutes away.
Report a problemFeatured partnerThis spot is open.Run a place in Omaha that belongs in this section? One featured spot here is set aside for a local partner, and it’s always labeled.About featured spots →
These don’t change week to week. Last checked . Hours and prices change, so check the place’s own site before you go. Know a spot we missed? Tell us at hello@littlesweekly.com.
No ticket needed
Free things to do
Where a family can go in Omaha without paying for admission. For free days, free events and this week’s free outings, see every free thing to do in Omaha.
Littlest explorers
Best for under 3s
Free or cheap for babies and toddlers, and easy with a stroller.
Every week
Library storytimes
Recurring and free. Times change by branch, so check the calendar.
Weekly at 11 locations; Monday–Saturday, mostly mornings, plus some evening sessionsOmaha Public Library
Free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers at branches around the city.
Schedule ↗Babies and 1-year-olds
With a baby or a 1-year-old in Omaha
Baby storytimes, places where babies get in free, and where to change and feed. For rainy days, see indoor play places; for zero-cost ideas, see free things to do.
Baby and lap-sit storytimes
Tuesdays at 9:15am · A.V. Sorensen BranchBaby Storytime · Omaha Public Library
Birth to 15 months. Experience simple books, rhymes, music, and play designed to promote development and learning.
Storytime calendar ↗Saturdays at 9:30am · Benson BranchBaby Storytime · Omaha Public Library
Birth to 15 months. Experience simple books, rhymes, music, and play designed to promote development and learning.
Storytime calendar ↗Tuesdays at 9:30am and 10:30am · Bess Johnson Elkhorn BranchBaby Storytime · Omaha Public Library
Birth to 15 months. Experience simple books, rhymes, music, and play designed to promote development and learning.
Storytime calendar ↗Mondays at 9:30am; Saturdays at 10:30am · Central LibraryBaby Storytime · Omaha Public Library
Birth to 15 months. Experience simple books, rhymes, music, and play designed to promote development and learning.
Storytime calendar ↗Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30am · Millard BranchBaby Storytime · Omaha Public Library
Birth to 15 months. Experience simple books, rhymes, music, and play designed to promote development and learning.
Storytime calendar ↗Fridays at 9:30am · Milton R. Abrahams BranchBaby Storytime · Omaha Public Library
Birth to 15 months. Experience simple books, rhymes, music, and play designed to promote development and learning.
Storytime calendar ↗Babies get in free
Omaha Children’s Museum
Under 24 months free
Admission page ↗Kiewit Luminarium
3 and under free
Admission page ↗The Durham Museum
2 and under free
Admission page ↗Lauritzen Gardens
2 and under free
Admission page ↗Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
2 and under free
Admission page ↗Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum
3 and under free
Admission page ↗Changing tables and nursing rooms
The Durham Museum
There’s a family and nursing room. Ask at the Admissions Desk for access.
Official site ↗Stroller notes
Fontenelle Forest
Free stroller loans are available, first come, first served, and the mile-long boardwalk works with wheels.
Official site ↗By season
Seasonal spots
Santa visits and Christmas lights only run part of the year, so they have their own pages with this season’s dates and prices.
This week
What’s on this week in Omaha
The guide is the evergreen list. Here’s what’s happening in Omaha right now.
- Zootacular at Henry Doorly ZooOmaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium · $25 adults, $15 ages 3+
- Fright Lab at Kiewit LuminariumKiewit Luminarium · $4 per child, $3 per adult
- Flight of Fright at the SAC Aerospace MuseumStrategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum · $18 adults, $10 ages 4–12, 3 and under free
Good questions
Things to do with toddlers in Omaha: the FAQ
Is Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo good for toddlers?
Yes, if you don’t try to see everything. The indoor desert, rainforest and aquarium keep it comfortable in any weather, and kids 2 and under are free.
What’s free to do with little kids in Omaha?
The RiverFront playgrounds, the Joslyn Art Museum and Heartwood Preserve are free, and so are library storytimes.
What’s good for a rainy day in Omaha with a toddler?
The Children’s Museum, the Durham Museum and the Zoo’s indoor exhibits.
What’s good for babies and kids under 3 in Omaha?
Omaha Children’s Museum: Babies under 24 months get in free. The Durham Museum: Toddlers love climbing into the train cars. Free for the littlest: Kiewit Luminarium (3 and under free), Lauritzen Gardens (2 and under free) and Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium (2 and under free). See best for under 3s.
Where are the free storytimes in Omaha?
Omaha Public Library: Weekly at 11 locations; Monday–Saturday, mostly mornings, plus some evening sessions. Library storytimes don’t need a ticket, but times change by branch, so check the calendar first. See library storytimes, and this week’s dated sessions are on the Omaha weekly list.
How do you choose the places in the Omaha guide?
Every one of the 16 places is somewhere we’d take a baby, toddler or preschooler, with a note on who it suits and when to skip it. Prices, hours and menus come from each place’s own site, and 8 of them have checked admission or menu prices. The guide was last checked Oct 18, 2026. How we choose and check.
How much is Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium for a toddler, and who gets in free?
2 and under free; kids 3–11: $20.95; adults 12+: $28.95. We checked this on its official site on Oct 17, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.
How much is the Omaha Children’s Museum for a toddler, and who gets in free?
Under 24 months free; everyone 2–59: $17 (plus tax; $8 in the last hour). We checked this on its official site on Oct 17, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.
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