Destination: Marbles adds more to its popular Power2Play exhibit

Power2Play at Marbles Kids Museum has gotten a facelift.

The synthetic hockey rink has long been a main feature of this popular exhibit, which focuses on active play and healthy lifestyles. There's now a new favorite too - at least for my own kids. Center Court features a super-sized basketball net with hoops at different heights. My six-year-old was able to dunk some baskets. So was my two-year-old.

The hockey rink now includes a mini-Jumbotron and announcer's booth, where kids can push buttons to hear, for instance, "Rock Me Like a Hurricane" just like the RBC Center. There is new music in the dance studio, which has been moved to the side, and a larger space for playing soccer. Kids ages three and under have their own space to play and explore in the Little Leaguers section. And there's a new Power2Play gym where kids can climb, jump, balance and try out some rings.

The exhibit is part of Marbles' Be Healthy|Be Active initiative where the goal is to encourage families to live healthier lives. The Power2Play page on Marbles' website also includes some healthy recipes.

"In Wake County, four out of every 10 children are obese, so we're really trying to do our part to combat that," said Marbles' Katy Hipp Burgwyn of the exhibit.

Learn more about the exhibit in my interview with Katy, which we did just as the new exhibit opened a few weeks ago.

The Power2Play exhibit is included in Marbles' admission, which is $5 per person. Marbles is open Tuesday through Sunday and on Mondays during school holidays.

Looking for other things to do with the kids? Check our lists of park and playground reviews and Triangle family destinations.