Junie B. Jones, Jr.
Feb 8-10, 15-17, 7pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun. Admission. Presented by Springfield Theatre Centre. springfieldtheatrecentre.com. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.
Scholastic Art Exhibition
Feb 8-22, 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat. Enjoy art work created by central Illinois junior high and high school students. The Mid-Central Illinois Art Region consists of schools from Bond, Brown, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Coles, Edgar, DeWitt, Douglas, Ford, Fulton, Greene, Iroquois, Jersey, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Mason, Marshall, Menard, McLean, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Peoria, Piatt, Putnam, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Tazewell, and Woodford counties. Free. springfieldart.org. Displayed in the M.G. Nelson Family Gallery, Springfield Art Association, 700 N. 4th St., 523-2631.
Bat Demo
Feb 9, 10am-3pm Sat. Demo the latest baseball bats and gear. Free. scheels.com. Scheels, 3801 S. MacArthur Blvd., 726-6330.
The Things We Share Story Time
Feb 12, 10-11am Tue. Preschool children ages 3-5 and their caregivers are invited to celebrate African-American History Month with stories and a craft. $5 adults ages 19-64; free to members, youth, seniors, military and veterans. illinoisstatemuseum.org. 782-6044. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-7386.
Free Admission for Lincoln’s Birthday
Feb 12, 9am-5pm, Tue. The President and Mrs. Lincoln will visit from 10am-2pm. Games, crafts and History Detective for kids until 3pm. Free. lincolnlibraryandmuseum.com. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, 212 N. 6th St., 558-8844.
Audition Workshops
Feb 16, children at 10am and adults at 1pm. Hosted by The Muni. Learn how to sign up for an audition slot via the online registration form and how to prepare for an audition. Shows this year include “Peter Pan,” “Evita,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “The Wizard of Oz.” themuni.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts LRS Theatre 1, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.
Disney in Concert: Around the World
Feb 16, 7:30-9:30pm Sat. The Illinois Symphony Orchestra presents music from Disney movies accompanied by clips and stills from the films. $21-$63; $6 students age 6-26; students age 5 and younger are free with a paying adult. ilsymphony.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.
LLCC Campus Visit Day
Feb 18, 10am-12pm Mon. Prospective students can view exhibits and speak with LLCC representatives, take a short career assessment, apply for admission and get assistance with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Refreshments will be provided and feature baked goods from LLCC Culinary Arts. llcc.edu. Lincoln Land Community College, 5250 Shepherd Road, 786-2200.
Rapunzel
Feb 23, 1pm, 3pm and 6pm. Join the Springfield Youth Performance Group for this children’s ballet. Children are also invited to join the free Royal Pre-show Party which begins 45 minutes before each performance. $10/$15. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.
LEGO Building Contest
Feb 23-24, 1-1:30pm Sat, 11-11:30am Sun. At the 2019 Homea Expo. Lego kits provided. Prizes awarded. Ages 5-12. springfieldareahba.com. 698-4941. Bank of Springfield Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 800-745-3000.
Night at the Museum
Mar 8, Fri. Ever wonder what happens in the Museum after everyone has gone home? A Night at the Museum Overnight is a rare opportunity for you to visit the museum after dark. This fun-filled nocturnal adventure is open to families and groups with children ages 7-11. Take part in science experiments, create fabulous art, explore the museum and end the night sleeping with the exhibits. The overnight fee includes admission, activities, evening snack, and breakfast. $45 member; $50 non. illinoisstatemuseum.org. Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., 782-6044.
Day trip to Peoria Playhouse Children’s Museum
Mar 10, 11:30am-4:30pm Sun. On this day trip, kids ages 5-13 will be able to explore, learn and use their imagination at this fun interactive museum. $20 residents; $25 non. springfieldparks.org. Meet at Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 585-2941.
Butterfly Day
Mar 14, 10am-5pm, Thu. Learn what butterflies are native to Illinois, what plants are great for them and make a coffee filter butterfly from 2-4pm to celebrate World Butterfly Day. Featuring a story time at 11am. Admission. kidzeum.org. Kidzeum, 412 E. Adams St., 971-4435.
Spotlight on Ice
Mar 23-24, 2pm & 7pm Sat, 2pm Sun. See local figure skaters and national guest stars skate in this year’s production featuring numbers from your favorite popular musicals. $7-$12. springfieldparks.org. Nelson Center Ice Arena, Lincoln Park, 1601 N. Fifth St., 525-2589.
Cinderella
Mar 23, 2pm and 7pm, Sat. Presented by the Springfield Ballet Company. springfieldballetco.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.
Seussical the Musical
Mar 24, 1:15-4:15pm Sun. Watch as the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant in this fun and funny production where Dr. Seuss characters come to life. Featuring the Hoogland Kids and Teens and directed by Matthew Vala. $12-$28. hcfta.org. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.
Rainbow Fish
Mar 30, 11am-1pm Sat. A delightful and touching musical about the value of sharing true friendship with others based on Marcus Pfister’s bestselling book, The Rainbow Fish. $20 adults and $15 youth. uispac.com. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.
Animal Super Heroes
Apr 1-5, 12:3 - 4:30pm.,Mon-Fri. Ages 6-10. Spiderman, Black Panther, Black Widow, Antman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. How do these superheros stack up against the zoo’s Animal Super Squad? Discover the cool adaptation “super powers” the animal use to battle predators and prey during this week-long, half-day camp. $100 residents; $110 non. springfieldparks.org. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Dr., 585-1821.
Gross-ology
Apr 1-5, 8:30am-12:30pm. Mon-Fri. Ages 6-10. Study stink-ology, sticky-ology and goo-ology to learn how gross is great for animal survival. Registration. $100 resident; $110 non. springfieldparks.org. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 E. Lake Dr., 585-1821.
Train with the Team
Apr 4, 6-7pm. Thu. Enjoy a kid-friendly family football boot camp with the Cyclones. Free. GO217.org. SHG West Campus, 1601 W. Washington St., 544-6464.
Hunchback of Notre Dame: A New Musical
Apr 5-7, 12-14, 8pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sun. Admission. springfieldtheatrecentre.com. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 523-2787.
Day Trip to St. Louis Science Center
Apr 7, 10am-4pm Sun. Spend the afternoon exploring the science center. Transportation and lunch included. Ages 8+. $30 residents; $35 non. Meet at Erin’s Pavilion, Southwind Park, 4965 S. Second St., 585-2941.
Tiny Cheer Class
Apr 20, 10-11:30am Sat. In this one-day class, children will be introduced to the basics of cheerleading including motions and jumps. Wear socks and tennis shoes, long hair in a ponytail and no jewelry. springfieldparks.org. Washington Park Preschool, 1400 Williams Blvd. , 546-3970.
Earth Awareness Fair
Apr 20, 1-5pm Sat. Featuring 40+ exhibitors, live music, games, crafts, activities, workshops, food and more. Hosted by the City of Springfield. Free. springfield.il.us. Old State Capitol Plaza, between Sixth and Fifth streets at Adams. . 789-2255.
Bee Event
Apr 20, 10am-5pm. The bees are coming! The observation hive will be open. Come see the bees and learn about the important role they play in the environment. Meet beekeeper Arvin Pierce and taste some honey. Admission. kidzeum.org. Kidzeum, 412 E. Adams St., 971-4435.
Peter and the Wolf Concert for Kids
Apr 25, 10am Thu. A concert by the Illinois Symphony Orchestra featuring the Magic Circle Mime Company. $6 per person. ilsymphony.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.
Plant Planning
Apr 27, 10am-5pm, Sat. Birds, butterflies and bees need to eat, too. Learn what plants are good for these pollinators and why native plants are best for them. Admission. kidzeum.org. Kidzeum, 412 E. Adams St., 971-4435.
Safety Around Water
May 2, 6-7pm, Thu. Kids will be introduced to water and play fun and educational games. Free. GO217.org. YMCA, 701 S. 4th St., 544-6464.
Finding Neverland
May 6, 7:30-9:30pm Mon. The amazing story behind one of the world’s most beloved characters, Peter Pan. $29+. sangamonauditorium.org. Sangamon Auditorium, UIS, 1 University Plaza, 206-6160.