Get a jumpstart on your New Year’s resolutions for leading a more active lifestyle this year by joining park interpreters for guided hikes and other New Year activities with your family. Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area guided hikes, which vary from a quarter mile to 1.5 miles, suggest dressing for the weather and bringing water. Contact the park at 479-789-5000 or hobbs@arkansas.com for hike times and locations. The Mountainburg event kicks off with a waterfall hike, then an afternoon of fireside conversation, and end with another hike.
Date: January 1
Time: Varies by location
Locations: Visitor Center 15458 Shepard Springs Road Mountainbur, Hobbs State Park Visitor Center 20201 East Hwy. 12 Rogers, 11333 West Arkansas Hwy. 74 West Fork 479-761-3325 and more
Make memories at the museum over the school break as your child creates with artists, makes buttons in the gallery and listens to fun music together as a family. Join us for special activities each afternoon, including artmaking, creative play, puppets, dance, and more. Sponsored by Nice-Pak Products, Inc. Free, no registration required.
Planned for January 2: A family draw-and-discover tour starts at 1 p.m. in the lower lobby. Listen to musical storytellers at Storybook Strings at 2 p.m. in the Great Hall. Create watercolor snowflakes, participate in family yoga and button making anytime during the event from 1-4 p.m.
Date: January 2
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Location: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Make memories at the museum over the school break as your child creates with artists, makes buttons in the gallery and listens to fun music together as a family. Join us for special activities each afternoon, including artmaking, creative play, puppets, dance, and more. Sponsored by Nice-Pak Products, Inc. Free, no registration required.
Planned for January 3: Local watercolor artist Leana Fischer invites you to paint a winter landscape. She will demonstrate her painting technique for you to watch, and you can paint your own winter wonderland inspired by her work. Learn more about Northwest Arkansas’s history with our friends from Shiloh Museum in Springdale in the Experience Art Studio. And take a guided family tour through Art for a New Understanding: Native Voices, 1950s to Now to discover new perspectives on contemporary Indigenous art. The tour meets at the Temporary Exhibition Gallery entrance.
Date: January 3
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Location: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Make memories at the museum over the school break as your child creates with artists, makes buttons in the gallery and listens to fun music together as a family. Join us for special activities each afternoon, including artmaking, creative play, puppets, dance, and more. Sponsored by Nice-Pak Products, Inc. Free, no registration required.
Planned for January 4: A draw-and-discover bilingual family tour of the galleries begins at 1 p.m. and meets in the Lower Lobby. Mr. Steve the Music Man will play music for everyone in the family at 3 p.m. Come watch New York International Children’s Film Festival best short films Kid Flix 2 and Viva Kid Flix (Spanish audio, English subtitles), popcorn included, at 1 and 2:30 p.m. You can create beaded mosaics any time between 1-4 p.m.
Date: January 4
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Location: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art 600 Museum Way, Bentonville
For skaters ages 4-18, this camp teaches conditioning and stretching, off-ice jumping and spinning, as well as on-ice skating and power class. Skaters will have practice time for their new skills. Registration is $25 per person (find tickets at thejonescenter.net) and includes a t-shirt and snacks. Please bring your own lunch.
Date: January 4
Time: 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Location: The Jones Center 922 E. Emma Ave. Springdale
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
In this adaptation of the best-selling novel by Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, the Greek gods are real and they’re ruining Percy Jackson’s life. As a son of Poseidon, Percy has newly discovered powers he can’t control, monsters on his trail and is on an epic quest to find Zeus’ lightning bolt to prevent a war between the gods. Not recommended for ages 6 and under.
Date: January 4 and 5
Time: 7 p.m. on Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 pm. on Saturday
Location: Walton Arts Center 495 W. Dickson St. Fayetteville
Mini Camps are a shorter version of Amazeum week-long camps but with the same level of fun and adventure. Each one has a new theme and is designed for ages: 6-11 years. One Day Mini Camp is $60 for Amazeum members or $70 for non members. Two Day Mini Camp is $120 for Amazeum members or $140 for non members. Advanced registration and payment is required.
Date: January 4
Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: Scott Family Amazeum 1009 Museum Way, Bentonville, AR 72712
Winter Wonderland Princess Ball
This third annual event features 16 favorite fairytale characters. This year has two sessions to continue the intimate and magical experience. The glam squad will be back offering makeup application, metallic jewelry tatoos, face painting and mini manicures. Get photos on a royal throne and pick up some cookies and hot chocolate while you’re here. General admission is $50 for one adult and one child, VIP entrance is $75 for an adult-child pair.
Date: January 5
Time: VIP entrance is 10 a.m., Session 1 is 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and the second VIP entrance is 4 p.m. and Session 2 is 5-7 p.m.
Location: Springdale Metroplex 881 Rio Bravo Dr. Springdale, Ar 72762
This program features hands-on learning in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art and math. Children of all abilities are welcome. January 8th is a building challenge with jelly beans. Students can complete a Perler bead spinning top challenge during the session on January 15.
Date: January 8, 15
Time: 4-5 p.m.
Location: Springdale Public Library
Museum Open House Features Local Collectors
The Shiloh Museum’s 11th annual “Cabin Fever Reliever” open house is Saturday, January 12. The event will feature displays by two dozen local collectors. Among the collections to be shown are miniature pitchers, bowling memorabilia, cats, woodcarvings, fairy lamps, turtles, and single-use kitchen utensils.
Date: January 12
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Location: Shiloh Museum of Ozark History 118 W Johnson Ave, Springdale, located at the corner of Johnson and Main in downtown Springdale. For more information, call 750-8165.
This brand new workshop is a beginner-focused Strider bike class teaching the basics of balance and coordination to your 3-6 year olds over the course of 4 weeks. It’s $30 a month, and January’s class will take place in the indoor gym.
Date: January 12
Time: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Location: The Jones Center 922 E. Emma Ave. Springdale
Join us at Lake Fort Smith State Park for a weekend honoring our nation’s symbol, the mighty eagle. See Mike Martin present his research and photography of these winged predators and take an eagle watch tour on the lake to get a glimpse of the eagles that make this park their home.
Date: January 12
Time: (Not listed) Call the park for more information: 479-369-2469
Location: Visitor Center 15458 Shepard Springs Road Mountainburg
The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favorites
The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Little Cloud and The Mixed Up Chameleon come to life on stage with the use of black light and fanciful puppets. Find tickets at waltonartscenter.org.
Date: January 13
Time: 4-7 p.m.
Location: Walton Arts Center 495 W. Dickson Fayetteville
Railroad History
Local railroad historian Mike Sypult will present “The ‘Peavine’: The Story of Northwest Arkansas’ Kansas City & Memphis Railway,” on Wednesday, January 16.
Date: January 16
Time: Noon
Location: 118 W. Johnson Avenue in downtown Springdale. For more information, call 750-8165 or visit shilohmuseum.org.
The P.D. Eastman story has been a go-to favorite for families over 50 years, leaving audiences of all kinds delighted. Trike Theatre brings the story to life on stage featuring a cast of professional actors. It’s full of fun surprises, colorful costumes and lessons about diversity, love and individuality. Best for ages 4 and up.
Date: January 19 and 26
Time: 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Location: Walton Arts Center 495 W. Dickson St. Fayetteville, AR 72702
Witness Men of Steel, Women of Wonder artists Robert Pruitt send an original artwork into space during this special launch party on the museum grounds. The launch will begin with special activities including artmaking, hot cocoa and space-themed fun. Free, no registration required.
Date: January 19
Time: This event is weather permitting, so please check back at the link for the official time.
Location: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art 600 Museum Way, Bentonville
Super Saturday: Chinese New Year
Help the Fayetteville Public Library celebrate the year of the pig. FPL will be celebrating the lunar new year with lion dancers, Chinese dances performed by CANWA, crafts, snacks, and more. This event is free and geared towards families.
Date: January 19
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Fayetteville Public Library 401 W Mountain St, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Shiloh Saturday Family Program
Kids of all ages are invited to “Weaving: Fun or Work?” where they will try their hand at weaving on a loom. Members of the Northwest Arkansas Handweavers Guild will be on hand to explain the basics of weaving while museum educators will explore the history of weaving in Northwest Arkansas. The program is part of the museum’s Shiloh Saturday series for families.
Date: January 19
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Location: The Shiloh Museum is located at 118 W Johnson Ave, Springdale, AR 72764, the corner of Johnson and Main in downtown Springdale.
For more information, call 750-8165.
Celebrate the Wonders of Winter Wildlife at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area. This special celebration will include opportunities to see live birds up-close and learn more about the ways animals survive the winter. Cure your cabin fever with this spectacular winter event.
Date: January 19
Time: Activities and crafts for the whole family are available throughout the day.
Location: 20201 East Hwy. 12 Rogers
This is a shorter version of Amazeum week-long camps but with the same level of fun and adventure. Explore a new theme each time, designed for ages: 6-11 years. One Day Mini Camp is $60 for Amazeum members or $70 for non members. Two Day Mini Camp is $120 for Amazeum members and for $140 non members. Advanced registration and payment is required.
Date: January 21
Time: 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Location: Scott Family Amazeum 1009 Museum Way, Bentonville, AR 72712
Community Spotlight: Two Friends Books and Records
Have you ever wanted to write your own story? What if you had the help of a couple professionals to make this a reality? If you’re looking to find a new book to read, we have those too. Join Two Friends Pop-Up shop to discover some beautiful books and even records to listen to. They’ll even have a letter writing station.
Date: January 26
Time: 11a.m.- 1p.m.
Location: Scott Family Amazeum 1009 Museum Way, Bentonville
Join Crystal Bridges for the museum’s Tween Night, a great evening for young students featuring a DJ, dancing, artmaking, and unique gallery experiences. This party is free and open to all area middle and junior high school students. Parents can drop off and pick up their tweens, or hang out in the parent lounge during the event. Sponsored by Nickelodeon. Transportation provided by Pinnacle Car Services. Free, no registration required.
Date: January 26
Time: 7-9 p.m
Location: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art 600 Museum Way, Bentonville
Join the Amazeum this school year for STEAM Investigation workshops for educators of students in grades 1-8. Each 2 hour session will include inquiry, hands-on tinkering, and time to reflect using NGSS Science & Engineering practices and the Amazeums Core Values of Tinkering. The Amazeum will provide guides for each activity which include connections to literature, STEAM disciplines, and PBL ideas.
Date: January 31
Time: 4-6 p.m.
Location: Scott Family Amazeum 1009 Museum Way, Bentonville
