It's that lull time. The Halloween-Thanksgiving-Christmas-New Year's-Valentine's whirlwind is over. The fun and excitement of spring break is yet to come. Sometimes it's hard to find fun, stimulating activities to give the kids a little extra something to look forward to.
Here are just a few Little Rock landmarks that offer programs and activities geared to the younger crowd that can make for a fun (and educational) family weekend outing.
Talk to the animals: The Little Rock Zoo at 1 Zoo Drive is open year-round with its resident lions and tigers and bears -- not to mention gorillas and lemurs and flamingos. The Arkansas Heritage Farm is almost a year old and gives visitors the chance to touch, feed and groom farm animals. And those who are interested can schedule visits during the animal feedings (9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. for penguins; 1:30 p.m. for apes; 2 p.m. Saturdays for alligators). Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily and admission is $12.95, $10.95 for ages 60 and older, $9.95 for ages 1-12. Parking is an additional $3. Call (501) 666-2406 or visit littlerockzoo.com.
Go global: Hands-on exhibits, videos and other activities give people of all ages a look at life around the world at Heifer Village, 1 World Ave. The various colorful exhibits at Heifer's headquarters help young people understand Heifer's mission and the struggles of hunger and poverty faced by people around the world. Admission is free and the village is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Call (855) 343-4337 or visit heifer.org.
All natural: The Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center includes exhibits, trails and programs all about central Arkansas wildlife. Admission is free and hours are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Call (501) 907-0636 or visit centralarkansasnaturecenter.com.
Leaf through: It's not all about books at the Hillary Rodham Clinton Children's Library & Learning Center, 4800 W. 10th St. The library has a greenhouse and teaching garden, grounds designed to teach about Arkansas ecosystems, a computer lab, activity area and a teaching kitchen. This weekend's special programs include Lil' Kids in the Kitchen for ages 6 and under at 10 a.m. today and yoga for all ages, 10 a.m. Saturday. The library is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Call (501) 978-3870 or visit cals.org.
On display: There are plenty of museums in central Arkansas with exhibits to entertain and enlighten all ages. There's always the Museum of Discovery, with its hands-on science exhibits. But there's also the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum, home of the USS Razorback submarine and exhibits about maritime history. Be aware, though, that children under 4 years old are not allowed to tour the submarine. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $7.50, $5 for ages 65 and older, children under 12 and military. Tickets to tour the museum but not the submarine are $2. Call (501) 371-8320 or visit aimmuseum.org.
History comes alive at the Historic Arkansas Museum's Historic Grounds, where families can tour structures including the Hinderliter Grog Shop and the 1850s Farmstead. Tours with living history performances and demonstrations are open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $2.50, $1.50 for ages 65 and older, $1 for children. Call (501) 324-9351 or visit historicarkansas.org.
Weekend on 02/16/2017