Kids & Family Guide
Things To Do With Kids Around the River Valley
Indoor play, easy park days, short hikes and bigger family outings around Fort Smith and the River Valley.
The hard part usually is not finding a place that allows kids. It is figuring out which place fits the kind of day you actually have.
Start with the outing you need, then scroll for prices, hours, age notes and the little details that can change the plan.
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Start here
Choose your outing
What kind of family day are you looking for? You do not need the same place for every kind of day. Here is where we would start.
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01
Free day with room to roam
Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center Fort Smith
Start inside with the exhibits, then head outside for trails, wildlife watching or fishing at Wells Lake. Admission is free, and the center loans fishing poles and tackle at no charge.
Free · Indoor + outdoor
See the details -
02
Easy playground and park day
Creekmore Park Fort Smith
A playground and walking paths make this an easy answer for younger kids. The pool and mini golf are closed for the season; check the train’s current timetable before planning a ride.
Free park · Check train schedule
See the details -
03
Indoor play for little kids
Kid's Town Play Museum Fort Smith
Pretend-play spaces and hands-on indoor play make this one of the better fits when younger kids need somewhere built around them instead of around older siblings.
$13 per child · Adults free
See the details -
04
Rainy-day arcade
The Box Arcade Van Buren
One $10 admission covers unlimited arcade, console and pinball play. A same-day hand stamp lets you leave and come back without paying again.
$10 · Unlimited play
See the details -
05
Burn some energy indoors
Vertical Horizons Climbing Gym Fort Smith
A climbing-gym day works well when the weather kills the park plan and the kids still need to move. First-timers get an orientation, and everyone entering needs a waiver.
Kid day pass with rentals $17
See the details -
06
History that gives kids a job
Fort Smith National Historic Site Fort Smith
The free Junior Ranger program gives school-age kids something to work through while exploring the old courthouse, jail and grounds.
Free · Junior Ranger
See the details -
07
Short family hike
Lake Alma Trails System Alma
The city suggests about 40 minutes for the family-friendly walk to the waterfall and back, with a paved accessible trail and fishing pier near the park area.
Free · Sunrise to sunset
See the details -
08
Several activities in one stop
Adventure Alley Fort Smith
Bowling, laser tag, go-karts and arcade games make this the local choice when one activity probably will not be enough.
Pay by activity · Verify opening time
See the details -
09
Bounce around indoors
The Monkey House Fort Smith
Nine inflatables, a toddler area and regular open-play hours give younger kids a place to climb, slide and burn energy indoors.
$10 open play · Parents free
See the details -
10
Classic family skate
Jack's Skateland Fort Smith
The Saturday matinee is the cleanest family session: all ages are welcome, beginners are encouraged, and regular skate use is included in the $7 admission.
Saturday matinee $7 · Cash or check
See the details
The details
Plan the visit
Prices, schedules and the practical details that can change which place makes sense today.
01
Fort Smith
Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center
This is one of the easiest low-cost family outings in the guide because the day does not depend on a single activity. Spend time with the indoor exhibits, walk the trails, watch wildlife or fish at Wells Lake.
When
- Tuesday–Saturday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Closed Sunday and Monday
- Holiday closures vary
Cost
- Free admission
- Loaner fishing poles and tackle are free
- Bring bait; anglers 16 and older need an Arkansas fishing license
What's there
- Indoor nature exhibits
- Trails and lake access
- Fishing
- Wildlife viewing
- Recurring outdoor programs
Good to know
- Leashed pets are welcome on the trails but not inside the nature center.
02
Fort Smith
Creekmore Park
Creekmore is the easy park-day answer. The playground and walking space are enough for a simple visit, with sports and pavilion access still available this fall.
When
- Park: 6 a.m.–11 p.m.
- Pool and mini golf: closed for the season
- Creekmore Express: check its current seasonal timetable
Cost
- Park and playground: free
- Creekmore Express: free; donations accepted
- Pool and mini golf are separate seasonal amenities
What's there
- Playground
- Creekmore Express
- Walking paths
- Seasonal pool
- Seasonal mini golf
Good to know
- Check the train’s current timetable before making a ride the reason for the trip.
03
Fort Smith
Kid's Town Play Museum
Kid's Town is built around younger children and imaginative play, which makes it a different kind of indoor day than an arcade, climbing gym or museum.
When
- The main current website hours block lists:
- Monday–Friday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- The venue has conflicting hours elsewhere on its own site. Call 479-763-1116 before a weekday-morning or Sunday visit.
Cost
- Open Play: $13 per child
- Accompanying adults: free
- No reservation needed for regular open play
What's there
- Indoor imaginative-play zones
- Hands-on play exhibits
- Open play
- Birthday-party options
Good to know
- The venue's website and Facebook page disagree on the exact street number. Use the official site or call before heading over.
04
Van Buren
The Box Arcade
This is the simple arcade option. Pay once, play as much as you want, and leave the quarters at home.
When
- Monday–Thursday: closed
- Friday, 5–10 p.m.
- Saturday, noon–10 p.m.
- Sunday, 2–7 p.m.
Cost
- $10 base admission
- Unlimited gaming until closing
- Same-day re-entry with a hand stamp
What's there
- Vintage arcade games
- Consoles
- Pinball
- Air hockey
Good to know
- The website says tax included; official Instagram says plus tax. Confirm the total before you go.
05
Fort Smith
Vertical Horizons Climbing Gym
For older kids and teens, this is one of the better indoor options when the goal is to actually burn some energy.
When
- Monday–Saturday, 1–9 p.m.
- Sunday, 1–6 p.m.
Cost
- Kid day pass with rentals: $17
- Kid day pass without rentals: $13.50
- Adult day pass with rentals: $22
- Adult day pass without rentals: $17
What's there
- Climbing walls
- Bouldering
- Youth programming
- Camps and parties
- First-visit orientation
Good to know
- Every visitor needs a waiver, including people who are not climbing. The current site does not define the age cutoff for its published kid rate.
- Day passes allow all-day reentry. First-visit orientation is free, with no advance scheduling needed.
06
Fort Smith
Fort Smith National Historic Site
History lands better for many kids when there is a mission attached. The free Junior Ranger program gives them something to work through while exploring the courthouse, jail and grounds.
When
- Visitor-center hours change seasonally. Use the current National Park Service schedule when planning the visit.
- For the current 2026 schedule:
- Through Nov. 13: daily, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Nov. 14–Mar. 31: Tuesday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Grounds are open daily beyond visitor-center hours
Cost
- Free
- No entrance pass required
- Junior Ranger activity is free and does not require a reservation
What's there
- Historic courthouse and jail exhibits
- Gallows and grounds
- Riverfront history
- Junior Ranger activity
07
Alma
Lake Alma Trails System
This is a useful middle ground between a playground stop and a real hike. The waterfall gives kids a destination without turning the outing into an all-day trail commitment.
When
- Sunrise to sunset
Cost
- Free
What's there
- Half-mile paved wildlife trail
- Accessible fishing pier
- Disc golf
- Picnic area
- Longer trail system
- Waterfall route
Good to know
- The city suggests about 40 minutes for the family-friendly walk to the waterfall and back. The full trail system is roughly 3.8 miles.
08
Fort Smith
Adventure Alley
When one activity is not enough, Adventure Alley lets the family mix bowling, laser tag, go-karts and arcade games in one stop.
About-page hours
Other hours blocks on the website differ.
- Monday–Thursday, 4–10 p.m.
- Friday, 4–11 p.m.
- Saturday, 10 a.m.–11 p.m.
- Sunday, noon–10 p.m.
Cost
- Bowling: One game: $6
- Bowling: Two games: $10
- Bowling: One hour: $28
- Bowling: Shoes: $4
- Bowling: Endless Bowl: Tuesday and Wednesday, 4–10 p.m.; $20, shoes separate
- Bowling: Glow Bowl: Friday and Saturday, 7–11 p.m.; $30 for a two-hour lane, up to six people; shoes $4 extra
- Laser tag: $12
- Go-karts: $12 per ride
- Go-karts: $28 for three rides
- Go-karts: 48 inches minimum to drive
- Go-karts: 36 inches minimum to ride as a passenger
- A $20 combo is posted on the activity pages, but the current site does not clearly define what is included.
What's there
- Bowling
- Laser tag
- Go-karts
- Arcade games
- On-site food
Good to know
- The website lists conflicting opening times. Call 479-785-2551 when timing matters or for a specific activity. Individual attractions may start later than the building opens. No reservation requirement is published for ordinary walk-in visits.
09
Fort Smith
The Monkey House
This is one of the better indoor options for younger kids who simply need to climb, bounce and move.
When
- Thursday, 4–8 p.m.
- Friday, noon–8 p.m.
- Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Sunday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Sunday Sensory Hour, 11 a.m.–noon
- Monday and Wednesday are closed to regular public play
Cost
- Regular open play: $10 per child
- Parents: free
- Non-walking siblings accompanying a paid child: free
- No reservation needed for regular open play
Special sessions
- Toddler Tuesday: 9–11 a.m.; Toddler Thursday: 2–4 p.m.
- Toddler sessions: ages 4 and under; $15 per child includes bounce time, pizza and juice
- Teen Night: second Saturday each month, 7–10 p.m.; grades 6–8; $10
- Teen Night requires a parent/guardian signature at both entry and exit
What's there
- Nine inflatables
- Slides and bounce play
- Toddler area
- Creative break area
- Light concessions
Good to know
- No outside food or drinks during regular play. The operator describes the venue as geared toward ages 15 and under.
10
Fort Smith
Jack's Skateland
The Saturday matinee is the easiest family session to recommend, especially for beginners and younger children. The rink also has longer evening sessions for families who already know they like to skate.
Family-friendly sessions
- Saturday matinee: 1–3 p.m.
- Saturday matinee: All ages
- Saturday matinee: $7 with your own skates or regular skate rental
- Saturday matinee: $11 with inline/speed rental
- Saturday matinee: Skatemate rental: $4
- Saturday evening: 4:30–8:30 p.m.
- Saturday evening: $8 with your own skates
- Saturday evening: $10 with regular rental
- Saturday evening: $14 with inline/speed rental
- Second Sunday of each month: 6:30–8:30 p.m.
- Second Sunday of each month: $5 with own skates
- Second Sunday of each month: $7 with regular rental
- Second Sunday of each month: $9 with inline/speed rental
- Friday night runs 7–10 p.m. and is recommended by the rink for ages 11 and older.
Tiny Tot Skate
- Saturday, 10 a.m.–noon; ages 8 and under
- $6 per child includes regular skate rental, a juice box and snack
- Only children 8 and under may wear skates; adults may walk with children
- Strollers, children’s big-wheel toys and walkers are permitted
- Skatemates: $4; cash or check only; no outside food or drinks
Good to know
- Cash or check only
- Non-skating parents and grandparents may spectate free
- No outside food or drinks during public sessions
- Children under 16 must remain with a parent or legal guardian age 21+
- Ages 16–17 need a photo ID if they do not have their own skates or a guardian with them.
- Public-session times and prices can change
A few more ideas
More good options
Not every useful family stop needs a full itinerary.
Fort Smith
Fort Smith Regional Art Museum
General admission is free, and RAM Saturdays usually gives families a free drop-in art activity from noon–3 p.m. Check the current program calendar before building the day around a specific activity.
Official siteVan Buren
Arts On Main
The galleries are free, while classes and workshops range from free to paid. This is the better fit when the goal is to make something, especially if the current class calendar has a kid-friendly ceramics, art or theatre option.
Good to know Free afterschool art: Tuesdays, 3:30–5 p.m., ages 6–14. Registration required; booking dates currently listed through Dec. 8, 2026.
Register for afterschool artFort Smith
U.S. Marshals Museum
Interactive exhibits make this more useful for school-age kids and teens than a traditional read-the-label museum. Current admission is $15 adults, $10 students age 5 through college, and free under age 5, plus applicable tax on paid admission. Museums for All admission is $2.50 per person for up to four with SNAP, EBT or WIC.
Good to know Free Student Saturdays through December 2026: students ages 5 through college get free Saturday admission. Students under 18 must come with an adult who pays admission.
Official siteFort Smith
Ben Geren Regional Park
A bigger outdoor option with playgrounds, paved and rugged trails and plenty of room to move. General park use is free; Gator Golf and bookable facilities are separate.
Official siteGreenwood
Bell Park
A Greenwood option with trails, basketball and pickleball courts, disc golf and seasonal water play. General park use is free.
Good to know The water feature is closed for the fall season.
Official siteFort Smith
Fort Smith Trolley Museum
A working streetcar and rail-museum stop for kids who love trains. Published streetcar hours: Friday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday, 1–5 p.m.; closed Monday–Thursday. Confirm service and current fares before making a trolley ride the reason for the trip.
Official siteFort Smith
Riverfront Skate and Bike Park
A free riverfront stop for kids who already skate, scooter or ride. Bring helmets and appropriate protective gear.
Official siteFort Smith
John Bell, Jr. Park
An inclusive playground with shade structures, poured-in-place surfacing and room to stay awhile. A good simple answer when the plan is just to let the kids play.
Official siteBarling
Springhill Park
A quieter day-use stop with a playground, picnic shelter, recreation field, river access and Trail of Tears Water Route interpretation. Campground details are separate from the family day-use recommendation.
Official siteFort Smith
Fort Kids Children's Museum Pop-Up
Fort Kids’ permanent riverfront museum is not open yet. The organization still references a temporary pop-up at The Bakery District, but regular hours and free/drop-in access remain unconfirmed. Check Fort Kids or The Bakery District before making a dedicated trip.
Official site
Seasonal places · Closed for now
Save for summer
These belong in the evergreen guide, but not in today's plan.
Alma
Alma Aquatic Center
The city currently lists the aquatic center as closed until May 2027. When open, it has shallow water play, slides and larger-pool attractions for a full summer afternoon. We will refresh 2027 dates and pricing before the season.
Official siteFort Smith
Parrot Island Waterpark
Fort Smith's larger seasonal waterpark includes a wave pool, lazy river, slides and a dedicated kids area. The 2026 season has ended, so current 2027 dates and admission should be checked before planning a visit.
Official siteA bigger day out
Worth the Drive
A little farther, but different enough from the everyday local options to justify it.
Mountainburg
Lake Fort Smith State Park
A bigger nature day with hiking, fishing, kayaking and a visitor center. Day-use hiking, picnicking and visitor-center access are generally free; cabins, camping, rentals and the seasonal pool cost extra. Swimming is not allowed in the lake itself.
Good to know The pool is closed after its Memorial Day–Labor Day season. October marina hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; closed Monday–Tuesday. The marina closes November through March 15. Check rental availability and conditions before going.
Official siteBentonville
Scott Family Amazeum
The hands-on children’s museum option when the museum is the whole point of the day. Admission for ages 2 and older is $17 in person or $14 online; under 2 is free. Most Wednesdays, Priceless Nights offers pay-as-you-wish admission from 4:30–7:30 p.m.; check the calendar before counting on it.
Good to know The Hangout is announced for Nov. 7, 2026 and is not open yet. Check what’s included with admission after opening.
Plan your visit & ticketsFayetteville
Arkansas Air & Military Museum
Real aircraft and military vehicles make this the targeted road-trip pick for kids who already love planes. Current admission is $11 adults, $6 ages 6–16 and free for ages 5 and under.
Good to know Tuesday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; closed Sunday–Monday.
Official siteKeep planning
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