It’s a big, big world after all and child development experts say exposing kids to new things and cultures widens their horizons, increases their empathy for others, encourages creativity, and can improve those all important test scores. With busy schedules and bitsy budgets though, how can you realistically take one of those vacations that tops bucket lists like traveling abroad, visiting our nation’s capitol, and going to see Mickey and Minnie at Disney? We’ve assembled some first-hand experience to help our readers crack the code on family vacay success. Whether you’re going some time this year or this decade, here are top tips for tipping the scales in your favor.

We certainly don’t want to forget dynamite destinations right here in The Natural State. Arkansas is amazing from border to border and is a perfect addition to any bucket list. Every month Little Rock Family highlights great things to do in our great state. This month’s feature family, the Buckleys, shares one of their favorite places—Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area.

Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area

It’s Arkansas’ largest state park in land area covering 12,056 acres of diverse Ozark landscape along the southern shore of 28,370-acre Beaver Lake. Twenty-two miles of the park’s 60 miles of border stretch along Beaver Lake. The park goes through Benton, Madison and Carroll counties and consists of plateaus, ridges, valleys, and streams featuring an upland forest. It boasts unusual water features which include disappearing streams that have carved hollows into the fragile limestone landscape creating cave-related elements and sinkholes.

Hobbs has a 17,531 square foot visitor center, a wide variety of trails, programs, summer camps and activities, and the only public, outdoor shooting range in Arkansas with a bullet trap. Go to ArkansasStateParks.com for more information on Hobbs and all other Arkansas state park offerings for family fun.