Marbles opens new outdoor fort

The new Sun Sprouts Fort, an outdoor play area, is now open at Marbles Kids Museum.

The fort sits in the Sun Sprouts garden area, which you can get to by exiting the building through the doors next to the pirate ship on the first floor. The garden also features a variety of plants and flowers and some related activities for kids. (My younger daughter spent about two hours here watering the plants during a visit a few years ago).

The fort was built thanks to nearly $19,000 in donations from an online fundraising campaign, individuals at the museum and a match from Triangle area Moe's Southwest Grill.

Marbles is on Hargett Street in downtown Raleigh. Play in the fort is free with admission, which is $5 per person.