Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum

06/01/2026

🛠️☀️ Real Tools is ready for summer! ☀️🛠️

Calling all makers, builders, and creative problem-solvers — Real Tools is now open with special summer hours starting this week! That means even more time to imagine, tinker, create, and build using real tools and real materials.

🕒 Summer Real Tools Hours:
Monday — Closed
Tuesday — 9:00 AM–12:00 PM (Members Only)
Wednesday–Saturday — 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
⭐ Fridays — 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
Sunday — 12:00 PM–5:00 PM

☀️ Plus, keep an eye out for our Summer Maker Challenges! Pick up a Maker Map during your next visit and take on creative, open-ended building challenges all summer long. From cardboard creations to wild inventions, there’s no limit to what you can make!

05/27/2026

🎈 The Peoria PlayHouse is turning 11! 🎂

Join us on Saturday, June 6 as we celebrate 11 years of creativity, imagination, exploration, and PLAY with FREE admission for all visitors! ✨

🗓️ Saturday, June 6
🕘 10:30 am – 4 pm
📍 Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum
💵 FREE for everyone!

Spend the day exploring your favorite exhibits and enjoying special pop-up birthday activities throughout the museum as we celebrate with the community that has made the last 11 years so memorable. 🫧🎨🚂

Whether you’ve been visiting us for years or planning your very first trip to the PlayHouse, we’d love to celebrate with you. 💛

05/26/2026

🌞🦒 Your Fridays just got a whole lot more FUN at Glen Oak Park! 🎨🎉

FriYAYs are officially here! Every Friday all summer long, enjoy extended hours at BOTH Peoria Zoo and Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum.

🏡 Peoria PlayHouse open until 6 PM
🦏 Peoria Zoo open until 8 PM (last entry at 7:30 PM)

Plus, on select Fridays (June 26, July 31, and August 14), the fun gets even bigger with Rec 'n Roll inside the Zoo featuring field games and hands-on maker activities led by the PlayHouse team!

✨ Surprise pop-up activities throughout the summer
✨ More time to explore, play, and make memories together
✨ Free with admission or membership

No two FriYAYs are exactly the same--so make plans to spend your Friday evenings with us at Glen Oak Park!

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we are taking a moment to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom ❤️🤍💙

The Peoria PlayHouse is closed today, but we can't wait to welcome families back for more play, creativity, and exploration later this week 🏡🎨✨

We’re also proud to participate in Blue Star Museums, offering free admission now through Labor Day for currently serving U.S. military personnel and up to five family members.
👉 Explore participating museums across the country: https://www.arts.gov/blue-star-museums-map

05/21/2026

Play looks different for every child, and that's something worth celebrating 💙

At the PlayHouse, we're committed to helping every family feel supported during their visit. Did you know that we offer sensory-friendly supports that are available at any time at the PlayHouse admissions desk?
🎧 Noise-canceling headphones
📋 Schedule cards to plan the order of your visit
🧸 Sensory toys
🕶️ Sunglasses
✨ Transition Guide card

We also offer quiet-space options if a child needs a break from stimulation during their visit.

👉 P.S. Tonight is Sensory Inclusion Night! Join us from 4:30 - 6:00 PM for a more sensory-considerate PlayHouse experience designed to help all children feel comfortable and supported while they play.

05/15/2026

🎲✨ Adventure Awaits at the PlayHouse! ✨🎲

The quest begins this Sunday.

Ready to roll the dice and create your own epic story? New sessions of Dungeons & Dragons at the PlayHouse kick off this weekend, and there’s still time to join the adventure.

In this collaborative storytelling experience, players create their own characters and embark on unforgettable adventures in worlds shaped by their imagination. Along the way, they build skills like teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking while exploring fantasy worlds with fellow players.

🧙‍♀️ Now enrolling:

Ages 8-12
Sundays, April 12-May 3
Session A | 12:00-2:00 PM
Session B | 2:30-4:30 PM

Ages 12-15
Thursdays, April 9-May 7
Teen Session | 4:00-6:00 PM

All experience levels welcome. Perfect for beginners and seasoned adventurers alike.

⚔️ Don’t miss the first session this Sunday. Gather your party and reserve your seat at the table before spots are gone.

Register here: https://ow.ly/O5RA50Z0ciP

05/12/2026

Join us at the PlayHouse for Cultural Connections as we celebrate Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month! 🌺✨

Families can enjoy storytime and a hands-on activity, PLUS a special guest presentation exploring cultural expression through traditional dance. It's a fun opportunity to learn about and celebrate some of the many cultures and stories that make our community so vibrant 💙

Come play, create, and celebrate with us!
📍 Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum
📅 Saturday, May 23
⏰ 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Included with museum admission.

Celebrate Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month with us at Peoria PlayHouse during a special Cultural Connections event full of creativity,

05/09/2026

💐 Celebrate Mother's Day at the PlayHouse! 💝

This Mother's Day, grown-ups get FREE admission with paid child admission, because moms deserve a day to play, too 💕

Spend the day making memories, exploring exhibits, and creating together 🌟🚀🎨

📅 Mother's Day only
📍 Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum

Tag a mom who deserves a fun day out 👇

05/07/2026

🎓 Just graduated (or about to)? We’ve got something for you 👀

The Peoria PlayHouse is looking for a Monticello Education Intern to join our team and jump into the world of museum education—where learning looks like play, creativity, and a lot of curiosity.

This role is all about being in the action: supporting programs, welcoming school groups, and helping create memorable experiences for kids and families throughout the museum. No two days are the same—and that’s part of the fun.

If you’re interested in education, museums, art, or community programming and want hands-on experience right out of college, this is a great place to start.

💼 Part-time opportunity
🔗 Apply here: https://ow.ly/asGP50YRSny

05/06/2026

🌟 Planning a PlayHouse visit this week? 🌟

You might spot a few extra giggles, tiny explorers, and school groups bringing big energy to the PlayHouse as we're in the thick of field trip season! We love when field trips fill the space with curiosity and imagination! 🎨🚌

If you're hoping to time your visit just right (whether that means extra lively or a little more low-key), we've got you covered. Our Alerts page is your go-to spot for a heads-up on field trips and busier times.

👀 Take a peek before you visit: https://peoriaplayhouse.org/alerts/

No matter when you stop by, there's always plenty of discovery, play, and creativity waiting for you. See you soon!