Cartoon family car on a winding road, pumpkin-patch road trip scene
Next 6 weekends · Oct 23–25 to Nov 27–29

Weekend getaways from Omaha with kids

The best trip within about five hours of Omaha for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on.

6 weekends2 citiesClosest: 2h 15m

Last checked against official pages. How we choose

Departures

From Omaha
Oct 23–25Kansas CityBoo at the Zoo · 3hGloWild · Monster BashOvernightOct 30–Nov 1Kansas CityGloWild · 3hPenguin MarchOvernightNov 6–8Kansas CityGloWild · 3hCrown Center Ice Terrace opening dayOvernightNov 13–15Kansas CityGloWild · 3hThe Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!OvernightNov 20–22Kansas CityGloWild · 3hThe Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!OvernightNov 27–29Des MoinesDisney On Ice · 2h 15mCasey's CenterFriday fun
How far is fun?

Everything within 5 hours

Each ring is one hour of driving from Omaha. Under two hours is an easy day trip; past three, pack the pajamas.

1h2h3h4h5hDes MoinesKansas CityOmaha
Des Moines2h 15m
Kansas City3h

Orange dots are picks on this page. Drive times are normal driving times without traffic.

WEEKEND 1
Oct 23–25
3h
Overnight: pack the PJs

Destination · 3 picksWeekend of Oct 23–25: Kansas City

about 3 hr from Omaha

Boo at the Zoo both days from 9:30 to 5, included with admission, then GloWild's giant lanterns after dark if anyone's still awake.

Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.

Boo at the Zoo

Not-so-scary trick-or-treating. Treat bags are handed out at the entrance for kids 12 and under.

Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25 · 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
Included with zoo admission
Official page

GloWild

Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour.

Fri Oct 23, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25 · 6–10 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
See the zoo's ticket page
Official page

Monster Bash

An after-hours costume party for kids 10 and under, with a Naturescape maze, a costume contest, a finale parade and trick-or-treating on the way out.

Sat Oct 24 · 6–8 p.m.
Wonderscope Children's Museum
$50 family pass (up to 6 guests, ages 2+) or $15 per person; not included with admission or membership
Official page
Kansas City city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Kansas City
WEEKEND 2
Oct 30–Nov 1
3h
Overnight: pack the PJsBest at dusk: lights after dark

Destination · 2 picksWeekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: Kansas City

about 3 hr from Omaha

Penguin March at the zoo on Saturday and Sunday, plus GloWild's lanterns in the evening.

Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.

GloWild

Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour.

Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1 · 6–10 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
See the zoo's ticket page
Official page

Penguin March

Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1 · See the zoo's schedule
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
Included with zoo admission
Official page
Kansas City city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Kansas City
WEEKEND 3
Nov 6–8
3h
Overnight: pack the PJsBest at dusk: lights after dark

Destination · 2 picksWeekend of Nov 6–8: Kansas City

about 3 hr from Omaha

The Crown Center Ice Terrace opens Friday with a free skate, and GloWild's lanterns are lit Friday to Sunday evenings.

Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.

GloWild

Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour.

Fri Nov 6, Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8 · 6–10 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
See the zoo's ticket page
Official page

Crown Center Ice Terrace opening day

The rink's season runs through March 14.

Fri Nov 6 · See Crown Center
Crown Center Square
Free skate on opening day
Official page
Kansas City city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Kansas City
WEEKEND 4
Nov 13–15
3h
Overnight: pack the PJsBest at dusk: lights after dark

Destination · 2 picksWeekend of Nov 13–15: Kansas City

about 3 hr from Omaha

GloWild lanterns, Wednesday to Sunday evenings.

Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.

GloWild

Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour.

Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15 · 6–10 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
See the zoo's ticket page
Official page

The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!

A holiday show built on Mo Willems' Pigeon books.

Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15 · See Crown Center
Crown Center
See Crown Center for tickets
Official page
Kansas City city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Kansas City
WEEKEND 5
Nov 20–22
3h
Overnight: pack the PJsBest at dusk: lights after dark

Destination · 2 picksWeekend of Nov 20–22: Kansas City

about 3 hr from Omaha

GloWild at the zoo, the Pigeon's holiday show at Crown Center and the Ice Terrace next door. Do one before nap and one after.

Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.

GloWild

Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour.

Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · 6–10 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
See the zoo's ticket page
Official page

The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!

A holiday show built on Mo Willems' Pigeon books.

Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · See Crown Center
Crown Center
See Crown Center for tickets
Official page
Kansas City city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Kansas City
WEEKEND 6
Nov 27–29
2h 15m
Friday fun: day-after pickBeat traffic: leave Tuesday or early Wednesday

DestinationWeekend of Nov 27–29: Des Moines

about 2 hr 15 min from Omaha

Disney On Ice is at Casey's Center over the holiday weekend.

Disney On Ice

In Des Moines Nov. 26–29.

Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29 · See the tour page for show times
Casey's Center
See the tour page
Official page
Des Moines city guideVisiting with little kidsThis week in Des Moines

Also within reach

Kansas City~3h

The Crown Center tree lighting and Santa's arrival on Friday, plus GloWild.

Little-traveler checklist

Pack it before you go

Car snacksMore than you think. Then a few more.
StrollerZoo paths and light trails are long for little legs.
Time the napLeave right before nap so the drive does double duty.
Overnight bagPast three hours, pajamas beat a 9pm drive home.
Parking cashFree admission days often still charge for parking.
Rain planPick one indoor backup, like a museum, before you leave.
More trips

Every region, every weekend

Plains weekendsAll regionsThis week in Omaha
Good questions

Weekend trips from Omaha: the FAQ

Where can we go for a weekend from Omaha with little kids?

Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Omaha are Kansas City, Des Moines. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.

Which cities are within an easy drive of Omaha?

Des Moines (about 2 hr 15 min), Kansas City (about 3 hr). Times are normal driving times without traffic.

Why is the same city picked more than once?

Sometimes one city really does have the most going on two weekends in a row, like a holiday lights opening followed by a show. We don't rotate cities just for variety.

Are the times and prices current?

They're what each official page showed on Oct 18, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.