New playspace for babies, toddlers opens at Museum of Life and Science in Durham

A new exhibit for babies and toddlers opens March 21 at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham.

Posted 1:14 p.m. Mar 13, 2023 — Updated 5:05 p.m. Mar 13, 2023

DURHAM, N.C. — A new exhibit for babies and toddlers opens March 21 at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham.

Play to Learn is the newest and biggest exhibit to open at the museum in years and is almost three times larger than the previous exhibit in that spot, according to the museum.

The exhibit is targeted to preschool age and under children and features:

The Gentle Zone: Where infants and toddlers can explore and practice rolling, crawling, walking and engaging with sensory activities.

Ball Play: This reimagining of its popular ball track experience allows for a crash course in cause and effect. Children will learn about the physical world as they bounce, roll, and drop balls in exhibits designed to explore gravity and other forces.

Building: Children can build with large foam blocks, small builders, tiny blocks for younger children, and a small stage for story times and special programs.

Pattern Play: An area for children to experiment with light and shadow, exploring pattern, shape, form, color, opacity, and color mixing, while developing self-awareness through interaction with the space and seeing the impact of their changes.

Museum members can preview the exhibit March 14 and 15 before it opens to the public on March 21.

“We can’t wait for kids and their caregivers to experience Play to Learn,” said Matt Pusateri, the museum’s senior director of marketing and communications. “For years, we’ve been eager to provide a new and improved indoor experience for our youngest guests, and now, it’s finally here. The exhibit offers a unique opportunity for our youngest visitors to have hours of fun while learning and developing skills.”

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