Grandparents: We love them, our kids adore them ... and in turn they offer unconditional love (and — if you're lucky — free babysitting!). Grandparents Day is Sunday, Sept. 13 and there's no better way to show the older people in your life how much you and your kids love and appreciate them than spending the day with them. And for those of you grandparents raising your grandkids full-time? We see and very much appreciate you!
Lucky enough to have grandparents who live close by? Here are 10 ideas on how to spend Grandparents Day in Peoria:
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1. Take them out for a special meal in Peoria
Here are three of our favorite Peoria-owned restaurants:
- Childers Eatery - Your grandparents will love the fresh food! Multiple locations and they are all open 7 am - 3 pm on Sundays!
- Brienzo's Pizza - Share a slice with grandma and grandpa! Open 11 am–9 pm on Sundays!
- Weaver's - Grandparents will appreciate the local eats! Kids will love the food and the game room! Open 11 am - 9 pm on Sundays!
2. Go for a walk in the woods in Peoria
If your grandparents love fresh air and hiking in the woods, there might be no simpler way to spend the day! Here are some great hiking trails in Peoria that are accessible to all:
- Grandview Drive - Ok, it's not exactly in the woods but, it's paved and comes with a beautiful view!
- Rock Island Trail - Mostly paved and goes on for miles, 26 miles that is! Take as long or short of a walk that you want.
- Cooper Park North and South - Fairly flat and both provide access to the Illinois River.
3. Plan a picnic in Peoria
Surprise Grandma and Grandpa with a picnic! Here are three great spots in Peoria for a family picnic:
- Grandview Drive - After your walk you can have a picnic at one of the many picnic tables along the way. You can also make your way down to the playground on Grandview Drive for a picnic and play!
- Donovan Park - This is the perfect place for a picnic! Pack your own food or order for Cyd's in the Park! Grandparents will enjoy a nice sculpture walk and watching the grands play in the sand!
- Glen Oak Park - There's plenty of space for a picnic and everyone will enjoy playing (or watching) on the new playground!
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4. Let your child share one of their favorite places in Peoria
Does your child have a favorite place like a trampoline park, mini golf, or Peoria area playground? Grandma and Grandpa might love to come along to take part, or if that's too much, simply watch their grandchildren enjoy themselves! Your children, in turn, will probably love to tour Grandma and Grandpa around their favorite place in Peoria. Here are three fun spots in Peoria where kids can play and there is plenty of room for adults to watch (or take part!):
- Elevate Peoria or East Peoria (Grandparents can join in on the jumping fun or they can simply sit and watch the grands show off!
- Main Street Play Cafe (Makes for the perfect morning outing. Grandparents will love checking out the local tiny town and having a warm coffee while the grandkids play!)
- Dive-In Arcade (Grandparents will love joining the kids in the arcade fun or just watching the kids and sharing their pennies ;)
Grandparents live far away?
Let them know you're thinking of them on Grandparents Day! Here are three ways to tell them you love them from a distance:
Make a video
Kids can list all the things they love about grandma and grandpa.
Send them a hug
Tape together a few pieces of newspaper or use the white side of wrapping paper and outline your child with their arms outstretched. Let your kids color themselves in. Fold it up, put it in an envelope, and send that hug to Grandma and Grandpa!
DIY coasters
Grandparents love personalized gifts, so make them DIY coasters, either with your kids' picture or a drawing they've completed. See how to do it here.
5. Let grandparents share one of their favorite places in Peoria
Perhaps your grandparents have a favorite spot or activity in Peoria that you haven't been to before! Let them take you and your kids along to experience what makes it important to them. They'll love introducing you and your kids to their friends and sharing a place that's special.
6. Visit a museum in Peoria together
Museums are a great place to spend a day with Grandma and Grandpa! Here are three great museums in Peoria that will be open on Grandparents Day:
- Wheels O' Time Museum - Admission: $12/ Adult, $10/ (65+), $5/ (3yo - 8th grade), $10 Veteran, Sunday hours: 12 pm - 5 pm
- Riverfront Museum - Admission: $20/ Adult, $18/ (60+), $16/ (3-17), Sunday hours: 12 pm - 5 pm
- Caterpillar Visitors Center - Admission: $7/ General admission, $6/ (55+ & Active Military), FREE/ (12 and under), CLOSED Sundays
Tuesday - Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm
7. Say hi to the animals in Peoria
Grandparents probably love to see animals as much as their grandkids! Here are three places to go and see the animals in Peoria on Grandparents Day:
- Peoria Zoo - Admission: $12.50/ (13+), $9/ (2-12), FREE/ (under 2), $11.50/ (65+), Sunday hours: 10 am - 5 pm
- Wildlife Prairie Park - Admission: $17/ (13+), $15/ (65+), $12/ (3-12), FREE/ (2&under), Sunday hours: 9 am - 6 pm
- Fon du Lac Farm Park - Admission: Under 2 FREE, $4.50/ (2-12 & 62+), $5.50/ (13+), Sunday hours: 9 am - 3 pm
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8. Plan a photo scavenger hunt
We developed this fun scavenger hunt for teens and tweens but there's no reason why Grandma and Grandpa can't take part too! Make great memories by taking selfies together, recreating a famous Beatles album cover, and just generally spending the day out and about in Peoria being silly together.
9. Go for ice cream
Who doesn't love a sweet treat? Here are three great Peoria-owned ice cream places we love:
- Tropical Sno - Sunday hours: 12:30 pm - 8:30 pm
- Emo's - Sunday hours: 10:30 am - 10 pm
- The Daily Scoop - Sunday hours: 12 pm - 8:30 pm
10. Plan a photo shoot
Grandparents love family photos (and who doesn't?!?), so arrange a photo shoot with a Peoria photographer on Grandparents Day, or gift them a certificate to use later. Here are three great Peoria photographers who specialize in family photos:
- Charisa Studios - We have personally been blessed by Charisa's photography genius!
- Chaam Photos - Eunhye takes the dreamiest lifestyle photos!
- Amber Vervynck Photography - I have heard (and seen) wonderful things about Ambers photography!
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