Kids Activities in Bellevue

Although it may be open for visitors year-round, the fall is when Union Orchard is at its most vibrant. Morning fog hangs low to the fields, depositing drops of condensation on the ripening apples; apple-cider donuts emerge from the fryer for a dusting in sugar; and tart ciders bring out the flavors of apple varieties grown onsite. A wagon trails behind a rumbling tractor, carting families through the trees and off the premises to perform ancient rituals in the pumpkin patch. The plot, now over a century old, also gives rise to the makings of fragrant wines, preserves, and fruit butters. In September 2014, Union Orchard's Central Apple Market store opened in downtown Nebraska City. The building, dating from 1880, has been restored and offers gift items including wines, ciders, spa products, and goods such as glasses, party platters, and wine racks as well as orchard products.

In the warmer months, Moonstone Lavender Gardens' three acres of lush, purple flowers provide a dreamy and fragrant setting for wine tastings, live music festivals, and picturesque weddings. Entirely organic, the gardens are also home to annuals and perennials, so something is always in bloom. Each batch of lavender sold at the on-site store is hand-cut, bundled, and hung up to dry?or incorporated into items such as aromatic soaps, candles, and even aromatherapy pillows.

At Skate City Bellevue, exercise consists of pirouetting around groups of laughing friends and zipping atop skates at dashing speeds. At any given time throughout the week, the facility buzzes with activity—be it during public skating sessions, roller-skating classes, or roller-hockey league games. Off the rink, Skate City refuels skaters with a snack bar and challenges gamers with an arcade reminiscent of the one hidden behind the bookshelf in the Oval Office.

The indoor facility hosts trampoline-hopping players at Spaceball or Jumpshot, while an arcade brims with quarter-operated air hockey, pool tables, and laundry machines disguised as video games. Guests can also form teams to enjoy a game of laser-tag in an arena filled with psychedelic lighting. For 20 years, Papio Fun Park has enraptured families with abundant outdoor and indoor activities and games.

Papio Bowl features synthetic lanes and new electronic scoring systems designed to make the game as seamless and enjoyable as possible. During open bowling, friends and family vie against one another in 10-frame games while taking breaks to chow down on pizza and burgers from the grill. On select nights, Papio Bowl also goes dark for cosmic bowling.

During BounceU's parties, kids bound through inflatable play structures—and occasionally glow in the dark. At the center's Cosmic bounce parties, the main lights are replaced by special-effects lighting, which coaxes light from glow-in-the-dark accessories. The center's new location, in operation since May 2013, complements its shindigs with open-play sessions and more structured classes, appropriate for kids aged 2 and older.