Family events in Peoria, IL

Make your Friday extra fun at Glen Oak Park with extended evening hours at Peoria Zoo and Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum. You’ll have more time to explore, play, and spend time together. Peoria PlayHouse will be open until 6:00 PM, and Peoria Zoo will be open until 8:00 PM with last entry at 7:30 PM. All ages are welcome, and admission/membership is free.

Students, parents, educators, and community members are invited to a youth mental health summit focused on education, connection, and support. Hosted by Central Illinois Resource Center Inc. and the Peoria Public Schools Wraparound Center, the event takes place at the Peoria Public Library Main Library. The program begins with a welcome and overview, then moves into concurrent seminars tailored for youth, parents, and educators. Sessions explore building healthy friendships, setting boundaries, navigating digital life, fostering emotional safety, supporting teens, and responding when students experience emotional distress. A community resource fair follows, offering opportunities to connect with local organizations, learn about available programs and services, and pick up helpful information. Snacks and refreshments will be available. The gathering aims to create space for honest conversation so young people feel heard, supported, and empowered.

Pickle Peoria 2026 returns to The Shoppes at Grand Prairie with two days of pickle-themed fun for all ages. Explore a marketplace filled with vendors celebrating all things pickle, grab bites from food trucks serving tangy twists on favorite dishes, and enjoy live music throughout the weekend. Expect games and activities for kids and adults, meet the wandering Pickle character from A Royal Remembrance, and look for KISS FM on site. Saturday features appearances from Wildlife Prairie Park along with a PCAPS animal adoption opportunity. Free Zumbini sessions are offered on both days for little ones ages 5 and under. Whether you are a dedicated pickle fan or simply searching for a playful outing with family and friends, this celebration offers plenty to enjoy.

Join Peoria Zoo educators and Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum for Wild Encounters: Second Saturdays on the PlayHouse porch. Each monthly session features a new animal or nature theme with up-close presentations, fun facts, hands-on activities, and nature-themed crafts. It’s a great event for all ages who want to explore and learn about wildlife and the living world around us.

Family Time features kid-friendly crafts alongside open studio access for creative exploration. Choose from more than 25 projects, including macrame, painting, leatherwork, and concrete, and enjoy craft cocktails, mocktails, or other beverages while you create. Reservations are recommended but not required.

Attendees can meet available foster dogs, offer a donation, and shop for FPO merchandise.

The Pokemon League at JustForFunGames centers on casual play and trading, with tournaments happening from time to time. Week-by-week details, including information for tournaments, video game events, and more, are available in the Play! Pokemon Access app.

Enjoy creative time together at Crafted with a choose-your-own crafting experience. All projects are available, with more than 25 options such as macrame, concrete, leather, and painting, so everyone in your group can pick something different. The kids menu is offered throughout open hours. Reservations are recommended but not required.

The annual St. Jude Shrimp & Corn Boil takes place at the Grand Prairie Hy-Vee and features plates with jumbo shrimp, locally grown sweet corn, potatoes, and smoked sausage. Dinners are $20 each and available for dine in or carryout. It is a chance for families and friends to share good food while supporting the kids of St. Jude. Offered while supplies last.

Bring your little one for weekly open play time designed for caregivers and tots to interact and play together.

A playful storytime featuring songs, movement activities, and read-alouds designed for children ages 2 to 5. Enjoy a mix of rhythm, motion, and storytelling that keeps little ones engaged from start to finish.

Expecting parents and those with babies under one can drop in for a relaxed social at Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum. Museum admission is free, and free coffee and snacks are available to enjoy while meeting other parents. Registered Nurses from the Family Connects team are on hand to answer questions and provide guidance. The atmosphere is welcoming and low key, offering an easy way to connect, unwind, and build community.

Enjoy a 30-minute interactive storytime with Communication Junction that weaves early sign language into music and play. It is designed for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers ages 0 to 5, with each session centered on a fun theme. Little ones can look forward to stories, songs, plenty of movement, and bubbles, while caregivers learn a few useful signs to practice at home with their child.