A Peoria Park District Facility

Exhibits

 

Permanent Exhibits

Whenever you choose to visit, the PlayHouse features six permanent exhibits and a wide variety of programs for children of all ages.  The exhibits draw on Peoria and Central Illinois, celebrating the past, present, and future of our community.

Wondering what there is for a 2-year-old or a 10-year-old to enjoy? See our list of suggestions by age!

FOSSILS ROCK

Become a paleontologist, paleoartist, or collections manager through digging, sorting, and drawing activities. Explore the three prehistoric eras and create your own prehistoric scenes. View and touch fossils from millions of years ago! Learn more about Fossils Rock here. 

PEORIA, THEN AND NOW

Kids explore the past by exploring a town replete with the “hubcap house,” riding a train, and performing on vaudeville — then jumping to the present as scientists in our SciLab. “Will it play in Peoria?” – yes it will!

MOTION COMMOTION

Exploring momentum, gravity, speed, force, and distance is fun with balls that roll down ramps, travel through shoots, launch into nets and stand in air.

FAMILY FARM

By picking fruits and vegetables, gathering eggs, milking a cow, and more, kids gain an appreciation for our agricultural heritage.

BY YOUR RIVER GENTLY FLOWING, ILLINOIS

Children can pretend they are sailing along the Illinois River as they play with gently flowing water, imagine the lives of animals native to the state, and drive boats downstream.

ALL CONSTRUCTION GREAT AND SMALL

Kids don hard hats to manipulate a loader and dump truck and use real tools to build objects. A magical bridge triggers a musical surprise. Build things using real tools in the PlayHouse "Real Tools" maker space!

 Scroll down to see information about how children of different ages explore and learn in PlayHouse exhibits!

Signing through our Museum

We know that language happens everywhere, even when you’re playing in our museum! The PlayHouse is a great place to practice communication skills. That is why the PlayHouse and Communication Junction teamed up to show you FIVE signs to try out on your next trip!

Use these signs at the Peoria PlayHouse, during playtime, or around your town and throughout your day!

FOSSILS ROCK

Kids love playing in the sand! Use the sign for "dinosaur" at the fossil rocks exhibit or other times you play with or see dinos.

Watch how to sign dinosaur.

PEORIA, THEN AND NOW

Little ones love things that go! Use the sign for "train" or "choo choo" when playing with trains or if you see a train outside.

Watch how to sign train.

MOTION COMMOTION

Use this sign when talking about or playing with balls. Add color signs and prepositions to expand vocabulary.

Watch how to sign ball.

FAMILY FARM

Use the sign for cow every time you see a cow. Also sign "cow" when making the sound, "moo".

"Cows on the farm go moo, moo, moo..."

Watch how to sign cow.

BY YOUR RIVER GENTLY FLOWING, ILLINOIS

Water is a great sensory activity for all ages. Use this sign when playing with water, drinking water, or during bath time.

Watch how to sign water.

Learn more about Communication Junction.