During your visit, you will notice new procedures including required timed entry tickets, modified hours and additional cleaning protocols to help ensure the safety of our guests and staff.
We encourage you to read through our FAQs below so you and your family know what you'll experience upon arrival.
We encourage grownups to let children know what to expect when they come to visit Marbles. We've reduced capacity and made changes to some exhibits with the hope families will focus on the total museum experience rather than specific exhibits or activities.
Marbles has provided visual reminders - floor stickers and signs - to remind everyone to practice safe, physically distant play. In areas of the museum where this is difficult, access will be limited to one group at a time to eliminate congestion and cross traffic patterns.
Yes, all staff and guests over the age of 5 will be required to wear a CDC approved face covering. We are also encouraging children 3+ to also try and wear a mask in the space.
All visitors are encouraged to bring their own masks. We will have masks available for purchase at our front desk and in our Corner Store.
No, temperture checks will not be required upon entry. However, if you or anyone in your group is experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, please come back and play another day.
Staff members will be required to have a temperature check upon arriving for work. Any employee with a temperature over 100° F will not enter the museum and will return home.
There are 21 hand sanitizer stations located throughout the museum and you are welcome to use your own hand sanitizer. Remember, the best way to prevent germ spread is to wash your hands frequently. While you are in the museum we encourage you to wash your hands every hour.
General Information
What are Marbles operating hours and price of admission?
Marbles will be open Wednesday thru Sunday 10am-5pm; Closed Monday & Tuesday.
General Admission is $9 per person.
Terminix “Play Late for Less” offers guests 50% General Admission Wed – Fri from 3-5pm.
Capacity is limited. Member and general admission tickets must be reserved in advance.
What public health and safety measures does Marbles have in place?
Marbles adheres to NCDHHS and CDC guidelines to provide a safe experience for guests, staff and volunteers. Guests will be required to wear face coverings, adhere to social distancing guidelines and wash/sanitize their hands frequently. Guests will also notice additional cleaning and sanitation protocols including rolling exhibit closures for cleaning throughout the day.
Are people who are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms allowed in the museum?
No. If you or anyone in your group have experienced any of the following symptoms with or without aid from medication, please visit another day.
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing
- Fever
- Chills
- Muscle pain
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
- Nausea/vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Pink eye
Will I have to wear a face mask?
Guests ages 5 and older are required to wear a face mask covering the nose and mouth. Children ages 3 and 4 are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering. To discuss accommodations for children with special needs, please contact Madison Pharr, Director of Guest Experience at 919-857-1027.
Will I have to wear a face mask if I have had the vaccine?
Marbles adheres to CDC guidelines and requires guests to wear a mask even if they have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Can we go wherever we want in Marbles?
Most of the museum will be open to guests. HOWEVER, Marbles has created clear one-way paths for families to follow, with plenty of directional signage to aid in traffic flow. In addition, in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines, capacity limitations will be clearly posted at the entry to each museum exhibit or area. If an exhibit or area you wish to visit is full, please switch gears and visit elsewhere or wait patiently for capacity to become available.
Can we leave and re-enter the museum?
Re-entry is currently restricted to limit transmission. Guests planning a visit longer that two hours are encouraged to park in a parking deck which provides flexibility.
Will the museum store be open?
Yes. Marbles awesome museum store will be open! Like other spaces within the museum, capacity will be limited. Online shopping and curbside pick-up are available.
Do museum staff and volunteers undergo daily health screenings?
Yes. Prior to each shift, all staff and volunteers are subject to a temperature screening and health questionnaire.
What types of payment are accepted at Marbles?
To facilitate contact-free transactions and maintain capacity limits, Marbles requires purchasing entry tickets online with a credit card in advance of your visit. However, the museum will accept credit cards and cash onsite for museum store purchases.
Timed Tickets FAQs
Does a membership still provide unlimited visits at no cost?
Yes! A Marbles museum membership includes unlimited free admission. However, all members must reserve a timed entry ticket for each person in their group and present their ID at check-in.
I don’t have a membership, how do I purchase my timed ticketed entry?
General admission timed entry tickets are on sale on the Marbles website.
What if I need help reserving/purchasing my timed ticket?
We will be happy to assist you! Please contact mymarbles@marbleskidsmuseum.org or 919-834-4040.
Is there a limit on how many tickets I can reserve/purchase?
Members can reserve as many tickets as there are people on the membership. All ticket purchases/reservations are subject to limitations based on (1) the available number of tickets for the timed session; and (2) the museum’s required ratio of 1 adult for every 5 children.
How many people are being admitted to Marbles at a time?
A limited number of tickets are available for each timed entry window. We anticipate having less than 30% of our allowed attendance capacity at any given time.
What happens if I arrive early or late for my timed entry?
Timed entry is valid for a 30-minute window. If you arrive early for your 30-minute window, we will ask you to wait until your time slot. If you are late, we will try to book you into the next available time slot, if space is available. We encourage you to arrive within your time window.
Can I give my reservation/ticket to someone else?
No. Ticket reservations/purchases are non-transferable and non-refundable. If a change in plans is beyond your control, please contact mymarbles@marbleskidsmuseum.org.
Can I get my reserved/timed ticket in person?
All timed tickets must be reserved/purchased in advance online.
Museum Exploration FAQs
How do guests maintain social distancing while in the museum?
Marbles has created clear play paths for families to follow. Directional signage and visual markers will be prominent throughout the museum to help families maintain social distancing. In addition, parents and caregivers are required to stay within a “hug distance” of their children to help maintain group distancing.
Are any exhibits closed?
Not permanently, but exhibits will close temporarily throughout the day for cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection and for the designated use of students in Marbles Learn & Play program.
Can I use stroller parking and lockers?
Not at this time. All guests are asked to keep personal items with them at all times. Strollers are permitted but must accompany guests throughout your visit.
Will outdoor space be available?
Yes! Tree Tunes and Sun Sprouts are open and our large courtyard is available for free play. The newly renovated Moore Square Park right across the street also offers outdoor space.
Membership FAQs
Will my membership be extended because of the museum closure?
Yes. We are extending all memberships up to the full length of our closure depending on the date of purchase. However, members are invited to donate the extension to help Marbles recover from the devastating financial blow of the COVID closure.
Can I renew my membership at the museum?
Yes. Marbles prefers you to purchase your membership online. However, if you would like to purchase or renew in person during your timed entry reservation, we are happy to accommodate.
How can I book my free timed-entry to the museum?
All Marbles members will need to log in to Marbles new online portal. Every member already has an account, if you haven't logged in before, just reset your password. Once you are in the online portal, book your timed-entry from the reserve tickets tab, upon checkout your membership benefits will be applied.
I need help with my membership. Who do I contact?
If you have questions about your membership please email membership@marbleskidsmuseum.org or call 919-857-1022
Cleaning FAQs
What new cleaning procedures are in place?
Marbles has implemented additional cleaning and sanitation procedures, including:
- Adhering to all NCDHHS and CDC guidelines regarding health and sanitation.
- Cleaning with an EPA approved disinfectant that is safe for children and is registered as an effective disinfectant against coronavirus.
- Following new procedures for sanitizing toys and props multiple times each day.
Is hand sanitizer available?
Yes. Hand sanitizing stations and handwashing stations are available throughout the museum. Guests are strongly encouraged to use them often.
What are the cleaning procedures for the restrooms?
All restrooms are available to visitors, however in order to maintain physical distancing, some stalls and sinks will be temporarily closed. Restrooms will be checked and sanitized throughout the day and deep cleaned daily.
Still not ready to visit?
If you are not ready to come to the museum in person yet, remember Marbles will continue to produce Marbles to-Go videos, activity kits, play posters, LEGO challenges, parenting resources and more.