2026 Summer Guide: Kids Programs, Camps & Activities in Elkhorn & West Omaha
Summer is 12 weeks long, and you probably only have plans for about eight of them.
This guide is here so you don’t hit July 6th and realize you have six straight Wednesdays of nothing but screen time. Bookmark it. Share it with the group chat. We’ll update it every year.
A few summer camps worth signing up for.
YMCA — Armbrust & Gretna Crossing branch.
Weekly day camps that run all summer, so you can mix and match based on your schedule. They also shuttle kids to Zorinsky and to swim days at the Y. Honestly, one of the best values in west Omaha.
Omaha Parks and Recreation.
City-run programs with low fees and surprisingly great quality. Check their summer catalog online. It usually drops in late April and fills up fast. Tennis, golf, swim, nature camps, and more.
Elkhorn Athletic Association.
Summer leagues and camps for baseball, softball, and soccer. A great starting point if your kid keeps asking to try a sport.
Vacation Bible School roundup (VBS).
VBS is still one of the best deals in kids programming anywhere. It’s usually five mornings that are free or close to free, filled with high energy music, games, and volunteer-led activities. If Love Church’s VBS week doesn’t fit your family’s schedule, check St. Wenceslaus, King of Kings, and other local churches around Omaha.
Love Church VBS.
Our 2026 VBS dates will be posted at lovechurch.org/love-kidz. It’s a week your kids will beg to come back to. Led by our Love Kidz team. Completely free.
Weekly free stuff.
Elkhorn Library storytime
Tuesday mornings at 9:30 and 10:30. Friday mornings at 10:30. On Wednesday mornings at 10:30, they host Music & Movement, which focuses on early literacy skills through song, dance, play, and short stories. It’s free, air-conditioned, and a lifesaver on a rainy day.
Splash pads
Papio Bay Aquatic Center, Walnut Creek Lake, and the splash pad at Chalco Hills are all worth the trip. Bring towels, snacks, and then a few more snacks.
Omaha Children’s Museum free admission days
Check their calendar for monthly free admission days, which are often available through Douglas County Library card access.
Summer concert series
Village Pointe, Legacy, and downtown Omaha all host free outdoor concerts throughout the summer. Bring lawn chairs and let the kids run in circles.
Sunday rhythm
Summer is one of the best times to try a new church because there is less pressure and fewer schedules to juggle. Love Kidz runs every Sunday all summer long, with the same secure check in and the same team your kids can get comfortable with each week. If you’ve been thinking about trying it, this is a great time to start.
Join us Sundays at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM at our Elkhorn South campus or online at 5:00 PM.
One last thing: summer has a way of sneaking up on you and then somehow dragging at the same time. Build a Sunday rhythm before the first week of June. You’ll thank yourself in July.
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If something in this story made you stop scrolling, that is not an accident. Come visit us this Sunday.
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