Northeast Arkansas Kids Directory

FREE! March 2021

www.kidsdirectory.com/nea

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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!

HAVEN Parents: Jared and Tori Chism 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. www.KidsDirectory.com/NEA

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To have YOUR restaurant featured in this listing, email Brittney at brittney@jonesborooccasions.com 8

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Calendar

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MARCH MARCH 1-31 The Arkansas State University Museum, located adjacent to the Dean B. Ellis Library, is currently open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.to 3 p.m. During these hours, there are several COVID-19 compliment Tinker-Faire activities for children to enjoy located throughout the museum. Info: astate. edu/museum or (870) 972-2074.

TUESDAY, MARCH 16 Tickets for “Hakuna Matata,” a fundraising event to be held April 1 at The Glass Factory, will go on sale at The Forum box office and at foajonesboro.org. Info: (870) 935-2726.

FRIDAY, MARCH 19 Virtual viewing dates open for “Here Comes the Sun,” a Foundation of Arts’ performer/student showcase. Virtual viewing dates continue through April 4. To purchase tickets, visit foajonesboro.org.

The Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center, 600 E. Lawson Rd., has reopened with limited public access. The building is open to the public Wednesday-Saturday each week. The public will be required to follow social distancing protocols, such as wearing masks while indoors. Info: 933-6787 or visit crowleysridge.org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 27 The Foundation of Arts’ Strand Movie Series will feature the showing of “The Passion of the Christ,” 5 p.m. Admission is free. Info: (870) 9352726 or visit foajonesboro.org

MARCH 2, 9,16, 23, 30 The Lawrence County Library will host Mommy and Me Virtual Storytimes every Tuesday beginning at 10 a.m. for preschool-aged children and includes one story and a fun arts and crafts activity.

For updates on other upcoming virtual events, find Lawrence County Library on Facebook or call (870) 886-3222.

SATURDAY, APRIL 3

Green Fest 2021, sponsored by the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce Green Business Committee, will be held at Rotary Club of Jonesboro Centennial Plaza in Downtown Jonesboro from 8 to noon. The event will include a family fun run and walk, yoga, live music and food trucks. Keep Jonesboro Beautiful will provide information to help keep the city green, clean and beautiful. To register, visit raceroster.com. For more information, visit Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce on Facebook.

FRIDAY, MARCH 5

First Fridays at The Forum Theatre featuring Adria Hyde and Shannon Cox. Doors open at 7 p.m. ADH guidelines will be followed. Admission: Pay What You Can. Info: (870) 935-2726.

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W

e 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

BEST BIRTHDAY CAKE

Finalists: The Lost Pizza Company, Chick-fil-A

Finalists: Harps Bakery, Bliss Cupcakes

Fat City Steak & Grillhouse

Abby Cakes

BEST BURGER

BEST COOKIES

Finalists: TJ’s Burger, B.A. Burrito

Finalists: Southern Confections, Bliss Cupcakes

JTown’s Grill

Abby Cakes

BEST BREAKFAST

BEST DAYCARE CENTER

Finalists: Eggellent Café, Fat City Steak & Grillhouse

Finalists: Discovery Island, Nurture School Jonesboro

The Parsonage

Look What I Can Do Learning Center, LLC

BEST FAST FOOD RESTAURANT

BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL

Finalists: Slim Chickens, Chicken Salad Chick

Finalists: Ridgefield Christian, Crowley’s Ridge Academy

Chick-fil-A

Blessed Sacrament Catholic School

BEST PIZZA

BEST PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Finalists: 1812 Pizza Company, Upper Crust Pizza

Finalists: Brookland Public Schools, Nettleton Public Schools

The Lost Pizza Company

Jonesboro Public Schools

BEST ICE CREAM/FROZEN CUSTARD

BEST PRESCHOOL CENTER

Finalists: Dairy Queen, Sonic

Finalists: Brookland Pre-Kindergarten, Look What I Can Do Learning Center, LLC

Andy’s Frozen Custard BEST FROZEN DESSERT

Local Culture

Finalists: Swirlz, Tropical Snow BEST DESSERT

Andy’s Frozen Custard

Finalists: Local Culture, 501 Steakhouse

Jonesboro Pre K

BEST KINDERGARTEN

Jonesboro Kindergarten Center

Finalists: Brookland, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School BEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Brookland Elementary School

Finalists: Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, University Heights

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BEST AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM

Nettleton Camp Raider

Finalists: Brookland, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School BEST SUMMER CARE PROGRAM

Nettleton Camp Raider

Finalists: Brookland, Valley View Excel BEST TUTORING SERVICE

Clark’s Tutoring

Finalists: TLC Tutoring, Ace Academy BEST MOVIE THEATER

Malco Jonesboro Towne Center Finalist: Cinema 8 – Paragould

BEST KIDS PARTY VENUE

HiJinx Game Night Reinvented

Finalists: Ultimate Air Trampoline Park, Grandslam Entertainment BEST KIDS PARTY RENTALS

Grandslam Entertainment

Finalists: Kious Tent Rentals, Bounce Brothers BEST FAMILY PRACTICE CLINIC

NEA Baptist – Woodsprings Clinic

Finalists: St Bernards First Care-Parker Rd, NEA Baptist-Brookland Clinic BEST OB-GYN CLINIC

St Bernards OBGYN & Associates

Finalists: NEA Baptist Women’s Clinic, AMMC Women’s Clinic BEST PEDIATRIC CLINIC

The Children’s Clinic

Finalists: Jonesboro Pediatric Clinic, Kion Pediatrics BEST CHILDREN’S THERAPY PROVIDER

CME, Inc

Finalists: Families Inc, Miracle Kids Success Academy BEST DENTAL CLINIC

Jonesboro Pediatric Dentistry

Finalists: Fergus & Spades Dental Care, Bartels Family Dentistry

BEST ORTHODONTIC CLINIC

Fergus Orthodontics

Finalists: Weaver Orthodontics, Westrock Orthodontics BEST EYECARE FOR KIDS

Elite Eyecare & Optical

Finalists: Vision Care Center, Hilltop Eyecare BEST EYEWEAR/OPTICAL DISPENSARY

Elite Eyecare & Optical

Finalists: Hilltop Eyecare, EyeMart Express BEST AFTER-HOURS EMERGENCY CLINIC

NEA Baptist – Hilltop Clinic

Finalists: St Bernards Urgent Care – Redwolf Blvd, St Bermards First Care Acute Care Center – Parker Rd BEST HOSPITAL

NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital

Finalists: St Bernards Medical Center, Arkansas Methodist Medical Center BEST PHARMACY

Woodsprings Pharmacy

Finalists: Soo’s Pharmacy-Nettleton, The Medicine Shoppe BEST COUNSELING CENTER

Families, Inc Counseling Services

Finalists: Mid-South Health Systems, True Hope Counseling BEST FAMILY LAW PRACTICE

OMG Law Firm

Finalists: Oldham Law Firm, Brimhall Law Firm BEST HAIRCARE FOR KIDS

Great Clips

Finalists: Sport Clips, First Class City BEST INFANT/CHILD PHOTOGRAPHER

Melissa Donner Photography

Finalists: Amy Reeves Photography, Whitney Vassar Photoraphy BEST FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER

Melissa Donner Photography

Finalists: Amy Reeves Photography, James Bickham Visuals

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BEST MUSIC STORE

BEST ART SCHOOL

Finalist: All Star Music

Finalists: Jonesboro School of Art, Dale Case Artwork

Back Beat Music

Foundation of Arts

BEST CHILDREN’S CLOTHING STORE

BEST CHEERLEADING FACILITY

Finalists: Cutie Patootie, Dillard’s

Finalists: RPM Athletics, Jonesboro Cheer Academy

Kiddly Toes

Cheers Unlimited

BEST CHILDREN’S SHOE STORE

BEST DANCE STUDIO

Finalists: Dillard’s, Shoe Carnival

Finalists: The Floor, Foundation of Arts

Kiddly Toes

Christie McNeill Dance Studio

BEST CHILDREN’S COSTUME STORE

BEST GYMNASTICS FACILITY

Finalists: Target, Spirit

Finalist: Champions Gymnastics Center

Golden Grotto

Jonesboro Gymnastics Academy

BEST PARTY SUPPLY STORE FOR KIDS

BEST KARATE/MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAM

Finalists: Hobby Lobby, Target

Finalists: ATA Jonesboro, Legacy Martial Arts

Golden Grotto

Joey Perry Martial Arts Academy

BEST SPORTING GOODS STORE FOR KIDS

BEST MUSIC INSTRUCTION FOR KIDS

Finalists: Play It Again Sports, Hibbett Sports

Finalist: Kindermusik of Jonesboro

BEST TOY STORE

BEST SPORTS TRAINING PROGRAM FOR KIDS

Finalists: Cutie Patootie, The Toy Store

Finalists: Zoned-In, RALVIS Training Center

Academy Sports & Outdoors

Back Beat Music

Target

Elite Arkansas Training

BEST SWIM INSTRUCTION FOR KIDS

Jonesboro Jets Swim team

Finalists: The School of YaYa’s Fishes, Coach Kate Titsworth

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