Free Fun For Families: June 11-24

June 11 – 17:

Tuesday, June 12 – Cedar Creek Trail Adventure @ Petit Jean State Park, 8:30am-10:30am
Join Park Interpreter Mystina at the Pioneer Cabin (Cedar Creek trailhead) to discover some of the animals, plants, and natural forces that can be found along this beautiful, scenic trail. This moderately difficult trail is a 1 ¼-mile loop. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water.

Tuesday – Saturday, June 12-16 – 54th Annual Auto Show and Swap Meet @ Petit Jean State Park
This annual Antique Car Show is co-hosted by the Mid-American Old Time Automobile Association and the Museum of Automobiles on Petit Jean Mountain. Classic and vintage vehicles from all over the region will be on display. Call the museum at (501) 727-5427 for more information.

Friday, June 15 – Let’s Go Geocaching! @ Petit Jean State Park, 8:30-9:15am
Meet Park Interpreter Rachel at the boathouse for an introduction to a popular hobby that combines the use of electronic gadgets with exploration of the great outdoors. Then take a walk in search of an actual geocache. You are welcome to bring your own GPS unit if you have one.

Friday, June 15 – Animal Habitats Hike @ Pinnacle Mountain State Park, 10-11am
The Kingfisher Trail is home to a wide variety of animals including snakes, turtles, woodpeckers and owls. Join a park interpreter on the Kingfisher Trail as we explore the many different homes of some of Pinnacle Mountain State Park’s residents.

Friday, June 15 – Flip Flop Friday @ Tropical Smoothie Cafe, 2-7pm
It’s our 6th Annual National Flip Flop day at Tropical Smoothie Cafe benefitting Camp Sunshine!  Come in and get a FREE 24oz Jetty Punch (strawberry and banana) smoothie!  You can also make a donation to Camp Sunshine and help us send more Arkansas families! Visit www.campsunshine.org for more info.

Saturday, June 16 – Food Around the World @ Heifer Village, 10am-3pm
Families will learn about the work of Heifer International through fun, hands-on activities that will get participants thinking about where food really comes from.

Saturday, June 16 – Kinder Concert @ CALS Main Library, 10:30am
Brian and Terri Kinder, a locally based singing and songwriting husband and wife duo, are putting on their free monthly concerts for their target audience – kids!!

Saturday, June 16 – I Ate A Bug @ Pinnacle Mountain State Park, 2-3pm
Bugs are found everywhere, from cereal to rice to spaghetti. You have probably eaten a bug and have not even realized it. Discover some of the places where you may find bugs before eating a flavored cricket or mealworm. You may even become a member of the “I Ate A Bug” club.

Saturday, June 16 – Outdoor Concert featuring Singer/Songwriter Kerry Grombacher @ Lake Catherine State Park, 7:30-8:30pm
Performing songwriter Kerry Grombacher will appear in concert at the Lake Catherine State Park amphitheater. In the spirit of the troubadours of old, Kerry Grombacher’s contemporary folk and western songs paint vivid portraits and tell the fascinating stories of roadside motels, old camp cooks, wildland firefighters-the landmarks and denizens of the west. Kerry has been performing an annual summer concert at Lake Catherine State Park since 1999.

Saturday, June 16 – Star Party @ Pinnacle Mountain State Park, 9-11pm
Join amateur astronomers at the visitor center for an evening with the stars and other celestial phenomena. As twilight settles in, the Central Arkansas Astronomical Society will provide telescopes for viewing objects in the night sky. If cloudy skies prevent observation, an indoor program on astronomy will be presented at 9 p.m.

Go Here for Summer Reading Club events for Kids and Families at Central Arkansas Libraries.

Go Here for events for Kids and Families at William F. Laman Public Library System.

Go Here for information on Kids’ Summer Movies (free and cheap)

June 18-24:

Wednesday, June 20th – Youth Safety Day @ Sherman Park in NLR, 9am-2:30pm
North Little Rock Parks & Recreation holds a safety day to educate children ages 6-15 years old. Kids can gather information on water, pool and swim safety, and stop by booths from UAMS Poison Control, Healthy Living (Fitness, Food and No to Drugs and Alcohol), NLR Police Deptartment, NLR Fire Department, Family Services, NLR Animal Shelter and MEMS.

Wednesday, June 20th – Puss In Boots @ Riverfest Ampitheater, 8pm
Movies in the Park shows the 2011 hit Puss in Boots, about a smooth talking feline (voiced by Antonio Banderas) that spun out of the Shrek franchise. Picnics and pets are allowed. The amphitheater opens an hour before the film begins at sundown.

Thursday-Saturday, June 21-23 – Malvern Brickfest @ Malvern City Park
Malvern is the “Brick Capital of the World” because of its storied past in the brickmaking industry and Brickfest is our annual festival to celebrate that heritage. We have loads of fun with live stage entertainment, the 5K run, the car, truck, and motorcycle shows, Miss Brickfest Pageant, baby contest, arts & crafts vendors, games and plenty of fabulous food along with the 3rd Annual Baby Back Rib Cook-off. Enter an event specific to bricks such as the Brick Car Derby, Best Dressed Brick, and the Brick Toss. It’s a fun 3 days for the whole family!

Friday – Sunday, June 22-24 – The Great War Memorial Balloon Race @ War Memorial Park
Marvel at 25 hot air balloons anchored around War Memorial Park. The highlight of every day will be the evening balloon launch and “glow,” when the balloons light up and put on a colorful show as they take off into the evening sky. Visitors will also enjoy snacks from food trucks, live Jazz music, carnival games for kids, kite flying and more

Sunday, June 24 – Woolly Cabin Tour @ Woolly Hollow State Park, 10-11am
Meet Park Interpreter Mandy at the Woolly Cabin to learn about living in the 1800s. Learn about the history of the first people to settle on this land, the cabin, and play some pioneer games.

Sunday, June 24 – Seining Fun @ Woolly Hollow State Park, 2-3pm
Come on down to the swimming beach and meet our Park Interpreter Mandy to discover the different types of creatures we can catch with a special type of netting. Be prepared to get wet!

If you have a free event that you’d like to share, please let me know!

Related posts:

Free Fun for Families: Oct 24-29 Free Fun For Families: Dec 5-11 Free Fun for Families: Nov 28 – Dec 4 Free Fun For Families: April 22-29