Keeping kids entertained during spring break can be a real headache -- until you look around Northwest Arkansas and realize that a wide variety of activities exist for kids of all ages and all interests. Sports, arts and crafts, theater -- we've got you covered in our spring break guide.
Arts and Crafts
Community Creative Center Around the World! Spring Break Art Camp -- 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday. The CCC is offering art camps for two age groups: 6-8 and 9-14. Kids will celebrate art around the world, explore art in a variety of cultures and create works of art using paints, pastels and clay. $190 (scholarships available).
Paper & Thread Studio, Fayetteville -- 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday. Kids will create a spring "Fairy Garden" in a small suitcase, using basic sewing skills, hand sewing and painting. $195. 463-0105.
Terra Studios -- Times vary, Monday-Friday. Terra will offer a variety of art classes for ages 7-plus (though the Clay Pinch Pot classes are for all ages). Classes range from 30 minutes to an hour. $5-$15. 800-255-8995.
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art -- 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. In addition to available art exhibits, Crystal Bridges will have special art making, activities, and performances scheduled in honor of spring break. All ages. Free. 418-5700.
Imagine Studios Spring Break Camps -- 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Monday-Friday. Join Miss Melanie for Unicorns and Rainbows, Susie Sundae Shopkins, Trolls, or Superhero Day. Camps include two projects, snack time, and art stations. Ages 5 and Up. $35/session. 619-6085.
The Jones Center -- Monday-March 26. The Jones Center will offer special events and extended hours for parents and kids throughout the week of Spring Break. Free Family Movie Marathons will be offered every day, beginning at 2 p.m., in the auditorium. Prices vary; some activities free. 756-8090.
Theater
Arts Live Theatre -- Times vary Monday-Friday. Arts Live is offering theater classes for kids ages 5-8 and 9-12. Classes range from one to one-and-a-half hours. $110-$130. Scholarships available. 521-4932
Trike Theatre -- Broadway Bound! 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Grades K-8th. Kids are assigned roles and taught songs and choreography from popular musicals. $200. 464-5084.
Fayetteville Public Library
Spring Break movies at FPS -- 2 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call for titles.
Lego Club, 4 p.m. Tuesday
Create Your Own Cardboard Car (K-4th grades), 2 p.m. Thursday. 856-7000.
Springdale Public Library
Programming with Ozobots -- 4:30 p.m. Monday. Teens. Learn programming basics and teach your Ozobot how to perform tricks or navigate through a maze. Registration required. Free.
Spring Break Movies --2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday & Friday. New releases. Free.
Spring Break Crafts --11 a.m. Monday-Tuesday & Thursday-Friday. Free.
Casey at the Bat --11 a.m. Wednesday. Phil Elson, the "voice of Razorback baseball," will read "Casey at the Bat." A simple craft project will follow. Free. 750-8180.
Rogers Public Library
Spring Break Anime Movie Festival -- Times vary, through Thursday. Rogers Public Library will be screening six of Japan's Hayao Miyazaki's animated movies the week of spring break. Film critic Roger Ebert referred to Miyazaki, the creator of "Princess Monoke," as one of the best animation filmmakers in history. Free.
Cool Crafts for Ages 5-12 Years -- 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Make a fun craft or two to take home today. Children younger than 7 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Free.
Reading Adventures with Scout -- 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Scout is an English Mastiff who loves people and stories. He and his owner, Wendy Teach, provide a safe environment for children to practice reading aloud. Scout is registered with Therapy Dogs International. Free.
Full STEAM Ahead! -- 3:30 p.m., Thursday. Children ages 5-12 enjoy a program which incorporates science, technology, engineering, art and math through creativity and teamwork. Free.
Family Dance Party -- 1 p.m. Friday. Get up and get moving in this fun music and movement program for children of all ages and their caregivers. Free. 621-1152.
Bentonville Public Library
Make a Tissue Paper Flower! -- 1 p.m. Monday. Free.
Spring Break into the ACT -- 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Wednesday. Teen Services Librarian Sarah Gowdy helps teens learn strategies to conquer the ACT. Calculator and registration required. 273-7755.
Bella Vista Public Library
Poetry Class -- 10 a.m. Tuesday. This class is designed to showcase the power of poetry and teach young minds how to create their own poetry. Ages 8-13. Free.
Author Visit: Rich Davis -- 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Author Rich Davis will discuss his book "Pick and Draw." Kids will have the opportunity to learn how to draw silly cartoon faces and more. Free. 855-1753.
Camps
Rogers Activity Center Camps -- 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and March 27, offering full-day art activities and/or field trips for students from kindergarten to seventh grade. Activities will include skating, bowling, movies and Chuck E. Cheese. $20/day; RAC membership is required. 631-0336.
Scott Family Amazeum -- 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday. The Amazeum is offering circus-themed educational activities for kids ages 6-11 years. $250 for Amazeum members, $300 nonmembers. 696-9280.
Fayetteville Athletic Club Spring Break Camp -- 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. Ages 3-12 will participate in activities including arts and crafts, swimming, gym games, and video games. $29.95/day (members), $39.95/day (nonmembers). 587-0500.
Day Trips
Enjoy the beautiful drive to Eureka Springs and see the sights from the air at Ozark Mountain Ziplines (363-6699). Marvel at the exotic animals at Turpentine Creek and, afterwards, enjoy their "Art with an Altitude" Kite Festival (10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 26; 253-6596).
There's no shortage of child-friendly activities in Branson, Mo. Check out the new Fritz's Adventure (417-320-6138) -- 80,000 square feet of hands-on climbing, tunneling, sliding, swinging and zip lining thrills and bring the family's heart rate back down with a performance of The Amazing Pet Show (417-335-2484), featuring exciting acts and tricks from trained cats and dogs.
Mom and Dad might enjoy the ponies in Hot Springs but the Mid-American Science Museum (501-767-3461), Arkansas' largest hands-on science center and the state's first Smithsonian Affiliate, is sure to be a hit with the kids. Later, the entire family can get their hands dirty when they dig for crystals at the Wagner Quartz Crystal Mines (870-867-2309) in nearby Mount Ida.
NAN What's Up on 03/17/2017