Nebraska with Kids

Since 1965, the Lincoln Children’s Zoo has served as a place where families could come and learn about animals, interact with nature, and have fun. The zoo is different from others in that it is designed specifically for kids, with lots of activities and events that afford visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with the animal residents of the zoo. On the animal encounter stage, kids can have the opportunity to interact with animals like a porcupine, an African serval, a chameleon, an armadillo, a macaw parrot, and so many others. The Lincoln Children’s Zoo is home to over 400 animals and runs lots of camps and events designed specifically for kids so they can learn about these marvelous creatures.

1222 S 27th St, Lincoln, NE 68502, Phone: 402-475-6741

At the Children’s Museum Of Central Nebraska, they believe that playtime should be all the time, but they also believe that kids are capable of learning a lot and having fun at the same time. Full of hands-on exhibits and imaginative play areas, the Children’s Museum of Central Nebraska is a great destination for a quick pit stop if the kids are getting restless on a long car ride, as well as a wonderful full-day destination on a rainy day or during a vacation. Story times, art projects, games and more are in store at the Children’s Museum of Central Nebraska.

3000 Osborne Dr E, Hastings, NE 68901, Phone: 402-463-3300

Most kids are curious by nature, and at Edgerton Explorit Center, children are encouraged to ask questions and learn through a series of interactive, colorful, and fun exhibits. Most of the Edgerton Explorit Center pertains to the field of science, with games and demonstrations that help kids learn about concepts like the three states of matter (by freezing and melting things, of course), sparks and electricity (with the help of some static!), and the science of sound. A typical visit at the Edgerton Explorit Center lasts for about three hours, so kids will have ample time to explore, learn, and play.

208 16th St, Aurora, NE 68818, Phone: 402-694-4032

Sometimes it can be good to escape the hustle and bustle of life and step into nature. Families near Bellevue can do this at Fontenelle Forest, a beautiful green space with hiking trails and picnic facilities, perfect for an afternoon as a family. The Fontenelle Forest Nature Center runs fun events and activities like high ropes course activities, nature lectures and classes where kids can learn about and even meet some of the animals who live in the forest, Habitat Hollow, an exhibit specifically designed for young kids where they can learn about animals, dress up in costumes, and play. Fontenelle Forest is also home to a Raptor Woodland Refuge, which focuses on the conservation of birds of prey and runs lots of fun and educational programs.

1111 Bellevue Blvd N, Bellevue, NE 68005, Phone: 402-731-3140

There are roadside attractions, and then there’s the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, which takes the form of a walkable arch that stretches right over I-80. The Archway first opened in 2000, and inside it is a museum commemorating the history of the Great Platte River Road, which for a long time has been a main thoroughfare for pioneers migrating west, Native Americans traveling through the area, and more. Family-friendly exhibits include a recreation of a traditional sod house, an interactive historical exhibit, and a Trail Blaze Maze. There are also picnic facilities on the premises.

3060 E 1st St, Kearney, NE 68847, Phone: 308-237-1000

At the Kearney Area Children's Museum, there are several expansive areas of play and learning, where kids can create unique projects in an art studio that allows them to explore their creative side, or conduct experiments and learn about the world around them in the science center. There’s a train depot where kids can play and take a ride, a miniature grocery store, a fire station, and a farming area where kids can learn about the food they eat and where it comes from. All around Kearney Area Children’s Museum, kids are invited and encouraged to play, touch, and interact with the exhibits around them.

5827 4th Ave, Kearney, NE 68845, Phone: 308-698-2228

Lake Minatare is the largest lake in the area, and it is home to the only full-size lighthouse in the state of Nebraska. Families who visit Lake Minatare can expect a world of fun out on the water. Visitors can try their luck with a fishing rod, splash and swim in the lake, enjoy a relaxing paddle on a kayak or canoe, or spend the day out on a boat while they water ski and go tubing and enjoy the sunshine. Campgrounds at Lake Minatare mean that families can bring their RV or a tent for a full weekend of adventure, or maybe even longer. Because Lake Minatare is an important habitat for migratory birds, the lake is open during the warmer months of the year but is closed to the public from mid-October through mid-January.

Minatare, NE 69356, Phone: 308-783-2911

With three stories packed full with interactive exhibits and creative play areas, the Lincoln Children’s Museum is a great place to spend a rainy or snowy afternoon, and a great destination to let the kids stretch their legs and burn off some of their energy. The Lincoln Children’s Museum prides itself on believing that age is a state of mind, and wants its museum to be fun for kids of all ages, whether they’re five years old or fifty. The littlest visitors can play and explore in the Grow Zone, while older kids can have fun in Tiny Town, which is complete with a bank, a doctor’s office, and even a mini apple orchard. Upstairs there’s a transportation exhibit that features trains and cars, a system of kid-sized prairie dog tunnels, and a performing arts stage.

1420 P St, Lincoln, NE 68508, Phone: 402-477-4000