Springdale, Arkansas offers plenty of family-friendly attractions and activities for visitors of all ages. From outdoor adventures and amusement parks to museums and cultural sites, there is something to appeal to every member of your crew.
Springdale’s location in Northwest Arkansas places it close to both the Ozark Mountains and large cities like Fayetteville, providing diverse experiences ranging from urban to rural. Whether you’re looking for affordable things to do on a budget, or special memories to last a lifetime, Springdale has many excellent options worth exploring on your next family trip or weekend getaway.
Ride the Ozark Highlands Rail Trail
As one of the premiere rail trails in the region spanning nearly 20 miles between Fayetteville and Lake Leatherwood City Park in Eureka Springs, the paved Ozark Highlands Trail provides a perfect activity for active families who enjoy walking, jogging, biking, or even rollerblading together through the lush Ozark scenery.
Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy along the way and check out landmarks like the Sequoyah Tunnel, the highest railroad tunnel open to the public in Arkansas. Rent bikes if needed from local shops in Springdale or Fayetteville to make it a smooth, fun day for all fitness levels.
Camp and Canoe at Beaver Lake
Pack up your camping gear and explore the natural beauty of Northwest Arkansas together by pitching your tent at one of several family-friendly campgrounds surrounding massive Beaver Lake. Not only does the 30,000-acre reservoir provide plenty of crystal-clear water for swimming, fishing, canoeing, or kayaking as a family, but you’ll also enjoy panoramic views of the Ozark Mountains from lakeside.
Plan to grill dinner over an open campfire under the stars, then roast s’mores for dessert. Memorable moments await at Beaver Lake making it one of the best things to do in Springdale, AR if you love the outdoors.
Hike at Hobbs State Park Conservation Area
Just over 20 minutes east of downtown Springdale near Rogers, Hobbs State Park Conservation Area preserves nearly 15,000 acres of diverse Ozark beauty including rugged karst terrain, wildflowers carpeted valleys, and scenic streams ideal for families that relish hiking together.
Choose from 20+ miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to strenuous in length and difficulty – making it possible for every hiker to succeed. Kids will especially appreciate the visitor center with educational exhibits about wildlife and Native American history of the park if you want to extend learning opportunities. Picnic tables dot the property if you get hungry after logging miles in this natural wonderland.
Discover the Arts at Crystal Bridges Museum
Hailed as one of the most important American art museums launched in the last half-century, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art hosts a world-class collection of works spanning five centuries in a series of pavilions nestled into the forested hillside of a native Ozark ravine.
The innovative architecture and idyllic location alone make this one of the best things to do in Springdale, but specialized activities for kids and families such as scavenger hunts, hands-on art projects, and gallery guides featuring AR characters make exploring this cultural gem even more enjoyable. Frequent free community days remove cost barriers for families on a budget.
Learn Local History at Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
From Native American tools dating back 14,000+ years to a 1950s soda fountain and everything between, Springdale’s own history museum located in downtown provides interactive glimpses into the stories that shaped the Arkansas Ozarks.
Family-friendly exhibits appeal to all ages at the Shiloh Museum, from dress up stations to a kid-sized dirt excavation site where junior archeologists dig for artifacts reproduced from actual Ozark history. With affordable admission (and free on Thursdays), exploring this regional treasure makes for an educational yet entertaining indoor activity for families looking to stay cool on hot Springdale afternoons.
See Exotic Species at Northwest Arkansas Aviary
Get an up-close look at tropical birds, reptiles, and small mammals from around the world at this FREE aviary! While exploring the interactive displays at Northwest Arkansas Aviary located inside Creekside Park, you’ll spy hundreds of exotic creatures including macaws, cockatoos, monitors, iguanas, sloths, wallabies, lemurs and more.
With many kid-friendly elements like a lorikeet nectar feeder station where colorful lories land right on your hand to drink nectar while visiting the walk-through aviary, even reluctant naturalists in your family will find something intriguing to appreciate at this uniquely Springdale attraction.
Ride Roller Coasters at Fun Spot Amusement Park
Catering to families with children 10 and under, Fun Spot Amusement Park packs plenty of thrills with kid-sized roller coasters, bumper cars, tilt-a-whirl, and a parachute drop ride sure to induce giggles galore. Affordable pricing options such as pay-one-price unlimited ride wristbands keep this 15-acre outdoor amusement park accessible for parents watching their budgets without skimping on smiles. When you need a break from rides, let kids expend energy clambering over Wild Wild Web, a three-story outdoor jungle gym and rope maze structure – one of the main highlights for active youngsters.
Test Ninja Warrior Skills at Ozark Ninja Warrior
Channel your family’s inner American Ninja Warrior at this unique 25,000 square foot entertainment complex filled with over a dozen obstacle courses inspired by the hit TV show. Challenge each other to complete climbing walls, balancing obstacles, swinging pipes and platforms at Ozark Ninja Warrior, voted the best family entertainment venue in Northwest Arkansas. Designed to accommodate a wide range of ages and fitness levels, it proves an ideal rainy day activity as well as good family bonding fun seeing who can master the courses in your crew!
Play Paintball at Cross Church Back 40 Paintball Park
Combining outdoor recreation with the excitement of paintball games, Cross Church Back 40 offers acres of terrain tailored for paintball skirmishes amidst a backdrop of towering pines and picturesque ponds. Not only will your family bond while stalking each other Iron Man-style with paintball guns in hand, you’ll also enjoy the park’s scenic beauty between matches complete with covered picnic areas, fire pits, and yard games like cornhole toss. Rental equipment keeps initial investment affordable for new players while skilled staff provide excellent supervision – especially helpful for first-timers.
Bounce for Hours at Jump Ultimate Air
Filled wall-to-wall with massive inflatables, trampoline dodgeball courts, slam dunk basketball hoops, and a giant kids’ jungle gym, Jump Ultimate Air ranks as one of the top family-approved indoor playgrounds in Springdale for high-energy antics.
Besides the signature main court teeming with bouncy houses, slides, climbing walls, and tunnels, additional attraction options include a Ninja Warrior Course, Tumble Track trampoline floor, and arcade zone to augment your family’s fun. Conveniently located right off Interstate 49, this 12,000 square foot facility lets parents and kids bounce themselves silly for hours.
Strike for Fun at Springdale Bowling Center
Treating your family to a classic game of bowling remains a budget-friendly way to enjoy quality time together – especially on wet or chilly days. Springdale Bowling Center offers 32 lanes accommodating both serious bowlers as well as casual games for parents and small children, with lane bumpers available to keep gutter balls frustration-free.
Take advantage of daily specials like Two Dollar Tuesdays or gather the cousins for unlimited bowling action during Friday night Cosmic Bowling when strobe lights and music liven up the scene. An on-site grill, billiards room, and small arcade augment the family entertainment.
Buzz through Courses at Ozark Indoor Shooting
While breaking out real firearms might seem an unlikely match for family recreation, Ozark Indoor Shooting offers a safe, supervised environment ideal for responsible novice shooters ages 8 and up to learn marksmanship basics on specialized laser gear.
Electronics instantly tally your hits and misses as you and your kids zip through interactive shooting games including zombie hordes, alien invaders, even a sci-fi cityscape. With specialized youth rifles and safety gear sized for smaller frames, indoor laser tag shooting allows families to playfully bond together through friendly target practice competitions in a climate-controlled setting.
Conclusion
Creating meaningful memories and having fun doesn’t require extensive travel or big budgets when joining other families visiting Springdale, Arkansas. The town’s family-friendly personality shines through across this list of top things to do with your kids, ranging from museums and historical attractions to amusement parks plus active outdoor pursuits in the natural beauty of the Ozarks.
You’ll surely make the most of your family time exploring Springdale’s many excellent options curated to appeal to young and old alike. Whether playing mini-golf amidst dinosaurs, paddling a canoe across Beaver Lake, or bouncing yourselves silly at indoor playgrounds, Springdale rolls out the welcome mat for families seeking wholesome enjoyment and new experiences.