Rest assured your brood won’t be bored in Metro Little Rock. The area’s access to nature and world-renowned arts and entertainment offerings geared just for them make Little Rock an awesome place to raise a family. Here’s just a handful of our faves.

Cute baby animals and new habitats at the Little Rock Zoo. Tiger cubs, baby penguins, a toddler gorilla—there’s nothing cuter than baby animals, save for maybe seeing a child’s reaction to seeing those baby animals. Experience this joy, as well as the zoo’s new train and recently added cheetah and penguin habitats on your visits (we know they’ll be frequent). There’s also a carousel, live animal feedings, zoofari daycamps, keeper chats and more than 700 animals representing more than 200 different species—making this zoo one of the top attractions in Arkansas.

Tyler Rosenthal

Interactive fun at the award-winning Museum of Discovery. The Museum of Discovery, recently ranked top 10 among U.S. science museums by Mensa, is a can’t-miss for families. It’s so famous for being cool—with kids and their parents—Jimmy Fallon, host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show,” recently brought on the museum’s own Kevin Delaney to perform his “Awesome Science” experiments for the world. Here’s just a short list of things kids can do during a visit: build things in the Tinkering Studio; try out the tornado simulator; be a weatherperson for a day; and measure how much blood is in their body. The museum is a popular spot for birthday parties and hosts special interactive exhibits year-round.

Putt and Drive (Go Karts) at Big Rock Mini Golf & Fun Park. The new Big Rock Mini Golf & Fun Park is already a huge hit, as it is the only mini golf attraction in the metro—believe it or not—and an awesome one at that. Beyond two creative putt-putt courses, there are bumper boats, go-karts, batting cages and an arcade to thoroughly entertain your kiddos. This new attraction adds to the excitement happening off I–30 and Baseline Road, where the new Bass Pro Shop also just opened.

Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park (left) in Maumelle (Photo by Tyler Rosenthal); Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock

Two new, super cool trampoline parks. Little Rock youngsters can “get some air” in a whole new way. We’re talking feet-off-the-ground, high-in-the-sky air. They are getting this thrill at two new trampoline parks— Altitude Trampoline Park in Little Rock and Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park in Maumelle. These huge interconnected trampolines are addictively fun—parents, you’ll want to jump too.

Baseball at Dickey-Stephens Park. This ballpark-with-a-view makes America’s pastime even more special. Bring the kids to enjoy an AA minor league Arkansas Travelers game—the Travs, as we call them, are the farm team for the Seattle Mariners, beginning in 2017. There’s not a bad seat in the house, as Dickey-Stephens faces the Little Rock skyline and the Arkansas River from North Little Rock. Special nights with fun swag for kids are scheduled throughout the season, which runs April–September.

STAFF RECCOMENDATIONS

Best Place To Have a Baby: Baptist Health–Little Rock in West Little Rock

Pediatricians (tie): Arkansas Pediatric Clinic in Midtown and Little Rock Children’s Clinic in West Little Rock

Family Event: Boo at the Zoo in October in Midtown

Kids Restaurant: All-Aboard Restaurant & Grill in Midtown

“All Aboard has this delicious strawberry, goat cheese and chicken salad that I always get, and the usual chicken nuggets and hamburgers for the young ones. The ‘choo choo trains’ that deliver the food mesmerize the kids, so you can actually go here with adults and hold a conversation. They even serve wine. Hallelujah!” –Lindsay Irvin, Editor