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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!
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 August for these discussion topics:
August 3rd – Bonding With Your New Baby
August 10th – Grounding in Reality
August 17th – Building Your New Community
August 24th – Let’s Check In With Our Moods
August 31st – 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.
This week’s theme is Bugs!
All the cool bugs are outside playing in the summer, just like us! Spiders, ladybugs, butterflies, ants, and more are flying and crawling all around us. What is your favorite bug?
Advanced registration is recommended. Cost (children only; no additional cost for adults accompanying children): $4 for members, $6 for non-members. This fee does not include the cost of museum admission.
This program has been made possible by a grant from OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois.
Join us every Friday morning between 10am and noon to create art with us! Each month features a different theme; join us weekly to explore a different art medium and learn about types of art making!
No advance registration is required; drop in anytime between 10am and noon. Free with museum admission or membership.
Join us in August for this month’s theme: Transformation!
8/4: Paint
8/11: Collage
8/28: Sculpt
8/25: Fiber Arts
This program has been made possible by a grant from the Community Foundation of Central Illinois, and is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.
Spark your child’s imagination through a friendly game of Dungeons & Dragons. This five-week program unleashes your child’s creativity beyond what they thought was possible. They will go on unbelievable adventures, create characters without any limitations, and gain everlasting memories.
With all this fun, they won’t notice that in each session they’re building social-emotional skills, including teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking.
Session A takes place on Sundays from 12 to 2:30 pm.
This program is for children 8 to 12 years old. Advanced registration is required.
Spark your child’s imagination through a friendly game of Dungeons & Dragons. This five-week program unleashes your child’s creativity beyond what they thought was possible. They will go on unbelievable adventures, create characters without any limitations, and gain everlasting memories.
With all this fun, they won’t notice that in each session they’re building social-emotional skills, including teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking.
Session B takes place on Sundays from 2:30 to 4:30 pm.
This program is for children 8 to 12 years old. Advanced registration is required.
Calling all members! Join us every Tuesday morning between 9:30 am and 11:30 am to create art with us in our art studio! Each month features a different theme; join us weekly to explore a different art medium and learn about types of art making!
No advance registration required, free with a PlayHouse membership! Open only to members during Member’s Tuesday.
Join us in August for this month’s theme: Transformation!
8/1: Paint
8/8: Collage
8/15: Sculpt
8/22: Fiber Arts
This program has been made possible by a grant from the Community Foundation of Central Illinois, and is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.
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 August for these discussion topics:
August 3rd – Bonding With Your New Baby
August 10th – Grounding in Reality
August 17th – Building Your New Community
August 24th – Let’s Check In With Our Moods
August 31st – 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.
This week’s theme is Boats!
Come sail with us as we explore boats. What kind of boats are there? What kinds of songs do you sing on the sea?
Advanced registration is recommended. Cost (children only; no additional cost for adults accompanying children): $4 for members, $6 for non-members. This fee does not include the cost of museum admission.
This program has been made possible by a grant from OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois.
Join us for a fun, sensory-friendly night with dimmer lights, less noise, and sensory toys. Open to children of all needs and abilities, and their families. Sensory Packs with noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, sunglasses, and other materials are always available at the front desk.
No pre-registration is required.
Cost: Regular admission rates at $10 per person or $3 with WIC/Link
Join us every Friday morning between 10am and noon to create art with us! Each month features a different theme; join us weekly to explore a different art medium and learn about types of art making!
No advance registration is required; drop in anytime between 10am and noon. Free with museum admission or membership.
Join us in September for this month’s theme: The Nature of Art!
9/1: Paint
9/8: Collage
9/15: NO CLASS
9/22: Fiber Arts
9/29: Ephemeral Arts
This program has been made possible by a grant from the Community Foundation of Central Illinois, and is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.
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!
Calling all members! Join us every Tuesday morning between 9:30 am and 11:30 am to create art with us in our art studio! Each month features a different theme; join us weekly to explore a different art medium and learn about types of art making!
No advance registration required, free with a PlayHouse membership! Open only to members during Member’s Tuesday.
Join us in September for this month’s theme: The Nature of Art!
9/5: Paint
9/12: NO CLASS
9/19: NO CLASS
9/26: Fiber Arts
This program has been made possible by a grant from the Community Foundation of Central Illinois, and is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.
Join us biweekly on Tuesday mornings for a Preschool Party at Proctor Recreation Center! Each class will include a hands-on STEAM activity, a snack, and playtime in the gym!
This program is for children between age 3 and 5 and their parents. Accompanying adult(s) can join in the fun, relax, and/or utilize the Proctor Center’s facilities (workout room, TV lounge, computer lab, library) as well as using the kids’ gym with younger siblings during the learning activity.
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 September for these discussion topics:
September 7th – Bonding With Your New Baby
September 21st – Grounding in Reality
September 28th – Building Your New Community