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Central Illinois but for the Kids
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items Looking for things to do with your kids around Peoria, Il? Here are my favorite local spots to take kids. Lots of fun and exciting things to do around Central Illinois! Interactive museums, outdoor parks, and lots of family fun!
Map
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Free Local Parks and Fun
Outdoor Activities
Indoor Activities
Free Local Parks and Fun
Looking for a free fun thing to do in Peoria? These are great ways to get out of the house and have fun with no cost!
This park is an all time favorite! Bring your bikes and scooters to ride through kid-sized streets and learn the rules of the road. A fun place to practice biking and let their imaginations grow!
Bicycle Safety Town
Wizard of Oz fans, this one is for you! This park has a fun yellow brick road to follow complete with the Dorthy’s house, the witch’s castle, and the Emerald City. This park also has plenty of picnic areas, pickle ball and tennis courts. Plus a new t...
Butler Haynes Park
Take a stroll through vibrant gardens where kids can explore flowers, trees, and winding paths. It is a peaceful outdoor adventure full of color and curiosity. Lots of fun spots for little ones to explore and imagine.
Luthy Botanical Garden
Explore wooded trails and spot wildlife on 7 miles of trails. Lots of adventure and learning to be found. Plus the center offers classes for adults and kids to learn about specific topics like bugs, birds, life cycles and more!
Forest Park Nature Center
We love story times! Most of our local libraries offer free weekly story times. You do not need a library card to attend! Check the schedules for Chillicothe, Peoria, Dunlap, Princeville, Bartonville and Washington on their individual websites. It’s ...
Chillicothe Public Library District
Outdoor Activities
When the weather is nice, we love to get our toddlers out and about outside! Here are some great options at varying prices
We love supporting this local wildlife rescue. The workers are so knowledgeable and take such great care of their park. Plus the train ride is always a hit!
Wildlife Prairie Park
A great 6 acre park with lots of things to see and do! Complete with farm animals, playground, a barn to explore and a country kitchen museum
Fon Du Lac Farm Park
A fall favorite in Speer, IL, with apple picking, fresh donuts, a farm market, and family-friendly events all season long. The best, the Back 40 Fun. This play area for kids is packed with things to do. There is a jumping jack pad, gem mining, slides...
Tanners Orchard
This small town pool is complete with two water slides, diving boards, swimming areas and a toddler water park. Lots of fun for all ages and you can’t beat the relaxing park environment!
Shore Acres Pool
Indoor Activities
Need a good indoor option for the unpredictable Illinois weather? Lots of fun can be found in all sorts of places
A hands-on museum where kids can build, create, and explore through interactive exhibits, maker workshops, and playful learning experiences. Complete with a huge water table, ball drop, and lots of pretend play spaces.
The Peoria PlayHouse
We love this little gem! A cozy art studio where you can paint pottery. They also over a variety of workshop and classes. These vary by age group and include canvas painting, pottery painting, wheel throwing and story times!
Art at the Bodega
A local staple packed with interactive exhibits, STEAM activities, and hands-on fun for curious kids of all ages
Children's Discovery Museum
This is the perfect stop for your little construction workers! Take a virtual ride in a mining truck and learn about the history of Caterpillar. Plus there are several tractors to climb and explore and you can virtually drive some of the tractors.
Caterpillar Visitors Center