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. Kids Fare Garden Club offers hands-on gardening as well as garden-related activities. Registration held on site with a cap of 15 children participating. enosparkgardens.org. Free. Enos Park Neighborhood Garden, 1022 N. Fifth St., 217-610-0720.
Kids Fare Garden Club Mondays, 10-11am. Through Aug. 10. Kids Fare Garden Club offers hands-on gardening as well as garden-related activities. Registration held on site with a cap of 15 children participating. Free. Enos Park Neighborhood Garden, 1022 N. Fifth St., 217-610-0720.
MAY
PBS Family FUN Day Sat., May 9, 10am-12pm. The WSIU Public Television PBS Kids is bringing the adventure with Daniel Tiger and lots of activities. Children can enjoy painting, hands-on crafts and exploring the zoo while learning about animals and the world around them. Includes a book giveaway. Free. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr., 217-585-1821.
Learn to Play Hockey Saturdays, 12-1pm. Through June 13. Children learn valuable life skills in this program that improves physical fitness, builds mental toughness, encourages leadership and fosters character development. Prerequisite: Must have passed Basic 1 or Skating2Hockey before Learn to Play. For ages 6-15. Register at bit.ly/Learn-to-Play1. Activity #140402. Residents $67, nonresidents $77. Nelson Center, 1601 N. Fifth St., 217-753-2800 EXT. 1503.
Learn to Skate Saturdays, 10:45-11:15, 11:20-11:50am. Through June 13. The Learn to Skate Academy is the perfect place for children to build confidence, balance and skating skills in a fun and supportive environment. Beginners start in Snowplow for ages 3-5 or Basic 1 for ages 6 and older. Register by May 8. Class times: 10:45–11:15am, Basic 1-6 (ages 6+); 11:20–11:50am – Snowplow 1–3 (ages 3–5). Dates and times subject to change. Residents $77, nonresidents $97. Nelson Center, 1601 N. Fifth St., 217-753-2800 ext.1503.
Mothers Day at Henson Robinson Zoo Sun., May 10, 10am-5pm. Celebrate Mothers Day at the Henson Robinson Zoo, where mothers get in for free and children can create a special craft for Mom in the education room. Mothers free; Adults $7.50; seniors and children 3-12 $5.50; children 2 and younger free. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Shore Dr., 217-585-1821.
Battle of the Sexes Fri., May 15, 6:30pm. A night of fast pitch softball as the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes take on the Sallies, a team of the area’s top softball talent. This fifth annual event will feature professional softball player Jocelyn Alo. $13-$16. Robin Roberts Stadium, 1415 N. Grand Ave. E., 561-313-7035.
Girls on the Run 5K
Sat., May 16, 10-11:30am. This 5K is a non-competitive event and culminating experience of a 10-week program. Includes fun activities for the whole family at 9am. Race begins at 10am. Early pricing (before April 24) – Adults: $30 and children ages 3-12: $20. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road, 217-726-9808.
Old Capitol Art Fair Sat., May 16, 10am-5pm and Sun., May 17, 10am-4pm. Set against the backdrop of the Old State Capitol, the art fair is the jewel of the Midwest. Free. Old State Capitol, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-553-5564.
Park & Play Palooza Sat., May 16, 1:30-4:30pm. Children ages 3 to 12 can enjoy hands-on activities, ice skating, fitness fun, sports, dog adoptions and a scavenger hunt to wrap up the day. Ice skating sessions: Registration for skate includes admission to all activity areas plus the scavenger hunt. Ages 3-8: 1:30-2:15pm. Ages 9 - 12: 3-3:45pm. Registration required. Visit bit.ly/ParkPlayPalooza. Activity #241201. Nelson Center, 1601 N. Fifth St., 217-753-2800 ext. 2003.
Battle of the Badges Fri., May 22, 6:30pm. Watch members of the Springfield Police and Fire Departments square off. Gates open at 5:30pm. shoesbaseball.com. $11-$13. Robin Roberts Stadium, 1415 N. Grand Ave. E., 217-679-3511.
Children of Eden Jr. Fri., May 22, 7pm, Sat., May 23, 2, 7pm and Sun., May 24, 2pm. Adam, Eve, Noah and the “Father” who created them deal with the headstrong, cataclysmic actions of their respective children. An expansive musical, Children of Eden JR. has plenty of roles and life lessons for everyone. This production showcases fifth- and sixth-graders. hcfta.org. $12-$20. Hoogland Center for the Arts LRS Theatre 1, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.
Splash Kingdom Opening Day Sat., May 23, 9am-8pm. Dive into a world of excitement with the wave pool, exhilarating water slides and a relaxing lazy river. Younger guests can splash around in the kiddie pools and enjoy interactive water play areas. knightsactionpark.com. $25-$42.95. Knight’s Action Park, 1700 Knights Recreation Dr., 217-546-8881.
Lucky Horseshoes home opener Wed., May 27, 6:30pm. The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes play the Danville Dans in their home opener. For more about the ‘Shoes and special events, visit shoesbaseball.com. $8-$10. Robin Roberts Stadium, 1415 N. Grand Ave. E., 217-679-3511.
Heritage Days Summerfest Fri., May 29, 5pm, Sat., May 30, 12pm and Sun., May 31, 10am. Annual event featuring food, beer, children’s activities including a carnival, and tons of live music. Sunday features an outdoor Mass at 10:30am. There’s a $25,000 drawing at 4pm. Little Flower School, 900 Stevenson Dr., 217-553-5223.
8K Trail Race and Kids Fun Run Sat., May 30, 7:30am. Eight kilometers (4.97 miles) of trails will test runners’ stamina. Race takes place over the scenic trails and pathways of the historic garden, along the trails next to Lake Springfield and through the Ostermeier Prairie Center grounds. lincolnmemorialgarden.org. $10-$32 early or $37 at gate. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 217-529-1111.
JUNE
Little Friends Summer Series: Crowns & the High Seas Mondays. Through July 6. Set sail for a summer of imagination and adventure! In this engaging early childhood class, children will explore life on the high seas with pirate-themed adventures and step into a world of crowns, castles and royal tales with themed activities and crafts. Section 01: 9-10am. Section 02: 10:30–11:30am. Washington Park Pavilion, 1400 Williams Blvd., 217-544-1751.
Early Childhood Summer Fun Camp Tue., June 2 and Thu., July 9. This camp is specially designed for children ages 3–5, offering a fun and engaging environment where creativity, movement and social development take center stage. Morning and afternoon sessions. springfieldparks.org. Washington Park Pavilion, 1400 Williams Blvd., 217-544-1751.
Little Friends Summer Series: Cool Summer Eats Wednesdays through July 8. This hands-on early childhood class lets children ages 3-5 explore simple, no-cook snacks perfect for warm days while learning basic kitchen skills in a safe and playful environment. Section 01: 9-10am. Section 02: 10:30–11:30am. Registration required: bit.ly/LittleFriends_SummerSeries. Activity #250980 (01) & (02). Washington Park Pavilion, 1400 Williams Blvd., 217-544-1751.
Little Friends Summer Series: Kool Summer Science Fridays through July 17. This hands-on early childhood science class lets young learners ages 3-5 explore simple, age-appropriate experiments and activities designed to spark wonder and discovery. Section 05, 9-10am. Section 06, 10:40-11:30am. Registration required: bit.ly/LittleFriends_SummerSeries. Washington Park Pavilion, 1400 Williams Blvd., 217-544-1751.
Comic, Toy and Pokemon Show Sun., June 7, 10am-5pm. Toys, games, comics and cosplay showcase. More than 70 tables. A place to let that geekiness shine. quadcitycon.com. Crowne Plaza Springfield, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy., 217-529-7777.
2026 Sangamon County Fair Wed., June 10, Thu., June 11, Fri., June 12, Sat., June 13 and Sun., June 14. The premier county fair of central Illinois. Entertainment, livestock shows, exhibitors, carnival, rodeo and all the fair food you can imagine. $5, children 4 and younger free. Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin, 316 W. Birch St., 2174882685.
Eat A Rainbow! Week 1 Thu., June 11, 10-11am. Celebrate the fifth season of Eat A Rainbow during this introductory session. Participants will have the opportunity to sample a variety of fruits and veggies of different colors. Free. Enos Park Neighborhood Garden, 1022 N. Fifth St., 217-610-0720.
Eat A Rainbow! Week 2 Thu., June 18, 10-11am. The Magic of Seeds. Germination is fascinating, and sometimes, challenging. Discover how tiny seeds become big, strong, healthy plants. Free. Enos Park Neighborhood Garden, 1022 N. Fifth St., 217-610-0720.
Pollyanna Fri., June 19, 7:30pm, Sat., June 20, 7:30pm, Sun., June 21, 7:30pm, Fri., June 26, 7:15pm and Sat., June 27, 7:15pm. Celebrate the Fourth with this delightful, classic tale of the greatest optimist of all time … Pollyanna. Theatre in the Park, Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site, Petersburg, 15588 History Lane, 217-725-0239.
Legends Classic V Sat., June 20, 6:30pm. Watch former Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals battle it out. Includes an optional VIP upgrade to meet the players. $21-$31. Robin Roberts Stadium, 1415 N. Grand Ave. E., 561-313-7035.
This article appears in Parent Summer 2026.
