Annual ‘Day of Play’ returns to Uptown Normal with full day of fun, educational activities
Presented by PNC, the event is free and open to the public for children and their families, caregivers
Normal, Ill. – Sept. 19, 2022 - The Children’s Discovery Museum will host its annual Day of Play on Saturday, Sept. 24, in Uptown Normal. Presented by the PNC, the event provides all-day activities for children, their families and caregivers to play and learn together. The event is free and open to the public.
Day of Play, launched in 2004, embodies the museum’s mission of “inspiring the love of learning through the power of play” by encouraging children to turn off their screens and head outside to play. PNC’s generous sponsorship includes the arrival of the PNC Mobile Adventure, a traveling exhibit which promotes early learning and provides PNC Grow Up Great resources. PNC’s support also allows the museum to present the event at no charge for families and to offer same-day reduced admission ($4) at the museum through 5 p.m.
What: Day of Play, presented by the PNC, is designed to provide free opportunities for children and their parents and caregivers to come together to play and learn. This national initiative spurs intentionality for community partners to help families set aside an entire day devoted to providing children with the opportunity to engage in educational activities.
When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24
Where: 101 E. Beaufort Street, Normal, IL 61761
Visuals: Uptown Normal will be transformed into a giant playground with more than 60 community organizations and businesses providing free play activities, including:
- Touch-a-Truck which provides kids (and grown-ups) with an up-close look at machinery and equipment.
- Kids Make-and-Sell which offers youth the opportunity to sell handcrafted goods.
- The PNC Mobile Learning Adventure–a traveling exhibit that provides an opportunity for parents and caregivers to engage in fun, activities with their children including a dress up and photo station, coloring and other hands-on early learning supported through the PNC Grow Up Great initiative.
- STEAM activities led by museum staff exploring science, technology, engineering arts and math concepts.
Physical play at the event will be represented through many activities, including a Bike Rodeo, interactive demonstrations and dance routines on the PNC Stage in the Mark R. Peterson Plaza, a giant sandbox and more.