The kids are home for spring break. Fun for them, frustrating for you. Here are some ideas for activities that you can do together to make the week go by faster.
1. Go Camping
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.
2. 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.3. Dig For Diamonds At Crater of Diamonds State Park
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
You may only find a quartz, but some kids will have fun anyway. Older kids' attention span may be short at Crater of Diamonds, but younger ones 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 and admission is $5.
4. 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 (and people like me). 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.5. 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.6. Visit the Museum of Discovery
Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau
If you've never been to the Museum of Discovery (MOD), you should take a visit. It's full of fun, hands-on exhibits that encourage kids to think, play and learn. It's located in the River Market on President Clinton Avenue.
7. Tour the Heifer Buildling & Ranch or Clinton Library
Both of these attractions may be a bit too heavy for young kids. If you have a child who is interested in the environment, politics or history, they should be considered. The Heifer International building is one of the greenest buildings in the nation. They give tours daily during the week for families and individuals.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.
8. Aerospace Education Center / IMAX
This museum is great for those interested in aerospace but sparse for those who aren't. Personally, I love the IMAX. However, some of the movies move a little too slow to keep younger children interested. If they like the Discovery Channel, they'll probably like these films. The IMAX shows films about a variety of topics, not just aerospace.9. Catch a Movie At the McMath Library
For Little Rock School District's spring break (March 24-28), a different movie will be shown almost every day at the McMath Library (2100 John Barrow Drive) from 2-4 pm. The movies are: Pirates of Caribean II (3/24), Artic Tale (3/25), Game Plan (3/27) and Bee Movie (3/29). Refreshments will be served and admission is free. When movies aren't being shown, there are games and other activities. Call 501-225-0066 for more details.Movies are also scheduled throughout the month. Check the library calender or call for details.
