If you're looking for a fantastic way to spend the day with your kids, the Omaha Children's Museum is an absolute gem. From the moment you step inside, the vibrant colors and cheerful atmosphere set the stage for a day filled with exploration, creativity, and fun. This museum is designed with children in mind, and every corner invites little ones to engage their imaginations while learning through play.
Activities Galore
One of the standout features of the Omaha Children's Museum is the wide array of activities available for kids of all ages. The museum is divided into various exhibit areas, each dedicated to a different theme and set of experiences. For younger children, there are plenty of hands-on activities that allow them to explore their surroundings safely and with encouragement. For example, the "Imagination Playground," with its oversized foam building blocks, encourages creativity and teamwork as kids build their own structures.
Older kids can dive into more specialized exhibits that introduce scientific concepts and problem-solving through interactive displays. The “Science of Health” exhibit, for instance, offers a fun and educational way for kids to learn about the human body, nutrition, and healthy living. The balance of education and entertainment here is truly remarkable.
Creative Spaces
Another highlight is the museum's emphasis on the arts. The art studio offers children the chance to unleash their creativity through various art projects. Whether it's painting, crafting, or exploring different artistic mediums, it’s a wonderful space for kids to express themselves. Seeing children proudly displaying their artwork is heartwarming and aligns perfectly with the museum's mission to foster self-expression and confidence.
Live Performances and Events
Throughout the year, the Omaha Children's Museum hosts a variety of live performances and special events that keep things fresh and exciting. From puppet shows to interactive storytelling sessions, these events engage kids in a way that makes learning even more enjoyable. Checking the museum’s calendar of events before your visit is a great idea, as you might catch something special that your kids will love.
Family-Friendly Amenities
The museum is also incredibly family-friendly, with amenities designed to make your visit as enjoyable as possible. The spacious layout ensures that families can navigate the exhibits comfortably, even on busy days. There is a cafe on-site that offers a range of kid-friendly foods, making lunchtime a breeze. Plus, the availability of stroller rentals and nursing rooms reflects the thoughtfulness of the museum in accommodating families with young children.
Safety and Cleanliness
As a parent, safety and cleanliness are top priorities. The Omaha Children's Museum maintains a high standard of hygiene, with staff regularly cleaning exhibits and communal areas. Signs leading to handwashing stations are prominently displayed, encouraging children to be mindful of their hygiene while having fun. This attention to health and safety helped me feel at ease during our visit.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Omaha Children’s Museum is an exceptional destination for families looking to spend quality time with their kids in a stimulating and fun environment. With its diverse array of hands-on exhibits, creative activities, engaging performances, and family-friendly amenities, it promises a day packed with laughter and learning. Whether you're a local or just passing through Omaha, this museum is well worth a visit. I highly recommend allocating an entire day to enjoy everything it has to offer—you...
Read moreUpdate: Although I never did hear back from the manager, I did notice more employees out in the play areas during peak hours.
I do wish that they had a members-only time slot or toddlers-only like they do in the San Antonio Museum. I will continue to come here with the exception of when there are field trip groups or during the weekends.
I do appreciate the employees who go above and beyond, and make us feel welcome. They make up for the ones that aren’t pleasant. My family purchased a membership a few weeks ago, and are now regretting spending the $150. There aren’t too many options for a 19 month old. The areas that are somewhat age appropriate are crowded with bossy older kids that are not being supervised by their parents.
The parking lots can get very full by 10am, and a little after 9am is when buses unload for school trips. This means that there aren’t any ideal times to go when it isn’t too busy.
On 05/23/23, my helpless 19 month old was picked off the ground by her hair on a slide. The other kid was NOT being watched. I struggled to climb up the slide since there were other small kids standing there, watching in horror. When I retrieved my child, I was shaking. The other parent saw what was happening and didn’t even bother to apologize. They went up to the staff and claimed the child was special needs, so it was no big deal. A child with a history of severe aggression should always be closely monitored. That’s a given.
I reached out to the director on over-crowding issues and why there aren’t any employees out in the play areas (they used to have staff in the ball pit area and the HyVee shop). I haven’t heard back. it’s seems like it’s all about the money at the cost of safety.
I highly advise that your little ones stay away from confined areas (treehouse, jungle gym, and elephant slide on the 2nd floor). if your child is getting violently assaulted, it’ll be difficult to pull them out or even see it happening. Hoping no other child goes through what my little...
Read moreINCREDIBLE experience!! 10000% Autism approved. My son and I are both Autistic and this place os probably the most inclusive place I've ever been. If we lived here I'd get a membership in an instant.
That being said if you have a membership to a museum where you live that is part of the ASTC program, talk to them before leaving on your trip. This museum is also in the program and you might be able to get in free, like we did. Just make sure you have your membership card for whatever museum you have a membership at.
ANYWAYS!! I've never seen such awesome sensory bags. They had gloves, fidget, ear muffs, and a really cool "sensory map" that shows symbols for what sensory stuff you can expect in an area. Something I've never seen anywhere before. Also if your kid is still scared of "big kid toilets" the bathrooms also have a smaller kids toilet.
There's so much to do in this place! A really cool imagination play area with a store, hospital, bank, grill station, bakery, kitchen, fire station, and barn. This HUGE room centered around tubes and pipes with air that you can put balls in. They had a special exhibit with dinosaur stuff upstairs. There's a really cool water table that even has rain coats to keep your kid from getting wet if they or you don't want them to. Another great Autism friendly thing I wish my museum had.u
This place is actually smaller than the museum where we live, but man did it pack a punch with my kid. Hand flaps all around! We spent the entire day there yesterday from 10:30-4. Then again today from 9:30-1 before we are leaving town. We spent 2 days at the zoo for the first part of our vacation, but he picked this over the zoo for his last few hours in Omaha.
Can not recommend enough and even if we hadn't gotten in free with the ASTC program, I would have been happy with the money spent....
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