Looking for the best spring activities in Nebraska in 2026? From chaotic Easter egg hunts to fish fries, farmers markets, and hidden gems, this Omaha-area guide has you covered.
Spring in Nebraska at a Glance
- Classics: Easter egg hunts and fish fries
- Outdoors: playgrounds, ropes courses and hiking
- Hidden gem: feeding alpacas at Dan’s Sawmill
- Events: Storm Chasers fireworks and Brick Days (April 23–26, 2026)
Table of Contents
1. Easter Egg Hunts: Fun for Kids (But Bring Your A-Game!)
Easter egg hunts in Nebraska are not for the faint of heart. If you’ve ever shown up late to a park hunt, you already know…those eggs are gone in about 12 seconds.
Best Easter Egg Hunts in 2026:
- Gifford Farm’s Spring Celebration – It’s going down on March 28th. Animals, food, music, and games! Kids can collect eggs as they travel around the farm. There are hayrides, music, games, and more included with the $6 admission.
- Bellevue Police Easter Egg Hunt – Held at the beautiful American Heroes Park on March 28th- show up early and be ready for the hunt to begin at 10:30 am. Play at the new park after for a great Saturday!
- Down Syndrome Alliance Easter Egg Hunt – Held at Papillion Landing on March 29th, this event is for Down Syndrome families and siblings.
- Eggcellent Adventure – On March 29th, the Riverfront and Gene Leahy Mall will be hosting face painting, a visit with the Easter Bunny and local community partners.
- Easter Egg Hunt at Halleck Park – On April 9th, the Halleck Park trail is turned into “The Bunny Trail” where kids can bring their basket and collect goodies along the way. The Easter Bunny and friends will be there for photo ops!
2. The Best Playgrounds in Omaha for Springtime Fun
With warmer weather, it’s the perfect time to take the kids outside. Here are some top-rated Omaha playgrounds:
- American Heroes Park – Huge playground, plus trails and a lake.
- Standing Bear Lake Park – Ideal for fishing, hiking, and picnics.
- Dom’s Park at Chalco Hills – A a music-filled playground built in memory of Dominik Walters, featuring his favorite play elements like a rocket ship and race cars.
3. Don’t Miss Nebraska’s Famous Fish Fries! 🐟
Spring in Nebraska wouldn’t be complete without a Friday night fish fry! Churches and community groups serve up crispy fried fish, coleslaw, and fries—all with a side of small-town charm.
Top Fish Fry Spots in Omaha & Surrounding Areas:
- Holy Name Fish Fry – the grandaddy of them all – be ready to stand in line, have a drink with your friends, and be rewarded with a surprisingly delicious meal at the end.
- St. John Vianney Fish Fry (Omaha)
- St. Gerald’s Fish Fry (Ralston)
- Knights of Columbus Fish Fry (Bellevue & Papillion)
We got the story behind the Holy Name Fish Fry this year. Spoiler alert, it’s been around since 1981! Also inside, a complete list of all of the area fish fries. You can read all about it by clicking here.
The best part is these events bring the community together while supporting local churches and organizations.
4. Farmers Markets Are Back!
This is the time of year when you remember tomatoes aren’t supposed to taste like sadness.
Top Farmers Markets:
- Omaha Farmers Market – opens May 2nd! (Old Market & Aksarben)
- Papillion Farmers Market – opens July 1st at the newly renovated Papillion City Park
- Bellevue Farmers Market – the indoor winter market goes through March 28th, then the Washington Park outdoor version begins on May 30th.
Support local farmers, discover handmade goods, and enjoy live music while you shop!
And if you’re looking for something just outside the traditional farmers market setup, don’t miss Wimbro Farms flower farm near Bellevue NE. Located just minutes from Bellevue and Plattsmouth, they offer seasonal bouquets, workshops, and curated local goods right on the farm – a hyperlocal spring experience worth the short drive.
5. Thrilling Ropes Courses & Spring Hiking Spots
Spring is the best time to explore Nebraska’s scenic trails and high ropes courses before summer heat kicks in!
Best Outdoor Adventures:
- TreeRush Adventures at Fontenelle Forest
- Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park
- Platte River State Park Hiking Trails
6. Feed Alpacas at Dan’s Sawmill (A Hidden Gem!)
Did you know there’s a tiny alpaca farm in Bellevue? At Dan’s Sawmill, you can buy a bag of food and hand-feed these fluffy creatures while browsing their quaint general store. Learn more about Dan’s Sawmill and their unique business in this interview we recently did right on their property.
Location: 11725 S 36th Street in Bellevue
Bonus: They sell local honey, handmade crafts, and hand-crafted woodwork items.
7. Omaha Storm Chasers Baseball & Fireworks at Werner Park
Baseball is back! The Omaha Storm Chasers kick off their season in April at Werner Park. Even if you don’t have a ticket, you can catch Friday night fireworks from the nearby North Shore neighborhood.
Opening Game: March 31st, 2026
Fireworks: Every Friday home game
8. Brick Days (April 23-26, 2026) – Nebraska’s Ultimate LEGO Event!
LEGO lovers, this one’s for you! Brick Days in Omaha is packed with:
✔ Massive LEGO displays
✔ Interactive build zones
✔ Fun for all ages!
Location: Mid-America Center, Council Bluffs, IA
Dates: April 23-26, 2026
9. Celebrate Arbor Day in Nebraska 🌳 (April 24-26, 2026)
Did you know Nebraska founded Arbor Day? The best way to celebrate is by planting a tree or visiting Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City.
Ways to Celebrate Arbor Day:
- Arbor Day Farm (Nebraska City) – Tree planting & fun activities.
- Lauritzen Gardens – Special exhibits & events.
10. Junkstock (May 1-3 & May 8-10) – Vintage Market Madness
Junkstock is one of Nebraska’s most famous vintage and handmade markets, featuring live music, food trucks, and over 200 vendors.
Location: Waterloo, NE
Dates: May 1-3 & May 8-10
11. Free Kids Workshops at Home Depot (First Saturday of Each Month)
Ok, these happen all year, but spring is when I start thinking about this for some reason. This is a fun and FREE activity for kids. Home Depot’s monthly workshops let kids build small projects (everything from birdhouses to basketball hoops) that they can take home! Be sure to get there early, these events are wildly popular.
When? The first Saturday of each month
Where? Home Depot locations across Nebraska
12. Wildlife Safari Park – A Drive-Thru Adventure
Located in Ashland, NE, the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park is an incredible drive-thru zoo where you can see bison, elk, and bald eagles up close!
Best Time to Visit? Spring is perfect before the summer heat sends the animals into hiding.
Final Thoughts: Make the Most of Spring in Nebraska!
Whether you’re enjoying fish fries, baseball, hiking, or farmer’s markets, spring in Nebraska is filled with unforgettable experiences.
What’s your favorite spring activity? Send me a message and let me know.
Thinking about moving to the Omaha area or relocating to Offutt? I help families figure out exactly where they’ll thrive—not just where they’ll live.
