Kid Spring Edition March 2026

2 • Family favorite for 35 years

WONDER MAGNIFIED

MARCH _ 21

SEPTEMBER 20

STRANGE CAN BE

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OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS ACH Nutrition-Expecting Mothers...................................2 Arkansas Heart Association........................................... 30 Arkansas Soccer Club.................................................... 25 Ballet Arkansas.................................................................3 Barksdale Federal Credit Union......................................4 Celebrity Attractions - WICKED..................................... 32 Central AR Pediatric Dentistry....................................... 29 Comprehensive Tutoring.............................................. 27 Girl Scouts..................................................................... 28 Jacksonville Parks................................................... 17, 28 Jax's Gym...................................................................... 16 Lake Nixon Outdoor Center.............................................5 Little Rock Zoo..................................................................3 Riff's Notes.................................................................... 18 Salon Jadore................................................................. 24 Special Olympics Arkansas........................................... 18 The Muddy Pig.................................................................7 The Painted Pig................................................................6 UALR.............................................................................. 31

PLUS Spring adventures..................................................... 8-15 Grow a snack garden...............................................26-27 Let's Ride, a family bike guide................................20-23

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This Directory is copyrighted and no part may be reproduced without permission of the publisher.

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The debit card and money app for kids and teens. bfcu.org/greenlight The Greenlight card is issued by Community Federal Savings Bank, member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International.

Visit bfcu.org/greenlight for more details.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES, MINUTES AWAY

n o n x i o x N i e N k e a k L

n n o n o x i o x i x N i e N k e a k L La p - 10 Weeks m a C r e m m u S e 1 - August 7 Sessions: Jun

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 Spring Break Open All Week  Paint & Storytime Check Online Calendar  Walk-in Painting  Birthday Parties  Summer Classes Posted Soon

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GET OUTSIDE YOUR FAMILY GUIDE for Fun, Food, and Fresh Adventure Find more events and festivals at kidcentralar.com

8 • Family favorite for 35 years

Spring is the sweet spot of all the seasons in Arkansas. The weather finally cooperates, parks wake up, and the calendar gets busy in the best way. This guide is built for real life: quick wins close to home, bigger weekend outings when you have more time and energy, plus plenty of options that are easy to coordinate and don’t require any (or little) money.

How to use this guide: • Pick one “anchor” activity each weekend (festival, big event, ballgame).

• Fill the rest with low-cost outdoor wins (trails, parks, splash pads, farmers markets).

• Keep a Plan B list for rainy days or feel like keeping it low-key.

Basics To Get Out the Door Water, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, wipes, a small towel, and “outside shoes.” That’s it. You’re ready.

Central Arkansas counties included: Pulaski, Saline, Faulkner, Lonoke, Garland.

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GET OUTSIDE

MARCH 2026 HIGHLIGHTS HOT SPRINGS • World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March 17, 2026) on Bridge Street, Hot Springs. It’s 98 feet long and still manages to be a whole production.

LITTLE ROCK • Little Rock Zoo is always a great time for everyone, but when spring is in the air, the animals know it, delivering lots of their famous big energy.

NORTH LITTLE ROCK • Arkansas Travelers baseball begins at home in April, but March is a great time to grab game dates and plan family nights.

• Easy March outdoor wins (all counties) • City parks, playground loops, and “picnic + kickball” afternoons.

• Local libraries and community centers for rainy-day backup.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS & FESTIVALS MARCH • FRI, MAR 13 — Governor’s Arts Awards (ceremony + lunch) | Little Rock A statewide arts celebration hosted at Robinson Center. (More “grown-up,” but great for arts families.)

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• THU–SAT, MAR 12–14 — AAA Basketball State Championships (2026) | Hot Springs Big energy, big crowds, and a fun spectator sport day with teens.

• FRI, MAR 13 — Ouachita Doom Mountain Bike Race Hot Springs A high-stoke day for cycling families and anyone who likes watching brave people do brave things on wheels.

• FRI–SUN, MAR 13–15 — Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival | Hot Springs Music downtown, walkable, easy to pair with food and sightseeing.

• THU–SUN, MAR 19–22 — Disney On Ice: Let’s Dance North Little Rock Arena show, big family favorite.

• SAT–WED, MAR 7–25 — Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” | Little Rock Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts presents a kid-friendly musical with post-show cast meet opportunities.

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GET OUTSIDE

APRIL 2026 HIGHLIGHTS HOT SPRINGS • Arkansas Cherry Blossom Festival (Saturday, April 4, 2026) at the Hot Springs Convention Center. Familyfriendly, cultural performances, activities for kids.

LITTLE ROCK • WICKED (April 8–19, 2026) at Robinson Center. This is your “big night out” spring anchor.

• Central Arkansas Heart Walk (April 25, 2026) at War Memorial Stadium. Family fun walk for a great cause.

BENTON • Third Thursday Street Festival runs every third Thursday from April through September with vendors, food trucks, and live music. Great “easy outing” for families who want atmosphere without a whole day commitment.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS & FESTIVALS APRIL • THU–SAT, APR 16–18 — Cabot Strawberry Festival (22nd Annual) | Cabot Carnival + food + vendors + entertainment across multiple days.

• SAT, APR 18 — Big Catch (Fishing + activities) Maumelle A family fishing day with recreation + wellness activities.

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• SAT, APR 19 — Easter Egg Hunt Sherwood City Hall Park. Bring you own basket, no registration required.

• FRI, APR 24- MAY 5 — Arts & The Park / Art Moves / Art Springs | Hot Springs A 10-day festival everyone can enjoy with interactive spaces and play places spanning across the community.

MAY 2026 HIGHLIGHTS CONWAY • Toad Suck Daze (May 1–3, 2026) downtown Conway.

Free admission, kid zone, carnival vibes, and the kind of community festival that becomes a family tradition.

LITTLE ROCK • Little Rock Farmers Market opens May 2, 2026 and runs Saturdays 7 am–1 pm through summer.

HOT SPRINGS • Magic Springs 2026 season kicks off for the season (check for season pass options, bands, and special theme dates).

• FRI, MAY 15 — Third Thursdays in the Park: Free Concert | Sherwood City Hall Park music series + food trucks.

Bring chairs and blankets.

• SAT, MAY 20 — Kids to Parks Day Fishing Derby | Sherwood Free fishing derby at Sherwood Community Pond. Limited rods/bait available while supplies last. Shape

SPORTS & “GO WATCH SOMETHING” FAMILY OUTINGS Baseball nights that actually work for families

GET OUTSIDE

FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS & FESTIVALS MAY

SPRING SPORTS YOU CAN JOIN Youth soccer, tee ball, rec leagues, park programs, and school sports are all in season. If you want “organized energy burn,” spring is your moment.

ANIMAL, PET, AND KID-FAVORITE EXPERIENCES PETS + ANIMALS Dog-friendly events pop up all spring, especially around ballparks and community campuses. When you see “Bark” themed nights, they are usually easy wins for dog families.

• Hot Springs and Little Rock both host pet-friendly patios and seasonal events (check local calendars weekly).

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QUICK-HIT LISTS FAMILY FUN ADVENTURE IDEAS (mix-and-match) 1. Farmers market morning + picnic lunch 2. Arkansas River Trail walk or ride (short loop counts) 3. Big Dam Bridge photo stop 4. Playground hop: 2 parks in one afternoon 5. Festival weekend in Conway (Toad Suck Daze) 6. Hot Springs parade day (March 17) 7. Cherry Blossom Festival in Hot Springs (April 4) 8. Travelers game night (start April 7) 9. Outdoor scavenger hunt (sticks, rocks, leaves, cloud shapes) 10. Bike ride in a safe park loop 11. State park day trip (ranger programs + trails) 12. Picnic dinner at sunset 13. Library + playground combo 14. “Try a new park” challenge 15. Nature photos on your phone, kids pick the best 16. Plant herbs in a pot (see Earth Day article) 17. Free museum day if offered (watch calendars) 18. Splash pad scouting (late spring) 19. Outdoor movie nights when they start up 20. Creek day (shoes that can get muddy) 21. Kite day 22. Sports practice picnic 23. Downtown walk + treat 24. Spring cleaning donation drop, kids choose items 25.One in-state overnight trip (NWA, NEA, or Delta)

Editor tip box: If you only do one thing, do a farmers market + park combo. It feels like a whole day, costs less, and nobody has to be “quiet.”

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18 • Family favorite for 35 years

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LET’S RIDE:

A Family Bike Guide

Fit, safety, skills, and where to ride in Central Arkansas.

Bike riding is one of the rare family activities that scales for every age: balance bikes to big kids, teens to grandparents. It’s exercise, freedom, and a mental reset — and in Central Arkansas, we have more ride options than most families realize.

Why biking is a big deal Benefits by age

• Toddlers & preschoolers: balance, coordination, confidence • Elementary kids: endurance, independence, outdoor time that doesn’t feel like “exercise” • Teens: stress relief, social time, a break from screens • Adults: cardio, low-impact joint movement, mental reset • Grandparents: gentle movement, fresh air, and an activity that keeps everyone together Quick tip box: If you want biking to stick, keep it short at first. Ten minutes today beats a miserable hour “for health.”

How to get the right fit

A poorly fitted bike turns a fun day into complaints within 90 seconds.

The fast checklist • Seat height: when seated, the rider should have a slight bend in the knee at the bottom of the pedal stroke.

• Reach: hands should rest comfortably on the bars without locking elbows.

• Helmet fit: level on the head (not tipped back), snug straps, no wobble.

Best practice: visit a local bike shop once, get fitted, and save yourself 12 future arguments.

Teaching a new rider The easiest method for kids • Start with coasting (feet down, push and glide).

• Move to gentle downhill or flat open space.

• Add pedals only after they can glide confidently.

• Practice braking before “let’s go fast.”

Parent note: If you’re teaching a kid, your job is to be the vibe.

If you’re stressed, they’re stressed. Pick a quiet spot and treat it like a game.

WHERE TO RIDE IN CENTRAL ARKANSAS PULASKI COUNTY

Easy + Kid-Friendly (paved and multi-use) • Arkansas River Trail (ART) Loop (Little Rock + North Little Rock) The region’s signature ride: a 15.6-mile loop on both sides of the river, anchored by Big Dam Bridge and the Clinton Bridge.

Use it for short out-and-backs or longer family rides.

• Big Dam Bridge (Little Rock/NLR) Iconic, wide, and built for bikes and pedestrians — connects into multiple trail segments.

• Two Rivers Park + Spur Connection (Little Rock) A family favorite area that links into the ART loop and connections toward Pinnacle Mountain access routes.

•ART Riverfront Drive / Rebsamen Park area (Little Rock) A popular stretch of the ART that runs along Riverfront Drive near Rebsamen Park.

Great for an easy ride with “turnaround points” for younger kids.

• Clinton Presidential Park Bridge area (Little Rock/NLR) A short, approachable ride segment that’s easy to pair with a downtown outing.

Quick tip for families: For brand-new riders, choose an out-and-back segment (not the full loop). It’s easier to manage energy and meltdowns.

Mountain Bike (MTB) options in Pulaski

• Allsopp Park Trail System (Little Rock) Close to downtown, popular singletrack for riders who want a fun MTB workout.

Better for teens/adults or confident older kids.

• Boyle Park Trail System (Little Rock) Convenient trails “in the city.” It’s a big park with multiple trail sections; some areas are more beginner-friendly than others.

• Burns Park Trail System (North Little Rock) One of the area’s largest MTB hubs with multiple loops (Green/Yellow/Red and more) so you can scale difficulty.

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GARLAND COUNTY

• Northwoods Trails (Hot Springs) A nationally known system with clearly marked difficulty (Green/Blue/Black) and a skills area at Cedar Glades — great for progression.

•Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail (Hot Springs) A friendly multi-use option close to town for walking and biking.

FAULKNER COUNTY

• Tucker Creek Trail / Kinley Trail (Conway) A paved, well-used family route that runs about 3.1 miles along Tucker Creek — a great “confidence builder.”

SALINE COUNTY

•Benton Mountain Bike Park (Benton) A dedicated MTB spot that’s built for skill progression (good for families with riders who want to level up).

• Tyndall Park walking trail loop (Benton) Short and simple (about 0.75 miles) and easy to mix with playground time.

• Mills Park trails (Bryant) A popular park loop option that works for casual rides and beginner family outings.

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24 • Family favorite for 34 years

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Earth Day Starts at Home A Kid-Friendly Snack Garden That Teaches Kids How the Planet Works

Earth Day is April 22, but the best Earth Day Step 2: Get the container setup right (this is lesson is not a poster, it’s a habit. Kids where most people fail) understand the environment fastest when they You can use a real planter, a bucket, or a storage can see cause and effect in their own hands. bin — just do these two things: A snack garden does exactly that. It shows where Container must have: food comes from, how water matters, why soil health matters, and what happens when we • Drainage holes (water needs to escape) waste less. Plus, it’s one of the few “good • A saucer or tray if it sits on a porch/patio for the planet” ideas that ends with something your child will actually eat.

Container size guide (quick): The 10-Minute Earth Day Snack Garden

• Herbs: 6–8 inch pot

• Strawberries: 10–12 inch pot Best for beginners and kids: containers, buckets, • Tomatoes/peppers: 5-gallon container or one raised bed (or bigger) Best spot: 6+ hours of sun (morning sun is easi- Pro tip: If you only buy one “nice” thing, est) buy potting mix, not fancy pots.

Step 1: Pick your “Snack Garden Trio” Step 3: Use the right dirt (do not use yard dirt) Choose three plants. Three is enough to feel exciting without becoming a chore.

Fill containers with potting mix (the bag that says potting mix or container mix). Yard soil packs too Easy winners for Central Arkansas: tight and holds water wrong in pots.

• Cherry tomatoes (high success, big kid pride) Step 4: Planting day (kids can do this part) • Strawberries (container-friendly and fun) Seeds or starters?

• Basil or mint (fast-growing, smells great) • Starters (young plants) = fastest success, better • Cucumbers (more space, big payoff) for kids • Peppers (easy and sturdy) • Seeds = cheaper, slower, fun if your kid likes waiting Shortcut rule: if your kid likes it, plant it first.

Simple planting steps:

1. Fill pot with soil and leave 1 inch at the top 2. Make a hole the size of the root ball

3. Place plant in, cover roots, press gently

4. Water slowly until you see water come out the bottom 5. Add a label (popsicle stick + marker) Step 5: Watering schedule that keeps plants alive

Overwatering is the classic mistake.

Rule your kid can remember: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Spring routine (most weeks): • Check daily

• Water every 2–3 days depending on sun and wind • On hot weeks, water more often Kid job idea: “Water Captain” checks soil every afternoon.

Step 6: Harvesting and eating (the best part) Herbs: snip a little at a time (they grow back) Strawberries: pick when fully red

Tomatoes: pick when colored and slightly soft Cucumbers: pick when medium size (don’t wait too long)

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Be a Girl Scout.

Where Friendship Grows

GirlScoutsDiamonds.org/join

28 • Family favorite for 35 years

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CENTRAL ARKANSAS HEART WALK SATURDAY, APRIL 25 WAR MEMORIAL STADIUM AND PARK

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30 • Family favorite for 35 years

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