The kids are home for spring break. Fun for them, but it can be frustrating for you. Here are some ideas for activities that you can do together to make the week go by faster.
Local Museum Offerings
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Museum of Discovery is being visited by famous children's characters. Meet and take your picture with Buddy from “Dinosaur Train” on Monday, March 21 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat on Tuesday, March 22 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Throughout the week of spring break guests will enjoy multiple science demos, animal programs, tinkering activities and more. Museum admission applies.
The Arkansas Arts Center is offering a variety of activities for Spring Break. For more info call 501-372-4000 or visit their site.
You should also check out the Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs. They have lots of cool new, interactive exhibits.
2016 State Park Offerings
The closest state park offering something fun is Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Pinnacle Mountain has day camps starting Wednesday of spring break (March 23) for children aged 7-10. Contact them for more information. 501-868-5806.
Many other state parks like Lake Degray, Logoly, Lake Dardanelle and the Ozark Folk Center have activities planned this week too.
Just a visit to a state park would be fun for any kid!
Public Library Offerings
Many of the libraries have things going on throughout the week. The Amy Sanders Library in Sherwood has fun activities almost every day. The Terry Library is offering crafts and more. You can check the full library schedule for more information.
The Hillary Clinton Children's Library is a great place to spend a day. It looks like they are offering EcoCamp this year. It's located on 4800 W. 10 St, and open Monday - Thursday from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Most library activities are free.
Visit the Little Rock Zoo
If you just have an afternoon or even a lunch hour off, you can still take your kids on an adventure. Take them on a mini-safari at the Little Rock Zoo. You can ride the carousel, have lunch at Cafe Africa and see lots of animals, and it only takes a few hours. They have special activities and educational opportunities this year for spring break. Zoo admission applies. More info.
Spring Break at Arkansas Skatium
Arkansas Skatium is a fun place to go for Spring Break. They have something to do every day. Monday the 21 is Money Monday. They will give random discounts at admissions and the snack bar. Tuesday the 22th is Texas Tuesday. Wear western attire for $2 off admission. Wednesday is Winter Wednesday. It will snow inside so you can play in the snow. Thursday offers $2 off admission if you wear tropical attire. Friendship Friday offers 2 for 1 admission. Located on 1311 S Bowman Rd.
Wildwood Park
Master Naturalists are leading a day camp at Wildwood this year, teaching ages 7-12 about native Arkansas plants, animals and ecology. The camp is $180 for the full week or $45 a day and takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More info.
The Jump Zone, Altitude Trampoline Park and the Wonder Place
The Jump Zone (9250 Commerce Cove in North Little Rock, 501-932-0970) inflatable indoor playground, has extended hours during spring break and a few other fun surprises (more info). This is fun for small kids. Monday is $2 off.
Altitude Trampoline Park doesn't have anything special for spring break, but are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays. Check their daily pricing. Older kids and teens love altitude.
The Wonder Place (10301 N Rodney Parham Rd in Little Rock, 501-225-4050) indoor playground is having a picnic themed Spring Break (more info). Also for smaller children.
Heifer Village & Ranch or Clinton Library
Heifer Village is having fun activities all week for spring break. The village teaches kids about global hunger and what Heifer International does in a fun, hands-on way. Spring break week, they'll have activities and crafts. Activities will take place throughout the day from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Heifer is free. It starts on March 19 with some animals from Heifer Ranch.
Heifer has a ranch in Perryville Arkansas that is lots of fun for younger kids. Tours of the ranch are available on weekdays and Saturdays.
The Clinton Library has many interesting exhibits about the Clinton's and the White House. They have special programming during spring break, including some members of the symphony and an "instrumental petting zoo." On March 23 they'll have interactive musical activities with local musicians & Peanuts activities, on March 24 - 26 they'll have the "Instrumential Petting Zoo" with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra & Peanuts activities and on March 27 they'll have interactive musical activities with local musicians & Peanuts activities. Clinton library admission applies.
Go Camping
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Camping is a fun and inexpensive way to pass Spring Break. Arkansas has over 40 state parks and most of the parks have camping facilities available. Pack some smores and ghost stories for younger kids and the kayak and bikes for your outdoorsy teens. You might even try to float the Buffalo if spring break is warm enough. Some Arkansas parks have rental facility available if you don't have a kayak.
Explore Blanchard Springs Caverns
Listed by guidebooks as one of the most beautiful caverns in America, Blanchard Springs is a fun day trip. There are two separate trails, but the easier trail is open in the spring. Blanchard Springs is located in the Ozark National Forests near Mountain View Arkansas.
Dig For Diamonds At Crater of Diamonds State Park
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You may only find a quartz, but some kids will have fun anyway. Kids of all ages will have fun getting messy in the dirt. Crater of Diamonds is the world's only diamond mine where the general public can mine for diamonds and actually keep what they find. The park is in Murfreesboro, which is about a 2 hours drive from Little Rock.
Hike Pinnacle Mountain
On pretty days, I see families hiking up Pinnacle all the time. The west trail is the less steep incline with marked paths. It's best for children. It's free to climb the mountain and free to have a picnic in the area. There are picnic tables set up and you can lounge by Lake Maumelle and enjoy the scenery.
Visit a City Park
Not everyone has the time or money to take the kids on a grand adventure for spring break. Why not just take them to a park for a couple of hours after work and let them run some energy off? It's tons of fun and Little Rock has many parks with playground equipment.