Capital City Parent

Southeast High School students filled the commons area during their lunch break on April 1.  The Southeast drum line kicked off the festive gathering; students ate their lunches, purchased T-shirts and snacks, and took part in face painting and other activities. It wasn’t an April Fool’s Day celebration but the kickoff of the Best Buddies […]

“Let kids be kids a little longer” is a motto of Wait Until 8th, an organization that encourages parents to delay giving their children smartphones until the end of eighth grade. With the advent of the iPhone in 2007 and the rise of YouTube and TikTok, our children have slowly become the “anxious generation,” a […]

How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s Up to You to Do It) by Lindsey Cormack. Jossey-Bass, publisher, 2024. $15.80. “A well-informed citizenry is the backbone of a healthy democracy,” writes Lindsey Cormack in her 2024 book How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s Up to You to Do It). She contends that raising engaged […]

As another summer begins, it’s time to dust off those no-cook or low-cook summer recipes. Since spare time in the kitchen can be scattered during the summer, planning ahead and pre-preparing snacks and meals can be useful, as can planning for dishes that can be made in stages instead of all at once. Read on […]

ONGOING “The Road to Adventure: Exploring Route 66” Wednesdays-Sundays, 9am-4pm. Through Dec. 31. This hands-on exhibit brings the magic of the historic Mother Road to life – and it’s fun for the whole family. kidzeum.org. $5-$12. Kidzeum of Health and Science, 412 E. Adams St., 217-679-2123. Kids Fare Garden Club Mondays, 4-5pm. Through May 25. […]

FEBRUARY Funshop: Little Creators Thursdays, 5:30-6:30pm. Through Feb. 26. Get a little messy in this four-week, hands-on art program designed to spark creativity and self-expression. Young children will explore colors, textures, and materials through painting, sculpting and more. Caregivers can join in. All classes blended ages 3 to 5 years of age. Activity #150971. Register […]

In 2025, Kidzeum was voted the Best Family Fun Spot in the Illinois Times Best of Springfield competition. Kidzeum is that and so much more. It is a place where children explore new skills, think critically and engage in hands-on learning.  Kidzeum recently received a grant of nearly $150,000 from the National Science Foundation to […]

Do you know a young person interested in the fire service? Springfield’s Fire Explorer Post 300 is a program open to youth between the ages of 14 and 20 that provides a unique opportunity to experience the life of a firefighter firsthand. In partnership with Scouting America (formerly known as Boy Scouts of America), this […]

Imagine coming home from a long day of work or errands and meeting your partner at the door. Your partner gestures for you to take off your coat and sit down at the table. Would you like a snack or a glass of water? There is some big news to share with you! Would you […]

The many benefits of reading to young children are well-documented. The 1000 Books Foundation promotes reading to newborns, infants and toddlers and encourages parent and child bonding through reading.  Its 1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge is a simple way to do this.  Many local libraries promote this initiative and create incentives to participate as part […]

Growing up, my brother had a Game Boy that he let me use on long car rides. It simply wasn’t my thing. I remember not having any patience for leveling up in Zelda, often choosing to stare out of a window rather than take a turn on the device. As an adult, I am thus […]

Few images evoke the whimsical magic of the holidays as much as a brightly decorated gingerbread house, trimmed with snowy white icing and sparkling gumdrops, perhaps nestled in a frosty forest scene with a snowman. Lovely as it sounds, the thought of constructing such an edible display can be as intimidating as it is appealing, […]