Northeast Arkansas Kids Directory

A NOTE from the Publisher

Welcome to the March 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! SHEPHERD

Parents: Nick and Sam Allmon

photo by Melissa Donner Photography

THROUGHOUT MARCH

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

The Foundation of Arts offers year-round registration for students interested in art, dance, theater and more. To register, visit foajonesboro.org. Info: (870) 935-2726.

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. Yearround enrollment is available. Info: kmusikofjonesboro.com or call (870) 761-6570.

Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library will host Family Storytime for children of all ages every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Children’s Library. Tiny Tales Storytime for children up to 24-months-old will take place every Thursday and Friday at 10 a.m. in the Children’s Library. Info: (870) 935- 5133 or libraryinjonesboro.org.

Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library offers a variety of free exercise classes each month including yoga, karate and Zumba. For times and locations of fitness classes, 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.

The Bradbury Art Museum, located on the campus of Arkansas State University, will showcase two exhibits through March 29. The 2023 Delta National Small Prints

Exhibition features contemporary prints from established and emerging artists. The Delectable Garden Exhibit is a solo exhibition by interdisciplinary printmaker Lauren Kussro. The museum is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Info: visit bradburyartmuseum. org or call (870) 972-3687.

FRIDAY, MARCH 3

The Foundation of Arts will present First Fridays at The Forum at 7:30 p.m. featuring the Zach Childers Band and Presley and Addison McLain. To reserve a ticket, visit foajonesboro.org or call (870) 935-2726.

SATURDAY, MARCH 11

The Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center will host Trout 101 from 1 to 3 p.m. The event is for families and beginner anglers wanting to improve their trout-fishing knowledge. Anglers 16 and older must have a valid license to fish. The Nature Center will host a variety of other classes throughout March. Info: (870) 933-6787 or agfc.com.

FRIDAY, MARCH 17

The Foundation of Arts will present “Best of the Best” at The Forum Theatre in Downtown Jonesboro at 7:30 p.m. The event will showcase NEA’s best-performing arts students. To reserve a ticket, visit foajonesboro.org or call (870) 935-2726.

SATURDAY, MARCH 18

Casting Crowns: The Healer Tour will perform at First National Bank Arena at 7 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit fnbarena.com.

The Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center will host Talkin’ Turkey, a program on Eastern Wild Turkey, from 1-3 p.m. Participants will make their very own slate turkey call to take home. A second class will take place on March 22. Ages 7 and up are welcome. Info: (870) 933-6787 or agfc.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 19

The Delta Symphony Orchestra (DSO) will host a Classical Concert featuring Limmie Pulliam, a nationally-known tenor, at The Fowler Center at 2 p.m. The DSO will also celebrate Women’s History Month with pieces by Florence Prince and Amy Beach. Info: (870) 761-8254 or deltasymphonyorchestra.org.

THURSDAY, MARCH 23

The Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center will host Build Your Tackle Box for beginners from 1-2 p.m. The class will teach basic supplies and techniques for fishing during the spring and summer. Registration is required. All ages are welcome. Info: (870) 933-6787 or agfc.com.

We recently asked our readers to weigh in on the best that Northeast Arkansas has to offer for kids, parents and families. From their favorite family-friendly restaurant to the best place for after-school care, our readers have made their favorites known and the votes have been counted.

Congratulations to the winners of our sixth annual NEA Kids’ Directory Best Choice Awards for Kids and Families. It is an honor to showcase these individuals, businesses, events and venues that are favorites among families in Northeast Arkansas.

AND THE WINNERS ARE…

BEST FAMILY FRIENDLY RESTAURANT

Fat City Steak & Grill House

JTown’s Grill

Chick-fil-A

BEST BURGER

JTown’s Grill

TJ’s Burgers

BA Burrito

BEST BREAKFAST

Fat City Steak & Grill House

JTown’s Grill

The Parsonage

BEST FAST FOOD RESTAURANT

Chick -fil-A

Slim Chickens

Chicken Salad Chick

BEST PIZZA

Lost Pizza Co.

1812 Pizza

Upper Crust

BEST ICE CREAM/FROZEN

CUSTARD

Andy’s Frozen Custard

Local Culture

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

BEST DESSERT

Southern Confections

Crumbl Cookie

Something Sweet

BEST BIRTHDAY CAKE

Abby Cakes

Something Sweet

Nothing Bundt Cakes

BEST COOKIE

Crumbl Cookie

Southern Confections

Something Sweet

BEST DAYCARE CENTER

Look What I Can Do Learning Center

Discovery Island

NurtureSchool

BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL

Crowley’s Ridge Academy

Blessed Sacrament School

Ridgefield Christian School

BEST PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Jonesboro Public Schools

Brookland Public Schools

Nettleton Public Schools

BEST PRESCHOOL CENTER

Jonesboro Pre-K Center

Brookland Pre-School Look What I Can Do Learning Center

BEST KINDERGARTEN

Brookland Public Schools

Jonesboro Kindergarten Center

Nettleton Public Schools

BEST ELEMENTARY

Brookland Elementary School

Visual Performing Arts (Jonesboro)

Valley View Elementary School

BEST AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

Camp Raider (Nettleton) Cat Club (Brookland)

Cane Academy (Jonesboro)

BEST SUMMER CARE PROGRAM

Camp Raider (Nettleton) Cane Academy (Jonesboro) Cat Club (Brookland)

BEST TUTORING SERVICE

Clark’s Tutoring

The Learning Center Cane Connect

BEST MOVIE THEATER

Malco Jonesboro Towne Cinema

Malco Jonesboro Studio Cinema

Paragould Cinema 8

BEST KIDS PARTY VENUE

Hijinx Family Entertainment

Ultimate Air

Jonesboro Gymnastics Academy

BEST KIDS PARTY RENTALS

GrandSlam Entertainment

Kids PLAYce Jonesboro Bounce Brothers

BEST PUBLIC PARK

Craighead Forest Park

Miracle League Park

Paragould Community Center

BEST PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL

Paragould Community Center

Jonesboro Pool and Recreation Center

Pocahontas Aquatic Center

BEST FAMILY PRACTICE CLINIC

Woodsprings Clinic - NEA Baptist

St. Bernards First Care (Parker Rd.)

Carriage Hill Family Care

BEST OBGYN

St. Bernard’s OB-GYN Associates

NEA Baptist Women’s Clinic

AMMC Women’s Clinic

Best Pediatric Clinic

THE CHILDREN’S CLINIC

KION Pediatrics

NEA Pediatric Clinic

BEST THERAPY PROVIDER

CME, Inc

Playtime Therapy Center

Miracle Kids Success Academy

BEST DENTAL CLINIC

Jonesboro Pediatric Dental Group

Bartels Family Dentistry

Taylor Wagner Family Dentistry

BEST ORTHODONTIC CLINIC

Fergus Orthodontics

Weaver Orthodontics

Dental Solutions

BEST EYE CARE FOR KIDS

Elite Eyecare and Optical

Hilltop Eyecare

Visionary Eye Care

BEST EYE WEAR/OPTICAL DISPENSARY

Elite Eyecare and Optical LensMasters

Vision Care Center

BEST AFTER-HOURS

EMERGENCY CLINIC

St. Bernards First Care (Red Wolf)

NEA Baptist Urgent Care (Hilltop)

Paragould Urgent Care

BEST HOSPITAL

St. Bernards Medical Center

NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital

Arkansas Methodist Medical Center

BEST PHARMACY

Soo’s Drug Store

The Medicine Shoppe

Hilltop Market Pharmacy

BEST COUNSELING CENTER

Families, Inc.

Mid-South Health Systems

The Practice: Therapeutic Counseling Services

BEST FAMILY LAW

OMG Law Firm

Oldham Law Firm

Troutt Law Firm

BEST HAIR CARE FOR KIDS

Great Clips

Sport Clips

First Class Cuts (Caraway Rd.)

BEST INFANT/CHILD PHOTOGRAPHER

Melissa Donner Photography

Whitney Vassar Photography

Lauren Tyler Photography

BEST FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER

Melissa Donner Photography

Whitney Vassar Photography

Amy Reeves Photography

BEST MUSIC STORE

Back Beat Music

All-Star Music

Mr. Crisso’s Music Shop

BEST CHILDREN’S CLOTHING

Cutie Patootie

Kiddly Toes Once Upon a Child

BEST CHILDREN’S SHOE STORE

Kiddly Toes

Cutie Patootie

Dillard’s

BEST COSTUME STORE

Golden Grotto

Spirit Halloween

Target

BEST PARTY SUPPLY STORE

Golden Grotto

Hobby Lobby

BEST SPORTING GOODS STORE

Academy Sports and Outdoor

Play it Again Sports

All Star Sporting Goods

BEST TOY STORE

Cutie Patootie

The Toy Store Target

BEST ART SCHOOL

Dale Case

The Foundation of Arts

Jonesboro School of Art

BEST CHEERLEADING FACILITY

Jonesboro Cheer Academy

Cheers Unlimited (Jonesboro)

Priscilla’s Cheer and Tumbling (Paragould)

BEST DANCE STUDIO

Christie McNeill Dance Studio (Jonesboro)

The Floor (Jonesboro)

A Time to Dance (Paragould)

BEST GYMNASTICS FACILITY

Jonesboro Gymnastics Academy

Champions Gymnastics

BEST KARATE/MARTIAL ARTS

Legacy Martial Arts (Jonesboro)

ATA Martial Arts (Paragould)

Morgan Family Martial Arts (Jonesboro)

BEST MUSIC INSTRUCTION PROGRAM FOR KIDS

Jonesboro Music/Kindermusik

Back Beat Music

Nettleton Elementary Strings

BEST SPORTS TRAINING PROGRAM FOR KIDS

Elite Arkansas Training (Jonesboro)

Jonesboro Sports Academy

Ralvis Training Center (Jonesboro)

BEST SWIM INSTRUCTION PROGRAM FOR KIDS

The School of Yaya’s Fishes

Kirby Massey/Massey Swim

Jets Aquatic Club