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Join us for the 33rd Science Treasure Hunt in partnership with the Peoria Academy of Science! The Treasure Hunt is a combination family adventure and scavenger hunt focusing on science and technology facilities and resources in the Peoria area. To be eligible to participate, the hunter must be between 1st grade and 8th grade as of April 1, 2023. Multiple children may participate in the same family.
The Hunt runs annually with the opening day being April 8, and the closing day is September 4. Visit local science sites, participate in science experiments, and be entered to win fantastic prizes! Up to 100 winners will receive several prizes consisting of books, puzzles, and other neat science stuff. Three winners will be chosen for even bigger prizes!
How to Participate:
Visit ScienceTreasureHunt.org and create an account to view the various sites participating in this year’s Treasure Hunt.
Local Science Sites have created series of questions that can be answered as you visit them. Once you find out an answer, enter it on ScienceTreasureHunt.org using your computer or mobile device.
There are also several everyday science experiments listed on ScienceTreasureHunt.org, complete with materials and instructions. When you complete one, submit your results online.
Once you have visited eight or more Science Sites and completed five or more everyday science activities, you will be automatically entered into our prize drawing.
Following the end of the Treasure Hunt at 11:59 PM Central Time on Monday, September 4, up to 100 winners will be chosen at random from the eligible hunters.
Good luck!
During this program for children 1 to 4 years of age and their grown-ups, children develop language, small motor skills, and social skills while engaging in hands-on exploration. Each class includes songs and musical instruments, a read-aloud story, time for play, and a visual art activity. Look for a different theme each week!
Advanced registration is recommended. Cost (children only; no additional cost for adults accompanying children): $4 for members, $6 for non-members. Fee does not include cost for museum admission.
This program has been made possible by a grant from OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois

Come party with the PlayHouse and Forest Park Nature Center at a Preschool Party!
Discover our world through maker and S.T.E.A.M. activities, walks in nature, and stories depending on the location. This program is for preschool-aged children and their parents. For some locations, dress for outdoor fun!
Register for this program now!
During this program for children 1 to 4 years of age and their grown-ups, children develop language, small motor skills, and social skills while engaging in hands-on exploration. Each class includes songs and musical instruments, a read-aloud story, time for play, and a visual art activity.
There are so many fun animals in the farmyard. Cows and sheep, pigs and goats, chickens and ducks, and so much more. Can you make the sound of your favorite animal in the barn?
Advanced registration is recommended. Cost (children only; no additional cost for adults accompanying children): $4 for members, $6 for non-members. Fee does not include cost for museum admission.
This program has been made possible by a grant from OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois

Come party with the PlayHouse and Forest Park Nature Center at a Preschool Party!
Discover our world through maker and S.T.E.A.M. activities, walks in nature, and stories depending on the location. This program is for preschool-aged children and their parents. For some locations, dress for outdoor fun!
Register for this program now!
During this program for children 1 to 4 years of age and their grown-ups, children develop language, small motor skills, and social skills while engaging in hands-on exploration. Each class includes songs and musical instruments, a read-aloud story, time for play, and a visual art activity. Look for a different theme each week!
Advanced registration is recommended. Cost (children only; no additional cost for adults accompanying children): $4 for members, $6 for non-members. Fee does not include cost for museum admission.
This program has been made possible by a grant from OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois

Come party with the PlayHouse and Forest Park Nature Center at a Preschool Party!
Discover our world through maker and S.T.E.A.M. activities, walks in nature, and stories depending on the location. This program is for preschool-aged children and their parents. For some locations, dress for outdoor fun!
Register for this program now!

Round up your family and spend the afternoon with us in the Noble Center to make one-of-a-kind furniture. During this workshop, families will take a vintage piece of furniture and give it a new, funky paint job! Families can bring their own furniture or choose a piece we provide.
Advanced registration is required.
Cost: $8 for Member Families per child; $12 for Non-Member Families per child
During this program for children 1 to 4 years of age and their grown-ups, children develop language, small motor skills, and social skills while engaging in hands-on exploration. Each class includes songs and musical instruments, a read-aloud story, time for play, and a visual art activity.
In the summer, the sun shines bright and the days are warm. We can play outside, swim, go on hikes, blow bubbles, write on the sidewalks with chalk, go bug-hunting, and more! What will you do this summer?
Advanced registration is recommended. Cost (children only; no additional cost for adults accompanying children): $4 for members, $6 for non-members. Fee does not include cost for museum admission.
This program has been made possible by a grant from OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois

Come party with the PlayHouse and Forest Park Nature Center at a Preschool Party!
Discover our world through maker and S.T.E.A.M. activities, walks in nature, and stories depending on the location. This program is for preschool-aged children and their parents. For some locations, dress for outdoor fun!
Register for this program now!

This program focuses on parents and their babies, from birth to 12 months, giving them a place to gather and enjoy casual conversation with fellow parents while their little ones play. Guest speakers from partner organizations will lead discussions and activities related to infant growth, and development. The goal of this program is to support YOU as parents, and we invite you to both join and tell us how this program and community groups can best help you!
Free of charge for parent and infant (under one year of age.) May not be combined with additional admissions.
Join us in July for these discussion topics:
July 6th – Grounding in Reality
July 13th – Building Your New Community
July 20th – Let’s Check In With Our Moods
July 27th – Asking for Help
During this program for children 1 to 4 years of age and their grown-ups, children develop language, small motor skills, and social skills while engaging in hands-on exploration. Each class includes songs and musical instruments, a read-aloud story, time for play, and a visual art activity. Look for a different theme each week!
Advanced registration is recommended. Cost (children only; no additional cost for adults accompanying children): $4 for members, $6 for non-members. Fee does not include cost for museum admission.
This program has been made possible by a grant from OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois

Come party with the PlayHouse and Forest Park Nature Center at a Preschool Party!
Discover our world through maker and S.T.E.A.M. activities, walks in nature, and stories depending on the location. This program is for preschool-aged children and their parents. For some locations, dress for outdoor fun!
Register for this program now!

This program focuses on parents and their babies, from birth to 12 months, giving them a place to gather and enjoy casual conversation with fellow parents while their little ones play. Guest speakers from partner organizations will lead discussions and activities related to infant growth, and development. The goal of this program is to support YOU as parents, and we invite you to both join and tell us how this program and community groups can best help you!
Free of charge for parent and infant (under one year of age.) May not be combined with additional admissions.
Join us in July for these discussion topics:
July 6th – Grounding in Reality
July 13th – Building Your New Community
July 20th – Let’s Check In With Our Moods
July 27th – Asking for Help