Summer is fast approaching and brings with it days spent entertaining youngsters as they break from school until August. But summer activities can be expensive, so we’ve put together a list of activities that won’t cost you anything for toddlers to teens.
May 19
10:30 am to 11 am
Lincoln Library, Springfield
Sun-soaked stories, songs, and movement on the lawn of Lincoln’s Home Historic Site for storytime. Children must be accompanied by an adult. FREE and no registration is required.
May 25
Wednesdays 10:30 am to 11:15 am
Rochester Library
Story time for two-to-five-year-olds: stories, songs, crafts, and sensory play. FREE and no registration is required.
June 9
10 am to 11 am
Chatham Library
Get up close and personal with butterflies. Marvel at the amazing life cycle of the butterfly with hands-on interactive props then step into a feeding tent and use a handheld butterfly feeder to feed live butterflies. A thrilling up-close opportunity to say hello to these amazing creatures. FREE and no registration is required.
June 10
2 pm to 4 pm
Lincoln Library, Springfield
Back by popular demand, the Bubble Bus will be at the Library’s Capitol Avenue entrance to kick off this year’s children, teen, and adult summer reading games. FREE and no registration is required.
June 14
6 pm to 8 pm
Lincoln Library, Springfield
Teen movie night: Jurassic World (PG-13)
Head indoors from the summer heat and watch a movie in the library’s air-conditioned theater. For tweens and teens. FREE (popcorn included) and no registration is required.
June 18
10 am to 5 pm
Henson Robinson Zoo
All guests are FREE today!
June 20
2 pm to 4 pm
Lincoln Library, Springfield
Movie night: Encanto
Enjoy a movie with digital surround sound at the Lincoln Library. Just one example of Lincoln Library’s weekly Monday movie matinees. FREE (including popcorn) and no registration is required.
June 25
Noon to 1 pm
Lincoln Library, Springfield
For hundreds of years, sunlight has been used to create records of plants and other objects by coating paper with special chemicals that react to the sun’s rays. In this program, you’ll get to create your sun print using special paper and leaves, flowers, and other objects. Supplies will be provided, but if you have any cool objects you’d like to try and make a sun print of, feel free to bring them to the class. For children.
FREE and requires registration. https://www.lincolnlibrary.info/event/sun-print-craft-kids
June 25 and 26
Southwind Park, Springfield
Kite Festival FREE and no registration. Huge kites, candy cannons at 1 pm, 3 pm paper rocket making.
July 6
2 pm to 3 pm
Lincoln Library, Springfield
Paint your beautiful birdhouse for our feathered friends. FREE. Supplies are limited and registration is required. https://www.lincolnlibrary.info/event/paint-your-own-birdhouse
Monday, July 11
Calvary Church Play Zone
Hazel Dell Campus - 501 West Hazel Dell Road, Springfield
Monday and Wednesday 10 am to noon and Saturday 9 am to noon (through May 21).
The indoor play zone features two slides, a tangle tube maze, a power ball room, and roller squeezes, along with a special area designed just for toddlers.
Free. Check-in online is required ahead of attendance. https://www.calvaryspringfield.org/play-zone/
July 20
Story-time on Wednesdays at 10:30 am
West Sangamon Public Library, New Berlin
Take-home crafts for Story-time are available in the foyer for pick-up on Wednesday to Saturday or until gone. For preschoolers and toddlers.
For more information visit https://wspld.com
July 23
Hummingbird Festival – Jubilee Farm
9 am to 12 pm
Jubilee Farm is a 164-acre center for ecology and spirituality located just west of Springfield with walking trails, an outdoor labyrinth, a creek, and ponds. Open to the public. See beautiful hummingbirds up close and learn more about them. All ages welcome.
Jubilee Farm is open to visitors Monday to Friday from 9 am to dusk, Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm, and Sunday from noon to dusk. For more information https://jubileefarm.info
May 20 to August 26
Springfield Park District Movies in the Park
Visit https://www.springfieldparks.org
Lincoln Memorial Gardens
Visit the troll and trek the six miles of interconnected trails that wind through the garden’s restored prairies, woodlands, and wetlands as well as footbridges, a pond, and eight stone circle rings, most with views of the lake. Open daily sunrise to sunset. The nature center is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm, Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm, and closed on Monday. FREE.
If your child/ren is/are interested in opening a savings account with Warren-Boynton State Bank, please visit one of our branches in New Berlin, Springfield, Palmyra, or Modesto.