View Our Calendar
During this program for toddlers age 1 to 4 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!

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!
This winter join in on the fun every Tuesday mornings from 10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. at Proctor Recreation Center! Each class will include a hands-on STEAM activity, a snack, and play time in our gym.
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 one’s 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 in May for these discussion topics:
May 4th – Building Your New Community
May 11th – Let’s Check-In With Our Moods
May 18th – Asking for Help
May 25th – Bonding With Your New Baby
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.
People have many different types of pets in their home, like a dog, cat, bird, snake or lizard, or fish! If you live on a farm, you might even have a cow, horse, sheep, pig, or chicken as a pet! What kind of pet does your family have?
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!

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!
This winter join in on the fun every Tuesday mornings from 10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. at Proctor Recreation Center! Each class will include a hands-on STEAM activity, a snack, and play time in our gym.
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 one’s 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 in May for these discussion topics:
May 4th – Building Your New Community
May 11th – Let’s Check-In With Our Moods
May 18th – Asking for Help
May 25th – Bonding With Your New Baby
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 one’s 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 in May for these discussion topics:
May 4th – Building Your New Community
May 11th – Let’s Check-In With Our Moods
May 18th – Asking for Help
May 25th – Bonding With Your New Baby
December 29: My Senses
I can hear my cat when it meows, see her play with her toys, feel her soft fur, smell her snack, and even taste it if she shares it with me. These are my five senses, and they let me explore the world around me in different ways!
Tot Time is designed for 1-4 year olds and their adults, and includes stories, songs, and musical instruments, a gallery exploration, an art project, and more!
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.
Planes, trains, trucks, boats…let’s get excited about all the vehicles that go from here to there!
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!