Our Story
Kidzu On the Move
Kidzu Children's Museum is a hands-on museum dedicated to inspiring young children (0-8 years) and the adults in their lives to learn through play. We are planning to expand to a much larger site in downtown Chapel Hill over the next few years. Read on to learn more about where we've been, what we're up to, and where we're headed
1. Founding Museum
105 E. Franklin St.
2006 - 2011
Kidzu Children's Museum opened its doors in March 2006 at 105 E. Franklin Street. In this site, Kidzu served more than 150,000 visitors, provided dozens of educational programs, offered outreach programs to children in need, hosted traveling exhibits from around the nation, and created Kidzu's first original exhibit, "KidZoom: The Power of Creativity!"
Soon after opening, we began searching for a much larger site for Kidzu, where we could meet the substantial demand for our services and become a lasting part of our community. The Town of Chapel Hill generously agreed to provide Kidzu with a new site for the museum atop the Wallace Parking Deck in downtown Chapel Hill.
2. Our Current Home: University Square
123 W. Franklin St.
2011 - present
In November 2011, Kidzu moved across Franklin Street to a sunny new location at University Square. This beautiful, affordable interim site allows Kidzu to continue serving the community as we plan and build our permanent museum on the Wallace Plaza.
At Kidzu2, visitors will enjoy our popular KidZoom exhibit, a wide array of weekly programs, special programming with Kidzu's UNC and community partners, field trips, birthday parties, Free Sundays sponsored by Durham Regional Hospital, and much more.
3. Kidzu's Future Site: Wallace Plaza
150 E. Rosemary St.
expected 2014
Kidzu's home on the Wallace Plaza will allow us to be and do so much more for our community. With 15,000 square feet of indoor space and an ample outdoor area, we will offer a wide range of engaging exhibits and programs, expand our age rage, increase our outreach to children in need, and serve many more children and families.
The new Kidzu will be a playful, creative, green facility that will put children at the very heart of our community and will bring even more of Kidzu's vibrant energy to our downtown. Kidzu's home on the Wallace Plaza will also foster collaborations with partners at UNC and other organizations.
As a university community with world-class educational experts and a thriving artistic and creative culture, we have the ability to create an exceptional children's museum that nurtures and celebrates every child in our community. Please join us!
