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5 Staycation Ideas in NW Arkansas for Spring Break (Even in the Rain!)

You might not be going out of town this year, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun

By Kara Ault, Macaroni Kid Fayetteville and Rogers-Bentonville Publisher March 20, 2023

If you do find yourself at home with your kids this school break, Macaroni Kid Fayetteville has staycation ideas for you to find your family fun in Northwest Arkansas. After all, there are lots of hidden gems and fun, local things to do with the family in our area. 

Here are five staycation ideas and activities in the Fayetteville, Springdale, Prairie Grove, Rogers and Bentonville area:

The Jones Center Spring Break specials: 

For just $5 a person, or $20 for a week pass, you can go ice skating, swim in the indoor pool, or use the track at The Jones Center in Springdale. The Jones Center always offers affordable and fun inside options for Spring Break week! Find more info here. 

They are also offering a fun storytime and craft M-F at 1 PM. Info here. On Wednesday, they are hosting a Hot Wheels Bike Parade!

Check out area creeks, waterfalls and lakes. Our area is full of beautiful bodies of water where your family can splash, wade in and enjoy small hikes when the weather is nice. Here are some of our favorites. NW Arkansas Guide to Nearby Creeks, Lakes and Waterfalls. 

Go on a Mural Hunt around Northwest Arkansas! In 2020, when most events were canceled, my kids and I drove around taking pictures of murals that Macaroni Kid readers told us about. On the way, we found even more we had never seen and my kids loved taking pictures in front of them. If you have teens, they will love this activity (selfie mode!). Find our guide and directions to them here.

Prairie Grove Battlefield Park is hosting daily activities that combine Civil War history education and fun, and if the weather is nice, the one-mile paved trail (stroller-friendly) is beautiful and has benches along the way to rest. Take a picnic and enjoy the on-site playground.

The Amazeum: Go Green with The Amazeum this Spring Break! This year they are upcycling- making creations from found materials and learning how to repurpose things in interesting and unique ways! From March 13-27, 2023, we will be exploring the wonders of recycling using everyday materials. Starting in our 3M Tinkering Hub, guests will be able to create “fused plastic” using pieces of plastic from bags, packages, and more and use real tools to melt them down to create “P’larn” (plastic yarn). From there, P’larn is woven through webbing and PVC pipes to create structures using connectors. Your child will create their own plastic palaces and hide-aways using their imagination (and a little melting magic) while practicing critical thinking skills and working together to find solutions to their creative problems. 

Indoor activities for a rainy day:

  • Build a fort! Help the kids pull out sheets and blankets and flashlights and let the help build. Get inside with them and read a book! 
  • Create an Indoor Treasure Hunt: Depending on the age of your little ones, use your judgment on what you’re hunting for. Whether it’s scouring for coloring books and crayons or something more elaborate for older kids, leave various clues around the house that will keep them on their toes and intrigued. Once they’ve discovered their treasure, make another bounty for them to plunder – a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies makes for a perfect finale.
  • Board Games are perfect for when you’re cooped up indoors. Board games, charades, duck duck goose, heads up 7 up – figure out what will keep everyone entertained for a good while, and get silly!
  • Living Room Drive-In: Create your own in your living room by helping your kids build a fort with seating, snacks and drinks and sit down for a screening of your favorite flick.