Open Gym in Peoria: A Sensory Play Space for Kids
Some days the weather will not cooperate, the kids have energy to spare, and the walls start closing in. If you have been hunting for an open gym in Peoria that gives kids something more interesting than a bounce house, our doors are open.
Midwest Children's Therapy hosts Open Gym at our East Peoria clinic, and during those hours our therapy space is open to the public. No membership, no registration, and no diagnosis required.
What Open Gym Is and How It Works
Open Gym is a drop in block of time when our sensory gym stops being a therapy space and becomes a play space for the community. Kids of all ages are welcome, and so are siblings.
Days and Times Change Week to Week
This is the one thing worth knowing before you load everyone into the car. Our schedule shifts depending on clinic hours, so Open Gym is not the same day every week. We post current dates and times on our events page and on our Instagram and Facebook. Checking before you head over will save you a trip.
What It Costs to Drop In
Pricing is simple and stays that way:
$5.00 per child for the full duration of that day's Open Gym
Children under 1 and adults are free
Cash or check only, paid when you arrive
Complimentary punch card available, where 5 visits earns you 1 free visit
There is no time limit within the Open Gym window. If your child is still going strong after an hour, you are welcome to stay.
What Kids Do During Open Gym
The equipment in our gym was chosen by pediatric therapists, which means it does more than entertain. Swinging and spinning help kids build balance and body awareness. Climbing, pushing, and crashing give the deep pressure input that helps many kids feel settled and focused. If you want the full breakdown of how it all works, we wrote about what a sensory gym is in more detail.
Climbing, Swinging, and Crashing With Purpose
During Open Gym, kids lead. They pick what they want to try, how long they stay with it, and how big a challenge they want. That freedom is part of the value. Children are usually excellent at seeking out exactly the kind of input their bodies are asking for when nobody is directing them.
Space for Kids of All Abilities
Our gym is used every day by children with a wide range of needs, and Open Gym is no exception. Equipment can be approached in a lot of different ways, so a cautious toddler and a fearless six-year-old can both find their footing. Families who have had a hard time finding play spaces that work for their child often find this one easier.
Why Open Gym Works for Peoria Area Families
An Indoor Option for Rough Weather Days
Central Illinois gives us plenty of days that are too cold, too hot, or too wet for the park. Open Gym is climate-controlled and gives kids the kind of full-body movement that a play date in the living room cannot match.
A Low Pressure Way to See the Clinic
If you have ever wondered about therapy services for your child, Open Gym is a comfortable way to see the building and get a feel for the place without scheduling anything. Plenty of families come for the play first and ask questions later.
What to Know Before Your First Visit
Which Door to Use
Enter through the blue door on the front of the building at 110 Carver Lane in East Peoria. It is easy to miss if you are looking for the main clinic entrance, so head for the blue one.
What to Bring and What to Leave Behind
A few quick logistics:
Water only. No food or other drinks in the gym, please.
Cash or check for the drop-in fee, since we cannot take cards at the door.
Socks or bare feet are usually the most comfortable option for climbing.
A caregiver. Kids need an adult with them for the duration.
Plan Your Next Open Gym in Peoria Visit
Open Gym is one of the easiest ways to give your kids a couple of hours of real movement without a big production. Check our events page for the next date, bring five dollars per kid, and come through the blue door.
If you have questions before you come, call our main office at (309) 282-6704. And if you like the space enough to want it to yourself, you can also rent the gym for a birthday party or a school field trip.
