These 5 Nebraska Toy And Game Shops Keep Kits Stacked High

Hobby Lobby never actually walked away from model kits. The rumor pops up in hobby forums now and then, but the chain still lists boxed kits and often puts them on sale.

Still, I get why people worry. A big-box aisle can feel thin when you’re hunting one specific Gundam, a vintage promo car, or a box of Warhammer troops.

That’s where Nebraska’s independent toy and game shops come in. They stack kits, puzzles, paints, and miniatures deep enough to swallow an afternoon.

One shop on this list focuses mostly on car models, plus armor, ships, and sci-fi oddballs. Another lets kids test games and toys before anyone buys a thing.

I can’t think of a better excuse for a road trip with a glue bottle in the cup holder. So which of these five deserves your next Saturday, and your next half-finished build?

1. HobbyTown

Gundam fans, car builders, and airplane people can all leave this Lincoln store happy with a bag of plastic and sprues. The shelves cover plastic model kits for cars and aircraft, plus a healthy run of Gundam boxes.

That alone would earn a spot here. But the store keeps going, with remote-controlled cars, board games, crafts, and building sets packed into one stop.

Puzzle lovers, pay attention. HobbyTown carries the largest selection of jigsaw puzzles in Lincoln, so a rainy weekend project is never far away.

The Lego selection is another big draw. It’s the kind of wall that makes a quick errand turn into a long debate about which set comes home.

You also get practical perks that make the trip easy. There’s a free parking lot out front, and free Wi-Fi inside if you need to look up a kit number.

Short on time? Curbside pickup and in-store pickup let you grab an order without wandering the aisles, though wandering is half the fun.

For Nebraska builders who want models, RC, puzzles, and games under one roof, this shop makes a strong case. Bring a list, then expect to ignore it.

Address: 4107 Pioneer Woods Dr #108, Lincoln, NE 68506

2. CR Toys

Grown-ups who swear they’re just browsing tend to get caught playing at CR Toys. The store openly says you’ll find yourself feeling and acting like a kid, and it means it.

You’ll find it inside the Hilltop Mall in Kearney. It’s a local, independent toy store, which is a nice change from a giant chain aisle.

Here the building happens in a different way than at a classic model shop. Instead of sprues and decals, think craft kits, project kits, and hands-on sets that keep young builders busy.

Melissa and Doug fans will spot plenty of that brand on the shelves. Puzzles show up in a range of sizes, so a preschooler and a grandparent can each find a challenge.

The best part might be the testing. Kids can try out many of the games and toys in the store, which helps you skip the dreaded dud gift.

Family games round out the mix, ready for your next snowed-in evening. Kid-friendly activities make it an easy stop while you’re already at the mall.

For central Nebraska families starting a future builder young, this is a smart first step. Today’s craft kit could be tomorrow’s battleship model.

Address: 5027 2nd Ave, Kearney, NE 68847

3. Ak Collectables Model Cars And More

Weird-Ohs on a shelf in Bellevue? Yep, and that quirky detail tells you a lot about this old-time hobby store.

Car models are the heart of the place. The shelves lean hard into plastic automotive kits and promos, the pre-built dealer-style models that collectors chase.

Then the selection branches out in fun directions. You’ll find aircraft, armor, ships, and sci-fi kits sharing space with the hot rods.

Diecast fans get attention too. Ready-made collectibles sit alongside the kits, so you can buy one car to build and one to admire.

Modeling supplies are part of the stock as well. That means you can pick up what your project needs instead of placing an online order and waiting.

Plan your timing, because this shop keeps a tighter schedule than most. It’s closed Sundays and Mondays and opens in the afternoon the rest of the week.

If any store on this list proves model kits are alive and well in Nebraska, it’s this one. It’s the spot for the builder who already owns three unfinished Mustangs and wants a fourth.

Address: 434 Galvin Rd N, Bellevue, NE 68005

4. Game On

Older Warhammer battle forces and combat patrol boxes are not easy to come by. At Game On in Kearney, they can turn up right on the shelf.

That makes the store a sneaky stop for miniature builders. Those boxes are model kits at heart, full of parts to clip, glue, and paint.

Of course, minis are only one lane here. The store also stocks board games, video games, and comics, so a group of friends can split up and still stay busy.

Retro gamers should give the video game section a look. Older titles are part of the mix, which is great news if your old console still works.

And then there are the puzzles. It’s very easy to come in for one thing and leave with a stack of boxes you never planned to buy.

Curbside and in-store pickup help when you already know your target. Weekday afternoons and evenings tend to be the liveliest stretch, so mornings run quieter.

Kearney ends up with a nice one-two punch on this list. Hit the toy store for the kids, then come here for your own projects.

Address: 5012 3rd Ave #140, Kearney, NE 68845

5. The Game Shoppe

Late-night builders, rejoice, because this shop stays open into the evening most days. That’s handy when a project stalls at dinnertime and you need one more part.

The Game Shoppe is a big local game store in Bellevue. Board, card, and tabletop games fill the space, but the miniatures are what earn it a spot here.

Buildable miniature kits get serious display space. Terrain sets sit nearby, so you can build the army and the battlefield on the same trip.

Tabletop war gaming is a big part of the draw. If you like assembling and painting tiny soldiers, you’ll have plenty to browse.

Not a mini person? Boxed board games, card games, and puzzle games offer lots of other ways to spend your allowance.

The shop also makes a point of being welcoming. It’s LGBTQ+ friendly, offers a gender-neutral restroom, and has free Wi-Fi plus an on-site parking lot.

Evenings early in the week tend to run busiest, which says plenty about its gaming crowd. Bellevue gives Nebraska builders two very different shops, and you should visit both.

Address: 1406 Harlan Dr, Bellevue, NE 68005