The Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum aims to help all children fulfill their natural needs for play, exploration, inspiration, and meaningful learning experiences.
Please note, children visiting the PlayHouse must be accompanied by an adult (16 or older).
Museum Hours
The PlayHouse’s hours are:
- Mondays: Closed
- Tuesdays: 9 am – 12 pm (members only)
- Wednesday-Saturdays: 9 am – 4 pm
- Sundays: 12 pm – 5 pm
Real Tools hours:
- Friday: 12 pm – 4 pm
- Saturday: 10 am – 4 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm – 5 pm
Closed On: Easter, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day . The PlayHouse also has an annual closed week each September for annual maintenance and repair of exhibits.
Admission Prices
- PlayHouse Members: Free
- Children under 1: Free
- Ages 1-64: $10.50
- Active Military: $9.50
- First Responders: $9.50
- Seniors (65+): $9.50
- Families with WIC or LINK cards: $4.00
Admission is good for a full day of play! Just keep your receipt for same-day re-entry.
Special Admission Programs
The PlayHouse is committed to serving ALL families, regardless of income, background, or ability. A variety of admission programs are available to meet the needs of all of our visitors:
- Families who qualify as low-income receive discounted museum access through our Explorer Program.
- Foster Families can receive discounted memberships.
- We offer combo tickets with Peoria Zoo. Purchase them here.
- Members of other children’s museums may receive half-off admission through the reciprocal program of the Association of Children’s Museums.
- Members of a science center or museum approximately 90 miles away are eligible for free general admission.
- PlayHouse memberships start at $100 for a full year.
- Our Blue Star Museums initiative runs from late May until Labor Day. Through this program, free admission is available for those currently serving in the United States Military–including Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard (including Reservists), National Guardsman (regardless of status), U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and up to five family members!
FAQ
Please find answers to frequently asked PlayHouse questions below. If you have additional questions, please email us at playhouse@peoriaparks.org.
General PlayHouse FAQ’s:
The PlayHouse is located at 2218 North Prospect Road in Peoria, IL, inside Glen Oak Park.
From I-74, take Exit 92A (Knoxville I-40) and head north. Turn right on McClure and follow it into Glen Oak Park, then stay right on the ring road.
The Abington Street entrance is closed in winter; use McClure and Prospect year-round.
Parking is available near the PlayHouse, with additional free parking near the Tri-Centennial Playground.
There are handicapped parking spots on the east side of the PlayHouse. To access these spots, take the outer ring road. If these spots are not available, and visitors with accessibility issues park in the PlayHouse parking lot, please let staff know and they can open an alternate door for easy access.
The PlayHouse can also be accessed by the #12 (Peoria Heights) City Link bus.
- Strollers are not allowed in our museum. Visitors are invited to leave strollers in our safe, stroller parking area located on our front porch. Baby Bjorns are free to borrow from the front desk while in the PlayHouse.
- Wheelchairs and strollers needed for mobility limitations are welcome.
- Please note, children visiting the PlayHouse must be accompanied by an adult (16 or older).
- Those who wish to tour the museum, must show ID and be accompanied by a staff member.
More information on museum accessibility and related initiatives can be found here.
Memberships:
Playhouse Programs and Exhibits:
Sanitation and Cleaning Procedures:
Feedback
We value your feedback and are always striving to make the PlayHouse even better!
If you have any thoughts, suggestions, or ideas on how we can improve, we’d love to hear from you. Click below to share your feedback with us!
