Children's Discovery Museum 309-433-3444 Explore Today! 101 E. Beaufort, Downtown Normal IL 309-433-3444 www.childrensdiscoverymuseum.net
This is a quick drive (50-60 minutes) from the Springfield area, and an outstanding museum for kids of all ages.It makes a great field trip or end of year party option for your preschool or elementary school. For younger kids the museum has a wonderful water play area, climbing play area and a fun grocery store. There are several permanent and rotating hands-on exhibits for older kids. Our favorites? The Ag-Mazing Exhibit complete with a huge tractor and simulated ride. We also love the Recycling Exhibit on the second floor that shows kids why waste-free lunches are important! The Paint Wall on the third floor and the huge climbing area for kids 5 on up is fun! The museum costs $4/person ages 2 and up. Travel options! You can also take the Amtrak train and which is one block from CDM. Bring your own snacks or enjoy several eating spots within walking distance. Don't miss the ice cream/coffee shop next door.
Kicks Family Entertainment Center Buffet- Arcade- Go Karts -Banquet & Party Rooms 2744 South 6th Street 217-753-2000 www.kicksfec.com
Field Trips & Reward Trips and Certificates Have a School Field Trip at Kicks and/or recognize your students with classroom achievements. Teachers, please FAX your request on school letterhead to 217-753-2028 and we will customize our reward kit to meet your specific classroom needs. Mention Springfield Moms and call Gail Smith at 217-753-2000 with any questions or email: kickslady1@aol.com
Reward Trips: Each Reward trip includes 3 fun-packed hours of food, education and fun! K-4 $10.00 (Includes Great American Pizza Co. Buffet and Soft Drinks) 5-7 $15.00 (Includes Great American Pizza Co. Buffet and Soft Drinks) Reward Certificates Whatever the student, whatever the accomplishment, we have a reward to match the effort.
- Ultimate Speller Award
- Ultimate Math Award
- Ultimate Achievement Award (Includes "Caught Being Good" & "Keep Up The Good Work")
All reward certificates are free and redeemable at Kicks for $5.00 of free game play.
Adams Wildlife Sanctuary 2315 Clear Lake Springfield, IL 62703 217-544-5781
30-acre urban sanctuary featuring prairie restoration and nature trails under direction of the Illinois Audubon Society.
Amtrak Train Station 3rd and Washington Street Springfield, IL 62701 800-872-7245
Take to the train from Springfield to Lincoln for a brief tour. Call for information regarding trips.
Apple Barn 2290 E. Walnut Street Chatham, IL 62629 217-483-6236
The apple barn for apple picking and pumpkin choosing. Call for information regarding trips.
Barnes and Noble 3111 S. Veterans Pkwy Springfield, IL 62704 217-546-9440
Children will have fun visiting the book store. Call for information regarding trips.
Bellancinos 2936 So. Sixth St. Springfield, IL 62707 217-789-7990
Grinders, pizza, and salads what a lunch for children. Call for information regarding trips.
Black Bart's Pumpkin Patch 9381 W. Wise Rd Warrensburg, IL 62573 217-672-8287 Mid-September-Halloween; Monday – Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Pick-your-own: Pumpkins, squash, gourds, straw available OTHER: Craft store, maze, haunted house, petting zoo, Indian corn, corn maze, straw maze Schools may bring class for a tour Monday – Friday Kindergarten and First grade; children $1.00 for tour, .50 cents for corn maze, petting zoo .25 cents for feeding animals, haunted house and children will receive a small pumpkin; call to schedule tour visit.
Cozy Creek Farm Waggoner, IL 217-965-4107 Spend the afternoon on this farm with your group. Enjoy feeding the animals, a hayride, the hay maze and playground with picnic area. Contact: Kathy Hannah.
Decatur Area Arts Council Madden Arts Center www.decaturarts.org/arts_field_trips Take a tour of the Gallery art exhibit and do an experimental art workshop related to the exhibit. Different subject each month. For grades K-8. Choose 9:30-11:00 am or 12:30-2:00 pm. Designed for only one school class per $3 per student/$75 minimum. First come, first served. 125 N. Water, Decatur 423-3189
Festival of Trees Held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield 217-788-3000 www.memorialmedicalcenter.com Annually in November.
Fire Station Trip Contact the fire station closest to your school regardless of where you live. Springfield schools, contact Captain Mark Dyment's office at 217-789-2259 to arrange for Captain Mark to come to your school to teach about fire safety. They also have a rotating exhibit the Fire Safety Village.
Henson Robinson Zoo Lake Springfield Springfield, IL 62712 217-753-6217 www.hensonrobinsonzoo.com
Visit the zoo animals and all other activities throughout the year. Contact the Education Department.
Illinois State Museum Spring & Edwards St. Springfield, IL 62704 217-782-7386 www.illinoisstatemuseum.com The Illinois State Museum has a lot to offer children each month, themes change year-round! Call for information regarding trips.
Lincoln Memorial Garden and Nature Center 2301 East Lake Drive Springfield, IL 62712 217-529-1111 www.lmgnc.org
Exhibits plants native to Illinois along 6 miles of trails. 
Nelson Center 1601 N. 5th Street Springfield, IL 62703 217-753-2800 www.springfieldparks.org
Ice skating for all ages. They have helpful carts for the toddlers to push on the ice so they can get a good first feel for the ice. Rent the skates onsite. Call for information regarding trips.
Pasta House 2800 South West Plaza Dr. Springfield, IL 62704 217-793-2433 www.pastahouse.com
Taste of pasta and sauce for all. Tour the kitchen, dishwashing, and huge walk-in freezers. See the largest pot of pasta sauce you can imagine! Stay for a lunch buffet for your class. Call for information regarding trips.
Pease's Candy Shop 3417 Freedom Dr. 217-793-9868 www.peases.com Pease's candy shop for all the chocolate candy a child would ever want. Call for information regarding trips.
Pizza Machine 107 West Cook Street 217-788-5976 Springfield Watch them prepare the pizza, and then enjoy the 40 inch pizza served by crane and lowered to your gathering! Or order the 6 foot pizza, the world's largest!
R Pizza Farm Dow 25873 State Highway Route 3, Dow, IL 618-466-5950 Pizza provided by R Pizza Farm in Dow, IL. This Alton-area farm grows every pizza ingredient on one pizza-shaped plot, and teaches kids all about where food comes from.
Riverside Stables 2310 Chinchilla Lane Springfield, IL 62702 217-522-7702 www.riversidestable.com
Riverside Stables offers field trips that include a horse ride, a tour of the barn, a visit with farm animals, a hay rack ride and something to take home. Visit their website for prices and registration information.
Springfield Junior Blues Hockey 1601 N. 5th Street Springfield, IL 62703 217-528-2589 www.springfieldparks.org Contact Laura Fager, Community Relations Director for information regarding field trips. Education programs: They can do a reading program where players will come to the school and read to the kids and promote that you need school even if you are good at sports. They do school nights where the school can make money selling tickets at a discounted price. They also allow school bands to have a seating section with free admission. They get to play before, in-between periods and or after the game. For older kids they have a drug-free program. If you have an idea of how you would like the team to help the school, they will help you fulfill your needs in any way.
Szoke Photography 6765 Old Rt. 36 Riverton, IL 62561 217-629-9230 Mr. Lou will show kids all of the tricks of the photography business and get them comfortable in a studio. He will also take them to his dark room where they can see a photo being developed the old fashioned way. He can take class pictures while you visit, great for preschools.
Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon W. Fayette & Chatham Rd. Springfield, IL 62704 217-753-6219 www.carillon-rees.org
Fourth largest bell tower in the world.
United States Postal Office 2105 E. Cook St. Springfield, IL 62702 217-788-7225 www.usps.com Come and see the works of the mail being processed.
Washington Park Botanical Gardens 1400 Williams Blvd Springfield, IL 62704 www.springfieldparks.org
WICS NewsChannel 20 ABC Affiliate 2680 E. Cook Springfield, IL 62703 217-753-5656 www.wics.com
Come visit the Channel 20 to see how television works. Gus Gordon can show all of the inside scoop about weather as well. Or invite one of their staff to visit your classroom.
