Northeast Arkansas Kids Directory

FREE! january 2024

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A NOTE from the Publisher Welcome to the January issue of NEA Kids’ Directory, part of the Occasions Publishing Group family of publications.

NEA Kids’ Directory has many features that make it a valuable resource for parents, teachers, grandparents, and childcare professionals – anyone who is involved with children. It is compact in size, making it a handy resource to keep in your purse or car. In addition, it offers valuable coupons for use at kid-friendly businesses and includes a calendar of events so you know what’s going on across Northeast Arkansas each month. You’ll even find a convenient dining guide inside that lists restaurants offering free or discounted kids’ meals!

Our goal each month is to help inform our readers of the many opportunities, events, products and services available for families in Northeast Arkansas.

Please remember to support the businesses that advertise in this publication each month and tell them that you saw their ad in NEA Kids’ Directory. If you are interested in advertising in NEA Kids’ Directory please call us at 931-0012.

Audrey Poff, Publisher & Editor

MEET OUR COVER KID!

DAX

Parents: Scotti and Erica Shannon photo by Melissa Donner Photography

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Dine on a Dime

Your Guide to Where Kids Eat FREE!

LET’S GO OUT TO EAT! MONDAY Bliss Cupcakes Kids 10 and under get a free mini cupcake or frosting shot with the purchase of a regular cupcake. (10 a.m.-9 p.m.)

Newk’s 99 cent kids meals every night after 4 p.m. with purchase of an adult meal.

TaMolly’s Kids eat for $1.99 from the kids’ menu (nights only).

THURSDAY Newk’s 99 cent kids meals every night after 4 p.m. with purchase of an adult meal.

TUESDAY Chicken Salad Chick Free Little Chick meal after 4 p.m. with purchase of an adult meal. Dine in only.

SATURDAY Newk’s 99 cent kids meals every night after 4 p.m. with purchase of an adult meal.

Qdoba Mexican Eats $1.75 kids’ meals with the purchase of an adult entrée

FRIDAY Schlotzsky’s Deli Free kid’s meal with purchase of an adult meal from 4 p.m. until close.

Newk’s 99 cent kids meals every night after 4 p.m. with purchase of an adult meal.

Fazoli’s Kids 12 and under eat for $.99 with adult meal from 5-8 p.m.

Pizza Hut Free kid’s buffet with adult buffet purchase.

Pizza Inn Free kids’ buffet with adult buffet purchase (nights only).

Newk’s 99 cent kids meals every night after 4 p.m. with purchase of an adult meal.

SUNDAY BA Free kids meal with purchase of adult entree Newk’s 99 cent kids meals every night after 4 p.m. with purchase of an adult meal.

Qdoba Mexican Eats $1.75 kids’ meals with the purchase of an adult entrée Slim Chickens 1 free kid’s meal per adult entrée purchase.

WEDNESDAY IHOP Kids eat free with purchase of adult entrée from 4-10 p.m.

Newk’s 99 cent kids meals every night after 4 p.m. with purchase of an adult meal.

To have YOUR restaurant featured in this listing, email

brittney@jonesborooccasions.com

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LOCAL AWARDS FOR LOCALLY-OWNED BUSINESSES

VOTING BEGINS IN JANUARY! GO TO JONESBORO.COM TO CAST YOUR VOTE! WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE MARCH 2024 ISSUE OF NEA KIDS’ DIRECTORY.

KIDS’ DIRECTORY IS EVERYWHERE BUSY PARENTS GO! 9

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Calendar

JANUARY THROUGHOUT JANUARY

The Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center, located at 600 E. Lawson Road in Jonesboro is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The center offers visitors the chance to experience a unique piece of North America and its wildlife through multi-sensory movies, exhibits, trails, native gardens, nature programs and activities. Admission is free. Info: (870) 933-6787.

The Arkansas State University Museum, located adjacent to the Dean B. Ellis Library is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. During these hours, visitors can enjoy the Family Reading Castle based on the museum’s Mother Goose collection of characters, the Tinkering Studio, galleries and more.

Info: (870) 972-2074 or visit astate.edu/museum.

The Foundation of Arts offers year-round registration for students interested in art, dance, theater and more. For more information, call (870) 935-2726 or visit foajonesboro.org.

Jonesboro Music, located at 2617 E. Nettleton Ave., Suite B, offers music and movement classes for children ages birth to 7 years old. Year-round enrollment is available. Info: (870) 761-6570 or visit kmusikofjonesboro.com.

The Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library offers a variety of free events and activities. Family Storytime takes place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. in the Storytime Area. For times and locations of other upcoming events, call (870) 935-5133 or visit libraryinjonesboro.org.

The Lawrence County Library offers programs for children of all ages. Check the Lawrence County Library News or Facebook page for updates on upcoming events. Info: (870) 886-3222 or visit lawrencecountylibrary.com.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9

The Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library will host Tween Music Mixing in the Round Room from 4-5 p.m. Tweens can experiment with their inner DJ by mixing music with Incredibox. Info: (870) 935-5133 or visit libraryinjonesboro.org.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10

The Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center will host an Introduction to Squirrel Hunting Class from 6-8 p.m. Participants will learn how to get started, places to go, techniques, and about the Big Squirrel Challenge.

Info: (870) 933-6787 or visit agfc.com. www.KidsDirectory.com/NEA

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Calendar

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13

The Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library will host a Tabletop Game Day with NEA Gamer’s Guild from noon to 5 p.m. in the Round Room. The event will include a day full of tabletop board games and entry into exciting door prizes.

Info: (870) 935-5133 or visit libraryinjonesboro.org.

MONDAY, JANUARY 15

The Northeast Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration will take place at the Fowler Center from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. The annual celebration will have the theme, “A Dream: What the World Needs Now.” Info: (870) 972-3471 or visit fowler.astate.edu.

Arkansas State University Baseball will host the Tommy Raffo Baseball Youth Specialty Winter Camp for ages 7-11 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Tomlinson Stadium. The youth hitting session will run from 9 a.m. until noon, with the pitching and defense session running from 1:15 until 4 p.m. The cost for each camp is $75, and players can attend both sessions for $125.

Info: email traffo@astate.edu or visit calendar.astate.edu.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16

The Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library will host Tween Brain Blenders in the Round Room from 4-5 p.m. Participants will solve real-life riddles, crack sneaky logic puzzles, decipher mysteries and more. Info: (870) 935-5133 or visit libraryinjonesboro.org.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20

Lowe’s Home Improvement Store, located at 2111 Fair Park Boulevard in Jonesboro, will host the Kids DIY-U Workshop: My First DIY Toolbox from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The event will teach children how to build a toolbox to help with home improvement projects. Info: (870) 930-9000 or visit lowes.com/store/ AR-Jonesboro.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24

The Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center will host Fishing in the Natural State from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. The program is designed for students in grades 4-12. The curriculum covers subjects such as fish identification, fish anatomy, aquatic habits and human impact through science, math, art and language arts. Info: (870) 933-6787 or visit agfc.com.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 27 – MONDAY, JANUARY 29

The Foundation of Arts will present Charlotte’s Web, based on E.B. White’s loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte. Performances will take place at The Forum Theater in Downtown Jonesboro. Tickets may be purchased online or at The Forum Box Office. Info: (870) 935-2726 or visit foajonesboro.org.

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SNOW MUCH FUN!

COLOR THIS CUDDLY AND COZY BEAR FOR SOME WINTER FUN!

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Library Resource Guide

Libraries Make Learning FUN! Whether online or in person, public libraries are a great resource for parents with young children. Many public libraries in Northeast Arkansas expanded online activities during the COVID-19 pandemic and are striving to make more services available. To find out more about local offerings from area libraries, contact one of the libraries listed in our resource guide or follow them on social media.

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Library Resource Guide

CRAIGHEAD COUNTY Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library Phone: (870) 935-5133 Website: libraryinjonesboro.org

POINSETT COUNTY Poinsett County Library Phone: (870) 578-4465 Website: libraryinjonesboro.org

Caraway Public Library - Caraway Phone: (870) 482-3394 Website: libraryinjonesboro.org

Goldsby Library - Lepanto Phone: (870) 475-6144 Website: libraryinjonesboro.org

Kohn Memorial Library - Monette Phone: (870) 486-2515 Website: libraryinjonesboro.org

Marked Tree Public Library - Marked Tree Phone: (870) 358-3190 Website: libraryinjonesboro.org

McAdams Public Library - Lake City Phone: (870) 237-4407 Website: libraryinjonesboro.org

West Poinsett Memorial Library - Weiner Phone: (870) 684-2235 Website: libraryinjonesboro.org

LAWRENCE COUNTY Lawrence County Library - Walnut Ridge Phone: (870) 886-3222 Website: lawrencecountylibrary.com

MISSISSIPPI COUNTY Blytheville Public Library Phone: (870) 762-2431 Website: mclibrary.net

Bobbie Jean Memorial Library - Imboden Phone: (870) 869-2093 Website: imbodenlibrary.wordpress.com

Manila Public Library Phone: (870) 561-3525 Website: mclibrary.net

Driftwood Public Library - Lynn Phone: (870) 528-3506

Osceola Public Library Phone: (870) 563-2721 Website: mclibrary.net

GREENE COUNTY Greene County Public Library - Paragould Phone: (870) 236-8711 Website: mylibrarynow.org/greene

Wilson Public Library Phone: (870) 655-8414 Website: mclibrary.net Keiser Public Library Phone: (870) 526-2073 Website: mclibrary.net Leachville Public Library Phone: (870) 539-6485 Website: mclibrary.net

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