Arts & Culture · Museums & Galleries
Marbles Kids Museum
About
Marbles Kids Museum
Learning Through Play in Downtown Raleigh
Marbles Kids Museum opened on September 29, 2007, after the merger of two longtime Raleigh institutions, Exploris and Playspace. The nonprofit’s mission is to spark imagination, discovery and learning through play, and it has welcomed more than 9 million visitors since opening. The name is a double nod: to a wall featuring more than a million illuminated marbles, and to the old saying about using your marbles.
The museum sits on East Hargett Street across from Moore Square, and its two floors of exhibits are designed to be touched, climbed, splashed and rearranged.
What to See and Do
Exhibit areas include Splash, with water play; Moneypalooza, where kids run a pretend bank and shop; Around Town, a kid-sized city for role play; imagiFAB, a making and building space; Power2Play; EcoSphere; Kid Grid; and the musical Stepnotes staircase. The youngest visitors have their own gated areas, including Toddlers Hollow and Seedlings, which makes it easier for caregivers with more than one child to keep everyone in sight.
The on-site IMAX theatre shows a rotating lineup of documentaries and family features, many in 3D, and tickets can be combined with museum admission. The Marbles PlayStore near the entrance sells toys and gifts.
Tips for Visiting
The museum is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, with Thursday hours extended to 7 PM. Buying tickets online in advance saves money ($9.50 versus $12.50 at the door, plus tax), and children under 1 are free. The Play Late for Less discount offers reduced admission Monday through Thursday after 3 PM, and members get early entry at 9 AM.
The Moore Square (Wilmington Street Station) parking deck is directly across the street, with entrances on Wilmington and Blount streets. Rates and free hours change, so check the posted signs before you go. Weekday mornings at opening are calmest for toddlers, while weekend late mornings tend to be busiest. Pack a change of clothes if Splash is on the agenda.
Who It’s For
Marbles is aimed at kids from about 1 to 11, with the sweet spot around ages 2 to 8. It is a reliable rainy-day plan for local families, a strong option for grandparents visiting with little ones, and an easy pairing with lunch in City Market or a run around Moore Square afterward.