5 Family Fun Ideas for October in the Peoria Area

Looking for some fun things to do with the family this October? The Peoria Area offers a host of great events and activities worth checking out. Below we share five of our top picks.

See the Fall Colors Lake Pleasant Park

Peoria in October

The fall is a great time to go out and enjoy family fun time in the Peoria Area. The region houses the many famous scenic drives where you can admire the fall changing colors of the leaves. This is one of the most spectacular things that you can experience in the fall season.

The top tree tops turn to shades of gold, yellow, orange, and red. There are many interesting scenic drives where you can take your family. Among these is included the Crabtree Nature Center, the Starved Rock State Park, and the Morton Arboretum.

You can also find along the way recreation areas where you can enjoy relaxing with your family in the nature, camping, fishing and boating.

Pay a Visit to the Morton Pumpkin Festival

In Peoria Aria, Morton ranks among best communities for families. The town is rich with seasonal festivals and activities. Morton is also famous for being the world’s center of processing canned pumpkin, with more than 80 percent of the world’s production processed here.

Morton Pumpkin FestivalIn celebration of the pumpkin canning season, each fall the living in Morton only gets better with the Pumpkin Festival. This year, you can enjoy together with your family the celebration of the 48th edition of the Pumpkin Festival. The communal event has flourished since 1967 as one of the most popular attractions in the area, offering a wealth of fun for families. Among the top attractions at the Morton Pumpkin Festival are:

  • Pumpkin Classic Run and Walk
  • The Pumpkin Craft Faire
  • The Pumpkin Business Expo
  • The Pumpkin Festival Parade
  • The Photography Show
  • The Pumpkin Festival’s Food

Check Out the PNC Worldwide Day of Play

This even is taking place on October 4, at 11:00AM. The admission is free and al the ages are welcomed. At the time, Glen Oak Park will be brimming with games, entertainment, and learning opportunities. You can enjoy a free performing arts performance of at the Amphitheatre, at 11:30 a.m.

This will be followed by performances by PICK Percussions, Community Children’s Theatre, , and Peoria POPs Dixieland. At the Touch-A-Truck station, kids are offered the opportunity to get up close with trucks from the Police Department, Fire Department, Advanced Medical Transport and more. You can also enjoy visiting the Peoria Zoo at a discounted admission fee – just think of it as school away from schools.

Spider Hill Haunted Attractions

This event will take place on Fridays and Saturdays nights in October, at 07:00PM. The admission fee is 8 dollars per attraction. The Spider Hill is the biggest haunted house festival in Illinois. You can enjoy three exciting haunted attractions: the Trail of Terror walking trail, the Massacre Mansion, and the Haunted Express wagon ride. For smaller kids you can also enjoy the family friendly Boo Barn.

Spooky Creatures & Scary Plants

On October 18, at 02:00 PM the Peoria Zoo and Botanical Garden will the host of the Spooky Creatures & Scary Plants event. The admission fee is 15 dollars for non members and 7.50 dollars for members. The instructors will be staff of the Peoria Zoo & Botanical Garden. Before Halloween Eve would be exciting to have some family fun with your kids and explore the spooky creatures and the frightening plants. The classes will take place at the Zoo Tropics classroom.

Do you have any ideas for fun and family-friendly things to do this October in the Peoria and central Illinois area? Let us know in the comments below!