Summer break doesn’t have to mean learning takes a pause. In fact, summer is one of the most powerful seasons for young minds to explore, experiment and discover who they want to become. Without the structure of a school schedule, kids have the freedom to dive into their passions, whether that’s building robots, caring for animals, painting in a museum gallery or hiking through Omaha’s forests.

Research consistently shows that students who stay mentally active during the summer months retain more academic knowledge, build critical thinking skills and return to school more confident and engaged. And for those with an eye on the future, STEM skills are becoming increasingly essential.

By the numbers:

12.9% — Projected STEM job growth in Omaha through 2032

23% — Of all Nebraska occupations are STEM-related

36% — Of STEM jobs are High Wage, High Skill & High Demand
(Source: Nebraska Department of Labor, 2024)

Omaha has the fastest projected STEM job growth rate in Nebraska, and that growth starts with curious kids in summer programs. The Omaha STEM Ecosystem is proud to help connect families with the Greater Omaha area’s best summer learning opportunities.

Here’s our guide to summer camps in Omaha for 2026.

 

STEM SUMMER CAMPS

Camp Luminarium at Kiewit Luminarium | Grades 2–7 | Financial Aid Available

Spend a week sparking curiosity at one of Omaha’s most exciting science destinations. Camp Luminarium offers week-long, hands-on STEM experiences designed to foster exploration, problem solving and critical thinking. Full-day sessions run Monday–Friday.

Challenge Island | Grades K–8

With over 20 different weeklong camp adventures, including the popular Slimetopia® Series, Challenge Island turns STEM into a thrilling, creative challenge. Kids develop engineering, teamwork and design thinking skills while having an absolute blast.

UNO Aim for the Stars | Grades 3–9 | Financial Aid Available

University of Nebraska Omaha’s beloved summer STEM program offers an incredible variety of camps, from Jr. Paleontology and Sphero Robotics to Zombies & Biomedical Engineering. Most camps are open to students entering Grades 4–8, with select programs for 3rd and 9th graders.

View a full list of additional UNO camps.

 

MUSEUM CAMPS

Art Camps at Joslyn Art Museum | Ages 4–18 | Financial Aid Available

Step into the galleries and gardens of one of the Midwest’s finest art museums for a week of inspired creativity. Joslyn’s week-long art camps take campers from the exhibition halls to the studio with activities centered around drawing, painting and printing, exploring all kinds of art methods and materials.

Summer Camps at Omaha Children’s Museum | Ages 4–8

Every day at Omaha Children’s Museum’s summer camp is exciting and new. Engaging curriculum, outstanding instructors, daily play in the museum, plus a wide variety of themes ranging from slime making to farming keep young imaginations firing all week long.

Camp Durham at the Durham Museum | Grades 1–5

Choose from a wide range of beloved themes at one of Omaha’s most iconic venues. Offerings include “Omaha Staycation,” “Wizard Academy,” “LEGO® Week,” “Dino Camp,” “Camp Construction,” “Wildlife Wonder,” “All Aboard!” and “Princes & Princesses, Heroes & Villains.” Half-day and full-day programs are available, but spots are filling quickly.

SAC Aerospace Museum Camps | Ages 5–16 | Financial Aid Available

Inspire the young innovators, builders and explorers in your life to dream big and reach for the stars. Camp activities range from superhero flight school to galactic expeditions, rockets and robots.

 

NATURE & OUTDOOR CAMPS

Summer Camps at Fontenelle Forest | Ages 3–15

Fontenelle Forest’s summer camps are packed with outdoor adventures, new discoveries and hands-on fun. Campers will explore trails, meet wildlife, create nature art and learn through play in one of Omaha’s most treasured natural spaces.

Day Camps at Lauritzen Gardens | Ages 5–12 | Financial Aid Available

Explore nature themes, from dinosaurs and weather to art and animals, across 100 stunning acres at Lauritzen Gardens. Camp 2026 includes daily time in Sofia’s Play Garden, guest speakers, crafts, games and popular partner camps with Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium.

 

ANIMAL & WILDLIFE CAMPS

Summer Day Camps at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium | Ages 3–14

One of America’s premier zoos offers immersive day camps ranging from half-day to five days long. Expert instructors guide campers through educational activities, behind-the-scenes tours, hands-on games and more. There’s a Zoo camp experience for every young explorer.

Gifford Farm Summer Day Camps | Ages 4–12

Give your child the irreplaceable experience of farm life. At Gifford Farm, campers get to know animals firsthand, experience life as a farm kid and learn the care and responsibility that comes with it. From Little Farmers Camp to full Farm Camps, this is hands-in-the-dirt, heart-full-of-joy learning.

Camp Kindness at Nebraska Humane Society | Ages 6–13

Five days of fun guaranteed to get your tail wagging! Camp Kindness immerses kids in the world of animal care by interacting with shelter animals, exploring educational games, making art, hearing from guest speakers and discovering new ways to show kindness. Sessions are split into Junior (ages 6–9) and Senior Campers (ages 10–13), Monday through Friday.

Day Camps at Wildlife Safari Park | Ages 6–11

Become a junior explorer, animal detective and nature expert, all in one week! Wildlife Safari Park’s Day camps are packed with hands-on activities, tours, games, and animal encounters, all set against the backdrop of Nebraska’s natural landscapes. From prairies to forests, campers discover what makes Nebraska’s wildlife so extraordinary.

 

COMMUNITY & ARTS CAMPS

College for Kids & Teens at Metropolitan Community College | Ages 5–18

MCC’s College for Kids (ages 5–11) and College for Teens (ages 12–18) programs are packed with day camp options all summer long. Courses span art, science, entrepreneurship, technology and trades.

Omaha Performing Arts Summer Camps | Ages 8–18 | Financial Aid Available

Aspiring performers are invited to let their passion shine at Omaha Performing Arts’ week-long summer camps. From theatrical fun to serious spotlight preparation, the 2026 series has something for every young performer, with standout offerings like Hip Hop Lab, Broadway Summer Camp and Wild About Movement with Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium.

 

CAN’T MAKE IT TO CAMP? TRY THESE AT-HOME STEM ACTIVITIES

Summer learning doesn’t require a registration form. Here are four hands-on activities, one for each STEM discipline, your child can explore at home.

Science: Kitchen Chemistry – Volcano in a Glass

Combine baking soda, vinegar, food coloring and dish soap in a clear glass to create a fizzing, bubbling chemical reaction. Experiment with ratios and ask: what changes? What stays the same? It’s a simple introduction to acids, bases and chemical reactions using items already in your pantry.

Technology: Code Your First Game on Scratch

Scratch (scratch.mit.edu) is a free, beginner-friendly platform from MIT where kids can build their own interactive games and animations using visual block-based coding. Start with a simple “catch the falling object” game. No experience is required, and creativity is the only limit.

Engineering: Build a Spaghetti & Marshmallow Tower

Using only dry spaghetti, mini marshmallows and tape, challenge your child to build the tallest freestanding tower they can. How do you make it stable? What shapes are strongest? This classic engineering design challenge teaches structure, iteration, and problem-solving with delicious materials.

Math: Backyard Math Scavenger Hunt

Create a scavenger hunt using real-world math: find something with a perimeter of 20 steps, something that comes in groups of 3, or estimate how many blades of grass are in one square foot. Measurement, estimation, multiplication and geometry all come alive in this backyard activity.

 

Summer is short, but its impact on a child’s curiosity, confidence and love of learning can last a lifetime. Every experience is an investment in who they’re becoming. The Greater Omaha area is home to an extraordinary network of educators, organizations and institutions committed to making that growth possible.