Marbles Packs A Wad of Fun
The Marbles Museum downtown has a busy schedule of fun activities set for the ensuing couple of month. Look below the fold for a complete list.
Marbles Kids Museum
201 East Hargett Street
Raleigh, NC 26701
Museum 919.834.4040
Theatre 919.882.IMAX
Currently Playing at IMAX
Greece: Secrets of the Past
February 1, 2008 – September 2008 (tentative)
Today’s state-of-the-art technology will transport audiences back in time to the dawn of democracy and the birthplace of Western Civilization in MacGillivray Freeman’s adventure of discovery, GREECE: SECRETS OF THE PAST.
A sweeping archeological journey back in time, the film sets out on a quest to uncover the buried secrets of one of the world’s most enlightened societies – ancient Greece during the Golden Age – that for 100 years, from 500 BC to 400 BC, became the center of human thought and creativity and laid many of the foundations for the way we live today.
Length: approximately 45 minutes
Official film website:
This film has not been rated.
Grand Canyon Adventure 3D: River at Risk
March 14, 2008 – February 2009 (tentative)
Set against the immense backdrop of the majestic Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon Adventure will take IMAX theatre audiences on an exhilarating river-rafting adventure down the Colorado River in the company of a team of explorers who are committed to bringing awareness to global water issues.
One of the world’s mightiest rivers, the Colorado no longer reaches the sea. Every drop of river water is allocated to agriculture and populations along the way, many of whom don’t even realize their connection to the river. No water remains for the rivers end — the Colorado Delta — once a thriving estuary that supported the most diverse biosphere in North America. How do we balance our needs with nature’s needs? How do we provide enough freshwater for everyone who needs it, not only along the Colorado River but also everywhere on our planet?
Featuring songs and music by Dave Matthews Band.
Official film website: Rated G
Bugs! 3D
Friday, May 2, 2008 – December 2008 (tentative)
Bugs! is a live-action nature drama filmed in awe inspiring, totally immersive 3D. Shot on location in Borneo and in a purpose-built studio in Oxford, England, Bugs! explores the dramatic and savage lives of an Old World praying mantis and a beautiful butterfly, known by their Latin names, Hierodula and Papilio.
This 40-minute feature combines incredible footage with cutting-edge IMAX technology to deliver a fantastically entertaining and enlightening experience about the little guys in life.
The stars of Bugs!, Hierodula, the mantis, and Papilio, the butterfly, are born in the same part of the exotic Borneo rainforest. Their home is the foliage around an abandoned and dilapidated shack on the edge of the river.
Here, we witness Hierodula and Papilio mature and grow. Hierodula develops by incomplete metamorphosis; emerging from his egg as a mini-mantis and shedding his skin regularly on the way to gaining his adult wings. Papilio goes through a complete metamorphosis, from caterpillar to butterfly via the pupal stage.
As they develop we meet a fascinating array of creatures who share their habitat. After many near misses, the hunter, Hierodula, acting on instinct, catches Papilio. In an uplifting ending we discover that Papilio had managed to lay her eggs before being caught, and the film ends with her offspring emerging from her tiny egg to continue the circle of life.
Official film website:
Rated G
Wild Ocean 3D
July 4, 2008 – May 2009 (tentative)
Each year an unbelievable feeding frenzy takes place in the oceans of South Africa as billions of sardines migrate up the KwaZulu-Natal Coast. Wild Ocean captures spectacular breaching whales, feeding sharks, diving gannets, and massive bait balls inside and up close on the giant screen. The migration has provided an annual food source for both life in the sea and the people living along the African shores for countless generations.
The film demonstrates how business, government, and the local people have joined forces to protect this invaluable ecological resource. Wild Ocean will delve audiences into an epic underwater struggle for survival and reveal the economic and cultural impact the migration has on the coastal communities.
Produced by the creators of STOMP and the Academy Award nominated directors of Pulse: a STOMP Odyssey, Wild Ocean is an explosive, symphonic documentary film about man and nature.
Official film website:
Dark Knight: The IMAX Experience
July 18, 2008 – September 2008 (tentative)
As Batman, Lieutenant James Gordon, and new district attorney Harvey Dent successfully begin to round up the criminals that plague Gotham City, a mysterious criminal mastermind known only as the Joker appears in Gotham, creating a new wave of chaos. Batman’s struggle against the Joker becomes deeply personal, forcing him to “confront everything he believes” and improve his technology to stop him. A love triangle develops between Bruce Wayne, Dent and Rachel Dawes.
Official film website:
Rated – PG13
Run time: 2 Hours and 32 Minutes
September
WAM! Improv & Creative Acting
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Session 1 10:00am – 10:50am (ages 5-7)
Session 2 11:00am – 11:50am (ages 8-11)
Discover a whole new world of imagination through improvisational games and creative play. This workshop will help your child open their eyes to a world of performance arts, gain self-confidence, improve socialization skills and provide lots of fun!
For more information, visit or contact the Camps and Workshops Coordinator at 919.857.1040 or camps@marbleskidsmuseum.org. Pre-registration is required. Members receive discount on the cost of camps, classes and workshops.
Year Round Camp
Center Stage (Track 1)
Monday, September 15 through Friday, September 19, 2008
9:00pm – 5:00pm
It’s a week full of drama! Campers will experience all aspects of the stage including acting, set decoration, and costume design. Campers will put on a play for their parents at the end of the week. Camps include museum access, IMAX® film, and countless opportunities to get active, have fun, and be creative.
For more information, visit or call 919.857.1040. Pre-registration is required. Members receive discount on the cost of camps. Extended care is available.
Junior Marbles Days
Tuesday and Thursday, September 16 and 18, 2008
3:30pm – 5:00pm
Marbles Kids Museum is looking for young adults with an interest in helping kids learn through play, meeting new and like-minded individuals, making a valuable contribution to an organization and being part of a team. Junior Marbles Days are for volunteers, ages 12-17, to help out behind the scenes with activity prep work and administrative needs. This is a time when parents can drop off their teens for a fun social and productive time helping the museum run smoothly. Volunteers must be between 12-17 years of age to participate. All volunteers 16 and older must submit to a background check.
There is limited space available in each Junior Marbles Days so volunteers must pre-register. To register, contact our Community Relations Coordinator at 919.857.1021 or volunteers@marbleskidsmuseum.org.
Magic School BusTM Kicks Up a Storm
Special Exhibit Opens
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 through Sunday, January 25, 2009
Based on Scholastic’s award-winning book and television series, The Magic School BusTM, this action-packed exhibit features 33 hands-on, minds-on activities exploring weather. Aboard The Magic School BusTM, a flying Weather Observatory, students create, experience and measure weather, from a thunderstorm with lightening to a blizzard and breezy kite-flying day. In the Walkerville Weather Center, kids become meteorologists, interpreting and reporting on the weather.
The Magic School BusTM Kicks Up a Storm was created by The Children’s Museum of Houston with cooperation from Scholastic Entertainment, Inc. with major funding from the National Science Foundation; and a consultation with the National Weather Service, The American Meteorological Society, and the Oklahoma Climatological Survey.
SparkCon
Friday through Sunday, September 19 through 21, 2008
Marbles Kids Museum will be participating in Youth Spark with a KidPhoon Seek and Find Out scavenger Hunt!
Bugfest!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Marbles Kids Museum will be participating in Bugfest.
Team Marbles Monday
Monday, September 22, 2008
5:00pm – 7:00pm
If you are looking for a place to laugh, create, explore and make a difference, volunteering at Marbles is for you! Register now to attend our next Team Marbles Monday and learn about the exciting ways you can join our team as a volunteer.
Team Marbles Mondays is a program designed to bring together Marbles members, donors, and volunteers looking for a way to contribute to the museum. These events will offer a museum orientation, volunteer information and training, and a chance to meet other people who are engaged in the Marbles mission of providing a unique, interactive space for kids and families.
All new volunteers are required to attend a Team Marbles Monday meeting before beginning the volunteer program.
For more information , call 919.857.1021, or email volunteers@marbleskidsmuseum.org.
Junior Marbles Days
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
3:30pm – 5:00pm
Marbles Kids Museum is looking for young adults with an interest in helping kids learn through play, meeting new and like-minded individuals, making a valuable contribution to an organization and being part of a team. Junior Marbles Days are for volunteers, ages 12-17, to help out behind the scenes with activity prep work and administrative needs. This is a time when parents can drop off their teens for a fun social and productive time helping the museum run smoothly. Volunteers must be between 12-17 years of age to participate. All volunteers 16 and older must submit to a background check.
There is limited space available in each Junior Marbles Days so volunteers must pre-register. To register, contact our Community Relations Coordinator at 919.857.1021 or volunteers@marbleskidsmuseum.org.
Take a Child Outside Week
Wednesday, September 24 – Sunday, September 28, 2008
Marbles Kids Museum will take part in Take a Child Outside Week with back to basics, nature-made fun!
Take a Child Outside Week is an international program designed to help break down obstacles that keep children from discovering the natural world. By arming parents, teachers and other caregivers with resources on outdoor activities, our goal is to help children across the country develop a better understanding and appreciation of the environment in which they live, and a burgeoning enthusiasm for its exploration. Going outside connects children to the natural world, helps kids focus in school and reduces chances of obesity.
What’s happening at Marbles Kids Museum for Take a Child Outside Week?
Hideaway Grove
· Explore plantlife
· “Paint” outdoors with water
· Use natural items to build, sort, examine or create tiny homes
Castaway Cove
· Play with diggers and dozers in the giant sand pit
· Take a walk on the boardwalk
· Take a PEAK – a hands-on program about protecting and respecting our environment from 11:00am to 12:00pm
For more information about Take a Child Outside Week, go to .
Take a PEAK (Promoting Environmental Awareness in Kids)
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
11:00am – 12:00pm
Join the fun with hands-on activities and interactive games such as Trek & Track and Pointer where kids will experience the excitement of nature and importance of protecting and respecting our environment.
PEAK (Promoting Environmental Awareness in Kids) is a partnership program between Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and REI (Recreation Equipment, Inc.) to educate children about the outdoors and responsible enjoyment of our public lands. The PEAK program is based on the seven principles of Leave No Trace and aims to teach minimum impact outdoor skills and ethics to children. For more information about PEAK, go to .
Saturday September 27th 2008
9:00am – 5:00pm
Marbles Kids Museum invites you to the most marbleous birthday party ever…ours!!! Marbles is turning ONE. We want to celebrate our eventful first year with all the kids and families who have been part of it. And we want to take a sneak peek at what’s ahead in year two.
The day-long celebration will include birthday party favorites, from balloons to cupcake walks, from A Lotta Pinata to Pin the Pirate on the Plank to party hats and performances by the Tar Heel Tale Tellers. Mark your calendars for September 27 – a day of extraordinary fun at Marbles!
Party Activities
· Play birthday games like the How-low-can-you-go Limbo, A Lotta Pinata, Cupcake Walk, Pin the Pirate on the Plank and Seek & Find Out
· Create your own birthday party hat in Studio STYLE
· Get your face painted with birthday designs
· Get your picture taken with our Marbles Mascots
· Take in tales performed by the Tar Heel Tale Tellers (11:00am and 3:30pm)
· Check out our new Special Exhibit Magic School BusTM Kicks Up a Storm
Tar Heel Tale Tellers Tell a Tale
Saturday, September 27, 2008
11:00am and 3:30pm
Watch as tales come to life through performances by the Tar Heel Tale Tellers. For 15 years the Tar Heel Tale Tellers, a renowned children’s literature performance company, have performed new adaptations of contemporary children’s illustrated books. The troupe has appeared frequently at schools and bookstores, the state fair, regional and national conventions of children’s book writers and illustrators, and many Triangle theatres and performance venues.
Each performance is different and free with admission to the museum.
For more information visit .
WCPSS Storytelling Festival
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Event development in progress.
Curious Kids Club Session 1
Tuesdays, September 30 – November 4, 2008
Preschool 1:00pm – 2:30pm
K-2 & 3-5 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Curious Kids: Magic School Bus
If you are a curious kid, this is the after-school club for you! Explore weather and science in this six-week session that is enhanced by our brand-new exhibit, The Magic School Bus Kicks Up a Storm.
For more information, visit or contact the Camps and Workshops Coordinator at 919.857.1040 or camps@marbleskidsmuseum.org. Pre-registration is required. Members receive discount on the cost of camps, classes and workshops.
Junior Marbles Days
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
3:30pm – 5:00pm
Marbles Kids Museum is looking for young adults with an interest in helping kids learn through play, meeting new and like-minded individuals, making a valuable contribution to an organization and being part of a team. Junior Marbles Days are for volunteers, ages 12-17, to help out behind the scenes with activity prep work and administrative needs. This is a time when parents can drop off their teens for a fun social and productive time helping the museum run smoothly. Volunteers must be between 12-17 years of age to participate. All volunteers 16 and older must submit to a background check.
There is limited space available in each Junior Marbles Days so volunteers must pre-register. To register, contact our Community Relations Coordinator at 919.857.1021 or volunteers@marbleskidsmuseum.org.
October
Junior Marbles Days
Thursday, October 2, 2008
3:30pm – 5:00pm
Marbles Kids Museum is looking for young adults with an interest in helping kids learn through play, meeting new and like-minded individuals, making a valuable contribution to an organization and being part of a team. Junior Marbles Days are for volunteers, ages 12-17, to help out behind the scenes with activity prep work and administrative needs. This is a time when parents can drop off their teens for a fun social and productive time helping the museum run smoothly. Volunteers must be between 12-17 years of age to participate. All volunteers 16 and older must submit to a background check.
There is limited space available in each Junior Marbles Days so volunteers must pre-register. To register, contact our Community Relations Coordinator at 919.857.1021 or volunteers@marbleskidsmuseum.org.
First Fridays Kids Camp
Friday, October 3, 2008
6:00pm – 9:00pm
First Fridays Kids Camp offers a chance for kids to have a night out without their parents (and vice versa)! While children enjoy the museum, parents have the chance to explore First Friday galleries and restaurants in downtown Raleigh. This program is an exclusive benefit for members of Marbles Kids Museum.
The camp promises an evening of play, discovery and imagination for kids 3 to 10 years old. All kids must be potty trained (this does not include pull ups). The camp includes dinner, activities and time to explore the museum.
Marbles members can register online at or by phone at 919.857.1022. Registration for each First Fridays Kids Camp closes at 5:00pm on Thursday, the day before the camp.
Cost: $15 for first child; $10 for each additional child per member family.
First Fridays Kids Camp food supplied by Harris Teeter, Chick-fil-A, Roly Poly, Armadillo Grill, and Marco’s Pizza.
Year Round Camp
Center Stage (Track 4)
Monday, October 6 through Friday, October 10, 2008
9:00pm – 5:00pm
It’s a week full of drama! Campers will experience all aspects of the stage including acting, set decoration, and costume design. Campers will put on a play for their parents at the end of the week. Camps include museum access, IMAX® film, and countless opportunities to get active, have fun, and be creative.
For more information, visit or call 919.857.1040. Pre-registration is required. Members receive discount on the cost of camps. Extended care is available.
Junior Marbles Days
Tuesday and Thursday, October 7 and 9, 2008
3:30pm – 5:00pm
Marbles Kids Museum is looking for young adults with an interest in helping kids learn through play, meeting new and like-minded individuals, making a valuable contribution to an organization and being part of a team. Junior Marbles Days are for volunteers, ages 12-17, to help out behind the scenes with activity prep work and administrative needs. This is a time when parents can drop off their teens for a fun social and productive time helping the museum run smoothly. Volunteers must be between 12-17 years of age to participate. All volunteers 16 and older must submit to a background check.
There is limited space available in each Junior Marbles Days so volunteers must pre-register. To register, contact our Community Relations Coordinator at 919.857.1021 or volunteers@marbleskidsmuseum.org.
Opening of WorldTrek! – A New Gallery
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Guests are transported to several exciting locales around the world to engage in hands-on exploration of commerce, culture, arts, music and more. By hopping continents for an interactive peek into flavorful aspects of life in select destinations, guests gain insight into similarities and differences among people and places.
Embark on a colorful exploration of four exciting international destinations – the annual Carnaval parade in Rio de Janeiro, a bustling marketplace in Marrakech, the youth pop culture scene in Berlin, and an icehouse at the Arctic Circle. Don’t forget to grab a seat at the Kids News Bureau to create your own personalized website reporting on your trek!
Family Fun Night
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
5:30pm – 8:30pm
Marbles Kids Museum and the Arc of Wake County present Family Fun Night. A coalition of organizations dedicated to the support of and service to the special needs community have teamed up with the Museum to develop an evening of museum adventure for kids 12 and under with special needs and their families. This after-hours event will allow the kids to experience the museum in a more calm, less crowded environment.
Museum exhibits offer opportunities for the kids to enhance their language development and social skills through purposeful play. The event will include resource information for special needs families, tools to help get the most out of their visit, and a “cool down” space for kids who may become over stimulated.
Regular museum admission applies; $5 per person; max $20 per family for this event only. Museum admission is always free for Marbles members!
CROP Walk Raleigh 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
12:00pm – 4:00pm
Run, walk or roll to help end hunger and poverty. CROP Walk Raleigh 2008 will start and finish in the central courtyard of Marbles Kids Museum. CROP means Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty. CROP Hunger Walks are community fund-raising events sponsored by Church World Service (CWS), an international relief, development, and refugee resettlement agency. Money raised by CROP Hunger Walks nationwide is used by CWS to provide food, medical care, disaster relief, and self-help development for needy people throughout the world. Last year, Triangle walkers raised a record, $41,485 for the hungry in Wake County and throughout the world.
If you’re interested in participating in CROP Walk Raleigh 2008, go to for more information.
Junior Marbles Days
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
3:30pm – 5:00pm
Marbles Kids Museum is looking for young adults with an interest in helping kids learn through play, meeting new and like-minded individuals, making a valuable contribution to an organization and being part of a team. Junior Marbles Days are for volunteers, ages 12-17, to help out behind the scenes with activity prep work and administrative needs. This is a time when parents can drop off their teens for a fun social and productive time helping the museum run smoothly. Volunteers must be between 12-17 years of age to participate. All volunteers 16 and older must submit to a background check.
There is limited space available in each Junior Marbles Days so volunteers must pre-register. To register, contact our Community Relations Coordinator at 919.857.1021 or volunteers@marbleskidsmuseum.org.
WAM! Magic Tricks
Saturday, October 15, 2008
Session 1 10:00am – 10:50am (ages 5-7)
Session 2 11:00am – 11:50am (ages 8-11)
Just in time for Halloween, join Marbles Kids Museum for a spook-tacular workshop to learn fantastic magic tricks. Your kids will wow all their friends with their smooth moves and sneaky slight of hand. Harry Potter and his gang will have nothing on the kids who take this class.
For more information, visit or contact the Camps and Workshops Coordinator at 919.857.1040 or camps@marbleskidsmuseum.org. Pre-registration is required. Members receive discount on the cost of camps, classes and workshops.
WAM! Holiday Cooking
Saturday, October 15, 2008
Family Workshop 10:00am – 11:50am
Bring the family and create holiday goodies. Each family will create and taste fun, kid-friendly holiday treats and make one dish to take home to serve at a special family meal. Put your chef’s hat on and get ready for some creative cooking!
For more information, visit or contact the Camps and Workshops Coordinator at 919.857.1040 or camps@marbleskidsmuseum.org. Pre-registration is required. Members receive discount on the cost of camps, classes and workshops.
*Family workshops are designed for adults and children of all ages. At least one adult must accompany children to this workshop.
Junior Marbles Days
Tuesday and Thursday, October 21 and 23, 2008
3:30pm – 5:00pm
Marbles Kids Museum is looking for young adults with an interest in helping kids learn through play, meeting new and like-minded individuals, making a valuable contribution to an organization and being part of a team. Junior Marbles Days are for volunteers, ages 12-17, to help out behind the scenes with activity prep work and administrative needs. This is a time when parents can drop off their teens for a fun social and productive time helping the museum run smoothly. Volunteers must be between 12-17 years of age to participate. All volunteers 16 and older must submit to a background check.
There is limited space available in each Junior Marbles Days so volunteers must pre-register. To register, contact our Community Relations Coordinator at 919.857.1021 or volunteers@marbleskidsmuseum.org.
Tar Heel Tale Tellers Tell a Tale
Saturday, October 25, 2008
11:00am and 3:30pm
Watch as tales come to life through performances by the Tar Heel Tale Tellers. For 15 years the Tar Heel Tale Tellers, a renowned children’s literature performance company, have performed new adaptations of contemporary children’s illustrated books. The troupe has appeared frequently at schools and bookstores, the state fair, regional and national conventions of children’s book writers and illustrators, and many Triangle theatres and performance venues.
Each performance is different and free with admission to the museum.
For more information visit .
Junior Marbles Days
Tuesday and Thursday, October 28 and 30, 2008
3:30pm – 5:00pm
Marbles Kids Museum is looking for young adults with an interest in helping kids learn through play, meeting new and like-minded individuals, making a valuable contribution to an organization and being part of a team. Junior Marbles Days are for volunteers, ages 12-17, to help out behind the scenes with activity prep work and administrative needs. This is a time when parents can drop off their teens for a fun social and productive time helping the museum run smoothly. Volunteers must be between 12-17 years of age to participate. All volunteers 16 and older must submit to a background check.
There is limited space available in each Junior Marbles Days so volunteers must pre-register. To register, contact our Community Relations Coordinator at 919.857.1021 or volunteers@marbleskidsmuseum.org.
Year Round Camp
Center Stage (Track 3)
Monday, October 27 through Friday, October 31, 2008
9:00pm – 5:00pm
It’s a week full of drama! Campers will experience all aspects of the stage including acting, set decoration, and costume design. Campers will put on a play for their parents at the end of the week. Camps include museum access, IMAX® film, and countless opportunities to get active, have fun, and be creative.
For more information, visit or call 919.857.1040. Pre-registration is required. Members receive discount on the cost of camps. Extended care is available.
Team Marbles Monday
Monday, October 27, 2008
5:00pm – 7:00pm
If you are looking for a place to laugh, create, explore and make a difference, volunteering at Marbles is for you! Register now to attend our next Team Marbles Monday and learn about the exciting ways you can join our team as a volunteer.
Team Marbles Mondays is a program designed to bring together Marbles members, donors, and volunteers looking for a way to contribute to the museum. These events will offer a museum orientation, volunteer information and training, and a chance to meet other people who are engaged in the Marbles mission of providing a unique, interactive space for kids and families.
All new volunteers are required to attend a Team Marbles Monday meeting before beginning the volunteer program.
For more information , call 919.857.1021, or email volunteers@marbleskidsmuseum.org.
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