Omaha Family Fun Guide - Fall 2024 by Family Fun in Omaha

Family Fun Guide

OMAHA AREA

Autumn months are some of our family’s favorite months of the year. Within the few months that make up this season we enjoy the weather swinging from warm, to mild, to cool. There are rainy days, dry days, and snowy days. Nature shows off a spectrum of greens, browns, yellows, oranges, and reds as plants begin to move into their dormancy.

As it is with nature during this season, these months are always plentiful with a variety of layered and colorful experiences, activities and events. We, at Family Fun in Omaha hope to showcase all the fun the Omaha area has to offer during this beautiful season.

Even with a lot of us now moving from summer vacations and into the start of school days, for all of us, there’s still fun times ahead. Whether you are indoors or outdoors we have tried our best to consolidate, within these pages, all that the area has to offer. Please explore our website and our social media posts for more.

Thank you for following us. Thank you for joining us. We wish you and your family a very wonderful time this Fall.

– Family Fun In Omaha Team

©2024 Family Fun in Omaha. All rights reserved. We are not responsible for errors and omissions or changes since publication. Reproduction in whole or in part granted only by written permission of the publisher.

WELCOME

EVENT SPOTLIGHT: (PGS. 6-7)

MCC INTERTRIBAL POWWOW

INTERTRIBAL POWWOW

ONE HEARTBEAT, MANY NATIONS

Saturday, Sept. 21 | 1-7:30 p.m.

METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE Fort Omaha Campus 5300 N. 30th St. 33RD

EMCEE

Taylor Cheii Begay Diné

ARENA DIRECTOR

Samuel J. Grant Umónhon

HEAD MAN DANCER

Cory Four Killer Omaha/Lakota

HEAD LADY DANCER

April Godfrey Isanti Dakota

HOST NORTHERN DRUM

Maza Kute Santee, Nebraska

HOST SOUTHERN DRUM

Young Bucks Sioux City, Iowa

HEAD PRINCESS JUDGE

Summer Barea Omaha Nation

REIGNING PRINCESS

Selena Whipple Ponca Tribe of Nebraska

33RD ANNIVERSARY FORT OMAHA INTERTRIBAL POWWOW

DATE: Week of September 21st, 2024

FREE to the public!

Join in the 33rd Annual Fort Omaha Intertribal Powwow. The powwow will be held at Metropolitan Community College Fort Omaha Campus, 5300 N. 30th St.

Celebrating Native American cultures, the powwow honors the traditional dance, music, artistry, oral history and foods of various tribes across Nebraska and the surrounding region that include Omaha, Ponca, Santee, Sioux, and Winnebago.

If you are unable to attend in person please visit their website to register for the virtual powwow. Visit mccneb.edu/powwow for more information.

We love providing the opportunity for various local organizations and groups a chance to showcase who they are. For this magazine issue and featured article we reached out about the World O! Water event.

Not only are we impressed with the long list of supporting organizations that help provide for this event, but also World O! Water’s goal is specifically in educating all generations about how water deeply affects all of us, and how we affect water. The plethora of events and activities we share throughout each year are dependent on water. Consider hydrant parties, splash pads, fishing, water and ice sports, hiking, simply playing in the grass or staying hydrated. We want to do our part in not taking water for granted. We hope you are also intrigued and inspired to do the same.

(The following was provided to Family Fun in Omaha by World O! Omaha)

World O! Water is a family friendly and educational event to help all ages understand the important role water plays in our lives and our communities. Interactive exhibits will help participants learn about the importance of water quality, conservation, and recreational activities from experts in the field. Participants can take part in fun, educational demonstrations, science experiments, arts and crafts, games, nature walks, and more!

ABOUT THE EVENT

World O! Water strives to be a minimal waste event, and will have collection containers available for recyclables, compostables, and various waste streams. The Metropolitan Utilities District water truck will be onsite to refill reusable beverage containers. A free lunch sponsored by Hy-Vee will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis while quantities last. Live music will be provided by Greenblatt & Seay. The event is open to individuals of all ages, including youth groups, scout troops, and families. Dogs are welcome too, if they are on a leash.

FEATURED ARTICLE

EDUCATION

Water pollution is harmful to the environment and can limit the amount of water that’s available for us to use at home, work, and play. Pollution can come from many sources including homes and businesses, but the good news is, it is preventable. The World O! Water event aims to educate the public on simple everyday actions that help prevent pollution, and promotes the many ways we can be mindful of this important natural resource.

SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS

World O! Water is hosted by event sponsors and planning partners that include: The City of Omaha Public Works Department, Keep Omaha Beautiful, the Papio-Missouri River National Resources District, and the Papillion Creek Watershed Partnership.

The following supporting organizations will provide activities, entertainment, and other services during the event:

Academy Science

American Water Works Assoc.

Boy Scouts - Invention Scouts

Brian Smiles

Coast Guard Auxiliary

Cornhusker Fly Fishers

DC Environmental Services

Fontenelle Forest

Gifford Farm Educational Center

Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska

Greater Omaha SCUBA Club

MAPA

Master Gardeners

Missouri River WRRF

National Park Service (Lewis & Clark Trail)

National Weather Service (Omaha/Valley)

Nebraska Forest Service

NE Floodplain & Stormwater Managers

No More Empty Pots

Nebraska Water Environment Association

Omaha Public Library

Papillion/La Vista Watershed Project

Sierra Club

Swimtastic

US Army Corps of Engineers

United States Fish and Wildlife Service

The free, annual World O! Water

The event will be held on: Saturday, September 7th, 2024 12:00 pm until 4:00 pm

Chalco Hills Recreation Area (8901 S. 154th Street), Omaha. For information on parking, activities, and event details, please visit WorldOWater.org

APPLE ORCHARD GUIDE

Martin’s is the place to pick your own apples each fall, including everyone’s favorite - Honeycrisp. Lots of fun kid’s activities with wagon rides on the weekends. Caramel apples, cider slush, u-pick flowers, and a pumpkin patch too. Simply, the best little orchard around 2024 Ashland Rd, Ceresco, Nebraska 68017

3 Bee Farms

14922 535th St

Griswold, IA 51535

Super Bee Orchard

4571 US-75

Fort Calhoun, NE 68023

Picnic Hill Orchard

10500 Yankee Hill Rd

Lincoln, NE 68526

Arbor Day Farm’s, 260 acres is a top spot for fun. Experience the one-of-a-kind Treetop Village, pick apples and pumpkins, explore the farm, and enjoy fall treats including caramel apples, fresh-pressed cider, apple pie & more.

2611 Arbor Ave Nebraska City, NE 68410

Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard

19475 225th St

Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard

5995 G Rd Nebraska City, NE 68410

Valas

12102 S 180th St

Gretna, NE 68028

PUMPKIN PATCH GUIDE

Nelson Produce Farm is the place to be for fall fun! 20+ farm-tastic activities!

Come enjoy this fall paradise, complete with a corn maze with 9+ miles of thrilling trails, a hayrack ride, fire pits and pumpkins galore! Enjoy their Coffee & Donut Barn, Cafe, Indoor Market, and a 2-acre U-Pick Garden bursting with veggies & strawberries. Make memories at Nelson Produce Farm!

10505 N 234th St Valley, Nebraska 68064

Arbor Day Farms

2611 Arbor Ave Nebraska City, NE 68410

3 Bee Farms

14922 535th St

Griswold, IA 51535

Camp Fontanelle’s Split Oak Hollow is celebrating 75 years of Peanuts. Our corn maze design will have you finding Snoopy and Charlie Brown in their pumpkin patch. Bring out the gang and help us celebrate. Find your way through our corn maze, pick a pumpkin, ride the Barrel Train & jump on our Jumping Pillow. Grab a homemade treat to eat. There is plenty of fun for all.

9677 County Road 3 Fontanelle, Nebraska 68008

Valas Pumpkin Patch

12102 S 180th St

Gretna, NE 68028

Roca Berry Farm

16531 S 38th St

Roca, NE 68430

PUMPKIN PATCH GUIDE

Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch

3935 NE-133 Blair, NE 68008

Grandpa’s Pumpkin Farm 116 Street F32 Panama, Iowa

Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch

11001 S 48th Street

Papillion, NE 68133

Martin’s is the place to pick your own apples each fall, including everyone’s favorite - Honeycrisp.

Lots of fun kid’s activities including wagon rides on the weekends. Caramel apples, cider slush, u-pick flowers, and a pumpkin patch too. Simply, the best little orchard around.

2024 Ashland Rd Ceresco, Nebraska 68017

PUMPKIN PATCH GUIDE

Pumpkin Patch Scavenger Hunt

HAY BALE

Manage Hectic Mornings with Quick, Healthy Breakfasts

(Family Features) Getting kids up and out the door is a challenge all on its own, and on those busy school mornings when nothing seems to run smoothly, healthy breakfasts can go by the wayside. While it’s widely recognized as the most important meal of the day, that doesn’t always mean you have time to sit down and enjoy it.

Solving your morning rush with grab-and-go breakfasts you can make ahead of time accomplishes both goals at once: staying on schedule and fueling your kiddos (and yourself) for the day ahead. These delicious and nutritious recipes come from Healthy Family Project’s 2024 Back to School Campaign, which is raising $12,000 for the Foundation for Fresh Produce to support children’s accessibility to fresh fruits and vegetables.

These Mixed Berry Whole-Wheat Muffins are a perfect solution when you need to hustle out the door. As a healthy, delicious treat kids can take with them to school

or eat during the commute, they’re quick and easy to make. Loaded with blueberries—a bona fide superfood that’s high in fiber, low in calories and high in vitamin C, potassium and vitamin K—you may even need to make a double batch so you have plenty for breakfasts and after-school snacks.

With a simple graham cracker crust and creamy Greek yogurt filling, Mandarin Orange No-Bake Tarts offer another refreshing, kid-friendly morning meal. They can help you start your day on the right foot whether you’re short on time or able to eat a quick bite together as a family.

Discover more ways to manage school-day schedules with easy, nutritious recipes at: healthyfamilyproject.com.

RECIPE IDEAS

Mixed Berry Whole-Wheat Muffins

Recipe courtesy of Healthy Family Project

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Servings: 12

1 1/4 cups white whole-wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 large egg

1/2 cup maple syrup

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3/4 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt

3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup chopped strawberries

1/2 cup blueberries

Preheat oven to 400 F. Grease muffin pan and set aside.

In medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a separate large bowl, mix egg, maple syrup, vanilla, yogurt and applesauce

Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix. Fold in strawberries and blueberries.

Pour batter into prepared muffin tin, filling cups about 3/4 full.

Bake 15 minutes, or until tops are golden brown. Inserted toothpick in to center to come out clean.

Remove from oven and let cool in muffin tin 5 minutes before removing.

Mandarin Orange No-Bake Tarts

Recipe courtesy of Healthy Family Project

Prep time: 10 minutes

Freeze time: 1 hour

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup

4 mandarin oranges, peeled and segmented

In bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter.

Press mixture into bottom of individual mini tart pans or mini muffin tin. Refrigerate crusts to set while preparing filling.

In bowl, combine Greek yogurt, vanilla and honey or maple syrup. Mix well. Spoon yogurt mixture into chilled crusts.

Freeze tarts at least 1 hour. Top with mandarin segments.

Kids Classes &Programs

Find a variety of options for Kids Classes and Programs in the Area.

We have included Art, Dance, Music, Sports, Science, Specialty Classes, Swimming Lessons, and more!

Programs Offered: Dance

Age Range: Ages 2+, Ages 3+, Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, High School

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Programs Offered: Dance

Age Range: Ages 2+, Ages 3+, Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, High School

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Are you looking for an activity for your child that is positive, safe, and encourages development?

Join us for dance at Bloom!

• For Ages 2–Adults

• Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Acro, Contemporary + more!

• Four Locations: Oakview, Blondo, Elkhorn and Valley

Join us at Bloom where we help create Creative, Confident and Courageous children as they grow in their passion for dance!

Dance classes for children ages 18 months and up. There are three locations.

Nebraska Dance has recreational to competitive level. We believe that each child is created uniquely—with God-given temperaments, strengths and attributes. It is our honor to invest in your child’s dance education and see them develop into amazing, confident individuals with love and passion for all that they do!

CLASSES/PROGRAMS & BIRTHDAY GUIDE

Programs Offered: Coding, STEM/STEAM

Age Range: Ages 2+, Ages 3+, Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, High School

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Programs Offered: Music, Performing Arts, Specialty

Age Range: Ages 3+, Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, High School

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Programs Offered: Music, Performing Arts, Specialty

Age Range: Preschool, Elementary, Middle School

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Discover a world of possibilities at Do Space with our diverse youth programs!

For ages 2–5, join Littles Lab weekly for fun and learning.

Ages 6+ can explore Make It, Design It, and Kid Coders every week.

Also, be sure to check out our Summer Passport Program from June 1st to July 31st. Best of all, our programs are free! Check out our calendar for details.

Sing Omaha Studios offers private voice, piano, guitar, bass, and drum lessons. We will soon be offering students the opportunity to join forces with other players to form bands via Sing Omaha Rocks.

Sing Omaha Choirs provides premiere choral instruction for singers of all ages at affordable prices and convenient locations, we also offer infant and preschool music classes

Our collaborative approach to theatre, art and music education creates an extraordinary space to explore creativity in bold, new ways!

We offer a range of programs from private music, acting and art lessons to group classes, spring break camps and our signature summer camps.

Located in Countryside Village at 87th and Pacific in Omaha, NE.

Birthday

Party Places

Do you have a birthday coming up in your family?

Find a variety of options for FUN birthday party places in Omaha!

Programs Offered: Indoor, Gaming, Specialty

Age Range: Elementary, Middle School, High School

Programs Offered: Kids Entertainers, Indoor, Specialty

Age Range: Ages 0-3, Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, High School

Elkhorn Esports Academy is the place to Level Up your birthday party experience! Our unique gaming facility is equipped with 30 state of the art PCs and 8 Xbox Series X consoles. We can host parties for as few as 6 and up to 50. Choose your favorite gaming title and invite your friends. Bring your own treats or let us take care of it all for you. Custom packages available.

Wildlife Encounters offers a one-ofa-kind entertaining and educational birthday party for your child.

Animal ambassadors will visit your location for a wonderfully exciting and educational show. Meet a kangaroo, alligator, snake, armadillo, parrot, hedgehog and many more animals! Featured on Animal Planet, YouTube & More. *Please see updated animal list on website.

CLASSES/PROGRAMS & BIRTHDAY GUIDE

Programs Offered: Kids Entertainers, Indoor, Specialty

Age Range: Ages 0-3, Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, High School

Celebrate your child’s birthday with a nature-themed party at Lauritzen Gardens! A party at the garden is a unique and fun environment to have a party for children ages five to 12. Choose from various garden themes: Garden, Flowers, Bugs, Trains, Butterflies.

Programs Offered: Indoor, Outdoor, Specialty

Age Range: Elementary, Middle School

Cheer Athletics Omaha offers a one of a kind birthday celebration!

With birthday parties available for all ages, this state of the art facility is a must for birthday parties!

Celebrate your birthday with The Best of the Best’s staff while using trampolines, spring floors, the beautiful lobby and so much more. Have a custom request? Just ask! Let’s Celebrate!

Please also visit our webiste at FamilyFunInOmaha.com to browse through a variety of Birthday Parties and other Kids Classes and Programs. There you can search by Type, Ages, Seasons!

Special thanks to our sponsors who partnered with us to bring you this guide.

If you would like to partner with us to be included in the magazine and on our website please contact us.

TRICKS AND TREATS MAZE

Help the trick or treaters ﬁnd their missing bag of treats!