At Marbles, we believe strongly in our responsibility to make our unique museum experience available and accessible to all children. Marbles Full Circle programs are designed to ensure that all children have the opportunity to imagine, discover and learn at Marbles, regardless of physical or financial limitations. Last year, Marbles Full Circle reached more than 30,000 children.
Full Circle Programs
Full Circle 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 Corrie MacNeil at 919.857.1080 or fill out a Full Circle program form here. Participating organizations and classes must schedule their group visits in advance through group sales at 919.857.1049.
Ready Set School
Ready Set School Playdates expands our efforts to support school readiness in our community. With support from the A.J. Fletcher Foundation and in partnership with the Wake County Public School System, the Wake County Public Library System, Wake County Smart Start, and Wake Up and Read, Marbles will provide play-based school readiness experiences for children ages 3-5 and families who have not attended a preschool program. School readiness programming will take place at Marbles Kids Museum and in Wake County Public Libraries located 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.
Athens Drive Library
Saturdays from 2:30-4:30pm
June 2, June 30, July 28, August 25, September 29, October 27, December 15
Duraleigh Library
Saturdays from 3-5pm
May 12, June 16, July 14, August 11, September 15, October 13, November 10, December 8
East Regional Library
Saturdays from 11:30am-1:30pm
May 19, June 23, July 21, August 18, September 22, October 20, November 17
Green Road Library
Saturdays from 11:30am-1:30pm
June 9, July 7, August 4, September 8, October 6, November 3, December 1
Richard B. Harrison Library
Saturdays from 11:30am-1:30pm
May 12, June 16, July 14, August 11, September 15, October 13, November 10, December 8
Southeast Regional Library
Saturdays from 11:30am-1:30pm
June 2, June 30, July 28, August 25, September 29, October 27, December 15
Southgate Library
Saturdays from 2:30-4:30pm
May 19, June 23, July 21, August 18, September 22, October 20, November 17
Wendell Library
Saturdays from 3-5pm
June 9, July 7, August 4, September 8, October 6, November 3, December 1
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? Priority will be given to children ages 3-5 who have not participated in a preschool program, who are not yet in Kindergarten and who are likely to attend one of the following WCPSS schools: Barwell Road, Brentwood, Bugg, Creech Road, East Garner, Fox Road, Hodge Road, Lincoln Heights, Lynn Road, Powell, Smith, Walnut Creek and Wilburn.
- 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
With support from the Barnhill Family Foundation.
More Opportunities
- Family Fun Night provides an evening of museum adventure for kids with special needs and their families. Marbles partners with the Arc of the Triangle and a coalition of organizations that support and serve the special needs community to offer Family Fun Nights, an exclusive opportunity for children with special needs to experience the museum with limited visitors and intentionally reduced visual and audio stimulation. Sponsored by Ipreo.
- 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. The application for financial assitance for the 2018 Summer Camp season is now closed.
- Marbles supports our colleagues in the education and nonprofit community by offering complimentary museum admission passes for community fundraisers. Subject to availability. Make a request now. Please allow four weeks 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.