Northeast Arkansas Kids Directory

FREE! DecemBER 2023

www.kidsdirectory.com/nea

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A NOTE from the Publisher Welcome to the December 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 KIDS!

LILA AND TALON WITH SANTA Parents: Caity and T.J. Harris 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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Calendar

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THROUGHOUT DECEMBER 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, formerly Kindermusik of Jonesboro, 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.

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Calendar

The Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library offers a variety of free events and activities. Family Storytime takes place every Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Storytime Area. Call (870) 935-5133 or visit libraryinjonesboro.org for times and locations of other upcoming events.

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.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1 The Foundation of Arts for Northeast Arkansas will present the 76th Annual Jonesboro Christmas Parade at 7 p.m. in Downtown Jonesboro.

This year’s theme is “A Merry Melody.” The route will begin at Cate and Main Street and continue south down Main Street to Oak Street. Info: visit foachristmasparade.org.

Animaniacs Live in Concert will perform at Riceland Hall in The Fowler Center at 7:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the Central Box Office at First National Bank Arena, or by visiting tickets.astate.edu.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1 – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31 Christmas at the Park is back at Joe Mack Campbell Park for an unforgettable holiday experience. The attraction includes a half-mile drive-thru of more than 400,000 holiday lights and displays. Family-fun events include the Santa Shuffle Fun Run, Community Christmas Caroling, Night of Fireworks and more. Closed December 24-28. For a complete schedule or to purchase tickets, visit christmasattheparknea.com.

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Calendar

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2 Winter Wonderland, located at 215 W. Monroe Ave., opens for the 2023 season from 1-9 p.m. This free exhibit includes animated displays, festive lights, a Trail of Trees and more. Info: call (870) 933-4604 or visit Jonesboro Winter Wonderland on Facebook.

The A-State Alumni Association will host Pancakes and PJs from 8-10 a.m. with Santa, Mrs. Claus, Howl and Scarlet. Info: visit astatealumni.org or call (870) 972-2586.

JoyFest, Downtown Jonesboro Alliance’s annual holiday event, will begin at 3 p.m. in Downtown Jonesboro. Located on Union Street, the event includes live music, shopping, family-fun activities and more. Attractions include the First Security Bank Kid Zone, St. Bernards Snowflake Lane, Gearhead’s Life-Sized Snow Globe, Century 21 Portfolio Santa Station, an ice-skating rink, a Ferris Wheel and more. Info: Visit Downtown Jonesboro Alliance on Facebook or call (870) 919-6176.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5 The 2023 Santa Shuffle Fun Run/Walk will take place at Joe Mack Campbell Park at 6:30 p.m. This unique, family-friendly event features more than 400,000 lights and attractions. Registration is $15. To register, visit raceroster.com/events. Info: Visit St. Bernards Health & Wellness on Facebook.

The Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library will host a Family Literacy Night – Get Cozy in the Library at 5:30 p.m. in the Round Room. The event will include story time, an activity and soup. Info: call (870) 935-5133 or visit libraryinjonesboro.org.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9 The Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library will host a Tabletop Game Day with NEA Gamer’s Guild from 12-5 p.m. in the Round Room.

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

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Calendar

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10 The Delta Symphony Orchestra will present the DSO Holiday Concert at 2 p.m. at Riceland Hall in Fowler Center. The performance will feature holiday classics, a sing-a-long with Santa Claus and special performances by guest vocalists, Perry Harper and Maddie Bowden Smith. To purchase tickets, visit deltasymphonyorchestra.org/tickets or call (870) 761-8254.

Andrew Peterson, recording artist, songwriter, producer, filmmaker, and award-winning author of “The Wingfeather Saga,” will visit Central Baptist Church for the Behold the Lamb of God Tour at 7 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit andrew-peterson.com/tour.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14 – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 The Link Theatre Company will present “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” at the Mainstage Theatre inside the Fowler Center. To purchase tickets, visit thelinktheatre.org.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15 – MONDAY, DECEMBER 18 The Foundation of Arts will present “A Very Merry Christmas” at The Forum Theater in Downtown Jonesboro. Tickets may be purchased online or at The Forum Box Office. Info: call (870) 935-2726 or visit foajonesboro.org.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19 The Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library will host a Holiday Crafts Class from 10 a.m. to noon and 2-4 p.m. Info: call (870) 935-5133 or visit libraryinjonesboro.org.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31 New Year’s Eve with Night of Fireworks will be held from 5:30-9:30 p.m. in conjunction with Christmas at the Park, Jonesboro’s half-mile drivethru of more than 400,000 holiday lights and displays located at Joe Mack Campbell Park. To purchase tickets, visit christmasattheparknea.com.

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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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