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Whether your child is a little tot or a high schooler, the Peoria Park District has programs that will educate and entertain!  From Preschool and Homeschool programming to drop-in programs for children of all ages to nature exploration, the Peoria Park District is the place to be. 

Looking for swimming, dance, ice skating and other sports programs, check out the Youth Sports and Fitness page by clicking HERE.

DREAMOut of School Program at Proctor Recreation Center

Just what you have been waiting for! A program that has everything in one place so that your child can experience It all. Drama, Recreation, Education, Arts, Music, and Mindfulness. We will help with homework in addition to all of these great services listed above! This program is for children in grades 1-12. Sessions are weekdays from 2:30-6pm.

Dungeons and Dragons

Join us to create new worlds at the PlayHouse! Dungeons & Dragons. In each 5-week session, kids create characters and go on grand adventures in a world that they have a large part in shaping. They will be having so much fun they won’t even know that they are building important social-emotional skills, including teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking.

Family Wilderness Survival Workshop

Would you thrive in the Illinois winter if you were to get lost or stranded? Join our naturalists as we put your skills to the test and learn some new skills along the way. Learn skills like shelter-building, finding fresh water, and more!

Maker Programs

PlayHouse Maker Programs are designed to be open-eneded and process based. We don’t tell children what to make; figuring out what to make is part of the learning process and part of the FUN! Kids and families learn to use tools, experiment with different types of making, and think creatively in PlayHouse Maker Workshops. These workshops are monthly, most often on the first Saturday of the month, and require registration.

Real Tools Programs

PlayHouse Real Tools Programs teach children out to use tools safely and how to select the best tools for the job. Real Tools at the Noble Center is even bigger and better than our original PlayHouse space! Join us on select Saturdays to exercise your creativity as a family. Make whatever you want or ask our fantastic staff for inspiration.

Family Nature Club at Peoria Zoo

Join the Family Nature Club at Peoria Zoo for unforgettable moments of wildlife discovery and family fun! Immerse yourselves in the wonders of nature through engaging activities, guided tours, and interactive experiences designed for all ages. This club fosters a love for wildlife and conservation. Connect with like-minded families, create lasting memories, and inspire a sense of environmental stewardship in your children.

Zoo Homeschool

Science has never been more exciting, with up-close animal encounters, tours, experiments and more. Each month is a new topic and helps to meet state standards.  Click the button below to learn more about homeschool programs at the Peoria Zoo.

Homeschool at the PlayHouse

Join us for an interactive homeschool classes where children will explore topics related to STEAM, the human body, nature topics and so much more! Please click here for dates, topics and to register online.

Nature Classes for Home Learners at Forest Park Nature Center

Discover our natural world with Forest Park’s biologists! Participants should be prepared to spend at least half of our class time outside as we explore different features of our local environment.

Open Art Studio at the PlayHouse Children’s Museum

Come create art with us!

Join us each week to explore how illustrators bring imagination to life through various artistic processes. Each month features a different theme.

Parent Baby Social at the PlayHouse

his 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!

Preschool Party

Come party with the PlayHouse at different locations throughout the Park District! This program is especailly for our younger friends that are pre-school aged. Discover our world through maker and S.T.E.A.M. activities, movement activities, and stories. This program is for preschool-aged children and their caregivers. Dress for messes and movement!

Tot Time at the PlayHouse

Who doesn’t love learning while playing?! 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!

Motor Mites at Lakeview Recreation Center

A toddler & preschool open play time in the giant gym at Lakeview Rec Center! Let your little one jump, crawl, roll, slide and climb to their heart’s content on safe, soft mats designed with toddlers in mind. There will be balls, scooters and other items for the kids to imagine and play with, too. Motor Mites in a drop-in class. Click the button below to find out current dates and times this program is being offered.

Click HERE for more information on Scout Programs 309-579-2157

Sensory Inclusion Night at the PlayHouse

oin 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.

Think Like a Man at Proctor Recreation Center

As a young man, there are many things that are important in daily life. These necessities shape the way we live and shape our future. Think like a Man brings all gray areas such as money management, confidence, and public speaking to the surface. Before this class ends, all young men will leave with new knowledge and new skills that show and illustrate them on how to Think Like a Man.

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