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Photo courtesy of\u00a0Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Experience Nebraska\u2019s wild side at Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari. This unique park is located just 30 minutes outside of Omaha and houses more than 350 animals and 53 species from all over the world. You can see a selection of these species on a drive-through safari, during which you can roll your windows down, whip out the cameras, and feel like you\u2019re in a different world! The kids will love the opportunity to see hundreds of animal species in their native habitats.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Arts and crafts are classic summer activities and some of our favorite things to do at any time of the year! While you can plan a crafting day at home, why not turn it into an adventure? There are plenty of places in the Omaha area that offer kids the chance to make something all on their own! At That Pottery Place<\/a> in Omaha, kids and parents can paint and take home individualized keepsakes. From piggy banks to figurines, and dog bowls to dinnerware, they offer hundreds of pieces just waiting to be turned into art. You should also plan on visiting the Makery<\/a> at least once this season, where kids and adults of all ages can learn new crafts, create one-of-a-kind pieces and even host their own fun party!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Durham Museum is housed in Omaha\u2019s former Union Station, but now serves as a popular event venue and historical treasure! The stunning architecture has been preserved and harkens back to days gone by. Plus, the museum has ties with the Smithsonian Institution, the Library of Congress, the National Archives and the Field Museum in Chicago, so you can dig even further into history than you ever thought possible!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Instill a love of reading in your child by visiting Omaha\u2019s best local bookshops<\/a>! Watch your kiddo pick out a book they\u2019ll love and then cozy up or head to a nearby park to read it together. From picture books to full-length novels, there is an infinite number of stories for you to enjoy. Plus, Omaha just happens to be home to several amazing authors<\/a> \u2014 so you can read local while you\u2019re at it!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Our local zoo, Omaha\u2019s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium<\/a>, is consistently ranked as one of the best in America. And you\u2019ll get to see why when you step inside and have the chance to explore their innovative exhibits. There are endless opportunities for fun at the zoo, for both kids and adults! Wander through the world\u2019s largest indoor desert, the Desert Dome<\/a>, which spans 84,000 square feet on two levels; meander through the world\u2019s largest indoor rainforest, the Lied Jungle<\/a>; and explore all of the other impressive exhibits that make our zoo a step above the rest!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Omaha Public Libraries<\/a> have plenty of events throughout the summer<\/a>, including readings, book clubs, teas, speed dating, poetry bashes, craft days and more. And if you\u2019re not up for participating, you can always roam the shelves for a good book and curl up in a cozy chair somewhere.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bowling is an activity that people of all ages can enjoy! So why not head over to a local bowling alley and engage in a little friendly family competition?\u00a0A few popular bowling alleys in the area include West Lanes<\/a>, Maplewood Lanes<\/a>, Mockingbird Lanes<\/a> and Papio Bowl<\/a>.\u00a0If the Elkhorn area is more convenient for you, try\u00a0The MARK<\/a>\u00a0instead \u2014 which includes opportunities for volleyball, bowling, arcade games, laser tag and more.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Some of Omaha\u2019s best festivals happen during the summer and many of them are kid-friendly! Check out our round-up of 19 we\u2019re looking forward to this season and mark your calendars. Your children will especially love Shakespeare on the Green<\/a>, where they can dress up and enjoy tasty food to their heart\u2019s content. Then follow it up with SeptemberFest<\/a>, a festival full of live music, exhilarating rides and a spectacular parade, to send summer off with a bang.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If your kiddos dream of space exploration, the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum is the perfect spot to explore. With exhibits on everything to do with space \u2014 including military operations, black holes, astronauts and veterans \u2014 there\u2019s a little something inside for everyone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photo courtesy of Fun-Plex<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Fun-Plex is one of the most popular summer spots in Omaha \u2014 complete with waterpark attractions, rides, and mini golf. When the heat starts to become too much, run through\u00a0Makana Splash<\/a>, lounge in the Lazzzy River and dive into the Motion Ocean! After you\u2019re done in the water, you can catch a ride on the roller coaster, race in a car and boat driving attraction, or hop on the classic ferris wheel. There\u2019s so much to do in Nebraska\u2019s largest amusement park that you\u2019ll have to keep coming back all summer to experience it all!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Puzzle rooms invite groups to work together, solve puzzles and hopefully escape within 60 minutes! Escape Omaha<\/a> invites groups up to seven people to put their heads together and hunt for clues. Not only is it a great challenge for kids and adults alike, but this unique activity will foster quick thinking and team working skills! Do you think you\u2019re up for the challenge?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Omaha area offers summer day camps in all sorts of activities including sports, writing, theater and more! We even have a guide to the best camps in the region<\/a>, which includes 20 options for kids of all ages \u2014 including Camp Legacy<\/a>. Not only is this camp consistently named as one of Omaha Magazine\u2019s Best of Omaha, but they also keep enrollment open all summer so your kids can jump in at any time during the season.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Amazing Pizza Machine sounds like a kids dream just by looking at the name of the establishment. And it really is! This 60,000-square-foot, all-indoor restaurant and entertainment center features rides and attractions including laser tag, go-karts, bumper cars, mini bowling, the Frog Hopper, a roller coaster, and more than 170 arcade games.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There\u2019s nothing better on a hot day than diving into some clean, cool water! Whether you\u2019re looking for a nearby lake, a community pool or a water park filled with activities, our round-up of Omaha\u2019s best swimming holes<\/a> has something for every day of the season.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you think ice skating is just a winter sport you\u2019re in for a fantastic surprise! Ice skating year-round is possible at the Ralston Arena\u2019s indoor rink. Admission for public skating is just $5 and includes skate rentals. While it might seem a little silly to carry around thick socks on a hot summer day, this cool activity lets you pretend that you\u2019ve stepped into a winter wonderland!<\/p>\n Baxter Arena also offers public skating<\/a> throughout the year at the Holland Ice rink! Admission is $5 and skate rental is $3.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Summer is for movie-lovers. Hollywood blockbusters and kid-friendly favorites are hitting the big screen all season \u2014 and we couldn\u2019t be more excited! At the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema<\/a>, in La Vista<\/a> and Midtown<\/a>, you\u2019ll be able to see old classics or brand new family flicks and get full meals and beverages delivered right to your seats! Or, for a change of pace, visit Falconwood Park<\/a> where you can grab a seat (or a parking spot) outdoors and watch a movie at the drive-in. See the full summer lineup<\/a> and reserve tickets in advance online!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ice cream definitely tastes good year-round, but for some reason, the flavors really stand out when it\u2019s hot outside. Good thing the Omaha and Council Bluffs area is bursting with delicious ice scream spots<\/a> for you to scream about! While you\u2019re at it, try to find the butter brickle flavor if you can. It was invented right here in Omaha<\/a> and is a local favorite.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rock climbing challenges both the mind and the body \u2014 and is a great activity for people of all ages! You can try your hand at indoor rock climbing at Approach Climbing Gym, a full-service gym with more than 6,000 square feet of climbing wall area and over 150 different routes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for a free, summertime activity that the kids will love, take them to a local spray ground! Local parks with fun water features include Benson Park, Fontenelle Park, Kountze Park, Seymour Smith Park, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge Plaza and more, but you can also find splash pads and spray grounds at the Omaha Children\u2019s Museum<\/a>, the Joslyn Art Museum<\/a>, the Shadow Lake Towne Center<\/a> and the First National Bank Tower<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nMake Arts and Crafts<\/h2>\n
Explore the Trains at the\u00a0Durham Museum<\/a><\/h2>\n
Stop by a Local Bookshop<\/h2>\n
![\"Summer](\"https:\/\/npdodge.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/clay-banks-765259-unsplash-3.png\")
<\/p>\nSpend a Day at the Zoo<\/h2>\n
Head to Your Local Library<\/h2>\n
Try Your Hand at Bowling<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nVisit a Local Festival<\/h2>\n
Learn Something New at the Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum<\/a><\/h2>\n
Make a Splash at the\u00a0Fun-Plex<\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"Kids](\"https:\/\/npdodge.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Fun-Plex-1.png\")
<\/p>\nEscape from a Local Escape Room<\/h2>\n
Play at Summer Camp<\/h2>\n
Have a Blast at the Amazing Pizza Machine<\/a><\/h2>\n
Go Swimming at a Local Pool<\/h2>\n
![\"Swimming](\"https:\/\/npdodge.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Swimming-3.png\")
<\/p>\nGo Ice Skating at the Ralston Arena<\/a><\/h2>\n
See a Movie \u2014 Inside or Out<\/h2>\n
Indulge in Some Ice Cream<\/h2>\n
![\"Kids](\"https:\/\/npdodge.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/patrick-fore-380241-unsplash-1.png\")
<\/p>\nTry Rock Climbing at Approach Climbing Gym<\/a><\/h2>\n
Head to a Local Spray Ground<\/h2>\n
Hit the Road<\/h2>\n
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