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 from 9:30 – 11:30am for children ages 0-5 and STEAM’D Up Afternoons Tuesday – Thursday from 3:30 – 5:30pm for children of all ages.
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 November
25th
School’s Out Camp: Our Place in Space
Breastfeeding Café
Laughing Monitos First Words Initiative
Events for November
29th
School’s Out Camp: Food Science
Open Play Nest Session (November 29, 2024)
Events for November
30th
Open Play Nest Session (November 30, 2024)
Art Workshop with Anatolii
Events for December
1st
Events for December
3rd
Open Play Nest Session (December 3, 2024)
STEAM’D Up! Afternoons (December 3, 2024)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (Tuesday, December 3rd)
Events for December
4th
Open Play Nest Session (December 4, 2024)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (Wednesday, December 4th)
Events for December
7th
Open Play Nest Session (December 7, 2024)
Parents’ Night Out
Events for December
8th
Events for December
9th
Toddler and Me Yoga
Breastfeeding Café
Events for December
10th
Open Play Nest Session (December 10, 2024)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (December 10th)
Events for December
11th
School’s Out Camp: Fabulous Fabrics Workshop
Open Play Nest Session (December 11, 2024)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (December 11th)
Breastfeeding Support Group
Events for December
12th
Open Play Nest Session (December 12, 2024)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (December 12th)
Events for December
13th
Open Play Nest Session (December 13, 2024)
Parents’ Night Out
Events for December
14th
Open Play Nest Session (December 14, 2024)
Gingerbread Workshop
Events for December
15th
Events for December
17th
Open Play Nest Session (December 17, 2024)
Open Play Nest Session (December 17, 2024)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (December 17th)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (December 17th)
Open Play Nest Session (December 17, 2024)
Events for December
18th
Open Play Nest Session (December 18, 2024)
Open Play Nest Session (December 18, 2024)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (December 18th)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (December 18th)
Open Play Nest Session (December 18, 2024)
Events for December
19th
Open Play Nest Session (December 19, 2024)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (December 19th)
Open Play Nest Session (December 19, 2024)
Open Play Nest Session (December 19, 2024)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (December 19th)
Events for December
20th
Open Play Nest Session (December 20, 2024)
Open Play Nest Session (December 20, 2024)
Gingerbread Workshop
Open Play Nest Session (December 20, 2024)
Events for December
21st
Open Play Nest Session (December 21, 2024)
Open Play Nest Session (December 21, 2024)
Parents’ Night Out: Gingerbread Workshop
Events for December
22nd
Events for December
24th
Events for December
25th
Events for December
26th
Open Play Nest Session (December 26, 2024)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (December 26th)
Open Play Nest Session (December 26, 2024)
Open Play Nest Session (December 26, 2024)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (December 26th)
Events for December
27th
School’s Out Camp: Winter Wonders
Open Play Nest Session (December 27, 2024)
Open Play Nest Session (December 27, 2024)
Open Play Nest Session (December 27, 2024)
Events for December
28th
Open Play Nest Session (December 28, 2024)
Open Play Nest Session (December 28, 2024)
Events for December
29th
Events for December
30th
School’s Out Camp: Winter Animals
Breastfeeding Café
Events for December
31st
Events for January
2nd
School’s Out Camp: Build it up and Tear it Down
Open Play Nest Session (January 2, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 2, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 2, 2025)
Events for January
3rd
School’s Out Camp: Build it up and Tear it Down
Open Play Nest Session (January 3, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 3, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 3, 2025)
Events for January
4th
Open Play Nest Session (January 4, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 4, 2025)
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!