by Marlin Bressi

Created on: May 16, 2009   Last Updated: October 21, 2011

Located across from Moore Square in downtown Raleigh, Marbles Kids Museum is fast becoming one of the most popular family destinations in North Carolina. The museum, which opened in late 2007, believes that children learn best through playing games and fun activities, which is the idea behind the museum's exhibits and galleries.

The first permanent exhibition is entitled "Around Town", which is a gallery exploring the hustle and bustle of city life in a safe and educational environment. In this part of the museum, children can get into the driver's seat of a bus or fire truck. Children can also get behind the wheel of a miniature ambulance, where they can turn on the flashing lights and even dress up in scrubs and read x-rays. The "Around Town" gallery also features a farm setting, where children can learn about growing fruits and vegetables, as well as a restaurant setting where kids can learn about meal preparation.

The next permanent exhibit is called "Splash!", and it explores the world of water. Children can climb aboard a miniature pirate ship, or explore Hideaway Grove- the museum's outdoor urban oasis. The "Splash!" gallery is designed not only to provide children with adventure, but to encourage children to grow up "green" by respecting the world's most abundant natural resource.

The "IdeaWorks" gallery is a place where kids can design and build things such as buildings, machines, and vehicles. Children can build a race car, a castle, or a skyscraper, as well as construct clothing and fashion accessories. "IdeaWorks" is a place where imagination and creativity come alive in a fun-filled hands-on environment.

Kids can learn about different customs and cultures in the "WorldTrek" gallery. From the igloos of the Arctic, to the rainforests of Brazil, to the bustling bazaars of Morocco, children can explore everyday life on every continent. The WorldTrek Gallery is an interactive journey through the world of commerce, culture, art, and music.

Marbles Kids Museum also features North Carolina's only 3D-capable IMAX screen, offering a unique educational and entertainment experience. The films are carefully chosen to reflect the museum's eco-friendly values while still being entertaining for children of all ages.

Marbles Kids Museum is open every day except Monday, and admission is five dollars for children as well as adults. However, the IMAX prices are a bit steep, at just under nine dollars for adults and $6.50 for children ages 1 through 11. This means that bringing a large-sized family can be quite expensive since there are separate admission fees for the museum and the IMAX theatre.

Learn more about this author, Marlin Bressi.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.