Northwest Arkansas Calendar of Family Events: January 2024
HAPPY NEW YEAR, mamas! Are you ready to kick off 2024 with some family fun in Northwest Arkansas? We’ve curated some of the best events for you to enjoy with the kids in January. Click on the name of any event to find out more information!
First Day Hike: Hobbs State Park
On Monday, January 1, join Hobbs State Park staff for one or more of these First Day Hikes, an annual holiday tradition across Arkansas. (The park’s visitor center will be closed, just FYI)
- 11:00 – 11:45 a.m. or 1:00-1:45 p.m. First Day Hike: Ozark Plateau Trail Join Park Interpreter Trish to learn more about what animals do to survive the winter as we take a leisurely hike along this 0.5-mile paved and ADA accessible trail. Meet at the Education Pavilion. Participants will receive a First Day Hike sticker. After the hike enjoy a hot beverage and s’mores around the campfire.
- 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. First Day Hike: Historic Van Winkle Hike Join Park Interpreter Steve on an easy 0.5-mile hike on an ADA accessible trail through the Historic Van Winkle Hollow and learn about the Van Winkle family and their mill, the largest steam-powered mill in the state during the 1870’s. The area is on the National Register of Historic Places. Meet at the Van Winkle Trailhead. Participants will receive a First Day Hike sticker. Before or after the hike enjoy a hot beverage and s’mores around the campfire at the Visitor Center Pavilion.
- 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. First Day Hike: Shaddox Hollow Trail Join Park Interpreter Chris on this 1.5-mile, moderately difficult loop through the hills of Shaddox Hollow to learn about the geology of the park and the history of the Shaddox family that settled there. Meet at Shaddox Hollow Trailhead, wear sturdy shoes and bring water. Participants will receive a First Day Hike sticker. Before or after the hike enjoy a hot beverage and s’mores around the campfire at the Visitor Center Pavilion.
Date: Monday, Jan. 1, 2024
Times: See above
Location: Hobbs State Park, Rogers
First Day Hike: Compton Gardens and Arboretum
Start out the new year with some fresh air, exercise and fellowship. Hike about four miles from Compton Gardens to Park Springs and returning through Crystal Bridges.
Date: Saturday January 1, 2024
Time: 10 am
Location: Meet at Compton Gardens, 312 N. Main, Bentonville, near the Group of Bears sculpture at 10 am.
Full STEAM Ahead: Crazy Chemistry
Join Betsy every Tuesday this year at 4 pm beginning January 2 to explore topics in science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Kids will be learning about chemistry and different properties and behaviors of matter. Best for ages 7-12.
Date: January 2, 2024 (every Tuesday in January and beyond)
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Rogers Public Library
FamJam Saturday Series: 123 Andrés
The high-energy duo called 123 Andrés will perform catchy, original songs in Spanish and English at The Jones Center. It’s a great show for the whole family and will get everyone on their feet dancing, clapping, laughing, and singing to upbeat multi-lingual tunes. These musicians and singers are Latin Grammy winners. 123 Andrés have charmed audiences in the U.S., Mexico, Venezuela and Central America. They make their debut in Springdale on Jan. 6 as part of The Jones Center’s FamJam Saturday series. Tickets are only $10 for all events.
FamJam Schedule:
- Movement class for kids & adults – 11am
- Public session ice skating – 12:30-2:30pm & 7-9pm
- Public-session swimming – 12-6pm
- 123 Andrés in concert – 2pm
Date: Saturday, January 6, 2024
Time: See full schedule above
Location: The Jones Center, Springdale
Digitizing Your Family Photos
Get started on a family photo project with help from the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. Join instructor Rachel Whitaker to learn about the best processes and equipment for digitizing your family photos at home.
Date: January 6, 2024
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Location: Fayetteville Public Library
The Rogers Historical Museum and Rogers Public Library host Museum and Me, an hour-long, free program at the Rogers Historical Museum every month for children ages 3-5 that helps foster interest in history, reading and museums. Each month features a themed story and fun activities that preschoolers are sure to love. There are only 20 spots available each month. January’s theme is music. There will be a story time as well as crafts and activities all centered around music. Sign up is only required for children, but parents/guardians are asked to stay with their children during the program.
Date: January 9, 2024
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Rogers Historical Museum
Little Sprouts
Join the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks on January 10th at 10 am to kick off the new year with a Little Sprouts Pop-Up. This session will be focused on wellness. Participate in song and story time, as well as simple yoga stretches to keep your little one healthy through the winter months. This event will be held indoors. Registration is required.
Date: January 10, 2024
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, Fayetteville
Eagles: Soaring with the Wind
January is eagle awareness month. Gather around the “reading rocker” at the visitor center to learn all about the bald eagle—including the ones that live on Beaver Lake. Hear a story, do a fun activity to see how big an eagle’s nest really is, and make eagle masks to wear on our indoor eagle scavenger hunt. Recommended ages 4+.
Date: Saturday, January 13, 2024
Time: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Hobbs State Park, Rogers
Astronomy Night with Sugar Creek Astronomical Society
The event will begin with an indoor program in the classroom, “What’s Up in the Winter Sky?”. Weather permitting, the outdoor viewing will begin about 5:30 p.m. to observe the two-day old moon, Jupiter, Saturn, and the constellations Orion, Taurus, and the stars of the Pleiades. Items you may wish to bring include a flashlight covered with a red cloth (or red balloon) and a folding chair. If you have binoculars or a star chart, feel free to bring them. Club members will bring telescopes to share with the public, and if you need help setting up your own telescope, possibly a new gift, they’ll assist you. Recommended for ages 8+. Reservations not required.
Date: Saturday, January 13, 2024
Time: 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Hobbs State Park, Rogers
W.O.W.W.! (Wonders of Winter Wildlife)
Cure your cabin fever with this special event at the Hobbs Visitor Center. Everyone is welcome to partake in a hot beverage and make a s’more at the pavilion. Event sponsors: Bluebird Shed and 3-D Pet Products.
- 9:00 – 3:00: Interactive tabletop booths: Come and go as you please at these booths: mammal furs and skulls; bald eagles; winter wildlife survival strategies; kids craft table; the Wild Bird Café (make a treat for the birds).
- 9:00 – 10:45: Birds & Breakfast: See live songbirds captured in the park by ornithologists and then help them release the birds after learning more about them. Breakfast snacks, juice and coffee will be provided.
- 11:00 – 12:00: Live Birds of Prey Program: See several live birds of prey and learn about their fascinating life histories. Presented by Morning Star Wildlife Rehabilitation.
- 1:00 – 2:00: Bald Eagle Program: January is Eagle Awareness Month and Mike Martin, a noted Arkansas wildlife photographer, will present a program on bald eagles using his photographs. He will share some interesting facts about our nation’s symbol, an overview of their life cycle, their behavior, viewing locations in Arkansas, along with interesting stories of his encounters while photographing them. Recommended age 8+
- 1:00 – 2:00: Squirrels: Nutty Forest Friends & Busy-Tailed Benefits: January 21st is National Squirrel Day! Did you know a group of squirrels is called a scurry? Can you spot a drey? Join Park Interpreter Trish for an easy .25-mile hike around the ADA accessible Ozark Plateau Trail and learn more about 3 of Arkansas’ squirrel species and how they are the unsung heroes of the forest. There will also be a visit from a “special squirrel” during the hike! All ages welcome.
- 2:15 – 3:00: Arkansas Wildlife Jeopardy: Test your knowledge of Arkansas wildlife and join Park Interpreter Chris, your host, for a special version of the Jeopardy game show. The top scorers in each round will win a prize.
Date: Saturday, January 20, 2024
Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Hobbs State Park, Rogers
Chinese New Year Celebration
This year’s Chinese New Year celebration will include dances from the Chinese Association of NWA, lion dancers, snacks and a craft.
Date: January 27, 2024
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Location: Fayetteville Public Library
Moon to Mars at the Amazeum
Explore space together at the Amazeum’s new traveling exhibit. It’s out of this world! The Scott Family Amazeum is a hands-on, interactive museum for children and families located in Bentonville. As a museum with a foundation in the arts and sciences, the Amazeum encourages creativity, curiosity, and community through exhibits, educational collaborations, programs, workshops, and camps. Amazeum experiences include a climbable tree canopy, indoor cave, Tinkering Hub, nearly one acre of outdoor space, and ever-evolving daily pop-up activities.
Dates: Jan. 28 (through May 6, 2024)
Time: See museum hours
Location: Scott Family Amazeum
