Kids, moms pack North Hills for special programs

The North Hills Kids program has been so popular that the shopping center has expanded its activities, which run through August.

Posted 7:11 p.m. May 21, 2010 — Updated 7:11 p.m. May 21, 2010

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

North Hills' kids programs have proved so popular that organizers have expanded it.

North Hills in Raleigh launched North Hill Kids in April with daily activities for kids and families in the "grassy" area next to the Starbucks and Ben & Jerry's.

It started with mornings of free play from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, a presentation from The Traveling Teacher Show on Tuesdays and storytime on Fridays. Families also come out for beach music Thursday nights. And Stroller Strides of Midtown Raleigh offers workouts for mom and fun for kids on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

This month, after lots of requests, North Hills expanded to offer free play from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays after the hour-long Traveling Teacher presentation on Tuesday and storytime on Friday. Free play involves lots of big colorful blocks that kids can run, jump and climb over. The green is fenced off so you don't have to worry about your kids running into the street.

I spoke with Brie of North Hills last month ... when they hadn't yet expanded to include the Tuesday and Friday free plays. So my interview with her is a little dated. But it will give you some idea of what free play and the Traveling Teacher Show looks like.

North Hills Kids runs through August. Stay up-to-date on the latest with North Hills Kids on the Facebook page. And find out more, including a calendar of events, on North Hills' blog.

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