The Children’s Discovery Museum will host its annual Day of Play from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 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. 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.

• 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.