2024 Summer Bucket List: 24 ideas for things to do with kids in Northwest Arkansas!

24 things to do with the kids in Northwest Arkansas during Summer 2024

Sweet, sweet summertime is here, which means it’s time to get intentional about having fun with your family.

Consider making a 2024 Summer Bucket List so it doesn’t pass you by without making some memories. At our house, we use an actual bucket for all our summer fun ideas.

Need some Summer Bucket List inspiration? Here are 24 ideas for fun things to do in Northwest Arkansas:

1. Slip on some skates. There are some fun roller skating options in NWA, including Starlight Skatium in Fayetteville and Great Day Skate Place in Bentonville. You can also ice skate in the summer at the Jones Center.
2. Swim or splash. See our big list of 2024 swim spots and splash pads in Northwest Arkansas.
3. Enjoy Summer in the City. There’s always something fun things going on at The Jones Center, including Summer in the City 2024. You can also swim, skate, bike or play at the Jones Center. And don’t miss the center’s fun Runway bike park.
4. Rock out at family-friendly music events. We are live music rich in Northwest Arkansas. We love the free summer concert series at Gulley park on Thursday nights in Fayetteville (such a great family-friendly series!). Crystal Bridges will be also rocking with its 2024 Summer Forest Concert Series. There are also family concerts at Turnbow Park in downtown Springdale. The Railyard Live venue also offers a concert series that’s continuing this summer.
5. Hang out at one of Northwest Arkansas’ historic downtowns. First Friday on the Bentonville Square is always a good time. First Thursday is another great festival held every first Thursday night of the month on the Fayetteville Square. Downtown Rogers is also bustling with events this time of year and you’ll also find lots of fun in Downtown Springdale.
6. Consider an ice cream crawl. We have sooo many great options for ice cream lovers in Northwest Arkansas. Here are a few of our faves that are also offer an experience when you visit: Burton’s Creamery food truck on Dickson Street in Fayetteville, Trash Ice Cream in downtown Rogers, Spark Cafe Soda Fountain, Sweet Scoops Blender Bar in Farmington, and Pure Joy Ice Cream in Siloam Springs.
7. Visit the archery range. Try your hand at shooting some arrows at the Quiver Archery Range in Bentonville. They often have special events to make it even more fun. (Kids ages 8+)
8. Have a blast at summer camp. Check out our big list of NWA summer camps.
9. Go bowling. Kids Bowl Free is a national movement! Get two free games of bowling each day of summer at Fast Lane Entertainment, Ozark Lanes in Fayetteville, Rogers Bowling Center or Springdale Bowling Center.
10. Jump the day away. When it’s super hot out, head inside to jump inside at Sky Zone trampoline park in Rogers or Altitude Trampoline Park in Fayetteville.
11. Be amazed (for less $). The Amazeum has Priceless Nights from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. You can visit the Amazeum for free (or pay-as-you-wish admission)!
12. Stop and smell the roses (and many other flowers!). The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks hosts Terrific Tuesday Nights, a free, family-friendly summer series every Tuesday evening from June through August, 5-8 p.m. Lawn chairs and picnic blankets are welcome.
13. Get creative. Go make art — or see it — at Crystal Bridges. You can also walk the trails for some fun art surprises along the way. You can also get crafty at the Community Creative Center in Fayetteville and Imagine Studios in Rogers.
14. Make it a museum day. We mentioned the Amazeum Children’s Museum and Crystal Bridges, but you and the kids should also consider stopping by the Museum of Native American History in Bentonville, the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale, the Walmart Museum in Bentonville, the Rogers Historical Museum, and the Arkansas Air and Military Museum.
15. Watch some baseball. The Northwest Arkansas Naturals play ball at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale all summer. They have lots of fun activities for kids (and fireworks at many of the games).
16. Sing it out with karaoke. We love Big Box Karaoke on Block Street in Fayetteville. It’s great for belting out your favorite tunes with your friends or the kids in private suites. They have food and drinks that are delivered right to your room.
17. Visit a local farmer’s market. Visit your local Farmer’s Market for fresh food, flowers and events. Here are the links to each: Fayetteville Farmer’s Market; Springdale Farmer’s Market at The Jones Center; Rogers Farmer’s Market (Dixieland Road); Downtown Bentonville Farmer’s Market; Siloam Springs Farmer’s Market
18. Sign up for the summer reading program at a local library. There are so many great libraries in Northwest Arkansas, including Fayetteville, Rogers, Springdale and Bentonville. They all have special events in the summer, story times and, of course, lots of books and movies to check out.
19. Explore nature. Northwest Arkansas has so many gorgeous places to play outside. The J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center in Springdale has outdoor activities (like archery and nature trails). Devil’s Den State Park is a family favorite with a built-in pool, picnic tables, great bridge, swimming pool and river and boat rentals. If you’re adventurous, you can also go caving. There are also cabins and camping options.
20. Visit a local park. Our early childhood editor has written detailed reviews of local parks so you can choose the best one for your family’s needs.
21. Cook up some fun. Here’s a loooong list of recipes we’ve curated since nwaMotherlode started in 2008!
22. Get away for the day. Check out our big list of getaways close to Northwest Arkansas.
23. Go straight to the calendar. You can always find something fun in our monthly Calendar of Events.
24. Find fun at the fair. The Washington County Fair will be lighting up the summer nights from Aug. 20-24, 2024.