Planning Around Nap Time

March means fun times for Omaha families

My family loves it when Joslyn Art Museum has a Family Fun Day. The name says it all.

A Family Fun Day at the museum features art activities, live performances and some surprises. Joslyn offers this FREE event every so often, and this month, you’re in luck! They’ll have one March 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. This one is planned around the new temporary exhibitions “Jennfier Steinkamp: Madame Curie,” “Ten Masterworks from the Whitney Museum of American Art” and “Route 36: Photographs by William Wylie.” While you’re there, be sure to check out children's book illustrator Dan Yaccarino’s work on display in the Mind’s Eye Gallery.

Here’s what’s on tap:

Seed Bomb Sculptures - Flower lovers can flex their creative muscles by making a seed bomb sculpture out of clay, soil and native prairie seed for the perfect, pop-up garden.

- Flower lovers can flex their creative muscles by making a seed bomb sculpture out of clay, soil and native prairie seed for the perfect, pop-up garden. Extreme Close-up Drawings - Check out Georgia O'Keeffe's “Abstraction,” then use viewfinders and magnifying glasses to create your own extreme close-up of flowers or bones.

- Check out Georgia O'Keeffe's “Abstraction,” then use viewfinders and magnifying glasses to create your own extreme close-up of flowers or bones. Getting Abstract - Get a better understanding of how artists break down reality by looking at and painting from two different interpretations of Patrick Henry Bruce's still life, “Painting.”

- Get a better understanding of how artists break down reality by looking at and painting from two different interpretations of Patrick Henry Bruce's still life, “Painting.” Music - Enjoy performances by James Maakestad at 1:30, 2:15 and 3 p.m.

- Enjoy performances by James Maakestad at 1:30, 2:15 and 3 p.m. Performance - Acro yoga demonstrations by David Saxby and Chelsie Hartness at 1:45, 2:45 and 3:15 p.m.

- Acro yoga demonstrations by David Saxby and Chelsie Hartness at 1:45, 2:45 and 3:15 p.m. Movie - The short children’s film “The Animated Story of Marie Curie” will be shown. It’s about the first female scientist to win a Nobel Prize.

- The short children’s film “The Animated Story of Marie Curie” will be shown. It’s about the first female scientist to win a Nobel Prize. Community Connection - See what Truck Farm Omaha is up to this spring and enjoy an art-making activity that you can put to use when warm weather returns.

I’ve brought my kids past Family Fun Days (both when they were younger than 3), so I can assure you all ages will find something to enjoy at the Family Fun Day. Just a little warning, though, since it’s free you can expect a crowd.

Joslyn is located at 2200 Dodge St. Admission to the museum is regularly $8 for adults, $6 for seniors (ages 62 and older) and college students; $5 for youth ages 5-17 and free for children ages 4 and younger and museum members. The museum is always free on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. The museum now also offers discounted admission for general public ($5) every week on Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m. during “Late 'til 8.”

Here are some additional ideas on free or discounted things to do this month with your family:

Winter Jam Tour Spectacular – This all-ages Christian music festival is easy on the family budget. For just $10 per person at the door, the concert features several performers including the headliner TobyMac. The concert is March 1 at 7 p.m. at the Omaha Civic Auditorium, 1804 Capitol Ave. Come early for the Youth Music Vault Pre-Jam Party.

– This all-ages Christian music festival is easy on the family budget. For just $10 per person at the door, the concert features several performers including the headliner TobyMac. The concert is March 1 at 7 p.m. at the Omaha Civic Auditorium, 1804 Capitol Ave. Come early for the Youth Music Vault Pre-Jam Party. Film Streams “Forever Young Family & Children’s Series” – This winter, the series is focused on Academy Award-winning anime films. Kids tickets are only $2.50 for these films! This month, catch “Spirited Away” on March 2, 3 and 7; “My Neighbor Totoro” on March 9, 10, 14, 16, 17 and 21; and “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind” on March 22, 24, 28, 30, 31 and April 4. The nonprofit cinema is located at 1340 Mike Fahey St. Side note: The first Monday of every month (so March 4) students get in free to any movie! Have your kids bring their school IDs to any show on Student Night to get in free.

– This winter, the series is focused on Academy Award-winning anime films. Kids tickets are only $2.50 for these films! This month, catch “Spirited Away” on March 2, 3 and 7; “My Neighbor Totoro” on March 9, 10, 14, 16, 17 and 21; and “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind” on March 22, 24, 28, 30, 31 and April 4. The nonprofit cinema is located at 1340 Mike Fahey St. Side note: The first Monday of every month (so March 4) to any movie! Have your kids bring their school IDs to any show on Student Night to get in free. “ Misadventrues of Melvin the Explorer” – A symphony performance for $10? That’s a deal! The Omaha Symphony’s Family Series presents this playful production March 3 at 2 p.m. at the Holland Performing Arts Center, 13th and Douglas streets. Family-friendly pricing for the show is $10 for adults and $8 for children. Call the box office at (402) 345-0606.

– A symphony performance for $10? That’s a deal! The Omaha Symphony’s Family Series presents this playful production March 3 at 2 p.m. at the Holland Performing Arts Center, 13th and Douglas streets. Family-friendly pricing for the show is $10 for adults and $8 for children. Call the box office at (402) 345-0606. Westroads Kid’s Club – Omaha Children’s Museum and Westroads Mall present this free and fun event every first Wednesday of the month from 10 to 11 a.m. on the upper level, near the children’s play area. On March 6, the theme is “Science in Action: Dinosaur Adventures.” Side note: As a Westroads Mall Kid’s Club member, your child will be rewarded with a special treat during the Kid’s Club event held in the same month as your child’s birthday. Simply check in at the Westroads Mall registration table and let them know that your little one’s special day is coming up.

– Omaha Children’s Museum and Westroads Mall present this free and fun event every first Wednesday of the month from 10 to 11 a.m. on the upper level, near the children’s play area. On March 6, the theme is “Science in Action: Dinosaur Adventures.” Side note: As a Westroads Mall Kid’s Club member, your child will be rewarded with a special treat during the Kid’s Club event held in the same month as your child’s birthday. Simply check in at the Westroads Mall registration table and let them know that your little one’s special day is coming up. St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Kids love parades, there’s no denying that. Catch the St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 16 starting at 10 a.m. The route starts at 15th and Howard streets, heads east on Harney to 11th Street, south to Howard Street and west to 14th Street.

– Kids love parades, there’s no denying that. Catch the St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 16 starting at 10 a.m. The route starts at 15th and Howard streets, heads east on Harney to 11th Street, south to Howard Street and west to 14th Street. Disney On Ice presents “Treasure Trove” – Seven performances of this magical ice show will be at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs March 21-24. The best deal on tickets is on opening night: They start at $10 (excluding rinkside and VIP ). Other tickets are $15-$60. Get tickets at the Mid-America Center box office, all TicketMaster outlets, 1-800-745-3000 or online at ticketmaster.com.

– Seven performances of this magical ice show will be at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs March 21-24. The best deal on tickets is on opening night: They start at $10 (excluding rinkside and ). Other tickets are $15-$60. Get tickets at the Mid-America Center box office, all TicketMaster outlets, 1-800-745-3000 or online at ticketmaster.com. Open Studios at Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts – A free family-friendly outing at the end of the month will be at the Bemis at 12th and Leavenworth streets. On March 23 from 1 to 4 p.m., the studios will be open to the public. Show your kids where artists live and work and ask them any question that comes to mind.

Photo Gallery ( click thumbnails to view slideshow )