Despite the nightmare scenarios painfully depicted by Chevy Chase, family trips can actually be fun, and more than ever people want to travel with their kids, even on business trips.
Flexible scheduling to attend family events and meet family responsibilities has long been a perk offered by employers. Now employees are showing an increasing interest in making a family trip out of a company meeting, convention or event, especially after being cooped up during a pandemic.
It isn’t a new thing to blend business and leisure, a practice that has for some time been referred to as “bleisure” — adding leisure or personal travel to a scheduled work trip. Increased flexibility and remote or hybrid work have given workers more freedom in the ways they travel, and that includes bringing children and families on work trips or to company meetings and conventions.
From menu options to activities, events planners these days are thinking about the kids.
“People are starting to travel and starting to ask, speakers especially, how much of a stipend can I get? Can I bring my family?” said Alex Howland, owner of Alex Victtoria Events in Fayetteville. “They often choose to bring them anyway. That’s a huge revenue generator.”
But, sooner or later, the adults are going to have to turn their attention to the event itself. What to do with the kids during the business portion of an event?
Here are some tips and guidelines for event planners looking to conduct a family friendly meeting.
Decide
Profile the attendance base and decide if family friendly options and activities are necessary. A quick fly-in meeting at one of the Clinton National Airport hotels or an audience of mostly retirees would preclude planning for kids.
Polling
A pre-event survey of attendees to get the number of kids, their ages, special needs or dietary restrictions is invaluable. And don’t forget proper event insurance.
Site Selection
Arkansas offers a wealth of activities and outdoor recreation opportunities for young people. Try to plunk your event down in a facility near a state park, zoo, interactive museum or some other fun or interesting destination. Look for nearby day trips or tours.
Event Amenities
Lactation rooms or stations, daycare and space for daytime activities on site are things to consider if the kids are coming. Planners should research, arrange and offer child care options and plan activities for kids and spouses while events are in session.
Menu Matters
Consider family style seating for meals and confirm plenty of booster and high chairs are available. The menu should have options for kids. Activity space somewhere in the ballroom is a good idea to keep kids busy while the adults finish their meals.
Go-Tos to Go To
Some kid friendly options around Arkansas for downtime during your event
Southeast
Lake Chicot State Park
2542 State Hwy. 257, Lake Village, AR 71653
On the shores of a beautiful 22-mile oxbow lake in Chicot County, part of the Arkansas Delta, Lake Chicot State Park contains 212 acres featuring a wide variety of waterfowl and wading birds.
In addition to the numerous wildlife-watching opportunities, Lake Chicot State Park features the largest oxbow lake in North America and offers family friendly recreational activities like hiking, mountain biking, camping, picnicking, swimming and fishing that will ensure the kids will sleep well back at the hotel.
Southwest
Magic Springs Theme and Water Park
1701 E. Grand Ave., Hot Springs, AR 71901
About 50 miles from Little Rock and open daily from late May to mid-August, Magic Springs Theme and Water Park provides a summer option full of rides and attractions to help get the adrenaline pumping. The park has a number of family rides and slides, water-based fun and roller coasters for all ages. The Timberwood Amphitheater is a modern concert venue that hosts a variety of entertainment every Saturday during the season, and Crystal Falls is the complex’s water park featuring kids’ play zones, tube slides, a wave pool, a lazy river and seven side-by-side racing slides.
Northwest
Scott Family Amazeum
1009 Museum Way, Bentonville, AR 72712
An indoor museum to give young minds a workout, the Amazeum has a number of interesting, challenging exhibits for kids of all ages.
Young visitors can get a taste of grownup work at the Walmart Market, taste test chocolates in the Hershey’s Lab, get some exercise on the Canopy Climber, perform water experiments in Nature Valley Water Arrangements and enjoy numerous other adventures in science and art.
Kids under 5 may need some supervision, as there are some activities appropriate for ages 5 and up.
Northeast
Hijinx Family Entertainment Center
3102 Shelby Dr., Jonesboro, AR 72404
With 32 lanes and a laser tag arena, Hijinx Family Entertainment Center is an indoor destination visiting families can enjoy any time of the year, as well as a fun spot for coprorate events, offering a range of activities and the latest in bowling alley fun and entertainment. Event planners looking to set up a kid-friendly, group activity can take advantage of inflatable play structure rentals, arcade games, glow bowling, party hosting and a snack bar. Along with music, the facility is equipped with advanced lighting, concessions and an arcade.
Central
Museum of Discovery
500 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock, AR 72201
The Museum of Discovery, the former Arkansas Museum of Natural History and Antiquities, is Little Rock’s premier science and technology center promoting science, technology, engineering, arts and math through dynamic interactive experiences. Ranked by Mensa and USA Today as one of the best science museums in America, the Museum of Discovery featues 90 hands-on exhibits. Families can shelter from a tornado, meet animals from around the world, explore creativity in the Tinkering Studio and witness the 20,000-volt Guinness World Record musical bi-polar Tesla coil.
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