Marbles Kids Museum

The go-to place in downtown Raleigh to take kids in rain or shine, Marbles Kids Museum has been a popular destination for families and nannies alike for many years here in the Triangle. While there are some play areas that are constant (and all kids have their favorite parts of the Museum to play in when they go each time), the wonderful staff at Marbles change up activities in other areas on a regular basis. There are new discoveries every time you visit. I’ve tried to cover most exhibits in this blog; however, this list is far from exhaustive!

For those new to the area, or new to nannying, add this great museum to your list of places to take the kids and explore!

There is always something fun to do on the stage as the kids walk in. The most recent activity is a collection of huge foam blocks to stack and build.

Keep in mind that if the weather is bad, this area is the only place indoors (besides the Marbles store) where kids can have a snack and drink.

Another area where the activities change up from time-to-time, the main entrance is a great place to get your bearings and decide which way you want to head.

Go left and you will find Stepnotes, a stairwell that has a wonderfully creative design. With an entire scale of piano keys lighting up under their feet, your kids will have a blast jumping up and down as they head to the second floor.

Head straight toward the big bus, and you’ve landed in Around Town, a closed off fun zone with latched doors (yay!). Your kids will find a fantastic wonderland filled with all kinds of imaginative activities: a fire truck, an ambulance, a stage with a place for the audience to sit and watch the show, a vet clinic, and so much more. Don’t be surprised if you spend most of your time in this area on your first visit!

Peek-a-Boo Bay is a small, enclosed area especially for the little ones 18 months and under.[/caption]On the lower level, you will also find Splash! which includes water play (with an outdoor play area), a submarine to explore, and a pirate ship to climb aboard. Complementing the area is a huge aquarium with an amazing collection of beautiful fish.

Head upstairs and make sure to give your kids a chance to explore their creative side in Ideaworks. There are places to cut, color, glue, build, sew and then display!

In the Work Bench area, there are real working tools (including a real saw and table clamp), so remember to supervise all activities.

In Power2Play, your kids will find endless ways to burn that wonderful energy. There is a basketball arena, a hockey rink (clean socks are provided!), a workout zone with some obstacles that challenge kids’ big muscles, and even a dance area with four different genres of music to groove to.

For those bringing children under three, Toddlers Hollow is a lovely, safe place where little ones can practice crawling, pulling up and walking in a quieter environment.

Head all the way upstairs and into Moneypalooza, one of the more popular areas for older children. This ginormous room (with only one exit, yay!) is filled with various activities including: a pizzeria where kids can make, sell and deliver pizzas, a lemonade stand, and a pet sitting business. This has a fabulous floor to ceiling playspace where children can climb and slide, as well as a giant piggy bank for kids to fill with green air balls that dump randomly out onto the floor below, much to the thrill of those sitting under it!

There is so much to do, you'll have to come back again and again to really enjoy it all. The very best part about Marbles is that it grows with your child, and as they develop new skills and interests, Marbles provides activities to enrich and challenge them in each amazing stage.Have fun!

Leanne Powell, 2017