bucket list with this

A ttend a College World Series game

The College World Series begins June 15 at Charles Schwab Field. An opening celebration day will kick off the championship with reworks on June 14.

B ike around the Zorinsky trail

The 7- to 8-mile bike trail is the ultimate outdoor activity for an active family. Bike among wildlife around the lake or bring a kayak and paddle in the lake.

C ook out with family

Pull out the patio chairs and grill burgers, hot dogs and steak in the backyard with friends and family for the perfect end to a long summer day.

D inosaurs at the Wildlife Safari Park

Through Oct. 1, Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park will feature Jurassic Adventure, a new experience featuring large and lifelike robotic dinosaurs.

E xplore and shop at the Old Market or Aksarben farmers markets

Aksarben farmers market runs Sundays through Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Old Market farmers market runs Saturdays through Oct. 14 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

F loat down the Elkhorn river

G o fishing at Lake Cunningham

With its 390 acres that are partially surrounded by a city park, this is a great place to spend a day outdoors with the family.

H ike in Hummel Park

Located in the Florence neighborhood, the hiking path takes around one hour to walk and features scenic views.

I ce cream date

A scenic 7-mile oat of the Elkhorn River can take 3.5 to 6 hours on a tube and 2 to 3 hours on a kayak depending on river conditions. Tubes are available for rent for $25 per person.

Omaha is loaded with ice cream destinations. Blackstone, Dundee and the Old Market are home to locally owned shops with plenty of sights nearby to explore.

toppings on Page 11

Check out our creative hot dog toppings on Page 11

J ump and play at a trampoline park

Check out one of the many metro area trampoline parks and channel your energy perfecting ips and twists.

K iewit Luminarium visit

Omaha’s newest attraction, the Kiewit Luminarium has multiple exhibits with colorful multisensory games and attractions that are both educational and fun.

L emonade stand

Teach your kids to earn pocket change the old-fashioned way.

M ake slime

The slime craze is in full effect and has shown no sign of slowing down. Use white glue, baking soda, food coloring and a saline solution in a large mixing bowl for a fun craft perfect for rainy days. Try adding shaving cream to make uffy slime.

N ighttime firefly catch and release

Fire ies are most active during the months of June and July. Use a mason jar to catch them for a fun night time activity.

O maha Children’s Museum visit

The Children’s Museum has two special exhibits, “A Generation of Hope: Indigenous Peoples of the Heartland” and “Jurassic Nebraska.”

P icnic at the park

Omaha has more than 250 public parks. Memorial Park, near 58th and Dodge Streets, sits atop a hill with great views for a picnic.

Q uik-Trip frozen drink

Cool off after a hot day with a sweet treat.

R oad trip

They didn’t change the tourism motto to “It’s not for everyone” for no reason. Hop on I-80 and pick a direction.

S troll through the conservatory at Lauritzen Gardens

Located in the heart of the city, this hidden sanctuary is a haven of calm and beauty. Perfect for photo shoots or relaxing.

T ie-dye T-shirts

Use rubber bands and dye to create twisting patterns and spirals.

U NO card game marathon with prizes

A great activity to gear up for a movie night or to entertain on a stormy summer night.

V isit the Gene Leahy Mall and splash pad

The new Gene Leahy Mall was revealed to the public last year with a playground, splash pad, dog park, swings,

amphitheater, pond and sculpture

garden.

W ave pool and waterpark at Fun-Plex

The largest amusement park in Nebraska is located at 70th and Q Streets and hosts many water attractions to make memories and avoid the summer heat.

‘X’ marks the spot, homemade treasure hunt

Burn and crumple a map, draw your backyard, put X’s on the maps indicating spots with clues or prizes.

Y Mca

Local YMCA’s have plenty of children’s classes including gymnastics, dance, martial arts and more.

Z oo day at Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

Surprise the family with a trip to the zoo. Soar in the Skyfari chair lift or submerge yourself in marine life under the observation tunnel in the aquarium.

For All Ages

KILEY CRUSE

World-Herald Staff Writer

Let’s be honest, getting kids to eat healthy can be a bit of a chore.

As parents, we are always looking for snacks that aren’t laden with sugar and preservatives. But very few kids I know would, given a choice, snack on veggies instead of sweets or chips.

One of the most successful ways to get them eating the right foods is by making the process fun. These adorable fruit and vegetable bugs allow kids to explore new foods and tap into their creative energy. The healthy little critters are so much more exciting and flavorful than the “ants on a log” of my youth.

With the farmers market season upon us, soon there will be ample fresh-from-the-garden fruits and veggies to give these cute snacks a try.

Fruit And Vegetable Bug Snacks

Bug base

• Cel ery stalks, cut into various lengths for different bugs

• M ini cucumbers, halved lengthwise with seeds scooped out, cut into various lengths

• S weet peppers, cut in half with seeds removed

“Glue”

• Cr eam cheese

• P eanut butter (or other nut/seed butter)

1. Begin by preparing the googly eyes for your fruit and vegetable bugs.

Option 1: Use a straw or knife to cut out black olive pupils. Pipe small dots of cream cheese onto a piece of parchment paper and top with black olive pupils. After assembling the eyes, place them in the freezer to chill for easier assembly later on.

Option 2: Pipe small dots of cream cheese onto a piece of parchment and top with mini chocolate chips or dark, round cookie decorating sprinkles.

Veggies and fruits to build with

• C ucumber slices

• C herry and/or grape tomatoes (various colors)

• C hives, cut into 1-inch lengths

• B lack olives

• Re d and/or green grapes

• S trawberries, sliced

• B lueberries

• A pple, sliced

• M ini chocolate chips

Tip: If you don’t have piping bags, sandwich bags with the tip of the corner cut off will work well for piping eyes.

2. Prepare fruit and vegetables. Scoop seeds from mini cucumbers and peppers. Help your bugs stand upright by slicing a flat edge on the bottoms of mini cucumbers and celery sticks.

3. Fill celery stalks, peppers and/or mini cucumbers with cream cheese, using a piping bag or spoon. Fill celery stalks with peanut butter, using a piping bag or spoon. These will be the base of all the fruit and vegetable bugs you make.

4. Set the kids loose with their imagination. If kids want to add chive “antenna,” use a toothpick to pierce the fruit or vegetable “head” and poke chives in the hole.

Adapted from www.naturespath.com