Hours
The Nest is now OPEN in our new location at 1712 Willow Dr., Chapel Hill, next door to Binkley Preschool.
We are hosting Nest Sessions Tuesday – Saturday for children ages 0-5 and STEAM’D Up Afternoons Tuesday – Thursday for children of all ages. Please see our calendar to find a time.
Registration is REQUIRED for Open Play Nest Sessions or STEAM’D Up Afternoons.
See our Calendar for information about drop-off programs like School’s Out Camps and Parents’ Night Out!
About The Nest
Welcome to our early learning environment for young children and their caregivers!
The Nest is a place to play and learn together with materials meant for exploration and experimentation. As much as possible, this is a ‘yes’ space for our youngest community members! We offer a variety of programming – visit our calendar page to see our upcoming events!
We invite you to get involved and help us build a permanent museum that serves all children in our community and inspires learning through purposeful play!
Before You Visit
Kidzu provides a social narrative, a short story written from a child’s perspective, to help prepare you and your child for your visit to the museum. The social narrative can be downloaded and printed here before your visit or copies are available at the front desk. Thanks so much to TEACCH for their guidance in developing this and our Cool Down Kits – available to all visitors while at Kidzu. Cool Down Kits include sensory items, timers, fidget toys, noise-cancelling headphones, and visual prompts for exhibit choices. See a member of our team to check them out!
Health and Safety
Your health and safety is our top priority. We’ve implemented the following practices:
- All Kidzu staff, volunteers, and interns must complete the full COVID-19 vaccine series or receive a valid medical or religious exemption.
- Enhanced cleaning schedules in accordance with CDC guidelines and standards set forth by the Association of Children’s Museums
- Frequent sanitizing of common touch areas and exhibit items using EPA approved disinfectants
- Hand sanitizer stations throughout the exhibit areas
- All exhibit props/toys are on a rotation to ensure proper cleaning between each use
- “Tasted toys” baskets are provided near exhibits
- PPE (gloves, masks, sanitizers) purchased for the Kidzu team. Masks/gloves available to visitors upon request.
Exploring our Exhibits - What to Expect
- With interactive, hands-on exhibits, The Nest has something for every age! Our exhibit areas are self-paced with an open floor concept so you can guide your own experience throughout our space.
- Designated baskets are provided for visitors to use when their young kiddos place any exhibit items in their mouths. This is all part of the learning process! Once your little one is done with an item that has been put in their mouth, toss the item into one of our “Tasted Toy Baskets” and the team will sanitize prior to placing the items back into the exhibits.
Visitor Guidelines
- Children are to be supervised by their accompanying adults at all times while inside our space.
- Please use walking feet and watch out for other visitors.
- Food and drink are not permitted within the carpeted areas.
- Please take your shoes and your child’s shoes off upon entering The Nest’s exhibit spaces.
- All children must be accompanied by an adult 16 or older.
- No adults will be permitted to enter Kidzu alone unless escorted by a Kidzu employee.
Events for January
27th
Free Supported Playgroups
Breastfeeding Café
Language Growth Program for 2-3 Year Olds at The Nest
Events for January
28th
Open Play Nest Session (January 28, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 28, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 28th)
Open Play Nest Session (January 28, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 28th)
Events for January
29th
School’s Out Camp: Aeronautics
Open Play Nest Session (January 29, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 29, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 29, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 29th)
Events for January
30th
Open Play Nest Session (January 30, 2025)
First Words Initiative Program at The Nest
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 30th)
Open Play Nest Session (January 30, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 29th)
Open Play Nest Session (January 30, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 30th)
Events for January
31st
Open Play Nest Session (January 31, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 31, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 31, 2025)
Events for February
1st
Open Play Nest Session (February 1st)
Open Play Nest Session (February 1st)
Events for February
2nd
Events for February
3rd
Free Supported Playgroups
Breastfeeding Café
Language Growth Program for 2-3 Year Olds at The Nest
Events for February
4th
Open Play Nest Session (February 4th)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 4th)
Open Play Nest Session (February 4th)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 4th)
Open Play Nest Session (February 4th)
Events for February
5th
Open Play Nest Session (February 5th)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 5th)
Open Play Nest Session (February 5th)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 5th)
Open Play Nest Session (February 5th)
Events for February
6th
Open Play Nest Session (February 6th)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 6th)
Open Play Nest Session (February 6th)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 6th)
Open Play Nest Session (February 6th)
Events for February
7th
Open Play Nest Session (February 7th)
Open Play Nest Session (February 7th)
Open Play Nest Session (February 7th)
Events for February
8th
Open Play Nest Session (February 8th)
Open Play Nest Session (February 8th)
Parents’ Night Out
Events for February
9th
Events for February
10th
Free Supported Playgroups
School’s Out Camp: Dino Discovery School’s Out Camp
Breastfeeding Café
Language Growth Program for 2-3 Year Olds at The Nest
Events for February
11th
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 11th)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 11th)
Events for February
12th
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 12th)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 12th)
Breastfeeding Support Group
Events for February
13th
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 13th)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 13th)
Events for February
14th
Parents’ Night Out – Valentine’s Celebration
Heartstrings and Sweet Things
Events for February
15th
Events for February
16th
Events for February
17th
School’s Out Camp: Dino Discovery School’s Out Camp
Breastfeeding Café
Language Growth Program for 2-3 Year Olds at The Nest
Events for February
18th
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 18th)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 18th)
Events for February
19th
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 19th)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 19th)
Events for February
20th
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 20th)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 20th)
Events for February
21st
Events for February
23rd
Events for February
24th
Free Supported Playgroups
Breastfeeding Café
Language Growth Program for 2-3 Year Olds at The Nest
Events for February
25th
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 25th)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 25th)
Events for February
26th
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 26th)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 26th)
Events for February
27th
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 27th)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (February 27th)
Events for February
28th
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, your contribution goes a long way to supporting the daily operations and initiatives of our museum and the families we serve. We thank you for your continued support!
Become a Member!
Membership is more than just unlimited admission to a community-centered museum: It’s your family’s invitation to exclusive events, exciting classes and programs, special discounts, and more! Annual and short-term memberships are available all year long.
Visit the Virtual Museum
Want to learn more about our innovative learning environments? Check out all of our exhibit spaces before your visit!