Three Spring Activities for Families around Raleigh, N.C.

What do you think of when you think of spring? We think of sunshine, more hours in the day, flowers, warmer temperatures, and more time to spend with your kids! The season of spring has arrived and with this season comes cute bunnies, colorful eggs, and lush gardens. Thanks to the spring equinox, we’re able to enjoy longer days and shorter nights. That’s why spring is the perfect season to start a new hobby or project with your children. There are so many options! Have you ever thought about gardening or crafting? Wait no more and take this spring as the ultimate season of opportunity. Seize the day and enjoy one of the below activities with your kids this season. Enjoy!

Spring into Summer Activity #1- Pullen Park

One of the coolest, family-friendly places in Raleigh is Pullen Park. In 1887, Raleigh philanthropist, Richard Stanhope Pullen, donated 80 acres of land to the city for use as a public park. Pullen Park has since become an important component of Raleigh city life, providing citizens with a variety of recreational opportunities including a historic carousel ride, a miniature train you can ride throughout the park, pedal boats to cruise around Lake Howell, tennis courts, baseball and softball fields, and an arts center on-site, Theatre in The Park. And the best part? Admission is completely free!

In addition to several swing sets, sand areas, and other various playground equipment for children of all ages, the park also contains covered and uncovered picnic areas, many picturesque paths and bridges, and an adjacent Aquatic Center. The Aquatic Center and the Arts Center both offer classes to all ages in fitness, swimming and art (pottery, jewelry making, weaving, glass art, etc.); and plays are performed on a regular basis in the internationally acclaimed Theatre in the Park.

Spring into Summer Activity #2- Marbles Kids Museum

Marbles Kids Museum has been around since the fall of 2007. So, why did they name it Marbles Kids Museum? A wall that wraps around the museum is filled with more than one million marbles that light up at night! How cool is that? And Marbles is a nickname for brains. At Marbles Kids Museum, kids are encouraged to use their marbles or, ahem, brains - learning new topics through imagination, discovery, and play.

Delivering interactive play in a unique method, Marbles allows children to imagine, discover and play in dozens of collaborative exhibits, daily educational programs, field trips, birthday parties, special events and an epic large-screen theater for IMAX films. Kids learn, create, communicate, and connect through extraordinary adventures in play. The museum is for children ages 1 to 11, and adults. Admission is only $7, children under one and museum members play for free. Hours: daily, 9am-5pm (open until 7 pm every Thur. and on First Friday).

Spring into Summer Activity #3- Museum Park at North Carolina Museum of Art

The Museum Park art program allows artists, designers, and environmental scientists to create works of art inspired by the natural world. Artists are commissioned to create site-specific temporary and permanent works that are admired by all who walk or run the trails. The 164-acre park and its trail system welcome kids and their families through natural areas and to more than a dozen commissioned works of art. Designed for walking, cycling and jogging, the paved trails connect to the Capital Area Greenway System, and has cool outdoor exhibits for kids to climb through and explore. Also, there are no set hours! You can enjoy the park at your own leisure from sunset until sundown.

After the cold and gloomy winter, warm spring brings heaps of sunshine to make your soul smile! And with the warm weather, you feel excited to get outside with your kids. We hope that our few warm-weather activities inspire you to create heartfelt, long-lasting memories for years to come. Here at Primary Beginnings, we approach every child as an individual and provide similar outdoor playtime and educational opportunities. To discover the Primary Beginnings difference, call 919.790.6888 (Spring Forest) or 919.785.0303 (North Hills) to schedule your center tour today.