Things to Do With Kids in Arkansas: Family Adventures in the Natural State
Planning a family trip to Arkansas? Whether your kids love fishing, animals, science, hiking, swimming, or simply exploring somewhere new, Arkansas offers plenty of activities that both children and adults can enjoy.
Known as The Natural State, Arkansas has 52 state parks along with lakes, trails, museums, caves, wildlife attractions, and other family-friendly destinations throughout the state.
From catching your first fish on Lake Greeson to digging for a real diamond, here are some of the best things to do with kids in Arkansas.
Take the Kids Fishing on Lake Greeson
Fishing is one of the classic Arkansas outdoor experiences, and Lake Greeson is an excellent place to introduce children to it.
Located in southwest Arkansas near Murfreesboro, Lake Greeson offers clear water, beautiful scenery, and opportunities to catch several popular species of fish.
Fish found in Lake Greeson include:
- Crappie
- Largemouth bass
- Spotted bass
- White bass
- Striped bass
- Walleye
- Bluegill
- Channel and flathead catfish
The lake also offers boating, swimming, camping, picnic areas, and miles of walking, nature, and cycling trails, making it possible to build an entire family weekend around the lake.
For parents who do not own a boat or fishing equipment—or simply want someone experienced to help the kids catch fish—a guided family fishing trip can make the experience much easier.
At Action Fishing Trips, we welcome families, children, beginners, and experienced anglers on guided fishing trips at Lake Greeson. A guide can handle much of the equipment and help children learn how to cast, use bait, recognize bites, and reel in their fish.
For many kids, catching that first fish becomes one of the moments they remember most from the entire vacation.
Dig for Diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park
One of the most unusual family activities in Arkansas is searching for real diamonds.
Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro gives visitors the opportunity to search the park’s diamond-bearing field for diamonds and other minerals.
What makes the experience especially fun for children is that it feels like a real-life treasure hunt. Families can spend time digging through dirt, screening material, and looking closely at the rocks and minerals they uncover.
Arkansas Tourism highlights Crater of Diamonds as one of the state’s signature family attractions.
It also pairs extremely well with a Lake Greeson trip because both attractions are in the Murfreesboro area.
A family could spend one day searching for diamonds and another day fishing Lake Greeson.
Spend a Day Swimming at Lake Greeson
Fishing isn’t the only way to enjoy Lake Greeson.
The lake has six designated swimming areas with sand-covered beaches, including areas at Parker Creek, Dam Area, Cowhide Cove, Kirby Landing, Self Creek, and Arrowhead Point.
During Arkansas summers, spending part of the day fishing and then cooling off in the lake can be a great combination for families.
Parents should always supervise children closely around the water and follow posted safety rules.
Go Camping as a Family
Camping gives kids a chance to experience Arkansas beyond a quick day trip.
Around Lake Greeson alone, families can find multiple campgrounds offering everything from more developed camping areas to simpler outdoor experiences. Recreation.gov currently lists 11 camping areas around the lake.
A family camping trip can include fishing in the morning, swimming during the afternoon, cooking outside in the evening, and watching the stars after dark.
It is also an easy way to get children away from phones, video games, and television for a while and give them a completely different experience.
Explore Arkansas State Parks
Arkansas has 52 state parks, making outdoor activities one of the biggest reasons to plan a family trip through the state.
Depending on where you are staying, families can find opportunities for hiking, biking, swimming, paddling, wildlife watching, camping, and picnicking.
You do not need to take children on a difficult mountain hike to enjoy the outdoors either. Many Arkansas parks have shorter trails and recreational areas that work well for families.
The key when hiking with younger children is choosing an outing that matches their age and experience level.
A shorter adventure where everyone has fun is usually better than turning a vacation into an endurance test.
Visit Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs
When the weather isn’t cooperating—or your family needs a break from outdoor activities—head to Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs.
The museum offers interactive science experiences and programs designed to encourage children to explore science through hands-on activities.
Current attractions include Dino Trek, the Bob Wheeler Science Skywalk, Arkansas Underfoot, a digital dome theater, and the museum’s Tesla Theater.
The museum also offers educational programs for younger children, weekend activities, and hands-on tinkering experiences.
It is a particularly good option for families staying around Hot Springs who want an educational activity that still feels like entertainment.
Spend a Day at Magic Springs
For kids who would rather ride roller coasters and waterslides, Arkansas has that covered too.
Magic Springs Theme & Water Park in Hot Springs combines an amusement park and water park in one destination.
Arkansas Tourism lists Magic Springs among the state’s major family attractions, alongside other water parks and amusement destinations.
Because it is seasonal, families should check current operating dates and hours before planning their trip around it.
For a longer Arkansas family vacation, Hot Springs can work well alongside Lake Greeson and Murfreesboro because families can combine outdoor adventures with museums and amusement attractions.
Visit the Little Rock Zoo
Animal-loving kids may enjoy spending part of their trip at the Little Rock Zoo.
The zoo is one of the family attractions specifically recommended by Arkansas Tourism and gives children a chance to see animals while spending the day outdoors.
It is an easy addition to a Little Rock weekend and can be combined with museums and other attractions in the city.
Let the Kids Explore the Museum of Discovery
Another excellent Little Rock option is the Museum of Discovery, an interactive science and technology museum designed around hands-on learning.
The museum has exhibits for a wide range of ages, including Small Fry Fish Camp, which is designed specifically for children six and younger, along with interactive galleries focused on creativity, science, engineering, and problem-solving.
For parents looking for indoor things to do with kids in Arkansas, this is one of the stronger options.
It also works well during extremely hot summer afternoons or rainy days when outdoor plans need to change.
Explore Caves and Underground Arkansas
Arkansas has several caves and underground attractions that can turn an ordinary family vacation into something much more memorable.
Arkansas Tourism recommends cave exploration as one of the state’s family-friendly experiences, and places such as War Eagle Cavern combine underground formations with other activities for children.
For kids who already enjoy rocks, dinosaurs, treasure hunting, or science, visiting a cave can be especially exciting.
It also gives families something completely different from the lakes, forests, and mountains they may experience elsewhere on the trip.
Take a Family Bike Ride
Arkansas has become a major destination for biking, particularly in Northwest Arkansas.
Families visiting places such as Bentonville and Rogers can find paved trails, beginner-friendly routes, mountain bike trails, and parks designed for multiple skill levels.
Around Lake Greeson, families can also explore nature and cycling trails. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports approximately 30 miles of walking, nature, and cycling trails around the lake.
Bike riding can be an excellent activity for families with older children who want something more active than sightseeing.
Ride a Train Through the Ozarks
Sometimes the best family activity is one where parents can sit down too.
Arkansas Tourism recommends the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad as a family experience that allows children, parents, and grandparents to enjoy an Ozark train ride together.
A scenic train ride is particularly useful when traveling with younger children or grandparents because the family can experience Arkansas scenery without spending the entire day walking.
Visit a Nature Center
Arkansas also has several nature and science centers where children can learn about native animals and ecosystems.
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission nature centers can be found in different parts of the state, including Little Rock, Jonesboro, and Springdale. Many feature wildlife displays and educational experiences designed to help children understand Arkansas’ natural environment.
These attractions pair naturally with camping, fishing, and hiking because children can learn more about the animals and environments they have already seen outside.
Plan a Family Picnic
Not every family activity needs tickets, reservations, or an elaborate plan.
Sometimes one of the best things to do with kids in Arkansas is simply find a beautiful lake or park, bring lunch, and spend a few hours outside.
Lake Greeson has picnic areas and shelters in several recreation areas, with playgrounds available at some locations as well.
Bring a ball, fishing poles, swimming gear, snacks, and plenty of water and you can easily turn a simple picnic into most of a day.
Make Fishing Part of Your Arkansas Family Vacation
Arkansas gives families plenty of options, but fishing offers something a little different.
Kids are not simply watching an attraction—they are participating.
They get to learn how to hold a fishing rod, watch their bait, feel a fish bite, reel it toward the boat, and finally see what they caught.
And parents get something equally valuable: several hours together outside, away from most of the distractions of everyday life.
At Action Fishing Trips, we offer guided fishing trips on Lake Greeson for families of different experience levels. You do not need to be an experienced angler to enjoy the trip. Beginners and children are welcome.
If fishing is part of your Arkansas vacation plans, come spend a day with us on Lake Greeson and create a family memory your kids may be talking about for years.
Plan Your Family Adventure in Arkansas
Finding things to do with kids in Arkansas isn’t difficult.
You can search for diamonds in Murfreesboro, catch crappie on Lake Greeson, hike through a state park, swim at the lake, visit a science museum, see animals at the zoo, explore caves, ride a train through the Ozarks, or simply spend an evening around a campsite.
One of Arkansas’ biggest advantages for families is the variety. You can combine outdoor adventures with indoor attractions and create a trip that works for children of very different ages.
And if you are visiting southwest Arkansas, make sure a day of fishing on Lake Greeson with Action Fishing Trips is on the itinerary.