Marbles Kids Museum | Raleigh

Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh, North Carolina, is a vibrant, interactive educational center designed especially for children aged birth to 10. Since its founding in 2007-formed from the merger of Exploris and Playspace-it has become one of the premier family destinations in the Southeast. The museum combines purposeful play with education, offering immersive experiences that promote creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and exploration in young children.

Overall Design and Mission

Marbles Kids Museum is built around the philosophy of "play with purpose." Its exhibits are structured to align with essential early learning goals while allowing children to take the lead in their learning journey. Every space is intentionally designed to support childhood development across multiple areas: physical, cognitive, emotional, and social.

The museum's name, Marbles, represents the idea of childhood play, but also refers to "a marble in your head" - symbolizing curiosity, brain development, and imaginative thinking.

Permanent Exhibit Galleries

Marbles is divided into themed, hands-on exhibit zones. Each gallery is crafted to serve both educational objectives and pure fun.

1. Around Town

A miniature city where kids take on adult roles through role-playing in realistic environments such as:

Mini grocery store, where children can shop, check out items, or restock shelves.

Veterinarian clinic, allowing them to diagnose and care for stuffed animal patients.

Post office, complete with letters, mail bags, and delivery carts.

Fire station with gear and a fire engine for dramatic play.

Restaurant/kitchen, where children "cook" and serve meals.

This area fosters an understanding of community roles, early math and literacy, and social-emotional skills through imaginative role-play.

2. Splash!

This water-themed exhibit emphasizes principles of physics, engineering, and environmental science through:

Interactive water tables with pumps, pipes, and wheels.

A working model of a lighthouse.

A submarine structure for imaginative exploration.

A rain garden display that teaches about water cycles and conservation.

Children manipulate water flow, learn about currents, and explore cause and effect in a sensory-rich environment.

3. imagiFAB

A space focused on design, innovation, and creative problem-solving. It combines elements of maker culture and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math).

Activities include:

Woodworking with kid-safe tools.

Simple animation stations.

Tinkering tables with circuits and magnets.

Costume and textile design zones.

Children create their own inventions, models, and artistic works, developing fine motor skills and critical thinking.

4. STEMosphere

A zone focused on early science and engineering principles through tactile challenges and puzzles. Features include:

Simple machines and mechanical systems.

Coding and robotics interfaces.

Engineering challenges using building blocks and ramps.

This encourages logic, experimentation, and perseverance in problem-solving.

5. Power2Play

A dynamic, sports-themed area that promotes gross motor development and healthy habits.

Activities involve:

Climbing walls, basketball hoops, obstacle courses.

A variety of sports equipment for free play.

Games focused on movement coordination and agility.

This exhibit highlights the mind-body connection and the benefits of physical activity.

6. Moneypalooza

An economics-themed exhibit where children learn basic financial literacy through simulated experiences.

Interactive stations include:

A pretend bank for deposits and withdrawals.

An "earn-and-spend" marketplace.

Decision-making games about saving and budgeting.

This area helps young visitors understand the value of money, the basics of economic exchange, and personal responsibility.

7. Art Loft

A serene studio space encouraging artistic expression across media.

Available activities:

Painting, clay modeling, sculpture.

Printmaking and collage.

Seasonal or thematic arts and crafts projects.

It fosters creativity, decision-making, and emotional expression while supporting fine motor development.

8. Kid Grid

A tech-inspired exhibit that introduces kids to the concepts of power, energy, and sustainability.

Children can:

Build circuits with oversized wires and switches.

Explore solar and wind energy through interactive displays.

Operate pulleys, gears, and light-based puzzles.

This area promotes energy awareness and early STEM understanding in an age-appropriate, tactile way.

9. BB&T Toddlers Hollow

A secure, age-specific play zone designed for children under 3.

It features:

Soft climbing structures.

Sensory toys and mirrors.

Quiet spaces for infants.

Age-appropriate books and puzzles.

The environment encourages early gross motor development, sensory exploration, and parent-child bonding.

IMAX Theater at Marbles

Located on the museum’s campus, this is North Carolina’s only 3D-capable giant-screen IMAX theater, with a massive 70-foot-wide, state-of-the-art screen. It offers:

Educational nature and science documentaries.

Popular children's films and Hollywood blockbusters.

Special events and sensory-friendly screenings.

The IMAX experience complements the museum’s mission by expanding children’s understanding of the natural world in a cinematic format.

Programs and Community Engagement

Educational Programs

Marbles offers programs designed for children, educators, and caregivers:

Field trips and homeschool days aligned with curriculum standards.

Preschool programs and sensory-based toddler workshops.

After-school enrichment in art, STEM, and imaginative play.

Marbles Camps (spring, summer, and school breaks) with themed content.

Family Nights and special exhibits for inclusive play, including sensory-sensitive sessions.

Access Initiatives

Marbles ensures inclusion and affordability through:

PlayFree Fund, which provides free or reduced admission for qualifying families.

Sensory-friendly playtimes, designed for children with autism or sensory processing differences.

Military discounts and rotating "late play" half-price days.

Visitor Information

Address

Marbles Kids Museum
201 East Hargett Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

Hours

Monday: Closed

Tuesday–Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Thursday: Extended hours until 7:00 PM

Members: Early entry at 9:00 AM Tuesday–Sunday

Admission

Advance Ticket: $9 (ages 1–99)

Day-of Ticket: $12

Under 1: Free

Military: Discounted rates

Play Late for Less (after 3 PM on weekdays): Half-price admission

Tickets must be purchased online in advance.

IMAX Theater Prices

Documentaries: $7 adults, $5 children

Feature Films: $12 adults, $9 children

3D glasses: $1 additional

Amenities

Bean Sprouts Café: A health-conscious, kid-friendly café offering allergy-friendly meals.

Marbles Store: Sells educational toys, books, crafts, and science kits.

Rest Areas: Benches, baby care areas, stroller parking.

Accessibility: Fully accessible facilities for individuals with mobility or sensory needs.

Transportation and Parking

Parking: Paid public lots and street parking nearby (no private garage).

Public Transit:

Bus: 1 block from GoRaleigh Station.

Train: 15-minute walk from Raleigh Amtrak Station.

Bike racks available for cyclists.

Conclusion

Marbles Kids Museum is a highly engaging and thoughtfully designed learning environment that merges fun with foundational skills across early childhood development. Through diverse exhibits, educational programming, and its world-class IMAX theater, Marbles provides families with a hands-on, joyful experience that cultivates curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.