Peoria’s Top Activities for Kids this Summer
With the weather warming up, there’s nothing better than heading outdoors with your little ones for some togetherness and fun. Find plenty of together time with some of Peoria’s best summertime activities for kids. The Peoria area is home to a wide variety of opportunities for kids to play, learn, and grow. Whether you’re exploring parks with native species or taking up swim lessons or even playing with baby kittens, there are so many hot spots where you can take your kids for summer fun. Start planning using the following ideas.
Enjoy Wildlife at the Park
Wildlife Prairie Park, located just outside of Peoria, focuses on the conservation of Illinois and Midwestern wildlife and their natural habitats. The park has walking trails, activities for all ages, plus more than 180 animals and 60 different Midwestern species to explore. Kids love the park’s guided expeditions, private feeding encounters, and private meet-and-greet events with the park’s animals. The park also features a Prairie Zephyr Train, where families can ride through the quiet forests of the park. There are so many options for kids of all ages to enjoy.
Find a Local Museum to Explore
The Peoria PlayHouse is Peoria’s Children’s Museum, and a part of the city’s park district. The museum focuses on playtime to help kids learn, grow, and develop. They offer programs for all ages, where kids can listen to stories, try hands-on art programs, participate in S.T.E.A.M. activities, and learn to sing in Spanish. Children can even play with baby kittens from the Peoria Humane Society during some events. It’s a great place to explore for toddlers, kids, and even parents and grandparents.
Head to the Library
One of the quintessential summertime activities for kids is a good, old-fashioned summer reading program. Fortunately, the Peoria Public Library has hosted its summer reading program for over 75 years. This program is a great way to help prevent the “summer slide” that tends to happen over summer break. Kids — and even babies — can earn prizes for completing books. In addition, the library offers numerous weekly activities like StoryWalks, toddler story time, a Lego club, and craft times, which are sure to keep kids entertained, regardless of their age.
Check out the Zoo
Animal lovers will find endless things to do this summer at the Peoria Zoo. Explore exhibits from Africa, Asia, Australia, and the tropics, where you can see lions, tigers, wallabies, spider monkeys, and numerous types of reptiles. If your child is into a more hands-on experience, check out the zoo’s regular giraffe feedings, where kids can hand them a snack to enjoy. The zoo also hosts a variety of programs and camps, where they can get more specialized insights into animal species from across the globe.
Watch a Movie on the Big Screen
The Peoria Riverfront Museum is home to exhibitions, a planetarium, and programming that’s designed to educate on art, science, history, and achievement. And for kids, it’s the hottest destination to watch their favorite Disney films, as well as others. You can also keep your eyes peeled for kid-friendly exhibits, including the museum’s Science Treasure Hunt for school-aged kids. The museum even offers a family fun pass where kids and their family members can get access to a daytime movie and free popcorn, a daytime Planetarium show, and exhibitions.
Play and Swim Your Days Away
Peoria’s RiverPlex offers numerous summertime activities for kids that will keep them healthy and happy. The RiverPlex is a fitness center that also features a massive indoor aquatics area known as the AquaPlex. Kids love this indoor pool area, which includes a splash pool, lazy river, and play areas. Plus, the RiverPlex PlayCare keeps kids entertained with toys, games, and activities. Or, bring kids to the RiverPlex Summer Day Camp where they can make, play, and explore to their heart’s content.
Teach Bike Safety Safely
One of the coolest little spots in Peoria is Bicycle Safety Town, an imaginative park filled with one-way streets, traffic signals, overpasses, and roundabouts where kids can practice riding bikes. Designed like a city with streets, it’s a great spot for teaching kids of all ages how to ride, to learn rules, and to know the importance of putting on their helmets. There are also playgrounds, picnic tables, and hiking trails nearby if you’re interested in making an entire afternoon out of this wonderful spot.
Come Learn with PALS
As you search for the best summertime activities for kids to enjoy, you’ll want to ensure they also have the best education to put them on a great track. At PALS Praise & Leadership Schools, we provide an outstanding academic program designed to give your child the character, confidence, and critical thinking that will benefit them both now and tomorrow. We designed a curriculum that helps kids flourish by building their self-esteem, teaching responsibility, and fostering communication. And we teach them values that will guide them well into adulthood.
Let us introduce you to PALS and show you the difference our education can make. We offer two locations in Peoria: North Peoria, found at 2327 W. Willow Knolls Rd., or downtown at 700 NE Greenleaf. Call us at 309-691-4326 or 309-674-2938 to schedule a tour. Let us show you how we can help your child grow into a successful, well-rounded adult.
