Things to Do with Kids in Northwest Arkansas

Things to do with kids in Bentonville

Walmart Visitor Center  Displays show how Sam Walton grew his local store to an international giant. The original Five and Dime store sells nostalgic items--remember when wax lips, whirly pops, and sock monkeys were hot items? It's a Memory Lane stroll for the older crowd and an eye-opener for youngsters. 105 N Main. 479-273-1329
Bowling in Bentonville  Fun exercise at the batting cages and arcades at Batter Up, 1301 N Walton Blvd. 479-271-2278, and at the lanes of the Bentonville Bowling Center, 902 NW 14^thSt. 479-273-2590
Melvin Ford Aquatic Center  Olympic size pool, diving pool, or water slide. Small daily fee. Special wading pool with rain drip fountain for little ones. Ball fields, playground, skate park, and  fitness trail, Restrooms and concession stands. 401 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. 479-273-9206
Lawrence Plaza A splash pad interactive water park with 84 fountain jets. Outdoor ice rink open Mid- Nov-Jan. Just north of City Square, corner of NE A and Blake Sts.
Jump! Zone Heavy-duty bouncing for the kiddos, with  special toddler area. Open play days vary. 805 SE 22^nd St. 479-202-4476

Bentonville has a number of very pleasant parks with walking trails and playgrounds. The town also boasts a number of museums, from art to history. Click  here for art experiences, and here for history museums, and historic sites worth visiting.

If you and the kids enjoy days in the woods, either hiking or on mountain bikes, this region has numerous places for you to find adventure.

Things to do with kids in Rogers/Springdale/Lowell

War Eagle A restored old mill, gift shop and restaurant on rolling farmland east of town. Famous as the site of crafts fairs since the 1960s. The only working mill in the state powered by a 180 ft. cypress waterwheel still grinds fresh grain daily. On the banks of War Eagle Creek. 11045 War Eagle Rd.  866-492-7324.
Hobbs State Park Crisscrossed by woodland hiking and biking trails. Click here for more about Hobbs and other state parks with memorable family fun opportunities.
Arkansas Naturals Spend a few hours rooting for this minor league team of the Kansas City Royals. Part of the Texas League, the Naturals play home games at their stadium on the corner of 56th and Watkins in Springdale. Inexpensive tickets and the chance to see some possible future major league stars. 479-927-4900.
Rogers/Springdale Bowling and Batting
 Batter up! or bowl at Balls N Strikes, 5414 Hailey, Springdale, 479-531-3294,. For other bowling venues, hit the Rogers Bowling Center, 3500 W Walnut St, 479-636-2320; Springdale Bowling Center, 1303 S Thompson St, 479-751-9207; or Fast Lane Entertainment at 299 N Dixieland St, Lowell. 479-659-0999.
Miniature Golf, Springdale
Mini-golf, games and pizza  at Fun City Pizza 5320 W. Sunset #157, Springdale. 479-872-7529.
Rogers Splash Park 10 in-ground sprinklers, 3 water buckets and 2 movable water cannons. Free; next door to the skate park. 315 W. Olive St.
Arkansas and Missouri Railroad Departs the Springdale Depot for the rugged Arkansas Ozarks, high trestles over deep valleys and  a dark quarter-mile tunnel. Refurbished antique cars, including an open-air caboose. 134 miles round trip. Depot: 107 North Commercial Street, Springdale. 479-751-5763.
Rodeo of the Ozarks In Springdale for the July 4th weekend? This pro rodeo is more than a half century old. At Parson's Field, 1423 E. Emma. 877-927-6336, where in early Oct. you can catch the Demolition Derby.
Farmland Adventures   9-acre giant corn maze, pumpkin patch, pony rides, petting zoo, pig race and kids' play area. Weekends, Sept-Nov. 5355 Parsons Rd, Springdale. 479-799-5033
Wild Wilderness Safari   30 minutes west of Lowell,  this 400-acre spread is home to exotic and domestic animals. The drive-thru section is 4 miles long. Also petting parks and walk-thru areas. 20923 Safari Rd, Gentry. 479-736-8383.
Cave Exploration
Several caves in the area are perfect for family visits. If your kids thrill to the idea of underground exploration, check this out list of caves.

Things to do with kids in Fayetteville

Lokomotion Family Fun Park Like a small town carnival, featuring arcades, mini golf, bumper cars, go karts and laser tag. 4520 N College Ave, 479-582-5600.
Arkadia Retrocade Nearly 75 vintage arcade games let you show your kids how you rolled back in the day. 1478 N. College Ave. 479-445-7844.
Miniature Golf/Bowling In Fayetteville, AR
Gator Golf, 2692 N College, 479-443-0833; Ozark Bowling, 2300 N College Ave, 479- 442-4275.
Boingo Bounce Toddlers have their own safe room. 240 E township St, 479-444-1419.
Terra Studios  Glass art studio and gallery  famous for handcrafted glass Bluebirds of Happiness. Gallery exhibits works of  regional artists. Watch  glass artists at work, snack in the cafe, stroll the outdoor art garden, filled with magical sculptural creatures. Meditation labyrinth. Free admission, 10- 5  daily. 12103 Hazel Valley Rd, Fayetteville. 479-643-3185.
Botanical Garden of the Ozarks  On 86 acres adjoining Lake Fayetteville: Horticulture Center, plaza and great lawn, nine 2,000-square-feet gardens, a greenhouse and other garden features, many with special themes. Lakeside hiking trail,  self-guided tree identification tour. 4703 N. Crossover Rd. 479-750-2620

Things to do with kids in Siloam Springs

Dogwood Junction Rent bikes or surrey bikes, covered, four-wheel conveyances. Surrey ride with picnic in the park available; locally prepared food and dining supplies included. 204 S. Broadway. 479-524-6605.

Things to do with kids in Eureka Springs

Take the kids to festivals, parades, live performances. Pick a trails to hike, bike or ride horseback. Go boating or fishing. Or check out shops that cater to every member of the family.
Kaleidokites   Kites and kaleidoscopes of all kinds.
Mud St. Store  Puppets and  kids' fairy dresses.
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge Gift Shop  Animal themed gifts that help support the Refuge.
Happy Things and Small World Toy stores, crammed full of playthings.
Eureka Springs Historical Museum Downtown at the 95 S. Main. Exhibits and photos bring history of the town to life.
Ozarks Mountain Zipline A 2-hour canopy tour. Sign in at 208 W. Van Buren: you'll be shuttled to the zipline. Extremely safe, accompanied by guides. (479) 363-6699.
Pig Trail Kart and Golf  A track,  mini golf course, arcade, batting cages, snack bar and more. On Hwy 62 E. 479-363-6646 or 6642
Harmon Park  City park with playground equipment and a cement skatepark. 532 Spring St.
Lake Leatherwood Park  Follow Hwy 62 W. about 4.5 miles to the park sign on the right hand side of the road. 1600-acre city park with an 85-acre spring fed lake, where you can boat, fish or swim. Fishing supplies available at the bait shop. More than 20 miles of trails with varying terrains for biking and hiking. See wildlife, springs, unusual rock formations and historic stone walls and bridges. Cabins and camping March-November. 479-253-7921.
Pine Mountain Theater Mike and Dale Bishop and their band serve up a family show of country, gospel, comedy, bluegrass, blues and rock every night. Free popcorn, too!  2075 E. Van Buren, 479-253-9156
Ozark Mountain Hoe-Down The George Brothers take the stage at  for a night of music and comedy.3140 E. Van Buren.800-468-2133.
City Auditorium Downtown. Historic venue offering nights of music, drama, dance and more.
Intrigue Theater Illusionist Sean Paul and medium Juliana Fay present a turn-of-the-century style performance: magical demonstrations, mentalism, other mysteries. At the Gavioli Chapel, 80 Mountain St. 479-244-7028
The New Great Passion Play Outdoor drama of the last days of Christ's life. Ticket info: 800-882-7529
Snake World Dale Ertel loves snakes, and he's got around 70 of them caged at his property a few miles east of Eureka Springs. Call first; he's not always available. 870-423-6530
Dinner Bell Ranch and Resort Guided tours on horseback. Breakfast, lunch or dinner rides;cookouts with the cowboys. A Saddle and Paddle adventure combines riding and river floating. Cabins available for overnight. 4462 CR 302, Eureka Springs. 479-253-2900.
Steve's Stable at Pond Mountain Lodge Six riders or less on a one-hour guided trail tour. Gentle horses.  1218 Hwy 23. 479-253-5877
Hidden Valley Ranch Stables Horseback riding on 650 wilderness acres.  Rent a horse or bring your own. Also offers hour-long carriage rides across the property. Lodging available. 777 Hidden Valley Ranch Rd.  479-253-9777
Bear Mountain Riding Stable Hour-long rides with incredible views. Guided. Suitable for all ages and riding levels. 5480 Highway 62 W. 479-253-6990
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge Seven miles south of town on Hwy. 23,  Lifetime care for abandoned, abused or neglected big cats, as well as some other big mammals and smaller wild cats. Call ahead to be there at  feeding time as it varies.
Promised Land Zoo A four-mile track takes you past 58 species in the comfort of your own vehicle/You and the kids may be able to help bottle feed  baby animals in the petting zoo. Open daily 9-6. 32297 Hwy 86, Eagle Rock, MO. Ten miles north of Eureka Springs.  417-271-3324.