8 Ways to Entertain Kids During Thanksgiving Break
School's out! If the kids are getting stir-crazy this Thanksgiving, the holiday week offers plenty of family fun. Bonus: The weather forecast looks sunny and warm (for now, anyway), so you aren't limited to indoor-only activities. Here are eight great ideas, from mini golf to campfires!
1. Mini Golf and Go-Carts: Rain or shine, kids and their families can find plenty of entertainment at Big Rock Fun Park, including miniature golf, go-karts, bumper boats, batting cages and an indoor arcade with prizes. Thanksgiving week hours are 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Wed, and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri. Big Rock Fun Park will also offer a super Black Friday deal of a one-year unlimited mini golf pass for $74.99 (regular price is $145).
2. Trampoline Parks: Both Altitude Trampoline Park and Sky Zone will be open this week--and a great way to get the whole family moving. Or, if massive inflatables are more your style, Jump!Zone will also offer bouncy fun this week. For special Thanksgiving week hours and more info, see our full post of Active Family activities here.
3. Museum Exhibits: Take this week to catch up on the latest cultural offerings. The amazing Chihuly exhibit at the Clinton Presidential Center will wow your little ones. Nearby at the Museum of Discovery, you'll find two new exhibits--Dinosaurs: The Bare Bones and In the Dark. At the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, your family can view the free exhibit, Freedom! Oh, Freedom, which explores the African-American perspective of the Civil War. You'll find more free exhibits at the Arkansas Arts Center, and at the Historic Arkansas Museum, which recently opened the exhibition Under Pressure: The Arkansas Society of Printmakers. For more current exhibits, check out our full online calendar here.
4. Holiday Lights: Several holiday light exhibits kick off this weekend, including the brand-new animated display, called Holidays in the Park in downtown Little Rock's Riverfront Park. The free opening night celebration is 5:30-10 p.m. Nov. 29; read our full blog post for more info. The free annual Holiday Lights at Burns Park will also open Nov. 29. Plus, Garvan Woodland Gardens' extravagant winter wonderland is now open 5-9 p.m. daily (except Thanksgiving) through Dec. 31
5. Children's Theatre: After Thanksgiving, you can hop straight into the holidays as you experience The Velveteen Rabbit at the Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theatre. The Christmas tale of the stuffed rabbit and his quest to become real is based on the classic story by Margery Williams. Performances are 7 p.m. Fri., 2 & 4 p.m. Sat., and 2 p.m. Sun.
6. Outdoor Activities: After the hustle and bustle of Black Friday, escape into nature at Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Families can enjoy a fall hayride through the woods, then share stories and hot chocolate around a warm campfire. The event will take place from 3-5 p.m. Nov. 29 & 30. For info, click here.
7. Skating Rink: Work off your Thanksgiving meal during Black Friday Skate at the Arkansas Skatium. Ice and roller skating are open noon-5:30 p.m. Nov. 28, and skate rental is free all day with $10 admission price.
8. Indoor Play: The Wonder Place is closed for Thanksgiving, but open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 28 for little ones who need a break from holiday shopping. For more info, click here.
Need more ideas? Check out our lists of Santa Claus Sightings, Christmas Tree Farms, and Fun Family Exercise Ideas. For our expanded online calendar, click here.