The pandemic forced the Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum to shut its doors for an entire year. But that all ends this Saturday.
Rebecca Shulman is director of the children's museum. She said the health department has given the green light for small group rentals.
"We are limiting rentals to 20 kids or fewer, so that we can not only make sure we stay well under the limit, even if each child is accompanied by an adult, but also make sure that with a single staff person there, we can make sure all the kids are safe, and all the exhibits are cleaned as kids play," Shulman said.
Rentals will allow admission for up to two hours of play. Shulman said the children's museum is open by appointment only.
"The major changes are that we do not have any kinetic sand in the sand table, and we do not have any costumes or stuffed animal out on the floor," Shulman said. "I know kids will miss those, but in order to keep people safe, we've removed those so we can make sure we can clean really thoroughly during rentals and between rentals."
For families uncomfortable with outdoor activities, Shulman said the museum also will host virtual and outdoor activities.
But above all, Shulman said she and her staff are just excited to open their doors again.
"We are thrilled to have kids back in the PlayHouse," said Shulman. "It's felt like a really lonely building without kids playing in there. The exhibits just aren't the same without kids to activate them."
Click here for more information about the Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum reopening.
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