Arts & Crafts

Cooking

Education & Play

Music

Scouts

Sports (Athletics, Dance, Yoga)

Story Time

Summer Camp Directory

Theater

Prairie Art Alliance is now enrolling their Summer Classes.  More here.

Visit our Parks Directory for photos of area parks and playgrounds.  Send in your comments!

NEW! Summer Reading Programs are up!

"The Springfield Moms website is more than awesome!  What a gift to the community!" 

Sharon Entwistle, Co-Director Funshop

Arts & Crafts Classes

Harriet Tubman/Susan B. Anthony Women’s Self Help Center

Lowe's

Michael's

Prairie Art Alliance

Springfield Art Association

Springfield YMCA

Kids Projects. Saturdays 10 a.m. -12 Noon, 3116 W. White Oaks Drive 698-1402:  Best for ages 4-10, pay at the door. 

Now enrolling for summer classes and children’s camps. 

Starting June 16^th, camps are offered from 9 am-12 pm week days, with something for children ages 6 - 16.  Each week is a new camp.  More information on  Summer Camps.

Classes are offered to both children and adults.  Children’s classes are small in size to allow individual attention and instruction and include all supplies and materials.

Aaron Green is offering a Saturday photography class for children ages 9-14.  Adult classes (including students 16 and above) feature watercolor, photography, acrylics, drawing and much more.  Upcoming adult workshops include “Pastel Floral Painting” with Ann Von Ehr, and “Book Making with Painted Pages” in September with Jill Berry.

Check our website www.prairieart.org for more information and registration forms.

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Summer Art Camps registration is NOW open, More information on  Summer Camps.

Camp Classes for Grades PreK- 8th grade

Springfield YMCA

701 S. 4^th. Street, Springfield

217-544-9846

www.springfieldymca.org

 Exploring Art (2-4 years)
An exciting introduction to art using color, shapes and textures.
Art Expression (4 - 7 years)
Children do a variety of fun art projects that encourage them to express their ideas and feelings.
Y's Around the World (4 years and older)
Children learn about different cultures and parts of the world through exploration.  Activities will include music, art, folklore, unique games and more.

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Cooking

Springfield YMCA

Springfield YMCA

701 S. 4^th. Street, Springfield

217-544-9846

www.springfieldymca.org

Cooking A-Z (3-6 years)
Preschoolers learn healthy habits and nutrition while preparing snacks and doing projects that showcase a different letter of the
Art Through History (7-12 years)
Learn about great artists and works of art throughout history.  Practice different art techniques and explore various mediums.
Cooking (7 - 12 years)
Kids prepare fun and healthy snacks and materials for art projects.

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Getting in Tune with your Child's Musical Needs

Church Mice

Joyful Noise

The Music Factory in Springfield

1139 N. MacArthur Blvd., Springfield, IL, just south of N. Grand and the CITCO gas station.

Lianne Brewer at 502-4958

Visit our website

An Early Childhood Music and Movement Studio with classes for children from 6 months thru age 9.  

Babies and toddlers attend for 30 minutes with parent; preschoolers’ classes are 40-45 minutes ; kids ages 5-7 come for one hour.

Keyboard Classes are offered for children ages 7-9.

Sherman Public Library

The Sherman Public Library will offer a music and dance program for children ages 18 months through preschool and their parents.  The program, based on the Music Factory format, incorporates singing, dancing and movement with participation by both children and parents.  The class will meet at 10:00 a.m. the first Friday of each month.  Class size is limited to 15 children and their parents.  Interested people should contact the Sherman Public Library at 496-2496 to reserve a place or for more information. 

Springfield YMCA

701 S. 4^th. Street, Springfield

217-544-9846

www.springfieldymca.org

Musical Munchkins
Moving, learning and having fun will be wrapped up in this energetic music class.  Kids will use rhythmic instruments and explore different styles of music.

Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony

420 S. 6th Street

Springfield, IL 62701-1808

217-753-8000

 www.svys.org

The Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony was created by concerned parents, music teachers and musicians to keep a student orchestra program alive in this community.

In the early 1970’s the Springfield area schools eliminated all school orchestra programs.   Without intervention, a new generation of youth would have experienced a serious void in the arts.

Known initially as the Springfield Area Youth Symphony, the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony has existed since then as a private, not-for-profit organization providing the only classical orchestral experience at the elementary and secondary levels in Sangamon County.  The SVYS continues to fulfill its mission by recently adding a Starter Strings program for very young grade school students, and an adult community orchestra to provide continuing musical opportunities for SVYS alumni and other community members.

Getting in Tune with your Child's Musical Needs by Bridget Ingebrigtsen

Think you may have a future Beethoven sitting in your stroller? Is your toddler working wonders on her Playschool piano? Is your first grader aspiring to be the next American Idol? Or, do you want your child to take piano lessons because, darn it, you did when you were little?

Whatever your motive, it’s important to take an interest in your child’s musical future. The U.S. Department of Education identifies arts education as core curriculum in the federal No Child Left Behind Act. And, a 2006 Gallup Poll revealed that 94 percent of Americans consider music to be part of a well-rounded education.

Ok, so where – and when - do you start?

Many musical experts agree that piano lessons can provide the perfect foundation for music in general.  Kathy Sees, owner of Kathy Sees Piano Studio in Springfield, says, “The piano is an instrument that is easy to begin with at a young age. Getting students engaged early in a musical instrument establishes the foundation for eye/hand coordination, rhythmic engagement, aural skills and the discipline of practice, which involves any instrument.”

In addition, learning the piano can help a child in school, particularly in math and science, says Al Murphy, keyboard consultant at Samuel Music in Springfield. “Learning to read one line of music and playing it develops concentration. Learning to read two lines of music and playing them together develops concentration and moderate coordination. Learning to read more complex music on two or more lines and working with the pedals on the piano, musicians are using several muscle groups, all moving independently. This develops high levels of concentration and coordination.”

Sees says that music can be introduced to a child as early as 3 years of age.  “For a traditional approach to piano lessons, I believe that 7 or 8 is a good age for children to begin lessons.  If an early music program is available, like Kindermusic or a Suzuki program, then 3, 4 or 5 is a good age. Singing and moving to music is a big part of an early music program.” (See also The Music Factory.)

But, Murphy says, parents should realize that piano lessons require a commitment. “If it’s something that both the parent and child want to do, a child could start piano lessons at 4 or 5 years of age. They will be introduced to music through things like coloring and marching around the room. But, if the child is not interested at that early an age, parents should not push them.”

Sees says a child is musically inclined when he or she “has an innate sense of rhythm, likes to sing and has good eye/hand coordination.” To help children develop their musical skills, Sees recommends taking advantage of the musical opportunities in your own community. “Take your child/children to different events like musical productions, chamber or symphony performances. Get involved in school and church choirs/bands, and any local musical production that your child/children can audition for or be involved with. As a parent, you can show your enthusiasm for all different kinds of music and show your interest in what your child/children are doing.” 

To find the right piano teacher, Sees and Murphy offer the following tips:

• You can find the names of piano teachers at music stores like Samuel Music or through music teachers at schools. You can also try to get referrals from friends and family.

• When deciding on a music teacher, make sure to ask plenty of questions. Sees recommends that you ask about: their education, how long they have taught, their involvement with professional organizations or churches and whether they offer a yearly recital. “I don't think parents ask enough questions about their piano teacher's background,” she said.

• Murphy says it’s important that the piano teacher is someone you can get along with and feel comfortable around. “I compare it to a doctor’s bedside manner,” he said. “He may have all the knowledge but is he good with people?”

You can also search for teachers by consulting with local professional organizations, such as the Illinois State Music Teachers Association and the Illinois Federation of Music Clubs. “These organizations offer a student more opportunities to perform, to be evaluated by other teachers and to advance yearly in a systematic approach to musical knowledge and technical ability,” Sees says. “In addition, the repertoire that is encouraged in both these organizations provides the student with a firm foundation of the classical repertoire as well as American music.”

Bridget Ingebrigtsen is the mother of four children - three of whom are taking piano lessons! She also works as the editor of Springfield Business Journal.

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Parents as Teachers Program

2501 S. First Street, phone 217-525-3315

If you live in the Springfield School District 186 area, during the school year, the Early Learning Center has a free program, Learning Together, where grown ups and kids ages birth to age 5 can play in the gross motor rooms (think gym) and family library center. Most activities are open-ended and encourage the parent or grandparent to interact with the child. The drop-in time is 9:30am-11:30am MOST Tuesdays and Wednesdays (call to verify, as they follow the District 186 Calendar).   It's a come and go policy which works great for parents! The last half hour they do a structured circle time with story, song and light snack.  NOTE: They follow the same school calendar as District 186.

Funshop is an early education program for parents and children to learn together through play. It’s a wonderful program that many Springfield Moms have enjoyed since it’s founding in 1976!

Barnes & Noble Bookstore

Chatham Area Library

Decatur Public Library

Lincoln Library

Rochester Library

Taylorville Public Library

Williamsville Public Library

Barnes & Noble Jr. Events 3111 S. Veterans Parkway 217-546-9440  Hours M-S 9:00am-10:00pm Sunday 10:00am-7:00pm
For the latest story time offerings.  Visit our What's Happening Calendar and view Events by Location, Barnes & Noble. 

600 East Spruce Street, Chatham, IL 483-2713

130 N. Franklin Street, Decatur, IL 62523, 217-424-2900  

Monday-Thursday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm, Friday-Saturday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm, Sunday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Springfield’s public library system, Lincoln Library, offers themed storytimes on Saturdays at 11 a.m. for all ages; no registration is required. Story times are held at the Lincoln Library Main location downtown, 326 S. 7th. Call 753-4900 Ext. 212 for Children’s Services. There are three other branches across town. For locations and other information, visit www.lincolnlibrary.rpls.lib.il.us You might also try Dial-A-Story at 525-5000

#1 Community Drive, Rochester, IL 62563, 217- 498-8454

Monday – Thursday 10 am – 8 pm, Friday 10 am – 5 pm, Saturday 10 am – 4 pm (during school year), 10 am – 2 pm (Memorial Weekend thru Labor Day Weekend)

Preschool Storytime, Toddle On Over, Thrilling Thursday After School Program: Friends are Fun!

Story Time includes stories, songs, counting rhymes crafts and snacks. 

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420 S. Sixth Street, Springfield 217-523-ARTS (2787)

As a community arts facility, Springfield's Hoogland Center for the Arts provides an enriching location for interaction - be it entertainment, arts appreciation, or gathering for business or social purposes.  For event or ticket information, visit www.scfta.org

Every Wednesday 6:00 p.m. at Central Baptist Church, 501 S. 4th, (Across from Governor's Mansion), 217-523-3639

Kids 2:52 is a weekly family theater that uses music, drama, and storytelling to entertain and inspire. Each month the production is focused on a different virtue (truth, responsibility). It's a great place for parents and kids to spend quality time together. You may also join us for dinner from 5-6 p.m. Free dinner for first time visitors; Wednesdays at 5:00p.m. Note: Kids 2:52 focus for kids age 4-11, but all are welcome.

Sangamon Auditorium