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

Willow Knolls 14 Movie Theatre
4100 W. Willow Knolls Dr.
Peoria, IL 61615
PH: 309 689-8463

Free Spring Matinees
For All Ages
Saturday and Sunday, 10am and 11am
15 minute Intermission with Every Show

3/6- 3/7 Shorts
3/13- 3/14 Monsters vs Aliens
3/20- 3/21 Imagine That
3/27-3/28 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
4/3- 4/4 Where the Wild Things Are
4/10- 4/11 Paul Blart: Mall Cop
4/17- 4/18 Astro Boy
4/24- 4/25 Spy Next Door
5/1- 5/2 Planet

Peoria Civic Center

Walking with Dinosaurs will be held at the Peoria Civic Center Arena on May 11-12, 2010. Show times are 7 p.m. on May 11 and 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on May 12. Tickets are $26.50, $41.50 and $51.50 for the performances on May 11 at 7 p.m. and May 12 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the 3:30 p.m. performance on May 12 are $21.50, $34.50 and $44.50. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 5, 2010, at 10 a.m. at the Peoria Civic Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at Ticketmaster.com.

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

Art of the Brick
April 10 – September 6, 2010
When we think of sculptural art, we imagine something made by casting metal or carving stone or perhaps modeling in clay. With Art of the Brick we realize that even a child’s toy may provide the inspiration and material for creating imaginative works of art. The 29 sculptural works in this exhibition were created exclusively using the little colorful, rectangular LEGO® bricks popular with children all around the world.

Wildlife Prairie State Park.

Calling all 5-7 year olds for this program designed for having fun, learning and meeting new friends! By becoming a Junior Explorer, you can do it all!

Join us on the first Saturday of every month from 1-3 pm for crafts, games and projects. Each month a different topic is covered.

Please note that this month we have moved the program to the 2nd Saturday in order to accommodate families traveling for the Easter Holiday as well as those attending our Easter events.

Admission Price: $7, plus applicable admission / $6 for Park Members
Phone: (309) 676-0998 x 6758

Sommer Park
6329 N. Koerner Road, Edwards

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

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

Day-Date Theme
Th: 4/8 Growing Seeds
Th: 5/13 Friendly Frogs

Register by calling 691-8423

Sommer Park
6329 N. Koerner Road, Edwards

05/01/10 9:00AM - 1:30PM
Join us for our Spring Adventure Outdoor Canoe program on Saturday, May 1. This half day event begins with canoeing on the pond,

followed by a hayrack ride and hotdog roast and a hike on the trails. Souvenir photo included. Children must be accompanied by parent/guardian or adult participant. Register by calling 691-8423.
Age: 4 and up
Fee: $8/age 10 & under
$10/ages 11+

9:30am-2:30pm
Peoria Stadium on War Memorial

Peoria Public School District 150's annual Touch a Truck event features construction equipment, tractor-trailers, delivery trucks, farm implements, and even emergency vehicles. Children attending the event will be able to touch all kinds of cool equipment while their parents learn about early childhood programs offered by the Care & Treatment Board, District 150, and partner agencies of the Early Childhood Network. The day's activities - which include games and prizes - conclude with a truck parade at 2:00 p.m.

Keepin Kids Movin' Expo
Come join the fun!
Saturday, May 1st 1-3pm East Peoria Fesitval Building 2200 E. Washington St. East Peoria

Making Family Time Active Time
Free kids activities
resource booths
family challenge
snack fun
Free Jump Rope for 1st 100 kids in attendance
Door prizes
Recyclable bag for each family

Special appearance by Peoria Chiefs' Mascot Homer

For more information contact: Julie Donaldson Tazewell County Health Dept. 925-5511 ext. 266

05/01/10 10:00AM - 4:00PM

Come “play in the park” on May 1st at our Annual Drama Festival of award winning TEC school plays performed by Peoria students.

Enjoy a day of live entertainment and surprises. Bring your lunch and buy snacks & drinks at the concession stand.

Saturday, May 1
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Corn Stock Theatre Tent in Bradley Park
FREE Admission

Party for the Planet
Saturday, May 1st 11:00-3:00 pm
Peoria Zoo

Join us for games, animals and more as we jointly celebrate Earth Day and International Migratory Bird Day

O'Brien Field, 730 SW Jefferson
Minor League Baseball

April 30, 6:30pm
May 1, 6:30pm, Fireworks & Star Wars Night
May 2 1:00pm, Family Funday, Disney Day, Kids Eat Free

Dance the Night Away

See Owens Skating School participants and world-class
guest skating stars put on a show to remember!
Advance tickets:
$10/adults • $6/kids 5-12 & seniors • 4 & under free
Tickets at the door an additional $1.00

On Mother's Day, all moms get in FREE with paid admission by accompanying family.

Clyde West Fishing Derby
Glen Oak Amphitheatre/Lagoon
FREE

Ages 9 & under 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Ages 10-13 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Seniors & those with disabilities 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Toss in a line and see if you can reel in one of our specially tagged fish to win a prize! Don’t have a pole? Borrow one through our “Loan A Pole” program, sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Bait, concessions, and basic fishing supplies will be available for purchase. Many thanks to Firefighters Local #50, Presley’s Outdoors, and Izaak Walton League for their continued sponsorship of this FREE event.

05/15/10 11:00AM - 10:00PM
The Riverfront
CEFCU Center Stage at the Landing: 11am-10pm, Admission: Adults, $2 seniors & ages 12-18, under 12 is Free.

The Peoria Park District and the Indo American Society are proud to kick off the summer with India Fest. Join us for live music, authentic Indian cuisine, traditional Indian dancing and much more. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this vibrant culture with all your friends at The RiverFront!

05/15/10 10:30AM - 11:30AM
Forest Park Nature Center
Make a simple birdfeeder that will bring a ton of enjoyment to you and our local birds--May 15 at the Nature Center!
Donations Appreciated.

05/15/10 9:30AM - 10:30AM
05/16/10 1:00pm- 2:00pm
Forest Park Nature Center

Celebrate Urban Birds Day presentations May 15 and May 16 at the Nature Center!

Help contribute to an ongoing study of North American birds by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology! Enjoy a short presentation about some of our favorite local birds, receive a Celebrate Urban Birds kit, and then go outside and collect your data around our Nature Center. No previous birdwatching experience is necessary, just a desire to enjoy nature and get involved. Call Susie Grana at 686-3360 for more informtion. Age: All

Donations Appreciated.

Peoria Riverfront

One of Peoria’s favorite events is here to signal the beginning of summer-- the ever-popular Louie Louie Festival! Bring your kazoo and your most creative outfit down to the CEFCU Center Stage. Enjoy the warm breeze and a cold beverage while hearing your favorite tunes from bands Jammsammich, Patrick N Swayze and more!

Admission is FREE!

Wildlife Prairie State Park

Rock, Reptile & Aquatics Show
May. 8, 2010 - May. 9, 2010, 10am-4pm

Displays & demonstrations by area experts. Several dealers will also be on hand to sell their hand-carved jewelry & trinkets, as well as some created from fossils and crystals.

This event is free with paid admission to the park. Sponsored by The Edward River Earth Science Club.

Admission Price: Free with paid general admission
Event Type: Special Event
Phone: (309) 676-0998

Wildlife Prairie State Park.

Gather up the 2 - 4 year old in your life and bring them to the Park for a curriculum designed especially for them! This hands-on, learning program revolves around a main topic and incorporates story-time, crafts, a hike and refreshments. .

The cost is $6 per child, plus applicable General Admission, $5 for Park Members. Advance payment and registration for either Tuesday or Wednesday is required. (Please choose only one session per month.) .

Check here for a complete program schedule..

Admission Price: $6.00 per child plus applicable General Admission, $5.00 for Park Members
Phone: (309) 676-0998 x 6758

Meteor Shower
May 22, 2010 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

It’s that time of year again! Golf balls will once again fall over Lakeview Museum’s front lawn for our third annual Meteor Shower fundraiser Saturday, May 22, 2010. Our most popular event, this is a family-focused day, showcasing Lakeview at its fullest capacity with educational and cultural programs including art projects, gallery walks, shows in the digital planetarium, inflatable games and much more! Come spend the whole day with something for everyone from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Family fun takes over at Lakeview Museum on a special Dinosaur appearance May 7

Meet a baby T-rex, the littlest star from WALKING WITH DINOSAURS. The appearances are free.

The museum will be open for "Art of the Brick" with "Make a Dino Weigh & Pay" with Lego bricks 3-7pm. Gallery admission applies.

Wheels O' Time Museum
1710 West Woodside Drive
Dunlap, IL 61525
Phone 309-243-9020

Church of Christ Northwest
Corner of Allen and Pioneer Parkway.

Ever feel like you’re the only mother who stays at home? You are not alone! Come meet other at-home mothers at the MOMS Club at our general meeting! .

MOMS club is a non-profit organization with over 2000 chapters nationwide. We get together regularly to provide interactions for our children, and conversation and friendship for our members. Our activities include monthly meetings, playgroups, park play days, Moms night out, lunch bunch, and so much more! We also do service projects that benefit needy children in the greater metropolitan community. .

The south chapter is specifically for moms who live south of 150 and south of 24. Email peoriamomsclub@yahoo.com to rsvp for the meeting or for more info..

Church of Christ Northwest
Corner of Allen and Pioneer Parkway.

Ever feel like you’re the only mother who stays at home? You are not alone! Come meet other at-home mothers at the MOMS Club at our general meeting! .

MOMS club is a non-profit organization with over 2000 chapters nationwide. We get together regularly to provide interactions for our children, and conversation and friendship for our members. Our activities include monthly meetings, playgroups, park play days, Moms night out, lunch bunch, and so much more! We also do service projects that benefit needy children in the greater metropolitan community. .

The north chapter is specifically for moms who live north of 150 and north of 24. Email momsclubofpeoria_north@yahoo.com to rsvp for the meeting or for more info..

Picadilly Circus at Expo Gardens

Free Children's Tickets online. Click link below. Adult tickets $27.75. Buy one adult ticket, get one free adult ticket.

Shows at 1:30pm, 4:30pm, and 7:30pm.

Agile acrobats! Galloping horses! Comedic circus clowns!
This is one show you don’t want to miss! Join the fun and excitement at
Piccadilly Circus.

This hot new show, unveils the best
in human agility, strength and beauty, combined with the finest in
animal nobility where man and
beast come together in perfect harmony.
It’s a show for all ages!

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

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

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

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

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

The Arts in Education Spring Celebration 2010 takes place weekdays from April 12 to May 21. Performances are on three stages at the Peoria County Courthouse Plaza: the Circle, the Monument, and Main and Jefferson.

Click on the link below for the schedule.

Peoria’s Arts in Education Spring Celebration 2010 celebrates 25 years of showcasing students' talents in the arts. This year 17,000 area school children will be downtown to exhibit their artistic talents before audiences numbering in the tens of thousands. The Peoria County Regional Office of Education is proud to say that this program is the only one of its kind in the United States.

City of Pekin

Carnival rides, Battle of the Bands, Entertainment, Food, and Much More
contact: 309-346-1474

Pekin Fire Days 2nd Annual Event. Noon - 4:00pm Parade on Saturday at Noon. Showcase local area fire equipment from antiques to new models. Pekin Fire Department celebrating 150th Anniversary. Free entertainment and kids activities. Held on Court and Capitol around the Courthouse block. Parade on Saturday along Court Street, downtown. Family event.

Art Fair
9a.m. to 5 p.m.
Main shopping areas along Prospect

Peoria Public Library-Lakeview Branch
10:00-10:20 a.m. Stories and fingerplays for children ages 18 months-2 years. 497-2700 FREE