Looking for Family Things To Do In Peoria This Winter?
It seems that there’s always lots to do in the Peoria area in the fall, spring & summer, but finding things to do indoors during the winter, especially for families, can be a challenge. Here are some ideas for where to find family fun indoors for your family this winter.
The Caterpillar Visitors Center & Museum offers a virtual ride in the bed of a massive two-and-a-half story mining truck, the chance to design your very own Cat machine, use a simulator to see what it’s like to operate equipment plus the chance to climb on a track-type tractor. For more information, visit https://www.caterpillar.com
The Cookery in Morton offers cooking classes which is another fun family activity that you might want to try. They offer many different classes and workshops, several of which are geared toward kids. For more information, visit https://thecookeryinc.com
If you enjoy trampolines, Elevate, which has locations in Peoria & East Peoria, might be the place for your family outing. They offer a Family Night every Monday night where each person jumping gets $10 admission. There are also options for a sensory-friendly jump on Sundays from 9 – 10 am, toddler and home schooler discounts in addition to their normal options of 90 minutes, 2 hours and 3 hours of jumping. In the Peoria location only, they now also have Laser Tag. For more information, visit https://elevatetrampolinepark.com
Escape 60 Escape Rooms offer several kid friendly rooms such as the “Help, We Got Shrunk”, “Wizard Academy” and “Travels Thru Time & Space” themes. Teens under 14 years of age you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and kids under 7 are free when accompanied by an adult. You must have at least 2 players and each group is in the room exclusively. For more information, visit https://www.escape60peoria.com
The First Ascent Rock Climbing Gym is another option for a unique family experience. On Sundays from 1 – 4 pm, they offer Family Climb Time which includes an instructor to get you climbing safely. They also have special home school climb time on Wednesdays from 2 – 4 pm and on Thursdays from 10 am – Noon. For more information, visit https://faclimbing.com
For some old fashioned family fun, maybe roller skating at the Morton Roller Rink is more the thing. For 72 years, the facility, which started as an open-air rink, has been open for skating. They offer traditional roller skates as well as in-line skates for rental. For more information, visit https://www.mortonrollerrink.com
Owens Center offers public skates almost every day. Admission is $7 and skate rentals are $3. For a schedule, visit https://www.facebook.com/owenscenter
The Peoria Playhouse offers their regular exhibits which are open Wednesday through Sunday to the public, but also hosts many specialty and themed events throughout the year including art, S.T.E.A.M., sensory inclusion events that are designed for kids of varying ages. For a full schedule, visit https://peoriaplayhouse.org
The Peoria Riverfront Museum offers a variety of exhibits, planetarium shows, Giant Screen Theater movies as well as themed activities throughout the year. For those who can’t afford the regular fees, the Museum offers a free “all access” day the 2nd Sunday of every month. Featuring special activities, planetarium shows, movies in the Giant Screen Theater plus access to the current exhibits. For more information about “all access” days, visit https://www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org
New to the area is Tilted 10 which is located in Northwoods Mall and offers 10 traditional bowling lanes, mini bowling which is perfect for smaller hands, two 18-hole mini golf courses, spin and flip zone bumper cars, plus video, pinball, redemption, or prize games and food. For more information, visit https://tilted10.com
If you’re looking for more traditional events, Winter Fest, hosted by the German American Society, will take place at the Lindenhof in North Peoria featuring a German buffet from Noon – 6 pm including Bavarian ham, Frickadellen (German Meatball), baked chicken, green beans with bacon, red cabbage, spaetzle, mashed potatoes, and gravy for $15 for adults. Kids 6-10 who wear a costume from the Disney movie “Frozen”, the TV show “Vikings”, Circle of Time, the “Game of Thrones” or similar will get to eat for free. All kids 5 and under eat for free and also encouraged to come in costume. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com
Another family favorite event is the Peoria Rivermen who play at Carver Arena at the Peoria Civic Center. Every Sunday home game is a Sunday Fun Day which features pre-game inflatables, face painting and balloon artists plus a post game skate with the team following the game (bring your own skates). All upper bowl tickets are only $8 for kids 12 & under and kids get $3 hot dogs at the concession stand.
Visit the ExplorePeoria.com Events Calendar for a full listing of Peoria area events.
