Lucky for us, Triangle bookstores, libraries, restaurants, coffee shops and kid-friendly businesses offer the same great family activities week after week. Whether it's taking the family to see your favorite clown, listening to a story, or blowing off some steam at a festival, there's always something going on to keep the kids busy.
To update or change weekly listings for the upcoming month, please e-mail calendar@carolinaparent.com or call 956-2430 before the 10th of the month.
Back to Calendar
Long-Running Events
Monthly Calendar Highlights
Storytimes & Weekly Events
Tea for Two, or More!
Family Fun
*The following activities are held regularly in May. Please call ahead to verify times and days, especially on holidays.
Balloon Man Mike. Free balloon creations. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Moe’s Southwest Grill, 6807 Fayetteville Rd., Durham. 544-6637.
Creation Station Art Explorers. Paint, draw and work with clay. Program requires parents to remain in the building while child attends class. Ages 3-5. Register in advance. $. 1-1:30 p.m.131 E. First St., Clayton. 550-8135. http://hometown.aol.com/weeklyart.
Kids’ Morning Out. Balloons, coloring pages and crayons. Free drinks for caregivers with every kid’s meal purchased. 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Fractured Prune – The Donut Shoppe, 7961-110 Skyland Ridge Pkwy., Brier Creek, Raleigh. 598-7900. www.fracturedprune.com.
Lynne Sue. Free face painting and balloon art three Mondays a month. Please call ahead to confirm dates. 6-8 p.m. Fat Daddy’s, Glenwood Ave., Raleigh. 787-3773.
Morning Movies for Mom. Second and fourth Mondays of the month. Crying, sleeping and talking babies are accommodated, too. Films are rated PG or PG-13 and targeted to interest moms. Free tickets but limited number; pick up in advance. 10am. Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W. Ballentine St., Holly Springs. 567-4000.
Pop-In Play. One-hour drop-in play for ages 6 and under. 10-11 a.m.; 11 a.m.-noon. Please bring socks. No reservations required. $. Pump It Up Inflatables Party Zone, 10700-112 World Trade Blvd. (Brier Creek area), Raleigh. 828-3344. www.pumpitupparty.com.
Storytime. Ages 2-4. 10 a.m. Quail Ridge Books and Music, Raleigh. 828-1588.
Tutoring. Free for grades K-12. 5-7 p.m. Lakewood United Methodist Church, 2317 Chapel Hill Rd., Durham. 259-5374.
Arts and Crafts. Free with admission. 11 a.m.- noon and 2-3 p.m. Kidzu Children’s Museum, 105 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill. 933-1455. www.kidzuchildrensmuseum.org.
Books-A-Million Preschool Storytime. 10:30 a.m. 7221 Sandy Forks Rd., Falls Village, Raleigh. 847-2486.
Borders Books Storytime. 2 p.m. 404-101 E. Six Forks Rd., Raleigh. 755-9424.
Carolina Puppet Theater. First and third Tuesday of each month. A 50-minute show includes puppets, storytelling, movement and audience participation. $. 10 a.m. Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W. Ballentine St., Holly Springs. 567-4000. www.carolinapuppets.com.
Chapel Hill Public Library Storytime. Stories, songs and activities. Ages 3-6. 10:30-11a.m. and 3:30-4 p.m. Chapel Hill Public Library, 100 Library Dr., Chapel Hill. 968-2778.
Cotton’s Happy Feet. Join plain-clothed Cotton for 30 minutes of singing and dancing. 11:15 a.m. Tookie’s Toys. 2028 Cameron St., Raleigh. 828-5574. www.cottontheclown.com.
Creation Station Art Explorers. Paint, draw and work with clay. Program requires parents to remain in the building while child attends class. Ages 3-5. Register in advance. $. 5:30-6 p.m. Call for location in downtown Selma. 550-8135. http://hometown.aol.com/weeklyart.
Creation Station Community Artists. Paint, draw and work with clay. Grades K-5. Register in advance. $. 6:15-7:15 p.m. Call for location in downtown Selma. 550-8135. http://hometown.aol.com/weeklyart.
Kids' Night. Kids’ craft or activity. 5-7 p.m. Chick-fil-A, 105 Residence Inn Dr., Durham (off intersection of Hwy. 54 & 55). 483-7778.
Kids' Night with Ted's Twisted Balloons. Free balloon sculptures. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tomato Jake's, 8202 Renaissance Pkwy., Ste. 101, Durham. 572-7722. www.tedstwistedballoons.com.
Magic Workshops with Jeff Jones. Workshops last 20 min. Register in advance. $. 3-5 p.m. 10945 Cokesbury Lane, Raleigh. 489-7976. www.MagicNC.com.
Paint Savvy. Face painting. 5-8 p.m. Golden Corral, 4055 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., Durham. www.paintsavvy.com.
Preschool Storytime. 10 a.m. Barnes & Noble, New Hope Commons, Durham. 489-3012
Storytelling with Silvio. Kid-friendly stories and games. Join local children's storybook author, educator and professional storyteller each week. 10 a.m. Whole Foods of Cary, 102-B Waverly Pl., Cary. 816-8830.
Toddler Storytime. Ages 1-3. 10 a.m. Barnes & Noble, 760 S.E. Maynard Rd., Cary. 467-3866.
Toddler Storytime. 10:30 a.m. Barnes & Noble, Triangle Town Blvd., Raleigh. 792-2140.
Toddler Storytime. Free with admission. 10:30 a.m. Kidzu Children’s Museum, 105 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill. 933-1455. www.kidzuchildrensmuseum.org.
Arts and Crafts. Free with admission. 11 a.m.- noon and 2-3 p.m. Kidzu Children’s Museum, 105 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill. 933-1455. www.kidzuchildrensmuseum.org
.
Cotton’s Fun Music with Lunch. Plain-clothed Cotton plays from her repertoire of originals and standards. 11:15 a.m. Moe’s Southwest Grill, 10760-101 Wakefield Commons Dr., Wake Forest. 570-3222. www.cottontheclown.com.
Cotton’s Music for Happy Feet. Join plain-clothed Cotton for 30 minutes of singing and dancing. 10:15am. Tookie’s Toys. 6675 Falls of Neuse, Raleigh. 841-4955. www.cottontheclown.com.
Kazoom Preschool Show. Music and puppetry. $. 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. 431 Peace St., Raleigh. 829-0822.
Let’s Build. A building activity with fun and sometimes unusual materials. Free with paid admission or Kidzu membership. 3:30-4:30pm. Kidzu Children’s Museum, 105 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill. 933-1455. www.kidzuchildrensmuseum.org.
Magic Workshops with Jeff Jones. Workshops last 20 minutes. Register in advance. $. 3-5 p.m. 10945 Cokesbury Lane, Raleigh. 489-7976. www.MagicNC.com.
Mommy & Me. Doors open early for ages 2 and under only. $. 9 a.m. Jumpin’ Beans, 218 Nottingham Dr., Cary. 469-5997. www.jumpinbeans.com.
Movie Moms Club. Movie show time that welcomes crying, diaper changing, breastfeeding, sleeping and talking. Regular admission with children 2 and under free. Show times vary. Raleigh Grande 16, Raleigh. www.consolidatedmovies.com/movie_mom.asp.
Preschool Storytime. 10:30 a.m. McIntyre's Fine Books, Fearrington Village, Pittsboro. 542-3030.
Preschool Storytime. Ages 3-5. 10 a.m. Barnes & Noble, 760 S.E. Maynard Rd., Cary. 467-3866.
Starbucks Storytime. Free drinks/snacks for kids. 1pm. Starbucks, 609 W. Peace St., Raleigh. 754-9007.
Storytime. 10:30 a.m. Barnes & Noble, Brier Creek Pkwy., Raleigh. 484-9903.
Storytime. 10 a.m. Sips Coffee and Tea, 2501 University Dr., Durham. 401-8032.
Storytime. Stories, songs, snacks and fun. 10 a.m. Borders Books, 1807 Fordham Blvd., Chapel Hill. 929-8332.
Storytime. Stories, songs, crafts, snacks and fun. 10:15 a.m. Borders Books, 8825 N. Six Forks Rd., Raleigh. 845-1154.
Time for Toddlers. Stories, songs and movement activities. Ages 18-36 months and their caregivers. 10:15-10:35 a.m. and 11-11:20 a.m. Chapel Hill Public Library, 100 Library Dr., Chapel Hill. 968-2778.
Arts and Crafts. Free with admission. 11 a.m.-noon and 2-3 p.m. Kidzu Children’s Museum, 105 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill. 933-1455. www.kidzuchildrensmuseum.org.
Cotton’s Music. Cotton brings instruments for everyone who wants to accompany her red guitar. 11:15 a.m. Learning Express Toy Store at North Hills. 881-4141. www.cottontheclown.com.
Creation Station Community Artists. Paint, draw and work with clay. Ages 4-8. Register in advance. $. 6-7 p.m. 131 E. First St., Clayton. 550-8135. http://hometown.aol.com/weeklyart.
Kazoom Preschool Show. Music and puppetry. $. 10 a.m. and 11a.m. 431 Peace St., Raleigh. 829-0822.
Pop-In Play. One-hour drop-in play for ages 6 and under. 3-4 p.m. Please bring socks. No reservations required. $. Pump It Up Inflatables Party Zone, 10700-112 World Trade Blvd. (Brier Creek area), Raleigh. 828-3344. www.pumpitupparty.com.
Storytime. 10:30 a.m. Barnes & Noble, Brier Creek Pkwy., Raleigh. 484-9903.
Storytime. 10:30 a.m. Market Street Books and Maps, 610 Market St., Southern Village, Chapel Hill. 933-5111.
Storytime for 2-year-olds. Enjoy songs and stories. Pre-registration required. www.durhamcountylibrary.org. 11:15 a.m. Durham County Library Southwest Branch, 3605 Shannon Rd., Durham. 560-0290.
Storytime for Toddlers and Preschoolers. 10:30 a.m. Barnes & Noble, Glenwood Ave., Raleigh. 782-0030.
Time for Toddlers. Stories, songs and movement activities. Ages 18-36 months and their caregivers. 10:15-10:35 a.m. and 11-11:20 a.m. Chapel Hill Public Library, 100 Library Dr., Chapel Hill. 968-2778.
Toddler Time: Stacy’s Little Land. Free, interactive music experience for toddlers. Featuring fun microphones, instruments and more. 10 a.m. Java Divine Coffee Bar, 128 Bass Lake Rd., Holly Springs. 577-6288.
Alphabet Soup Storytime. 10 a.m. Alphabet Soup Educational Supplies & More, 145 E. Wait Ave., Wake Forest. 554-3035.
Arts and Crafts. Free with admission. 11 a.m.-noon and 2-3 p.m. Kidzu Children’s Museum, 105 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill. 933-1455. www.kidzuchildrensmuseum.org.
Family Center Play Space. For ages 0-5 and their caregivers. 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $. Family Center of Northern Durham, 206 E. Murray Ave., Durham. 220-3729. www.familycenternd.org.
Family Fun Night. Books, activities and discussion beginning May 9. School-age. 7 p.m. Barnes & Noble, 760 S.E. Maynard Rd., Cary. 467-3866.
Flow Circus. Close-up magic, comedy juggling and amazing balloon sculptures performed by Paul Miller. 7-10 p.m. Adventure Landing, Raleigh. 872-1688.
Friday Night Coffeehouse. Family-friendly games, informal discussions, movies, dance lessons, music. 7-10 p.m. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 301 E. Whitaker Mill Rd., Raleigh. 828-0507.
Kindermusik at Planet Child. Cognitive, physical, social, emotional, language and musical development. Ages newborn to 7. 9:30am. Planet Child, 305A Ashville Ave., Cary. 233-0090. www.planetchild.com.
Magic with Happy Dan. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sparks American Grill, 5390 Apex Peakway, (Hwy. 55) in Olive Chapel Village, Apex. 303-0074.
Preschool Storytime. 10:30 a.m. Barnes & Noble, Triangle Town Blvd., Raleigh. 792-2140.
Preschool Storytime. Free with admission. 10:30 a.m. Kidzu Children’s Museum, 105 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill. 933-1455. www.kidzuchildrensmuseum.org.
Stories at Sunset. Ages 5 and up. 7 p.m. Barnes & Noble, Streets at Southpoint, Durham. 806-1930.
Storytime. Ages 1-preK. 10:30 a.m. Barnes & Noble, Streets at Southpoint, Durham, 806-1930.
Borders Books Storytime. 2 p.m. 404-101 E. Six Forks Rd., Raleigh. 755-9424.
Carolina Kinder Storytime. 10:30am every first Saturday. Eva Perry Library, 2100 Shepherd’s Vineyard Dr., Apex. 11 a.m. every fourth Saturday. Duke International House, 2022 Campus Dr., Durham. 265-3500. www.carolinakinder.org.
Drop-In Play Zone. Free drop-in play. Ages crawlers to 12. 8-11 a.m. Come Build With Us Daycare, 208 Forest Hill Dr., Garner. 772-8889. www.comebuildwithusdaycare.org.
Express Yourself. Explore the creative arts. Ages 3-8. 10:45-11:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-noon. Kidzu Children’s Museum, 105 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill. 933-1455. www.kidzuchildrensmuseum.org
.
Free Family Movies. 10:15 a.m. Presented by the Holly Springs Branch Library. Call for titles. Holly Spring Cultural Center, 300 W. Ballentine St., Holly Springs. 567-4000.
Preschool Storytime. 11 a.m. Barnes & Noble, New Hope Commons, Durham. 489-3012.
Spanish/English Storytime. Every other Saturday. Free with admission. 2 p.m. Kidzu Children’s Museum, 105 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill. 933-1455. www.kidzuchildrensmuseum.org.
Capital City BMX Race Day. Friendly atmosphere with focus on fun, sportsmanship and great racing. All ages. $. Registration between 1-2:30 p.m.; race at 3 p.m. Lions Park & Community Center, 516 Dennis Ave., Raleigh. 834-4269. www.ccbmx.com.
Children’s Performers. Magicians, storytellers and musicians entertain. $. 4:30 p.m. Broad St. Café, 1116 Broad St., Durham. 416-9707. www.thebroadstreetcafe.com.
To update or change weekly listings for the upcoming month, please e-mail calendar@carolinaparent.com or call 919-956-2430 before the 10th of the month.
|