Looking for ways to enjoy the summer sunshine? Check out these great outdoor family-friendly activities in North Little Rock:
Best splash pads and pools near North Little Rock:
North Little Rock
Funland Splash Pad in Burns Park
- Free admission, open Monday – Sunday from 10 am – 7 pm
Glenview Community Center Splash Pad
- Free admission, open Memorial Day to Labor Day, Mon-Sat from 12-5 pm
Otey's Splash Pad at Dickey-Stephens Park
- $5 pass includes access to Kidz Korner playground
- Open during Travelers' home games with a temperature of at least 75 degrees
NLR Community Center Pools - Memorial Day to Labor Day
- Tues-Sat, 12-5 pm
- North Heights CC ($2 members, $3 non-members, ages 4 & under free with a parent)
- Sherman Park CC ($1 members, $2 non-members, ages 5 & under free with a parent)
Maumelle
Maumelle Splash Pad & All-Inclusive Playground
- Mon-Sun: 9 am-8 pm | May to Oct, weather-dependent
- All-inclusive playground
Maumelle Aquatic Center - Memorial Day to Labor Day
- Tue-Sat: 12-7 pm, Sun: 1-6 pm, closed Mon (last day Mon, Sept 7 12-7 pm)
- Daily Pass: Maumelle Residents: $7 for ages 4 and older; $1 for children under age 4 | Non-Residents: $12 per person (same day re-entry w/receipt)
Sherwood
- Mon-Thurs: 10 am-6 pm | Fri-Sun: 10 am-5 pm
Little Rock
4 splash pads with free admission open 9 am-8 pm daily
- Riverfront Park: Peabody Playground & Splash Pad in Ottneheimer Plaza next to the Junction Bridge
- Riverfront Park: Toddler Playground & Splash Pad (ages 0-5) in Ottenheimer Plaza west of the Marriott Hotel
- Crump Park Splash Pad at 904 W. 33rd Street, 72206
- War Memorial Park Playground at 5511 W. Markham St., 72205
Bryant
- Open Memorial Day through Labor Day
- Day Pass access to the entire facility $5 per person (under 2 yr free)
- Mon-Fri: 6 am-8 pm | Sat: 8 am-6 pm | Sun: noon-6 pm
Best water parks near North Little Rock:
- Admission $7 for ages 2+, slide $1 (48" tall)
- Features include three pools, a water tunnel, an umbrella-shaped rain drop, dew drop water showers, a Splashdome, water blasters, and a dual racer slide.
- Handicap accessible
- Concessions available for purchase (no outside food and drink)
- Lockers available to rent
- See the 2026 schedule here.
- Admission: $7-$10; $5 after 4 pm, $1 discount to military personnel with ID, infants under 1 year of age admitted at no charge
- Open daily from May 30, 12-6 pm | Sat & Sun only, Aug 9 to Sept 6
- Last Day of the Season, Monday, Sept 7 (Labor Day)
- ADA-compliant outdoor aquatic facility featuring three pools
- Recreational pool with a kiddy water area with a curved slide, a family slide, and an in-water lounge area
- Dive and Slide pool has two 25-foot slides and a 1-meter competitive diving board
- The Lazy River flows around an island featuring a covered pavilion and a seated lounge pool. Tubes are provided (one per person) to float the river.
- Full-service concession stand
Magic Springs is Arkansas’s thrilling combination theme and water park, home to Timberwood Amphitheater, which hosts the Summer Concert Series each season, included FREE with your admission.
Daily Admission and Annual passes are available. Purchase tickets here.
- Bear Cub Bend Kiddie Pool features a wading pool, mini river, and water activities
- Grizzly Creek Activity Pool for older children offers a challenging obstacle course with netting and floating logs.
- Family water attractions include: Ohana Oasis, Bubble-Up Pool, Crystal Cove Wave Pool, Crystal Lagoon Pool, Kodiak Canyon Adventure River, and Splash Island.
Crenshaw Springs Water Park in White Hall
Crenshaw Springs Water Park features a variety of attractions for guests of all ages, from a rock climbing wall, huge slides, a floating river, and a tot spot for the little ones.
- Open Mon-Sat from 11 am-6 pm and Sun from 1-6 pm
- 1-Day passes range from $10-$12, with kids age 3 and under admitted free
- Multi-visit passes are also available
- Concessions are available for purchase (no outside food or beverages)
- Cabanas are also available for rent
Diamond Springs Water Park in Murfreesboro
Take a break from mining for diamonds at the Crater of Diamonds State Park at the park's mining-themed aquatic playground, a 4,166-square-foot wading pool featuring spray geysers, sprayers, water jets, animated waterspouts, cascades, two water slides, and waterfall hideaways. A spacious deck with pool furniture surrounds the pool.
- Open Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day: 11 am-5 pm
- Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- May open weekends only starting mid-August.
Summer Splash Aqua Park in Greenbrier
Summer Splash at Wooly Hollow State Park on Lake Bennett! Get ready for over-the-top adventures, mind-blowing acrobatics, and safe, action-packed challenges at Northeast Arkansas’s ultimate inflatable water park!
- Featuring a giant launch blob, high-flying jump platforms, a rock wall, and more!
- Admission: $19.99 to $39.99 | Little Swimmers (ages 2-5): $5 | Under 2: Free entry
- Locker rental: $5 (first-come, first-served)
- Advance online ticket purchase is recommended, but tickets are also available on site.
Kid-friendly hiking trails near North Little Rock:
Summer festivals happening near North Little Rock:
Firefly Fling at Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
Northwest Arkansas’s most magical summer tradition returns! Firefly Fling is your once-a-year chance to celebrate the season at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks.
- Sat, June 27, 5-9:30 pm
- Admission: $12-$35
- Enjoy live music, food trucks & treats, face painting, henna tattoos, fire dancing, a laser show, and more!
Johnson County Peach Festival in Clarksville
Attend the longest-running festival in the state of Arkansas, located in beautiful downtown Clarksville on the Courthouse Square.
- Thu, July 16 to Sat, July 18 (see the full schedule here)
Rock City Margarita Festival & Great Arkansas Beer Festival - ages 21+
- July 18, 5-8 pm at the Statehouse Convention Center
- Sample margaritas, beers, wines, and seltzers
- Food available for purchase
- Enjoy games, music, dancing, and giveaways
- Purchase tickets online in advance
- Wed-Sat, July 22-25 at the Statehouse Convention Center
- Wed and Thur: Testing and Training Days
- Fri, Championships and Celebration 7 am-8:30 pm
- Sat. Global Tournament begins at 8 am
The Cave City Watermelon Festival has been a beloved celebration since 1980. Its humble roots as a one-day event promoting the famously sweet watermelons have become a three-day summer festival filled with live music, vendors, car shows, contests, and family fun!
- Thur-Sat, July 23-25
- See the full schedule of events here
The 43rd Annual Altus Grape Fest takes place on Friday, July 24, 5-10:30 pm, and on Saturday, July 25, 9:00 am-4:30 pm.
- Enjoy local winery tours and/or tasting, public grape stomps, live entertainment, Kids Water Balloon Toss Contest, and more!
Arkansas Renaissance Festival in Mt. Vernon
Enjoy live entertainment, hearty food and drinks, interactive attractions, and more! Kids ages 4 & under are free. Pet tickets are available at the gate.
- Aug 29-Oct 4, Open Saturdays & Sundays + Labor Day, 10 am-6 pm
Arkansas Reggae Festival at Argenta Green Park in North Little Rock
Enjoy live performances, vendors, kids' zone, food trucks, and more! Free for kids 12 and under.
- Sat, Sept 5 from 4-10:30 pm
Arkansas Comic Con in Little Rock
Arkansas Comic Con is a three-day event bringing together a diverse list of guests, vendors, artists, and fan groups in an affordable, family-friendly environment.
- Fri-Sun, Sept 18-20 at the Statehouse Convention Center
- Purchase tickets online. Military discount available.
Best playgrounds and parks near North Little Rock:
- Burns Park Funland Park
- Inclusive - One Heart Playground in Burns Park
- Inclusive - Laman Plaza Playground by Laman Library Main Branch
- Inclusive - Maumelle Playground
- Julius Breckling Riverfront Park
- War Memorial Park
Inclusive playgrounds in the Little Rock Metro
- MacArthur Unlimited Playground - featuring the SONA Arch interactive multilingual playground
- Two Rivers Park Inclusive Playground
Farmers’ Markets near North Little Rock
Summer means fresh produce, local vendors, and fun community markets!
See the 2026 Central Arkansas Regional Farmers Market Guide here!
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