The Ultimate Guide to Family & Kids Activities Near Batesville, Arkansas (Summer & Fall 2025)
If you’re a parent in or around Batesville, Arkansas, this guide is your go-to for finding summer camps, free events, VBS programs, kids’ meals, and family activities happening in Southside, Cave City, Cushman, Newark, and more!
🍽️ Free Summer Meals
Pick up meals: June 3–July 29 (Tuesdays)
Batesvilleschools.com/foodservice
Batesville Jr. High: 9–10 AM & 5–6 PM
Cushman Park, Sulphur Rock, West Elem
Walk In- June 3–July 29 (Mon–Fri)
Eagle Mountain Elem: 🍳 7:30–8:30 | 🥪 11:00–12:00
Southside Schools
Southside Elem & HS: 🍳 7:30–8:30 | 🥪 11:00–12:30
📧 carrie.douglas@southsideschools.org
Cedar Ridge Schools
Cedar Ridge Elem: 🍳 7:30–8:30 | 🥪 11:00–12:00
📞 870-201-2577 | 📧 judy.tubbs@cedarwolves.org
🍽️ Kids Eat Free – Stella’s Bistro
📍 3615 Harrison St, Batesville, AR
🗓️ Every Tuesday
👧🧒 Kids eat free with adult meal purchase
📞 Call to confirm weekly specials: (870) 569-4901
🏅 Youth Rec & Sports
May 26–Aug 1
Batesville Swim League | Group 1: 10–11 AM | Group 2: 3–4 PM
📧 aquatics@cityofbatesville.com
🚣♂️ Poke Bayou Outfitters – Kayak & Paddleboard Rentals
📍 501 E Main St, Batesville, AR
🗓️ Available daily by reservation | Spring–Fall Season
Rental Options:
🛶 Single Kayak – $30 for 3 hours
👨👩👧 Tandem Kayak – $40 for 3 hours
🏄 Paddleboard – $30 for 3 hours
All rentals include paddles, life jackets, and a short safety briefing.
Group rates and guided tours also available!
📞 Call: (870) 834-1960🎬
Events, Movies & More
Thursdays through July 3
🎶 Levitt Amp Concert Series
Downtown Batesville | 6 PM
Live bands weekly — bring a chair!
Every Saturday (May–Oct)
🥕 Farmers Market at Maxfield Park
9 AM–1 PM | Vendors, music, kids activities
🧘♀️ Kids Yoga on the Lawn (Maxfield Park)
Free | Sponsored by Main Street Batesville
June 6–14
🎡 Independence County Fair
June 24–Aug 6 (Mon & Wed)
🎥 Oaks 7 Summer Movies
$5 admission | 11 AM | $1 Coke & Popcorn
July 4
🎆 Celebrate America Fireworks
Batesville Golf Course | 4–9 PM | Fireworks at 9:15 PM
📅 Saturday, June 14, 2024 | ⏰ 8:00 AM
Badboy Kids Splash & Dash for Literacy
📍 Batesville Community Center
A fun swim-run event just for kids to support the Imagination Library of Independence County! Open to ages 5–14, with age-based distances.
July 24–26
🍉 Cave City Watermelon Festival
Sept 27
🎪 Cushman Miners Day
Parade, live music, vendors, bounce houses, street dance
📸 Fair Micro Sessions with Storyteller Images
June 6–14 at the Independence County Fair
$50 | 5-minute session | Includes 3 digital images
Fun, vibrant, and quick!
🌟 Totally Free & Local Fun
🌊 West Side Splash Pad – open daily
🎳 Kids Bowl Free – Sign up here
📚 Independence County Library – Summer Reading Program
📍 267 E Main St, Batesville, AR
🗓️ June 2 – July 24 (Closed July 1–4)
💵 FREE for all ages!
Weekly Schedule:
📽️ Mondays – Matinee at 2 PM
📘 Tuesdays – Tween Club at 2 PM (Ages 9–12)
📖 Wednesdays – Storytime
• 11 AM (Toddlers–5)
• 2 PM (Toddlers–10)
🎨 Thursdays – Art Workshop at 2 PM (Ages 5–15)
• Pre-registration required: (870) 793-8814
🎭 Fridays – Performers at 11 AM in the Library Loft
• June 6 – Andrew Best (Music)
• June 13 – Build with Home Depot! 🛠️
• June 20 – Mömandpöp
• June 27 – Howling Hiss Wolf Pack
• July 11 – Mini Tapestry Weaving
• July 18 – Jacksonport at the Library
🔗 Independence County Library Website
🛠️ Home Depot Kids Workshops
📍 Home Depot – 3000 Harrison St, Batesville, AR
🗓️ First Saturday of every month
🕘 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
💵 FREE | Ages 5–12
🎨 Kids build a new project each month and get to take it home — includes a workshop apron, pin, and certificate!
Upcoming Projects:
July 6 – Crab Pencil Holder
August 3 – Whiteboard Pencil Desk Organizer
🍕 Pizza Hut Book-It App – Earn free pizza for reading milestones!
📖 Vacation Bible Schools (VBS) Around the Area
Looking for a fun, faith-filled way for your kids to grow this summer? Here’s a list of upcoming VBS programs near Batesville:
📍 June 1–6
➡️ Corinth Missionary Baptist – Cave City
🍽️ Dinner at 5 PM | VBS 6–8:35 PM
📍 June 2–5
➡️ Pleasant Valley MB Church – Batesville
🕒 6–8 PM | Ages Pre-K to 6th
🎯 Theme: True North
📍 June 9–13
➡️ First Baptist Church – Batesville
🕘 9 AM–12 PM
🎯 Theme: Magnified!
🗓️ June 16–20 VBS Listings
📍 Maxville Missionary Baptist Church
🕕 6:00–8:00 PM
🎯 Theme: Rocket Racers – The Life of Elijah
📚 Classes for preschool through adult
📍 Saffell Missionary Baptist Church
🕕 6:00–8:15 PM
🎯 Theme: Club Treehouse
A fun-filled week of Bible adventure and learning!
📍 The Rock Outreach Church – Cushman
📍 6600 N Central Ave, Cushman, AR 72526
🍽️ Dinner: 5:30–6:15 PM
✝️ VBS: 6:30–8:00 PM
🎯 Theme: My Southwest Adventure
📍 June 23–25
➡️ Newark Southern Baptist Church
🍽️ Dinner at 5:30 PM | VBS 6–8:30 PM
🎯 Ages 3 through 6th grade
👨👩👧 Parents Night: June 26 at 7:00 PM
📍 June 29–July 2
➡️ Mt. Harmony Free Will Baptist Church – Saffell
🕕 6–8 PM Nightly
🎯 Theme: True North
📍 June 23–25
➡️ Newark Southern Baptist
🍽️ Dinner at 5:30 PM | VBS 6–8:30 PM | Ages 3–6th Grade
📍 June 29–July 2
➡️ Mt. Harmony Free Will Baptist – Saffell
⏰ 6–8 PM Nightly | Theme: True North
🎨 Available Summer Camps
Make the most of summer with camps that inspire creativity, build confidence, and keep kids moving!
🏀 Lyon College Sports Camps
🏀 Basketball Kids Camp
📅 June 12–13 | 🕘 10 AM–2 PM
📍 Becknell Gymnasium | Grades 3–8
💲 $50
🏃♂️ Elite Cross Country Camp
📅 July 18 (5–9 PM) & July 19 (8 AM–Noon)
📍 Hosted by Lyon College Cross Country
🔗 Register Here📝 June 11–12 & July 9–10
🔹 Lyon ACT Prep Camp
📍 Batesville | Register here
⚽ Lyon College Soccer Camp
July 22–25 | 9 AM–12 PM
Ages 5–13 | $80
📍 Lyon College, Batesville, AR
💃 NADT Summer Dance & Performing Arts Camps
📍 Hosted in Batesville, AR
🩰 Princess Camp
📅 July 14–17
👑 Ages 3–6 | Dress up, dancing, and themed crafts
🎭 Musical Theater Camp
📅 July 14–17
🎤 Ages 7–12 | Singing, acting, choreography
🤸 Acro Camp
📅 June 17 & 27 and July 22 & 25
🌀 Ages 6+ | Tumbling, tricks, strength & flexibility
🎠 Dance With Your Doll
📅 June 16–19
🧸 Ages 4–8 | Bring your favorite doll and learn fun routines together
🐴 June 18–20 & July 9–11
🔹 Diamond D Horse Camp | Ages 5–12
8 AM–Noon | $220 | Includes riding, crafts, snacks
🎨 June 23–26 & July 14–17
🔹 Whippoorwill Charms Art Camp | Ages 6–14
www.whippoorwillcharm.com
⛺ June 30–July 3
🔹 LIFE Camp – Budd Creek
RSVP: Dalton Richey (870-679-0415)
🏃 July 18–19
🔹 Lyon Elite XC Camp
🎨 July 21–25 (K–3rd) & July 28–Aug 1 (4th–12th)
🔹 Batesville Area Arts Council Camp
🎓 UACCB Kids’ College 2025
🗓️ Dates:
July 7–11: For students entering Grades 1–3
July 14–18: For students entering Grades 4–6
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Visit the UACCB Youth Enrichment page for more information.
Register directly through UACCB’s CourseStorm platform.
Have something to add? 📩 Message me and I’ll keep this updated all summer long!
