Family Fun

All aboard for adventure! Nebraska is packed with outdoor fun just waiting for kids to explore.

Got a train lover in the family? Head to North Platte’s Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center for a bird’s-eye view of Bailey Yard — the world’s largest rail yard, stretching eight miles long. Or maybe they’re looking for some rugged, off-road adventures. At Fort Robinson State Park, take them to enjoy jeep rides, stagecoach tours, and scenic camping.

Swing into the 3-acre treetop village at Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City, or meet furry and feathered friends at petting zoos across the state. Splash and play at Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area, Nebraska’s largest reservoir, perfect for swimming and beach camping.

Big dreamers can pique their interests at several unique sites throughout Nebraska. In the Sandhills, stargaze at Merritt Reservoir (an official International Dark Sky Place) or visit Smith Falls, the state’s tallest waterfall. And for something truly out-of-this-world, explore Toadstool Geological Park in northwest Nebraska, where bizarre rock formations and fossils make it feel like you’ve landed on another planet.

No matter your child’s interests, Nebraska’s natural environments are sure to spark wonder and excitement.

There are so many things to do in Nebraska with kids that boredom doesn’t stand a chance. Across the state, families can find big thrills, creative play, and memory-making moments, all under one (often air-conditioned) roof.

Looking to keep little hands and minds busy? On the banks of the Missouri River in Omaha you’ll find Kiewit Luminarium — an all-ages science museum with more than 100 interactive exhibits and engaging programs. Or visit the Stuhr Museum for a living history demonstration in The Old Market district of downtown Omaha.

If you’re looking to teach kids about the region’s culture, history and industries, try the Durham Museum. The Pioneer Village in Minden is another cultural site where you can learn more about Native American and European settlers.

If aerospace and aviation are more their speed, take off to the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland. Or head to the Edgerton Explorit Center in Aurora, where hands-on science exhibits make learning seriously fun. Make history come alive at The Archway in Kearney with self-guided exhibits and fossil mining. And of course, no trip is complete without a visit to Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium — the best zoo in the U.S. — or the Lincoln Children’s Zoo with its giant sandbox, children’s train, and Secret Jungle where kids can climb alongside spider monkeys.

Ready for a summer splash? Aquaventure Water Park in Norfolk offers something for the whole family, from a 300-foot ramp water slide to an octopus play station with water toys. The Good Life has dozens of additional water parks throughout the state, including Fun-Plex in Omaha, which offers a lazy river for those looking to relax and go-karts for the adventure seeker. Or try Mahoney State Park Aquatic Center’s wave pool and water slides.

In Nebraska, kids of all ages discover what makes them light up. Let the adventure begin.

Festivals in Nebraska aren’t just about funnel cakes and fireworks (though we have those, too). They’re lifelong memory-making events packed with hands-on activities, big smiles, and good ol’ fashioned fun.

The Nebraska State Fair in Central Nebraska is a sensory playground, where kids can meet farm animals, ride carnival coasters, and snack their way through the midway. Out west, NEBRASKAland Days in North Platte is a weeklong salute to state pride. Enjoy kid-friendly events like parades, the Kids Fun Fest and Family Night, and Junior Road Run — a mile-long race for kids 14 and under. Got a small cowpoke on your hands? Mutton Bustin’ at NEBRASKAland Days might not be your first rodeo, but it could be theirs.

In the Panhandle, kids are spellbound by the sky during the Old West Balloon Fest. Meanwhile, in Hastings, Kool-Aid Days celebrates Nebraska’s sweetest invention with cardboard boat races, a Kool-Aid chug contest, and a parade full of friendly chaos. And for sports fans? The College World Series in Omaha is a grand slam of family-friendly fun.

All across Nebraska small towns host special events, from AppleJack Festival in Nebraska City, to Chadron’s Fur Trade Days, to Valentine’s Nebraska Star Party — dubbed the best astro-tourism spot outside of Europe.

The Good Life is where families make memories that stick.