Northwest Arkansas is a perfect place for families to visit. It is brimming with engaging experiences for all ages. We hope that you enjoy our list of family friendly activities in northwest Arkansas!
Whether you are seeking outdoor fun, educational discoveries, hands on activities, or sweet treats we think that one of these activities will be perfect for your family.
For the purposes of this blog post about family friendly activities in NWA we are only including the cities of Bella Vista, Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, and Fayetteville.
There are also some great family friendly activities in Fort Smith, Eureka Springs, Siloam Springs and the rest of northwest Arkansas.
Ideas For Places to Stay in Northwest Arkansas!
Pink Door Properties offers some of the best family friendly properties in the area. We stay with them often when we visit.
Here are a few of our favorites:
The Funky Farmhouse (Bentonville)
The Funky Farmhouse is a bold and quirky retreat that is located just outside of Bentonville. It is a modern farmhouse with 4 bedrooms and three bathrooms. There is plenty of room for your family to spread out. Not only that but it has a swimming pool, a game room, and a fire pit.
Backyard Oasis (Bella Vista)
You really are going to want to see The Backyard Oasis in Bella Vista. It is a gem! This house is mid-century modern and so tranquil! There is an old-fashioned southern sleeping porch and a gourmet kitchen. But best of all is the stunning back yard. This is a beauty of a place for families!
The Porch on 3rd
The Porch on 3rd is the CUTEST cottage just near the Coler Mountain Bike Preserve. It is so cozy and charming. It has 4 bedrooms and two baths and will sleep 9! It is so convenient to all the family friendly activities in northwest Arkansas and Bentonville. You will love this great getaway!
Round up of 34 Family Friendly Activities in Northwest Arkansas!
How do we know so much about family friendly activities in northwest Arkansas?
Hi y’all. My name is Emily and through my work with this blog and the Somewhere In Arkansas Instagram page I am often in northwest Arkansas.
What you might not know about me is that I also travel with my husband and our young daughter. We are always seeking out fun activities to do as a family when we are in the area.
These are some of our favorites!
Bentonville
Scott Family Amazeum
This is one of Lyla’s favorites! The Scott Family Amazeum is an excellent place for kids.
It has hands-on science exhibits, a giant climbing structure, and a tinkering studio perfect for curious minds. There is also a playscape outside of the museum for kids to enjoy!
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Although children might not appreciate all the art at Crystal Bridges there are several interesting exhibits.
The nice thing is that since the museum is free you can pop in, see a few things that would be of interest to your kids and then head to the wonderful outdoor trails and displays.
The museum also has some engaging family programs year-round that you might want to check out.
Museum of Native American History
At the Museum of Native American History your family can step back in time and explore thousands of years of Indigenous history.
With artifacts ranging from ancient tools to modern Native art, it’s an engaging and educational stop for families.
You might be interested in our list of great Arkansas Museums!
Bentonville Downtown Square
The square in Bentonville is a great place for kids. They can run around the fountain in the grassy lawn of the square and enjoy seeing the pretty flowers.
There are also some shops that kids might enjoy including Walton’s 5 & 10 which is part of the newly restored Walmart Museum.
Spark Cafe Ice Cream
This retro soda fountain-style ice cream shop on the Square serves Arkansas-made Yarnell’s ice cream at an old fashioned price! The Spark Cafe is a perfect place for a family outing.
Lawrence Plaza
Lawrence Plaza is located in the downtown area of Bentonville. It has a splash pad in the summer and is turned into an ice-skating rink in the winter! Perfect place for year-round family fun.
Let’s Imagine Indoor Playground
This wonderful indoor playground has both a climbing play structure and a soft play area. This is a great place to let kids run off some steam when it is too rainy or hot to be outside.
There is also a coffee shop for parents at Let’s Imagine!
Coler Mountain Bike Preserve
The Coler Mountain Bike Preserve is a HUGE favorite of ours! It has a little of everything for the family including walking, strolling, bike riding, and playing in creeks.
There is even an adorable outpost of Airship coffee with treats for both kids and their parents.
Bentonville Bike Playground
Bentonville is known as the mountain biking capital of the world. This bike playground is for the younger set who aren’t quite ready for the more advanced trails.
There are tunnels, bridges, and a pump track to help riders of all ages develop their cycling skills.
Compton Gardens and Nature Trails
The Compton gardens are currently closed. They are scheduled to reopen in fall of 2025.
This has always been a great place to enjoy a peaceful walk or bike with the kids while you experience both art and nature on the trail. It is located just behind the downtown area of Bentonville.
Thaden Field and the Louise Cafe
The Louise Cafe is a great place to grab lunch with kids! They have indoor and outdoor seating all with incredible views of planes taking off and landing.
Bentonville Brewing Co
I know it sounds weird to have a brewery on a list of kid friendly activities. But the Bentonville Brewery is both kid and dog friendly.
There are tons of outdoor tables and a play area for the kiddos. Best of all, mom and dad get to relax a bit while the kids play.
Bella Vista
Tanyard Creek Nature Trail
The Tanyard Creek Nature trail in Bella Vista is one of our favorite places in northwest Arkansas. It has a pretty spillway/waterfall.
This natural area has easy family friendly hiking. There are also great spots where kids can play in the creek.
Check out our list of easy waterfall hikes in Arkansas. Some of these would be great to do as a family.
Rogers
Rogers Aquatic Center
Cool off at the Rogers Aquatic Center. This family friendly water park in Rogers. It features thrilling slides, a lazy river, splash zones, and pools for all ages.
Daisy Airgun Museum
Kida and adults will enjoy the Daisy Airgun Museum. This is a quirky little museum in downtown Rogers, where you can learn all about the history of the Daisy BB gun.
K1 Speed
This indoor Go-Kart track will get your adrenaline going. Older kids and teens, as well as competitive adults will enjoy K1 Speed.
Rogers Historical Museum
Families can discover the rich heritage of Northwest Arkansas together at the Rogers Historical Museum. There is even a gallery geared for younger children where kids can play pretend in historic shops and bakeries.
War Eagle Mill
On the outskirts of Rogers is the beautiful War Eagle Mill which has a picturesque setting on War Eagle Creek.
This is an historic water powered mill that has a cafe and a gift shop. They also do demonstrations of tradition flour grinding.
War Eagle Cavern
Not too far from War Eagle Mill is War Eagle Cavern which is located on Beaver Lake. This is a great adventure for families. In addition to the cavern tours there are other activities for kids such as panning for gemstones, a maze and more.
Hobbs State Park Conservation Area
At Hobbs State Park you can camp, hike scenic trails, watch for wildlife, and join educational programs at the visitor center.
We love Hobbs State Park! Here are some more of our favorites!
Lake Atalanta Park
Lake Atalanta Park has playgrounds for the kids, a really nice paved walk around the lake, picnic spaces, fishing spots, a stream to play in, and more, all in this lovely, revitalized park.
Gerald Tharpe Treehouse Park
One of the things we really like about this park was that Lyla could run around on this treehouse like structure with very little risk of falling! It is nice and shady as well.
Railroad Park
This park was renovated in 2021. It has play and climbing structures as well as a splash pad in the summer! It is also near lots of restaurants and shops in downtown Rogers.
Springdale
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
At the Shiloh Museum you and your family will learn about historic life in the Ozark mountains with kid-friendly exhibits and historic buildings to explore.
Jones Center
The Jones Center has the only Indoor ice rink in the region!
You will also find swimming pools, a fitness center, and more family friendly amenities. It is also a park and ride location for the Razorback greenway.
Arkansas & Missouri Railroad Excursion
The Arkansas and Missouri railroad has excursions through the beautiful Boston Mountains. You can ride from Springdale to Van Buren, AR or Springdale to Winslow, AR.
There are also plenty of seasonal and specialty rides. We have done Holiday Express with Lyla and her cousins!
Fayetteville
Lokomotion Family Fun Park
At Lokomotion Family Fun Park you will find go-karts, bumper boats, mini-golf, laser tag, and arcade games. This is all-around family fun.
Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
There are themed gardens at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks where you can watch butterflies, learn about herbs, and let kids explore and play.
They also have plenty of planned activities for kids so you might want to check that out.
We also have a list of more beautiful gardens in Arkansas!
Arkadia Retrocade
This place is a “blast from the past!” Here parents can let their kids play the video games that they remember from when they were young! We are talking Pac-Man and Donkey Kong.
You pay an admission fee and then the games are free to play.
Bike the Razorback Greenway
This is a great family friendly activity in Fayetteville and beyond. The greenway connects multiple communities as well as plenty of restaurants and parks.
If you are visiting without your own bikes you can always rent some along with child carriers and helmets.
City Park Fayetteville
City Park Fayetteville is a great family friendly restaurant. All the seating is outside and it is located on the Razorback Greenbelt. There are games and plenty of room for kids to play.
Lake Fayetteville Park
Lake Fayetteville Park offers two playgrounds, scenic trails including a 5 mile loop around the lake, sand volleyball, fishing, water views, and so much more. This provides a perfect place for an outdoor family outing.
Play Street Museum
We visited Play Street Museum on our last trip to northwest Arkansas. They offer immersive city themed interactive exhibits for ages 0-8. Lyla loved it!
One thing that is important to know is that play sessions are timed so you will want to make a reservation.
Arkansas Air & Military Museum
The Arkansas Air and Military Museum is located at Drake Field. They have vintage aircraft and displays of military history with an Arkansas bent. There are also lots of hand on exhibits.
Our daughter was young when we went there but she still enjoyed being able to sit inside some of the old aircraft.
Wilson Park
Wilson Park is an historic 22‑acre park with a whimsical and artistic castle playground, a spring-fed pond, wonderfully landscaped and manicured gardens, a swimming pool, trails, and sports courts.
This park is such a gem!
We highly recommend a visit to this amazing green park in the middle of Fayetteville.
Northwest Arkansas offers family fun in nearly every form! You can hike, bike, explore nature, and get hands on in museums!
Endless family memories are waiting.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
