RALEIGH, N.C. — Two children's museums in downtown Raleigh are talking about merging.

Playspace

, a museum that offers interactive play for babies to children age 7, is packed with no room to grow, its director says.

Exploris

, a museum that works with children ages 8 and older, has space. It would also like to see an increase in its attendance numbers.

Staff members from both museums are working on a plan to merge and say a decision on whether to do so could be made this fall.

"Essentially, what we're trying to do is create a museum where you learn about the world through play," said Playspace Executive Director Julie Paul.

Both Exploris and Playspace use public money to operate. Last fiscal year, Playspace received $15,000 in city grants to help low-income children attend. Exploris received $1 million from Wake County and $100,000 from the state.

In addition, Exploris reduced its prices in March to $5 per person.