At Marbles, we believe strongly in our responsibility to make our unique museum experience available and accessible to ALL children. Marbles Full Circle Access programs are designed to ensure that all children have the opportunity to imagine, discover and learn at Marbles, regardless of physical or financial limitations. Each year, Marbles Full Circle Access reaches more than 50,000 children and families with hands-on, joyful play experiences.
 

Full Circle Access Programs

Full Circle Access provides free museum access through field trips, group visits, admission passes and events for preschools, families and organizations serving low-income and at-risk communities. Groups interested in participating in the program may contact Janine Eash at 919-857-1021 or fill out a Full Circle program form here. Participating organizations and classrooms must schedule their group visits in advance.

Ready Set School - School readiness programs

Ready Set School supports school readiness in our community. With support from the United Way of the Greater Triangle and the Barnhill Family Foundation, and in partnership with the Wake County Public School System, Wake County Public Libraries, Wake County Smart Start and Wake Up and Read, Marbles provides play-based school readiness experiences for preschool-aged children and families who have not attended a formal preschool or daycare program. School readiness programming takes place at Marbles and in Wake County Public Libraries in families’ neighborhoods throughout the county.

Ready Set School Community Playdates

Join Marbles Kids Museum at the library for family play to help kids ages 3-5 get ready for school.
 

Duraleigh Community Library

2:00-4:00pm • Apr 9, May 14, Jun 11, Jul 9, Aug 13

East Regional Library

10:30am-12:30pm • Apr 30, May 21, Jun 16, Jul 16, Aug 20

Green Road Community Library

10:30am-12:30pm • May 7, Jun 4, Jul 30, Aug 6

Richard B. Harrison Community Library

10:30am-12:30pm • Apr 9, May 14, Jun 11, Jul 9, Aug 13

Southeast Regional Library

2:00-4:00pm • Apr 23, Jun 4, Jul 30, Aug 6

Southgate Community Library

10:30am-12:30pm • Jun 25, Jul 23, Aug 27

Village Regional Library

10:30am-12:30pm • Apr 23

Wendell Community Library

2:00-4:00pm • May 7, Jun 25, Jul 23, Aug 27

Zebulon Community Library

2:00-4:00pm • Apr 30, May 21, Jun 18, Jul 16, Aug 20

Citas de Juego de Familia En sus marcas, Listos, Escuela

Acompaña a Marbles, Museo de la Niños en la biblioteca para jugar en familia y ayudar a los niños de 3 a 5 años a prepararse para la escuela.

Biblioteca Comunitaria Richard B. Harrison

10:30am-12:30pm • 8 de enero, 12 de febrero, 12 de marzo, 9 de abril, 14 de mayo
 

Biblioteca Comunitaria Duraleigh 

2:00-4:00pm •  8 de enero, 12 de febrero, 12 de marzo, 9 de abril, 14 de mayo
 

Biblioteca Regional del Este 

10:30am-12:30pm •  15 de enero, 19 de febrero, 19 de marzo, 30 de abril, 21 de mayo
 

Biblioteca Comunitaria Zebulon

2:00-4:00pm •  15 de enero, 19 de febrero, 19 de marzo, 30 de abril, 21 de mayo
 

Libreria Regional Village

10:30am-12:30pm •  22 de enero, 26 de febrero, 26 de marzo, 23 de abril
 

Libreria Regional del Sureste

2:00-4:00pm •  22 de enero, 26 de febrero, 26 de marzo, 23 de abril
 

Biblioteca Comunitaria Green Road 

10:30am-12:30pm •  29 de enero, 5 de febrero, 5 de marzo, 2 de abril, 7 de mayo 
 

Biblioteca Comunitaria Wendell

2:00-4:00pm •  29 de enero, 5 de febrero, 5 de marzo, 2 de abril, 7 de mayo

Ready Set School Family Playdates at Marbles

Apply to participate in a FREE four-week family class to help prepare your child for success in school. Explore language, math, science, art and early learning activities that spark curiosity and build knowledge and skills through play.

When? Playdates are held Thursday evenings from 5-7pm, September-November and January-May. Applications are ongoing.

Where? Marbles Kids Museum, 201 East Hargett St., Raleigh, NC 27601

Who? This program is for children ages 3-5 who have not participated in a preschool program, have not yet attended Kindergarten and who are likely to attend one of the following WCPSS schools: Barwell Road, Beaverdam, Brentwood, Bugg, Creech Road, East Garner, Fox Road, Hodge Road, Lincoln Heights, Lynn Road, Millbrook, Poe, Powell, Rogers Lane, Smith, Southeast Raleigh, Wakelon, Walnut Creek, Wendell, Wilburn and Zebulon.

• 45-minute Ready, Set, School Family Class 
• Healthy dinner
• Museum play
• Families who participate in all four classes will receive a family pass for FREE admission to Marbles Kids Museum for one year.

Click here for Ready, Set, School Family Playdate Application (English) | Haga clic aquí para obtener la aplicación de En sus marcas, Listos, Escuela- Cita de juego en familia

Questions? Contact readysetschool@marbleskidsmuseum.org or 919.857.1004

More Opportunities

• Sensory Friendly Playtime provides a free museum adventure for kids with special needs and their families. Marbles partners with a coalition of organizations supporting and serving the special needs community to offer Sensory Friendly Playtime. This is an exclusive opportunity for children with special needs to experience the museum with limited visitors and intentionally reduced visual and audio stimulation. Supported by Andy's Foundation.
   
• Marbles awards camp scholarships to local children who wish to attend summer camp at Marbles but do not have the financial means to do so.
  Applications are closed for 2022 Summer Camp scholarships. 
   
• Marbles supports our colleagues in the education and nonprofit community by offering complimentary museum admission passes for community fundraisers that directly benefit children birth to 10 years old. Subject to availability. Click to see eligibility guidelines and to apply. Allow 45 days prior to event for request turnaround.
   
• Marbles Kids Museum is a partner in the Wake County Health and Human Services Middle Class Express, a program designed to help those dependent on public assistance get better education and jobs. Marbles provides free museum membership to families participating in Middle Class Express.