One of the things that makes Bentonville and the Northwest Arkansas area such a wonderful place to live is that there is no shortage of things to do! This is especially helpful for families looking to have fun and spend some quality time together. If you’re new to the area or just looking for some fresh ideas for this weekend, we made a list of all the best kid-friendly things to do in NWA!
Explore the Great Outdoors
If Bentonville is known for anything (other than Walmart ��), it’s known for its amazing outdoor adventures. They don’t call it the Mountain Biking Capital of the World for nothing! The Bentonville Bike Playground is the perfect place to get your kiddos started practicing their biking skills and is also conveniently located next to the Bark Park so the whole family, furry friends included, can come along! Need to pick up a bike? The Bentonville Strider Store located on the square just recently opened and offers bikes for even your littlest kids!
The Natural State has plenty more to offer besides biking, so be sure to check out the local lakes and trails! Lake Atalanta in Rogers offers a two-mile loop around the lake for shorter legs that can’t quite go the distance of some of our longer trails. There are also playground areas and shelters at the very beginning of the trailhead, making this the perfect spot for a picnic!
Find Some Winter Fun
While Arkansas is famous for its summer heat and humidity, we do have several months of colder weather when your favorite outdoor activities might not be available. If you’re going a little stir-crazy sitting inside during these winter months, have no fear – there is still plenty to do! From ice skating indoors at the Jones Center in Springdale to an indoor lazy river at the Bentonville Community Center , you are sure to find a way to burn off some of your little one’s energy. If you have a daredevil on your hands, make sure to check out Climb Bentonville . This indoor climbing gym offers plenty of opportunity for them to get their fill of adventure and to practice their coordination and balance.
Expand Their Imagination
Growing your child’s mind is one of the biggest responsibilities of parenthood, but you can only read the same book so many times! When you’re looking for a new way to challenge your kids and help expand their imaginations – check out The Amazeum ! Their mission is to “ignite curiosity through playful exploration”- and they do just that through tinkering hubs, a play lab, cloud theater, art studio and more! Kids 2 and under are free and adults and kids above 2 are just $10/person.
For your kids that are a little bit older, STEAM Ahead Bentonville offers ways to explore robotics, 3D pens, coding, electric circuits, engineering manipulatives and so much more. Looking for some sensory fun? Check out the Slime Studio in Rogers ! Make your own slime in a fun, creative environment (and bonus for parents, you get to keep the mess of slime creation out of your home).
Cool Off from the Summer Heat
Just because we’re all still dreaming of summer days, that doesn’t mean you can’t start planning all the fun you’re going to have with your kids once the weather warms up! The Fountains at Lawrence Plaza offers summer fun with a splash pad that is open to the public May 29-September 12 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. While you’re there, grab some ice cream at The Spark Café – an old-fashioned soda shoppe serving up classic ice cream and desserts. To sweeten the deal, the Spark Café has kept their old-fashioned prices! With a Cutie Cup for the kids at just $0.50, it doesn’t get much better than that!
All of these amazing opportunities make the Northwest Arkansas area a great place to raise your family, and we didn’t even get to all of it! We don’t have room to list all the fun in this area, so make sure you check out the other kid-friendly activities in our area such as Osage Park, Arkadia Retrocade, The Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks, Fast Lanes, Flip Side Ninja Park, the Walmart Museum, Top Golf, the Turpentine Creek Refuge, and so much more!
Considering making the move to NWA? Trust Schuber Mitchell Homes as the Northwest Arkansas's Premier Homebuilder, we would be honored with the opportunity to build your dream home. Speak with one of ourNew Home Advisors to get started!
