Welcome to Kids on the Hill.
I hope this site will become the definitive resource for things to do with kids in Chapel Hill and roundabout. Farms, festivals, sports, shops, restaurants, activities, museums, parks, and so much more. If you know of somewhere which deserves a nod please let me know, post or comment.
Post often, tell your friends and enjoy your town!
Even in the seemingly peaceful, quiet Southern bubble of the Triangle (Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Durham) are of North Carolina, it is possible to fall into despair and/or get very stressed considering the events happening in the world these days. War, elections, drought, violence, crime, all of it can get everyone down and forgetful of the beauty there is in that very same world.There is a place, not too far out in the country, but just enough, where Triangle residents and visitors can go to find this beauty and, if for just a weekend, experience and draw from it. This place is called Shakori Hills, and every Spring and Fall, the GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance is held there. There is grass and clean air as far as the eye can see, and the ground swells with everything that makes people happy: handmade crafts, tasty food, children’s activities, dancing, world and local culture, and best of all music!There are four stages, two large outdoor, a dance tent and an intimate cabaret stage. Each festival boasts around 40 bands. There is definitely something for everyone. At any one time, a person can learn how to clog, listen to a story, get a massage, boogie to a Zydeco accordian, blow bubbles with a child, learn how to environmentally equip a home, and chow down on a freshly baked slice of homemade pizza. All this to say that just the word “festival” cannot quite describe it. The only way to fully understand is to escpae the every day world, get outside, and come to the GrassRoots Festival at Shakori Hills October 9-12!
This Saturday: Wild About Animals
Second Saturday Science
OCTOBER 11
A whole day of activities and programs devoted to learning about and caring for animals! Activities include live animal presentations, Animal Keeper Tours, a “safari” in the Wetland with Museum Ranger Greg Dodge, behind the scenes tours, Farmyard Physicals with Museum veterinarian Dr. Cannedy, create your own stuffed animals and more!
Programs that require registration and a fee include a Behind the Scenes Tour, Junior Keepers (SOLD OUT), and Carolina Critters.
Raleigh’s super-museum for kids. Interactive, hands-on exhibits include Around Town (remember PlaySpace?), Splash (water play), IdeaWorks (build from plans and blueprints) and WorldTrek (learn about other cultures). The musem integrated Exploris and PlaySpace a couple of years ago. Exploris was just plain boring – passive, arcane exhibits with little interaction. PlaySpace was cool but small and crowded. Marbles has great potential, although last time we visited there was still way too much Exploris influence. It reminded me of museums back when I was a kid. You know, wander through gallery after gallery of moth-eaten taxidermy hoping to stumble upon a gift shop or cafe. But still, it has huge potential and certainly is worth a visit, especially if your kids are the “jumping in” types.
201 E Hargett St, Raleigh
919-834-4040
A UMall staple for all things kid. Toys, books, a few clothes and lots of great birthday gift ideas. Oh, and the train table. Great staff. Great selection.
University Mall, Chapel Hill
(919) 942-8027
Southern Village. Great bookstore. Also offer clay, altered books, t’ai chi and acting classes through their Arts & Letters Community Center.
610 Market Street, Southern Village
919-933-5111
Mmmm… this is my good friend Melissa’s beautiful, wonderful, fabulous store. Gorgeous clothes, toys, gifts and fun stuff for stylish kids and moms. I got the boys these fantastic arm warmers – babylegs – last time I was there. Melissa travels far and wide to pick out the coolest stuff. Forget miniBoden. Glee is where it’s at.
10:00am–5:30pm
Monday through Saturday
DSI Comedy Theater entertains audiences in North Carolina and across North America with a unique and energetic approach to the alternative comedy scene and its critically acclaimed performance of improv, sketch and standup comedy as an artform. ComedySportz series is family-friendly, especially for older tweens and teens.
Good local alternative to the ArtsCenter. Offering pottery classes, art workshops (tie dye, sculpey, jewelry, paper crafts), afterschool, summer camps and birthday parties.
110 Buena Vista Way – Chapel Hill, NC 27514 – (919) 929-3591
About Boothill Farm
Boothill Farm is part of the 100-year-old Zachary family tobacco farm located on an old Indian settlement in southwest Orange County. In 1985, Tim and Carol Zachary built Boothill Farm horse facility and have been working with the public ever since.
Boothill Farm is a family business with an fourteen-stall barn, miles of trails, a lighted 120 X 80 lighted, all-weather ring, and a new 150 X 250 all-purpose ring with jumps and dressage letters.
Boothill Farm offers:
Boothill Farm also offers a Hunter Show Series April through November.
Trainer Information
Boothill Farm can provide a trainer for your lessons, children or adults, beginner through A level showing. Boothill riders are also encouraged to bring their own trainers if they would prefer.
Wednesdays in October at 10:15am: Adventures with Janie. Betsy Bradley, a retired teacher, will share stories about Janie her guide dog each week. Programs will be filled with active songs and simple stories: perfect for younger ages (ages 2-6).
Sunday, October 4 3:00-4:00pm: Garden Patch Party: You’ll Dig all the Fun at this Party! Activities will include crafts, party games, and special treats that should make for a “hoe” lot of fun. We hope you can Bee here for the fun! Fees: $6.00 per (ages 3-8). Space is limited and prepaid registration is required.Saturday, October 18 3:30-4:30pm: Nuts & Bolts Workshop. We’re building fun with simple glue, nail, and paint projects every other month. This time around we’ll be making Twirling Kaleidoscopes. Kids will create fancy Kaleidoscopes with everyday materials. Fees: $6.00 per child (ages 5-8). Space is limited and prepaid registration is required.
Friday, October 31 10:00-5:00pm: Halloween Crafts & Games. Come celebrate Fall and the fun of dressing up in costumes with Kidzu. Spooky Storytime at 10:30am. Free admission to anyone wearing a costume.
Ongoing Activities:
. Beginning on Sunday, September 21st, Kidzu will be open for FREE every Sunday for the next year. Durham Regional Hospital is generously underwriting admission fees on Sundays. Learn more about this program…
Let’s Face It! Clay-time Wednesday’s from 3:30-4:30pm. Grab some clay and sculpt faces on fired jugs during this open art time program. For younger children squishing and pounding the clay will keep them absorbed while older children design and sculpt.
