While Chicago might be on everyone’s radar for a visit to Illinois, Peoria, Illinois has plenty of activities for the whole family, whether you want to take a nice stroll through the Botanical Gardens, visit the zoo or catch a show at the Peoria Civic Center. Check out our list below of 15 fun things to do in Peoria Illinois with kids!

Feed the Giraffes at the Peoria Zoo

Why You Should Go

Home to lions, tigers, monkeys, giraffes, and more, your kids will absolutely go wild about the Peoria Zoo! Get up close and personal with the lions through a glass walled exhibit. Learn about local animals and amphibians in the aquatics room. Meet the goats, llamas, and Shetland ponies in the petting zoo. A local favorite is walking through the Australian Walk About where the wallabies, ostriches, geese, and more roam free! Enter the giant birdcage and feed the parakeets a seed stick. On the other side of the zoo, feed a giraffe its lunch right from your hand! This interactive zoo is a great way to spend the afternoon.

Play at Peoria Playhouse Children’s Museum

Why You Should Go

The Peoria Playhouse Children’s Museum is simply a must see when traveling to Peoria with children. With many interactive exhibits and seasonal activities, the Peoria Playhouse offers experiences for children of all ages. In addition to a set number of exhibits like family farm, Peoria now and then, and construction zone, the Peoria Playhouse also offers an immense amount of field trips and special events. Check their calendar to be sure you do not miss a fun filled family outing!

Take a Garden Stroll at Luthy Botanical Garden

Why You Should Go

Located near the zoo, Luthy Botanical Garden is home to a wide array of beautiful flowers, plants, trees, and shrubs. Sprawling over 5 acres, there is no shortage of awe inspiring beauty here! Come see the tropical plant conservatory, theme gardens, and check the calendar for seasonal showcases. Catch the Poinsettia showcase in November and December. Hundreds of red, white, and multicolored Poinsettia’s fill the showcase shelves creating a gorgeous display of holiday cheer. Kids love to explore and see plants from all over the globe.

Learn About Space at the Peoria Riverfront Museum

Why You Should Go

The Peoria Riverfront Museum is home to many exciting rotating exhibits as well as their curated collection of art, history, and science exhibits. Learn about the history of Peoria, play with model trains, or learn about some of the first gasoline powered cars. Have a little astronaut in training? The Peoria Riverfront Museum houses the Dome Planetarium for stargazing and space adventures at anytime of day!

Want to fully immerse yourself in a movie screening? With multiple movies playing daily in addition to the special features, feel like you’re a part of the film in the Giant Screen Theater! The screen is almost 7 stories high and 5 stories wide, making it larger than your field of vision creating an immersive experience for all ages to enjoy.

Build an Engine at Caterpillar Visitors Center

Why You Should Go

Located a few steps from the Peoria Riverfront Museum is the Caterpillar Visitors Center, a museum dedicated to one of the biggest businesses in Peoria, Caterpillar. This museum is unlike any other! Visitors begin their adventure in a virtual simulator of a Cat Mining Truck, then try your hand at building your own Cat engine in the Engineering Lab. Kids love to see all the large Cat machines in the gallery. Spend your day walking amongst the very machines that makes Caterpillar such an important part of Peoria history.

Catch a show at Peoria Civic Center

Why You Should Go

Heading to Peoria? Check out what is happening at the Peoria Civic Center! This venue hosts every thing from college basketball games, concerts, plays, musicals, special events, and more! Located in downtown Peoria, the Peoria Civic Center is centrally located near many hotels, restaurants, and parks. Enjoy a stay at Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette for a glamorous step back in history. This hotel oozes with 1920’s glamour and the Presidential Suite even has Prohibition era hidden doors that the hotel guests would be able to hide alcohol in.

Bowl at Landmark Recreation Center

Why You Should Go

Landmark Recreation Center has it all under one roof. Invite some friendly family competition at the largest bowling complex in Illinois or at the air hockey table located inside the Redemption Arcade which is home to over 22 games! Grab some popcorn and enjoy the newest film at the movie theater. Feeling hungry? The Bullpen Sports Bar and Grill has you covered. With a full menu ranging from chicken wings to burgers to pizza, everyone in your party will find something delicious to enjoy. Do you have a gamer in the family? Then the Esports arena is a must visit! There is something for everyone at Landmark Recreation Center.

Time Travel at Wheels O’ Time Museum

Why You Should Go

Take a step back in time and enjoy walking amongst the cars, trains, toys, and more of yesteryear at the Wheels O’ Time Museum. This museum has 6 buildings full of antiques, collectibles, and other unique exhibits including a life size President Barber Shop Quartet that actually sings! Most of the exhibits are interactive and hands on making it a great place for children to spend the day learning. They can even pull on ropes to make the train’s whistle blow. This museum tends to be less crowded than the Peoria Riverfront Museum due to its location on the outskirts of town, but it is worth the visit!

Catch a Foul Ball at Dozer Park

Why You Should Go

Take me out to the ballgame at Dozer Park! Catch the Minor League Peoria Chiefs in action at this beautiful baseball stadium located in downtown Peoria. Bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic at the baseball game from the lush lawn or grab some stadium seats near home base for a thrilling day of sports. After the game, head across the street and try Zion Coffee Bar, a locally owned coffee shop serving up delicious lattes, liquor infused coffee, and small bites or head down the street to Sugar Wood-Fired Bistro for delicious wood fired pizzas and appetizers.  

Go Wild at Wildlife Prairie Park

Why You Should Go

You are always in for an adventure at Wildlife Prairie Park! Home to over 150 animals and 1800 acres of prairie land, Wildlife Prairie Park was voted 2021 Best Hidden Gem and Best Place For Family Fun. Walk through the the guided trails and discover animals that belong amongst the midwestern prairie while learning about conservation and rehabilitation of the prairie land. Kids love the interactive exhibits like the old one room school house located on the property. Wildlife Prairie Park is a true must see when in Peoria.

Ride Bicycle Safety Town

Why You Should Go

Want to teach your kids all about the rules of the road? Bicycle Safety Town is a pretty well kept local secret tucked back behind the trail, but is a fun way to spend the day. Complete with road signs, working stoplights, painted roadway, and bridges, this bicycle park is the ultimate way to practice bike riding for the little ones. Even older kids enjoy biking around the twisting roadway track.

After the kids are done riding their bikes, they can play on the playground on the grounds. Bring a picnic for a fun day at the park or head down the road to try The Noshery, a cafeteria style restaurant offering six different food experiences under one roof. With so many options, there will be something for even the pickiest eaters.

Watch the Peoria Rivermen in Action

Why You Should Go

Catch a hockey game on your next visit to Peoria. The Peoria RIvermen are the local hockey team and play at the Peoria Civic Center during the season. A great experience for families, these hockey games have high energy, unmatched team pride, and fun mascots. Check out the team’s schedule for fun theme nights and meet and greet with the team members. A one of a kind experience that sports enthusiasts and the sports curious both enjoy!

Shop the Shoppes at Grand Prairie

Why You Should Go

You may be wondering what is so special about a mall, but the Shoppes at Grand Prairie  has it all. An outdoor mall hosting some of your favorite stores like Marshall’s, Old Navy, and Home Goods, Grand Prairie Mall also has an adorable indoor playground for toddlers and young children. Made out of soft and squishy material, this indoor play place is an air conditioned dream for parents of high energy children.

Grab a coffee from Faire Coffee located two store fronts from the play place and make the most of your parent pause while your kids burn off some extra energy. Then head to other side of the mall and grab a meal at Childer’s Eatery and see why it has been rated Best of Peoria!

Climb High at First Ascent

Why You Should Go

The first and only indoor rock climbing location in Peoria, First Ascent is offers a fun filled day for families of experienced climbers and novices alike. First Ascent offers family packages and has rental options for all the gear you would need. Fun fact: your gear rental is good for 7 days after renting, so make the most of your rental and climb everyday! First Ascent also offers a wide range of fitness classes including yoga!

Get Outside at Forest Park Nature Center

Why You Should Go

Ready to get outside and enjoy the beautiful forests around the Illinois Valley? The Forest Park Nature Center is great place to start. Over 7 miles of trails winding through the hills and trees create breathtaking views season after season. Grab all your hiking and bird watching necessities at the nature center before heading out, or rent a guide and enjoy a narrated guided tour. Want to learn more about the wildlife and environment around the Forest Park Nature Center? Check their website for the full schedule of classes and lectures.

Map of Things to Do in Peoria Illinois with Kids

Frequently Asked Questions about Things to Do in Peoria Illinois with kids

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