Kindermusik at Trinity offers a complete music program where both children and parents learn through music and movement.

School-age children will head back to school in the next few weeks, but what about their younger brothers and sisters?

With the older children back in the classroom, this fall is the perfect time to introduce their younger siblings to the excitement of lifelong learning through Kindermusik. Kindermusik is the world’s leading music and movement program for children from birth to 7 years old. Research has shown that early music and movement activities positively impact whole child development in areas such as cognitive, emotional, physical, spatial and literacy skills.

Lakeview Museum
1125 W Lake Ave, Peoria
309-686-3382

Lakeview Museum is honored to host a display of six bronze sculptures cast from original models created by Michelangelo, the Renaissance artist who painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and carved the Pieta at St. Peter’s in Rome as well as David in Florence, Italy. It is an unprecedented opportunity to examine first hand the artistic skill of the greatest sculptor and painter who ever lived.

Forest Park Nature Center
5809 N. Forest Park Dr
Peoria Heights
686-3360

Each year hundreds of bald eagles over-winter in the Illinois River Valley. We dedicate this day to the appreciation of these incredible birds of prey as the Peoria Audubon Society and Forest Park Nature Center offer a presentation and tours to view Bald Eagles along the river!

Fee:donations appreciated

Forest Park Nature Center
5809 N. Forest Park Dr
Peoria Heights
686-3360

Watch the wonderful world of winter unfold on these naturalist-guided tours. We explore animal tracks in the snow and what characteristics animals have to cope with the season. Dress Warm!

Fee: Donations appreciated

Sommer Park
6329 N. Koerner Park, Edwards
691-8423

Ages 3-5 will enjoy learning about nature through themed stories, crafts and hands-on-learning in Sommer Park.

Theme: Winter Wonderland
Time: 9:30-11:00 am
Fee: $5.00/child

East Peoria

The almost 2-mile drive-through electric park is the Festival of Lights' signature event! Folepi's Winter Wonderland features the majority of the Parade of Lights floats and many other lighted displays. And this year will feature the return of some favorite displays from the past 25 years. It's two miles of oohs and aahs!

OPEN DEC. 4-31, 2009

Christmas Eve - Open!
Location: VFW Post 2078 Park off Springfield Road, East Peoria
(Entrance address: 123 Par 3 Lane, East Peoria)

5-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Cars and vans - $10 each night

East Peoria

Dec. 4-Dec. 31, 2009
Hours: Dusk to 10 p.m. nightly
Admission: free

The Festival of Lights pays tribute to those in the military! East Peoria's RiverFront Park along the Illinois River will feature lighted emblems from each branch of the military, and lighted displays such as the toy tank and American flag parade floats.

Also on display will be memorials for East Peorians lost in World War I, World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War, as well as a memorial for the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Tuesday, February 2nd- Tuesday February 23rd
5:00-5:45PM
A+ Children's Academy

Fee: $50

Come and learn signs with your child (ages birth to 36 months) for a four week course! Music, fun and learning combine to teach you and your child this valuable skill!

Classes are taught by Abbey Cook a Master Signing Time Instructor and licensed Speech Language Pathologist.

Please call Abbey at (309) 453-3538 to register or to find out more information.

Saturday, January 9th- Saturday, January 30th
10:30-11:15 AM
Namaste Wellness Studio
5901 N Prospect Rd

Fee: $50

Benefits of teaching your children American Sign Language are outstanding, and proven through thorough research! Come and learn signs with your child (ages birth to 36 months) for a four week course! Music, fun and learning combine to teach you and your child this valuable skill!

Classes are taught by Abbey Cook a Master Signing Time Instructor and licensed Speech Language Pathologist.

Please call Abbey at (309) 453-3538 to register or to find out more information.

COME BURN OFF THAT WINTER TIME ENERGY...You and your child 3 and under can come have a playdate with us. We provide an hour of games, jumping, running, gymnastics activities, circle time, and more. This is a great chance to get their energy out and for you to meet other moms and dads. Cost is $5.oo from 11:15 to 12:15 Any questions call JUMP START GYMNASTICS at 692-5867

The Harlem Globetrotters' 2010 "Magical Memories" World Tour is coming to the US Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington on January 21 at 7 p.m.! A family-friendly show kids of all ages are sure to love!

Save $7 on tickets when using promotional code MOM (restrictions apply).

Purchase tickets through Ticketmaster at:
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/07004349ECBBAE46artistid=806223&majorcatid=10003&minorcatid=55

Peoria Civic Center

Family Fest 2010 will be held in the Exhibit Hall on Saturday, January 23, 2010, from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and children. Children 3 and under are free. A Family Four Pack of tickets (2 adults and 2 children) will be available for $15.

Borders Bookstore
5201 W War Memorial Dr, Peoria, IL
309-692-3082.

Enjoy stories, a craft, music, and a snack. Ongoing Tuesdays.
Admission: FREE

Borders Bookstore
5201 W War Memorial Dr, Peoria, IL
309-692-3082.

Enjoy stories, a craft, music, and a snack. Ongoing Tuesdays.
Admission: FREE

Borders Bookstore
5201 W War Memorial Dr, Peoria, IL
309-692-3082.

Enjoy stories, a craft, music, and a snack. Ongoing Tuesdays.
Admission: FREE

5001 N. Big Hollow Road
Peoria, IL 61615
309- 693-9408
Storytime every Monday morning

5001 N. Big Hollow Road
Peoria, IL 61615
309- 693-9408
Storytime every Monday morning

5001 N. Big Hollow Road
Peoria, IL 61615
309- 693-9408
Storytime every Monday morning

Carver Arena at Peoria Civic Center
Ice Hockey in the American Hockey League (AHL)

Carver Arena at Peoria Civic Center
Ice Hockey in the American Hockey League (AHL)

Carver Arena at Peoria Civic Center
Ice Hockey in the American Hockey League (AHL)

Carver Arena at Peoria Civic Center
Ice Hockey in the American Hockey League (AHL)

Carver Arena at Peoria Civic Center
Ice Hockey in the American Hockey League (AHL)

Carver Arena at Peoria Civic Center
Ice Hockey in the American Hockey League (AHL)

Carver Arena at Peoria Civic Center
Ice Hockey in the American Hockey League (AHL)

Lakeview Museum
1125 W Lake Ave
Peoria, IL 61614
(309) 686-7000

An Adventure in Arts, Moran to Warhol includes some of the country's most celebrated painters, sculptors, photographers and graphic artists. This exhibition of paintings, prints, sculptures and photographs encompasses the full range of late 19th and 20th century styles, allowing the visitor to trace the progression of art movements in America from the traditional landscapes of Thomas Moran through the Photo Realism of Chuck Close to the experiments by contemporary artists in the 1980s and 1990s

Lakeview Museum
1125 W Lake Ave
Peoria, IL 61614
(309) 686-7000

1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

What do you get when you mix vinegar with baking soda? A lot of bubbles — and a mess. (Try it in the kitchen sink.) The American Chemical Society and Bradley University will present the shows at 1 p.m. Nov. 14, Jan. 9, Feb. 13 and April 10, in the Discovery Center. The demonstrations are free for Members, others free with
gallery admission.

Lakeview Museum
1125 W Lake Ave
Peoria, IL 61614
(309) 686-7000

3:30 PM to 4:00 PM

Children ages 5 and older are invited to Gallery Walks through the Guild Hall exhibition in December and January. This outstanding exhibition features artworks created by important artists of the early 20th century through today. Registration is not necessary, Free with Gallery admission at 3:30 – 4 p.m.

Forest Park Nature Center
5809 N. Forest Park Dr
Peoria Heights
686-3360

Feel the smooth scales of a snake slide through your hand, hear the hiss of a giant cockroach, see a tarantula up close and personal. Programs run 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, and 1/31.

These short programs at Forest Park Nature Center will give you a new respect for some “critters” who definitely don’t fit into the cute, furry, cuddly mold, but are nonetheless some of nature’s greatest creatures.

Age: All
Fee: Donations requested
Time: 1:30-2:00 pm

Su:1/10 Meet our Turtles
Su:1/17 Meet our Snakes
Su:1/24 Meet our Tarantula and Hissing Cockroaches
Su:1/31 Meet our Snakes & Turtles

Forest Park Nature Center
5809 N. Forest Park Dr
Peoria Heights
686-3360

Feel the smooth scales of a snake slide through your hand, hear the hiss of a giant cockroach, see a tarantula up close and personal. Programs run 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, and 1/31.

These short programs at Forest Park Nature Center will give you a new respect for some “critters” who definitely don’t fit into the cute, furry, cuddly mold, but are nonetheless some of nature’s greatest creatures.

Age: All
Fee: Donations requested
Time: 1:30-2:00 pm

Su:1/10 Meet our Turtles
Su:1/17 Meet our Snakes
Su:1/24 Meet our Tarantula and Hissing Cockroaches
Su:1/31 Meet our Snakes & Turtles

Forest Park Nature Center
5809 N. Forest Park Dr
Peoria Heights
686-3360

Feel the smooth scales of a snake slide through your hand, hear the hiss of a giant cockroach, see a tarantula up close and personal. Programs run 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, and 1/31.

These short programs at Forest Park Nature Center will give you a new respect for some “critters” who definitely don’t fit into the cute, furry, cuddly mold, but are nonetheless some of nature’s greatest creatures.

Age: All
Fee: Donations requested
Time: 1:30-2:00 pm

Su:1/10 Meet our Turtles
Su:1/17 Meet our Snakes
Su:1/24 Meet our Tarantula and Hissing Cockroaches
Su:1/31 Meet our Snakes & Turtles

Forest Park Nature Center
5809 N. Forest Park Dr
Peoria Heights
686-3360

There’s nothing like the warmth of a wood stove and a good story to remind us that the simple things are often the best! Well, there’s that and more in the Nature Center this winter and spring. Offered the following Wednesdays: 1/13, 2/10, 3/10, 4/14, and 5/12.

Drop by Forest Park Nature Center with the young ones and enjoy a rhyme or two. They’re sure to be delighted!

Ages: Best for 3-7 year olds
Fee: Donations requested
10:30 am

Lakeview Museum
1125 W Lake Ave, Peoria
309-686-3382

Free admission day at Lakeview Museum. View the 2 latest traveling exhibits before they leave Peoria next week. The 2 exhibits are Michaelangelo's Models and An Adventure in the Arts from Moran to Warhol.

The 2010 St. Jude Benefit Meet will take place January 16th & 17th at the Peoria Civic Center. During one weekend a year, athletes from all over the country compete in women’s artistic gymnastics, tumbling, and trampoline not only for individual and team awards, but to help the children of St. Jude. Organizers donate 100% of all net proceeds to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To date, this event has raised over 3/4 of a million dollars for the treatment and research of childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases. We hope you will join us for the 19th annual St. Jude Meet.

The UCA Midwest Championship will be held in the Peoria Civic Center Exhibit Hall on Sunday, January 24, 2010, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tickets are available at the door and are $8 for adults (18 and over) and $5 for students and children. For more information, visit www.uca.com

The 9th Annual IESA Cheer Championship will be held in the Peoria Civic Center Exhibit Hall on Saturday, January 23, 2010. Doors open at 8 a.m., and the competition begins at 9 a.m. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for students in grades K - 8 and senior citizens age 62 and older.

The "Young Composers and Their Music" showcase concert will be held in the Peoria Civic Center Theater on Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 3 p.m. Admission is free. This event is part of the 2010 Illinois Music Educators Association Convention.

Peoria Civic Center

The Illinois Music Education Assocation has several events going on

Jan 28
IMEA All-State Jazz Night Concert

Jan 29
IMEA Honors Concert
All-conference Drum Circle
Music Education/Industry Exhibits
IMEA All-State Concert

Click on the link below for more info

Lakeview Museum
1125 W Lake Ave
Peoria, IL 61614
(309) 686-7000

Electric Paint: The Computer as 21st Century Canvas, an exhibition organized by Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, WI, brings together 70 works by 22 international artists to shed light on the phenomenon of computer- generated art found on web pages, galleries, and virtual museums worldwide. Their work comprises altered photographs, free-hand painting with a mouse or graphics tablet, and fractals derived from the input of mathematical formulas resulting in fantastical portraits and landscapes that alter our sense of reality. The exhibition also includes digital video and paintings.

The Home Depot's Kids Workshops offer useful projects including the creation of toolboxes, fire trucks and mail organizers, as well as more educational projects, such as a window birdhouse, bughouse or Declaration of Independence frame kit.

The workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, this fun time allows for quality one-on-one time between adults and children.

In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates' aprons, and an achievement pin.