If you have a few go-to accounts for hair tips on IG, post them in the comments!

Updo with large hairpin:

epic_stylee

For blowout tips: 

mattloveshair

For a pretty half-up style:

tokoyoblondepasta

For cuter ponytails:

tutorial.cewek

Vexed Adventures Summer Camp

About Vexed Adventures’ Summer Camps

Looking for a summer camp where your child can build confidence, make friends, and unleash their creativity? Our tabletop role-playing game camp is perfect! No RPG experience necessary! Adventure and imagination take center stage in this weeklong storytelling half day camp led by Paul Savas, former director of Trike Theatre. Perfect for creative kids who love writing, art, role-playing games, and/or theatre. We’ll split into appropriate age groups listed below and campers will design and play their own original one-shot adventure filled with heroic quests, strange creatures, and unforgettable moments. 

Throughout the week, kids will strengthen teamwork and communication skills while building confidence in their ideas and their individual voice. They’ll collaborate to create a shared story, craft custom terrain to bring their world to life, and step into the roles of heroes facing exciting challenges together. By the end of the week, your child won’t just have played a game, they’ll have created a story, built something with their own hands, and experienced the joy of imaginative collaboration.

Address:  Brick and Mortar on Union Square, 120 W Walnut St, Rogers, AR 72756

Phone: (864) 363-2244 

Age Range:  11-13 and 14-16

Cost:  $225 (includes all fees, supplies, and a set of dice. The dice are for your camper to take home. Other add ons are available.)

Camp Dates and Times:

• June 29-July 3 – 1pm to 4pm (Sale $200)
• July 27-31 – 1pm to 4pm

More info: Click here to learn more about the positive effects of role-playing games and Vexed Adventures.

Scroll down to see photos from previous table-top role-playing game camps hosted by Vexed Adventures.

Click here to return to the main menu with more than 40 camps listed in the 2026 Summer Camps & Activities Guide.

If you’re looking for your next favorite pod, here are a few of the most popular parenting podcasts in 2026:

Good Inside with Dr. Becky (for tips and advice)

Parenting Hell (for humor)

The Longest Shortest Time

Is it Normal? The Pregnancy Podcast with Jessie Ware

Raising Good Humans

I watch for great quotes the way kids hunt Easter eggs, eagerly peering around every corner in case a good one is nestled nearby. It’s one of my favorite parts about reading – the way some sentences jump off the page and into the core of who you are or who you want to be.

Author Susan Cain said that the point of writing is “to tell the truth about what it’s like to be alive.” Yes, I thought. That’s it! I love it when a single line rings true in every cell of my body.

You don’t have to be an avid reader or a writer to love great quotes. In fact, the best quotes are like medicine, offering a dose of hope, determination, joy, or a simple reminder to be kind to yourself in this overwhelming world.

So, in the spirit of spring and new growth, here are 15 quotes I love. When I find one, I write it on a notecard and keep it on my desk or screen shot it with my phone so I can keep discovering it over and over again, in hope that its truth soaks through my stubbornness until it mingles with marrow.

Here’s hoping these words help us renew our sense of what it’s really like to be alive.

When you’re afraid to try:

“Don’t be too timid or squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment.” (Essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson)

When you’re feeling whiny:

“The true joy in life is to be a force of fortune instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.” (Playwright George Bernard Shaw)

When you need to keep pushing:

“Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare.” (Psychology professor and author of the book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance Angela Duckworth)

When you need to remember the upside of feeling down:

“You’ll have bad times, but it’ll always wake you up to the good stuff you weren’t paying attention to.” (Robin Williams’ character Sean in the movie Good Will Hunting.)

When you need to take a risk:

“There are too many people in the world today who decide to live disappointed rather than risk feeling disappointed.” (Brene Brown, research professor and author of Atlas of the Heart)

When your work is hard:

“It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard… is what makes it great.” (Tom Hanks’ character Jimmy Dugan in the movie A League of Their Own.)

When your inner control freak gets too loud:

“Reality doesn’t need you to help operate it.” (Michael Singer)

When you’d rather avoid hard things:

“It is not fear that stops you from doing the brave and true thing in your daily life. Rather, the problem is avoidance. You want to feel comfortable, so you avoid doing or saying the thing that will evoke fear and other difficult emotions. Avoidance will make you feel less vulnerable in the short run, but it will never make you less afraid.” (Dr. Harriet Lerner in the book The Dance of Fear)

When you need to lighten up:

“Don’t take life too seriously. You’ll never get out alive.” (Bugs Bunny)

When your thoughts torture you:

“Your thoughts are just visitors. You don’t have to believe all of them.” (Anonymous)

When you’re running low on hope:

“The very least you can do in your life is figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance, but live right in it, under its roof.” (Barbara Kingsolver)

When you underestimate simple kindness:

“Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.” (Actor and martial artist Jackie Chan)

When you’re broken-hearted:

“Do not apologize for crying. Without this emotion, we are only robots.” (Elizabeth Gilbert)

When you feel stuck:

“The act of fretting about the future won’t help keep everything on track… You find solace in action, inching forward into the future, doing tiny bits of the things that are causing the anxiety.” (Oliver Burkeman)

When you doubt the power of love:

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” (Poet Maya Angelou)

Gwen Rockwood is a syndicated freelance columnist. Email her at gwenrockwood5@gmail.com. Her new novel is available on Amazon.

If you haven’t heard about the company called Budsies, here’s a link so you can check it out. Click HERE to go to the site and see some of the creations that have been made using only a child’s crayon drawing. (This is NOT an affiliate link or any kind of paid ad. We don’t make a dime. We just think this would make such a fun gift!)

If your son or daughter wants a doll that looks like them, you can check out Budsies Selfies, which makes a doll from a photo of your child or loved one. The sister company Petsies makes plushies by using a photo of your pet. It’s incredible how accurate they look! They can also use a photo of your pet to make custom pajamas, golf head covers, pet portraits and throw pillows.

It’s never too early to start shopping for Christmas or birthday presents! Hope you or your little one can make something special that becomes a fun keepsake.

Note from the mamas: If you’d like to see your Northwest Arkansas party services featured with links and additional info in our Guide, let us know! Contact Gwen at gwen@nwaMotherlode.com for more information and pricing.

The companies below (with links and extra information) are nwaMotherlode sponsors, but we list all the party-related providers we know about to make the Guide more helpful to Northwest Arkansas mamas. We’ll be adding additional information on an ongoing basis, so be sure to check back often!

Directory of 2026 Northwest Arkansas Party Venues and Vendors

Presenting Sponsor: The Jones Center

The Jones Center sponsored this Guide so we could offer it to all Northwest Arkansas parents free of charge. (There’s even a printer-friendly version of the Guide you can download here.) The Jones Center has been hosting birthday parties and corporate events for more than xx years, so we’re proud to partner with them to bring you the most complete online resource for party planning in Northwest Arkansas.

Address: 922 East Emma Avenue, Springdale, Arkansas 72764

Party types: Indoor party packages including ice skating, swimming, gymnastics, dodgeball, Nerf wars and more

Party size: Up to 20 people in private rooms or semi-private party spaces

Contact: (479) 756-8090

Click HERE for full details about party offerings at The Jones Center. 

Featured Party Providers:

Amazeum

The Amazeum makes celebrations stress-free, memorable, and full of STEAM-powered fun. You can customize the party with special add-on services, depending on your child’s interests. Birthday parties at the Amazeum include 15 guests and a one-hour private room rental. You can add extra guests for an additional $12 per guest. 

Address: 1009 Museum Way, Bentonville, Arkansas

Phone: (479) 696-9280 (ext. 253)

Add-on packages: Bracelet bash; Dash into Robotics; Make-Your-Own-Putty-Experience; Hershey’s Lab; Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Party. (Click here for pricing info on each add-on service.)

Cost: $250 for Amazeum members; $300 for non-members

For specific questions: For birthday party questions, send an email to birthday@amazeum.org or call (479) 696-9280.

Click HERE for full details about The Amazeum’s party services.

Modern Mission

Modern Mission’s has been in operation since 2016 and with the goal that every child has loads of fun in a safe environment! Party guests will have a fun, memorable time playing Airsoft, Archery Games, and Indoor/Outdoor Laser Tag.

Address: 3484 E. Joyce Blvd., Fayetteville, Arkansas 72703

Phone: (479) 595-0055

Age Range: Missions are objective-based, and the gear is a bit more involved than traditional laser tag; therefore, Modern Mission requires players to be ages 7+ (for our Outdoor and Indoor laser tag). All Airsoft players need to be at least 10+ in order to play. All Advanced Tactical players need to be at least 12+ in order to play. All Axe Throwing Players need to be at least 13+ to play.

Click HERE for full details about Modern Mission’s parties and other event rentals. 

Ozark Natural Science Center

Ozark Natural Science Center can help you create the perfect nature-loving event, reunion, retreat or conference. With onsite lodging for up to 78 people, this venue has outdoor and indoor meeting spaces as well as dining facilities for up to 125 guests. There are also hiking, campfire and other program options.

Address: 1905 Madison 1305, Huntsville, AR 72749

Phone: 479-202-8340

Click HERE for full details about event venues and rentals at Ozark Natural Science Center.

Additional Northwest Arkansas Party Venues and Vendors

The Jones Center

Starlight Skatium

Great Day Skate Place

The Jones Center (indoor)

Imagine Studios

Crock A Doodle

KidCreate Studio

Community Creative Center

Play Street Museum

Wild Brush Revival

Fast Lane Entertainment

Ozark Bowling Lanes

Rogers Bowling Center

Hillside Lanes

The Leroy Lounge

Fast Lane Entertainment

NWA Rolling Video Games

Game On Mobile Gaming

The Jones Center

Aspire Gymnastics Academy

The Little Gym (Fayetteville)

Williams Center

Gymnastics Joe’s

Infiniti Athletics

Altitude Trampoline Park (Fayetteville)

Sky Zone (Rogers)

Tippi Toes Northwest Arkansas

DivaDance NWA

NWA Princess Parties

Big Box Karaoke

Modern Mission

Walton Arts Center

Climb Bentonville

The Jones Center

Amazeum

Ozark Natural Science Center

Stormy Acres Unicorn & Horse Parties

The Quiver Archery Range

K1 Speed Indoor Kart Racing

Twin Willows Ranch & Stables

Top Golf (Rogers)

Farmland Adventures (Fall season only)

Arvest Ballpark Naturals Baseball (in-season only)

Big Box Karaoke

Arkadia

NWA Escape Room

The Experience Escape Rooms

The Jones Center 

Starlight Skatium

Walton Arts Center

K1 Speed Indoor Kart Racing

The Leroy Lounge

Flipside Ninja Park

Climb Bentonville

Twin Willows Ranch & Stables

The Quiver Archery Range

Fast Lane Entertainment

Game On Mobile Gaming

NWA Rolling Video Games

Art of Fun

Silly Tilley Face Painting

Isabell Creek Face Painting

Presley Paige

Art of Fun

DestinO Balloons

Joyful Party Co.

The Balloon Closet

Pink Paloma Balloons

Confetti NWA

Social Butterfly Baloons

Shirley’s Flowers

Flowerama of NWA

Pigmint

Bloom Flowers & Gifts

Northwest Arkansas Florist

Family Florist Fayetteville

Flowers-N-Friends

Springdale Flower Shop

Samantha’s Garden

Meus Floral

Jules Design Event Florals

Eden’s Flower Truck

The Flowerslinger

Matkins Flowers & Greenhouse

Enchanted Designs

The Jones Center

Walton Arts Center

Crystal Bridges Museum of Art

Metroplex Event Center

Modern Mission

The Amazeum

Lokomotion

Fast Lane Entertainment

Climb Bentonville

Princess Party Palace

Blue Zoo Aquarium

Flipside Ninja Park

Let’s Imagine Indoor Playground

Chuck E. Cheese (Fayetteville, Rogers)

K1 Speed Indoor Kart Racing

Malco Movie Theatre

Crock A Doodle

Kidcreate Studio

Imagine Studios

Play Street Museum

Gator Golf Minature Golf

The Ballroom at I Street

Sassafras Springs Vineyard

The Peel Mansion

Fayetteville Town Center

Brick & Mortar on Union Block

Osage House

The Ravington

Railyard Live at Butterfield Stage

Simple Pleasures

The Venue NWA

The Wishing Willow

Heroncrest

The Record in Bentonville

The Mansion at the Orchard

Barn at the Springs

Florence Farms

The Nest at Prairie Creek

Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks

1886 Crescent Hotel (Eureka Springs)

The Basin Park Hotel (Eureka Springs)

Holland Barn Venue

Coler Mountain Bike Preserve

Compton Gardens & Conference Center

Yum Yo’s Frozen Yogurt

Rick’s Bakery

Bizzy B’s Bakery

Butter + Blooms

Shelby Lynn’s Cakes

Alexander Baking Co.

Wildflour’s Kitchen

Baking in Wonderland

Romina’s Bakery

Cakes by Robbin

Half Baked Goodness

Nellie B’s Bakery

Gaby’s Bakery

Alchemy Macarons

Olly Makes Bakery

El Nuevo Progresso Bakery

Angela’s Bakery

Eats by Annie

The Cake Occasion

Sandi Sue’s Gluten Free Bakery

Briar Rose Bakery

WOW Bakery

Butter/Scotch Bakery & Bar

Baked by Kori

Nothing Bundt Cakes

Harp’s Food Stores Bakery

Sam’s Club Bakery

Walmart Bakery

Dancenhance Entertainment

Photo booth rentals:

Extreme Dance Machines

Brock Entertainment

Presley Paige

Party City

The Party Place

Art of Fun

NWA Princess Parties

Dancenhance Entertainment

Presto the Magician

Tent & Bounce NWA

Venue 479 Inflatables

Space Walk Inflatables of NWA

Bouncing World Rentals

Natural State Inflatables

Carnival Party

ABC Bounce

Epic Inflatables

King of Inflatables

iJump

Princess Party Palace

Glow Monkey Foam Parties

Big Poppa Bubble

Intents Party Rentals

Somethin’ Borrowed Event Rentals

Card My Yard NW Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas Yard Greetings

Yard Cards NWA

Social Photo Booth Co.

Eventures Party Rentals

Metroplex Event Center Rentals

Randal Events

Stellar Party Co.

Alchemy Event Rentals

Bill’s Extreme Mobile Laser Tag

Game On Mobile Gaming

NWA Rolling Video Games

Posh Party Co.

Up on the Hill Events & Party Rentals

Party Pro Rents

Metro Tent Rental

The Little Kamp Out (slumber party rentals)

Dancenhance Entertainment

Margarita Man

Ralph’s Event Rentals

Super Fun Party Rentals

LA Party Rentals NWA

Just Party & Equipment Rental

Bunny Hop Mobile Play Inc.

The Perfect Date

RSVP Event Rentals

Party Bus Rentals

Pinnacle Car Services

Dynasty Limo NWA

Alpha Lit NWA (lighting)

The Piknic Project

Dilly Dally’s

Kindness & Joy Toys

Bella’s Gifts

You’ll find free, family-friendly events in this line-up that cater to different age groups, including kids as young as 3-6

Trail Mix 

Date and time: Friday, May 1 | 5:30-7:30pm 

Location: Lower Ramble, Fayetteville 

About this event: Artosphere’s signature event for all ages featuring pop-up appearances by Common Roots, cellist Peco Singer, woodwind duo Sarah Reed & Michael Hannah, Trio Las Hermanitas Álvarez and Inspyral Circus. Other activities led by Wild Birds Unlimited and University of Arkansas’ Ento-Roadshow – a mobile classroom for bug enthusiasts. 

Rowdy in the Ramble 

Date and time: Friday, May 1 | 7:30-10:30pm 

Location: Upper Ramble, Fayetteville 

About this event: Keep the party going after Trail Mix at Artosphere’s newest event! Bring a blanket and your dancing shoes for live music from Arkansauce and two-stepping with Jumpsuit Jamey & the Can’t Wait to Play Boys. Enjoy fire performances by Inspyral Circus, plus food, drinks and craft vendors. 

the Boy & the Ball

Performance dates and locations:

• May 12-13, 10am & 4pm | Fayetteville Public Library 
• May 14-15, 10:30am & 1pm | Bentonville Public Library 
• May 16-17, 10am & 2pm | Jones Center, Springdale 

Register at artospherefestival.org 

About this show: A wondrous tale of reassurance, joy and connection…with a little magic!  wondrous tale of reassurance, joy and connection…with a little magic! This 30-minute show tells the story of how one friend can become many through a shy boy’s nonverbal performance. Ages 3+. 

Instrument “Petting Zoo”

Date and time: Saturday, May 16 | 2-4 pm 

Location: Art and Movement Room, Fayetteville Public Library 

About this event: A tactile musical experience with local artist and teacher Honnah Heartsong. All ages.  

Paper Bead Making Workshop FREE 

Date and time: Sunday, May 10 | 2 pm 
Location: Fayetteville Public Library 

How to register: Registration opens April 19 at faylib.org. 
About this event: Make colorful paper beads and turn them into bracelets! Adults only. 

Upcycled Birdfeeder Drop-In Workshop FREE 

Date and time: Wednesday, May 13 | 3:30pm 

Location: Fayetteville Public Library 

All ages welcome. 

First Friday in Bentonville | May 1 

Community Creative Center Pottery Festival | May 1-3 

Square 2 Square Bicycle Ride | May 2 

Strawberry Festival | May 16-17 

Good Clean Dirt: The Work of Fox Pass Pottery  FREE
Date and time: April 30-May 31 

Alexander Gallery at Porter Art Warehouse 

About this event: Presented by Community Creative Center’s Arkansas Pottery Festival, Hot Springs’ Larkin Family of Potters brings handmade and wheel thrown original works for viewing and purchasing to Fayetteville, with glaze patterns and colors that reflect our natural surroundings. 

Sometimes all you need to get something done — especially something you’re dreading — is another warm body. If you arrange to do that boring, hard thing while another person is nearby working on their own boring, hard thing, it’s called “body doubling.” Last weekend, I was reminded of just how much it can help.

Our daughter, who lives a half-hour away on her college campus, came home for Easter weekend, and I could tell she was battling serious end-of-semester burnout. She had a ton of things to do but zero motivation to do them. So I asked her which assignment on her list felt the heaviest, and she said it was a four-page essay.

I, too, had an unpleasant task I’d been putting off for weeks, so I proposed a deal. “You sit here at the kitchen island and start working on the essay, and I’ll start working on cleaning out those three kitchen drawers that are so full I can barely close them. Let’s see how much we can get done in an hour.”

We made the deal, mainly because the only thing worse than tackling a difficult project is tackling it alone. I didn’t help her write, and she didn’t help me sort, clean, and organize. But our quiet presence in the same room made it easier to focus on doing instead of dodging.

Is this just a physical illustration of the old saying “Misery loves company”? Maybe that’s a small part of it, but I think it goes deeper than that. Working alongside someone (even when you’re not working on the same task) drains the misery out of the experience and replaces it with a sense of “we’re in this thing together.”

The term “body doubling” was coined in 1996 by a woman named Linda Anderson, who specializes in coaching adults who struggle with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Long before Linda came up with the name for it, humans were instinctively seeking out their own body doubles without even realizing it. Why else would coffee shops and libraries be full of people on laptops all working on their own projects? They’re not there to socialize. They come to get things done in the presence of other humans who are getting things done.

Why does body doubling work for so many people? So far, there’s no direct medical research that explains exactly how and why it works, but there are scientific theories. One of those theories is about something called “mirror neurons.” Functional MRI scans show that certain areas of the brain cause us to imitate the behavior of people around us. If you’ve ever yawned because the person next to you yawned, you’ve already seen your mirror neurons at work.

Another reason body doubling might work is because the brain gets a little boost of dopamine when we’re with other people. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that’s earned the nickname “the feel-good hormone.” This hormone has a long list of important functions, but it’s essential for feeling motivated.

Here’s one last reason why working near another warm body might help keep us on task. It’s called “social facilitation theory,” and the thought behind it is that we perform better on a task when we’re with other people. If you’ve ever signed up for an exercise class, you already know this is true. You’ll push yourself to keep going when you’re in class far more than you would if you were alone. It’s easier to wimp out and quit when no one is there to see it.

Thousands of people who work alone from home offices have begun using online body-doubling services. It’s as easy as logging into a silent Zoom session where you can see other people working, and those people can see you, too. Everyone works for a set period of time, and there’s no chit-chat allowed. When the timer goes off, group members can share an update about what they got done.

I may try some of those body double sessions next week as my own work deadlines loom. When you’re writing alone at home, it’s far too easy to stop for “just a minute” to change a load of laundry and then wander into the kitchen for a glass of water. One thing leads to another, and suddenly two hours later you find yourself at the bottom of a bag of Tostitos while watching funny dog videos and feeling like a worthless lump of lazy. (Not that I’ve ever done that many, many times.)

Speaking of productivity, check back here next week when I’ll tell you the surprising things I found when I body doubled my college kid and finally conquered the kitchen’s junk drawer drama.

​Gwen Rockwood is a syndicated freelance columnist. Email her at gwenrockwood5@gmail.com. Her new novel is available on Amazon.

So, we will not sugarcoat it by saying that it’s always joyful. Because when a pet dies, it is gut-wrenching — on parents and on kids. Sometimes a parent’s grief for the pet is compounded by the grief we see our kids endure. Is the pain worth the love of a wonderful pet? In our view, absolutely.

But it’s good to have guidance from experts on how to handle it when you have to break the news of a pet’s death to your kids. When you know what to expect and how to prepare to give that news, you won’t feel as “on the spot” when your kids have questions or big feelings.

We found this GREAT list of “6 Tips for Handling Pet Loss with Children” on the UCLA Health website. It’s a short but well-written guide for getting through this very difficult event. We hope you’ll bookmark it in case you need it in the future.

Now, go love your fur babies. We are so lucky and blessed to have them.

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Experience the enchantment of The Wizard of Oz like never before when this dazzling ice show spins into town. The beloved tale springs to life before your eyes with a cast of world-renowned professional skating champions combining breathtaking performances with interactive elements for audiences of all ages. Join Dorothy’s iconic journey down the Yellow Brick Road and relive her magical encounters with the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion. Every moment is filled with mesmerizing choreography and stunning visuals. Don’t miss this unforgettable experience that will leave you and your family spellbound.

Here’s a sneak peek video of what to expect at the show:

HOW TO ENTER:

To throw your name in the online hat to win 2 tickets to see “The Wizard of Oz on Ice” at 7pm on Saturday, May 25, 2026 at The Jones Center scroll down to the bottom of this post (and past the comments posted by other moms) until you see the words “Leave a Reply.”

Then, write a quick comment telling us which one of the Wizard of Oz characters you like most. (We’re big fans of Scarecrow and Toto!)

We choose winners at random using a random number generator. But if you’d rather not leave it up to the luck of the draw, click here to purchase tickets online. (The matinee performance of this show has already sold out, so get your tickets for the 7pm showing asap.)

Good luck in the online drawing for tickets! We’ll email the winner soon so keep an eye on your inbox.