5 things to do outdoors when school’s not in session

The holiday season means feasts and festivities — and plenty of no-school days. Keep your children busy outside with these five ideas from Nebraska Game and Parks.

Visit a nature center

Explore one of Game and Parks’ education or nature centers, each of which offers engaging ways to learn about Nebraska’s wildlife and natural history:

• Schramm Education Center at Schramm Park State Recreation Area
• Wildcat Hills Nature Center at Wildcat Hills SRA
• Missouri National Recreational River Resource & Education Center at Ponca State Park
• James Family Conservatory and Nature Center at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park

New this year at Schramm is the treehouse classroom — a cozy spot to read, solve puzzles or build with loose parts. It’s open to the public Sundays and Mondays in December and January.

Find open hours or contact information for each location at OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Attend an event

Nebraska Game and Parks hosts dozens of holiday happenings each year. From tree-decorating contests and hands-on learning to historical exhibits and night hikes, our state parks offer something for everyone.

Find events near you at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Watch for wildlife

Nebraska’s state parks offer outstanding wildlife-viewing opportunities — whether you like to sit and watch or hike to find. As a biological crossroads of North America, Nebraska gives viewers a good chance to spot both eastern and western species, especially birds.

Encourage budding wildlife watchers to scan the skies for bald eagles, ducks and cardinals, or look along the horizon for squirrels, fox, deer and more.

Learn more by searching “Watch wildlife” at OutdoorNebraska.gov, and find a nearby park with the “Find a Park” tool.

Go fishing

Fall is prime time to fish — they’re feeding heavily and more likely to bite. Grab a pole or two and head to your closest state park to fish.

Anglers 15 and younger don’t need a permit, but adults can purchase a 1-day, 3-day or annual permit at OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Remember as the water cools, fish will start to move into deeper water. You can still bank fish where fish structures have been installed or where aquatic vegetation has died back.

Explore trails

Whether you want a short stroll or a bigger adventure, Nebraska state parks offer family-friendly trails across the state.

Try the Tri-state Overlook loop at Ponca State Park, the Black Hills Overlook Trail at Chadron State Park, or the Red Cloud Butte Trail at Fort Robinson State Park.

With hundreds of miles of trails available, you can find one near you using Game and Parks’ interactive trails map.

Make the most of those no-school days by getting outside and exploring all Nebraska’s state parks have to offer.