Hours
The Nest is now OPEN in our new location at 1712 Willow Dr., Chapel Hill, next door to Binkley Preschool.
We are hosting Nest Sessions Tuesday – Saturday for children ages 0-5 and STEAM’D Up Afternoons Tuesday – Thursday for children of all ages. Please see our calendar to find a time.
Registration is REQUIRED for Open Play Nest Sessions or STEAM’D Up Afternoons.
See our Calendar for information about drop-off programs like School’s Out Camps and Parents’ Night Out!
About The Nest
Welcome to our early learning environment for young children and their caregivers!
The Nest is a place to play and learn together with materials meant for exploration and experimentation. As much as possible, this is a ‘yes’ space for our youngest community members! We offer a variety of programming – visit our calendar page to see our upcoming events!
We invite you to get involved and help us build a permanent museum that serves all children in our community and inspires learning through purposeful play!
Before You Visit
Kidzu provides a social narrative, a short story written from a child’s perspective, to help prepare you and your child for your visit to the museum. The social narrative can be downloaded and printed here before your visit or copies are available at the front desk. Thanks so much to TEACCH for their guidance in developing this and our Cool Down Kits – available to all visitors while at Kidzu. Cool Down Kits include sensory items, timers, fidget toys, noise-cancelling headphones, and visual prompts for exhibit choices. See a member of our team to check them out!
Health and Safety
Your health and safety is our top priority. We’ve implemented the following practices:
- All Kidzu staff, volunteers, and interns must complete the full COVID-19 vaccine series or receive a valid medical or religious exemption.
- Enhanced cleaning schedules in accordance with CDC guidelines and standards set forth by the Association of Children’s Museums
- Frequent sanitizing of common touch areas and exhibit items using EPA approved disinfectants
- Hand sanitizer stations throughout the exhibit areas
- All exhibit props/toys are on a rotation to ensure proper cleaning between each use
- “Tasted toys” baskets are provided near exhibits
- PPE (gloves, masks, sanitizers) purchased for the Kidzu team. Masks/gloves available to visitors upon request.
Exploring our Exhibits - What to Expect
- With interactive, hands-on exhibits, The Nest has something for every age! Our exhibit areas are self-paced with an open floor concept so you can guide your own experience throughout our space.
- Designated baskets are provided for visitors to use when their young kiddos place any exhibit items in their mouths. This is all part of the learning process! Once your little one is done with an item that has been put in their mouth, toss the item into one of our “Tasted Toy Baskets” and the team will sanitize prior to placing the items back into the exhibits.
Visitor Guidelines
- Children are to be supervised by their accompanying adults at all times while inside our space.
- Please use walking feet and watch out for other visitors.
- Food and drink are not permitted within the carpeted areas.
- Please take your shoes and your child’s shoes off upon entering The Nest’s exhibit spaces.
- All children must be accompanied by an adult 16 or older.
- No adults will be permitted to enter Kidzu alone unless escorted by a Kidzu employee.
Events for December
30th
School’s Out Camp: Winter Animals
Breastfeeding Café
Events for January
1st
Events for January
2nd
School’s Out Camp: Build it up and Tear it Down
Open Play Nest Session (January 2, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 2nd)
Open Play Nest Session (January 2, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 2, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 2nd)
Events for January
3rd
School’s Out Camp: Build it up and Tear it Down
Open Play Nest Session (January 3, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 3, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 3, 2025)
Events for January
4th
Open Play Nest Session (January 4, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 4, 2025)
Events for January
5th
Events for January
6th
Free Supported Play Groups
Breastfeeding Café
Events for January
7th
Open Play Nest Session (January 7, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 7th)
Open Play Nest Session (January 7, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 7th)
Events for January
9th
Open Play Nest Session (January 9, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 9, 2025)
Copy of STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 9th)
Open Play Nest Session (January 9, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 9th)
Events for January
10th
Open Play Nest Session (January 10, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 10, 2025)
Events for January
12th
Events for January
13th
Free Supported Play Groups
Breastfeeding Café
Events for January
14th
Open Play Nest Session (January 14, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 14, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 14, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 14th)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 14th)
Events for January
15th
Open Play Nest Session (January 15, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 15, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 15, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 15th)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 15th)
Events for January
16th
Open Play Nest Session (January 16, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 16th)
Open Play Nest Session (January 16, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 16th)
Open Play Nest Session (January 16, 2025)
Events for January
17th
Open Play Nest Session (January 17, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 17, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 17, 2025)
Parents’ Night Out
Events for January
18th
Open Play Nest Session (January 18, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 18, 2025)
Events for January
19th
Events for January
20th
Events for January
21st
Open Play Nest Session (January 21, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 21, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 21st)
Open Play Nest Session (January 21, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 21st)
Events for January
22nd
Open Play Nest Session (January 22, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 22nd)
Open Play Nest Session (January 22, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 22nd)
Open Play Nest Session (January 22, 2025)
Events for January
23rd
Open Play Nest Session (January 23, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 23, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 23rd)
Open Play Nest Session (January 23, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 23rd)
Events for January
24th
School’s Out Camp: Math Magicians
Open Play Nest Session (January 24, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 24, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 24, 2025)
Events for January
25th
Open Play Nest Session (January 25, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 25, 2025)
Caregiver Education Program: Donuts (and Developmental Milestones) with Dads
Parents’ Night Out
Events for January
26th
Events for January
27th
Free Supported Play Groups
Breastfeeding Café
Programa de Crecimiento del Lenguaje para Niños de 2 a 3 Años en The Nest (en español)
Language Growth Program for 2-3 Year Olds at The Nest
Events for January
28th
Open Play Nest Session (January 28, 2025)
Programa Primeras Palabras en The Nest
Open Play Nest Session (January 28, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 28th)
Open Play Nest Session (January 28, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 28th)
Events for January
29th
School’s Out Camp: Aeronautics
Open Play Nest Session (January 29, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 29, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 29, 2025)
Events for January
30th
Open Play Nest Session (January 30, 2025)
First Words Initiative Program at The Nest
Open Play Nest Session (January 30, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 30th)
Open Play Nest Session (January 30, 2025)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 30th)
STEAM’D Up Afternoon (January 29th)
Events for January
31st
Open Play Nest Session (January 31, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 31, 2025)
Open Play Nest Session (January 31, 2025)
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, your contribution goes a long way to supporting the daily operations and initiatives of our museum and the families we serve. We thank you for your continued support!
Become a Member!
Membership is more than just unlimited admission to a community-centered museum: It’s your family’s invitation to exclusive events, exciting classes and programs, special discounts, and more! Annual and short-term memberships are available all year long.
Visit the Virtual Museum
Want to learn more about our innovative learning environments? Check out all of our exhibit spaces before your visit!