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Nature Play Day at NCMA
Date and Time
September 28, 2026, Mon., 10-noon
Organizer
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Venue
North Carolina Museum of Art Welcome Center
Location
West Raleigh
Address
2110 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh, NC 27607
(370.3 mi)
Price
Free. This program is best for children 7 & younger
Description
Nature Play Day at the North Carolina Museum of Art is a free, outdoor drop-in program designed to encourage natural exploration and creative play. We transform sections of the park into interactive zones to foster engagement with the environment through hands-on discovery and unstructured movement.
Participants can expect a rotating selection of activity materials each month. Typical stations feature fort-building equipment, puppets, costumes, bubbles, and painting supplies. A play facilitator from Prairie Ridge is available on site to guide interactions and help families engage with the space. These tools provide children with open-ended opportunities to experiment, build, and explore the museum grounds in a new way.
This event is specifically designed for children ages seven and younger, though all are welcome to attend. The program takes place entirely outdoors, so please dress in clothing suitable for the current weather and potential mess. We invite you to join us for a morning of fresh air and imagination in the park. No registration is required for this community gathering. We look forward to seeing you outside.
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CHILL ACT North Carolina Special Needs & Homeschool Expo is a free community event bringing families together with local providers, educators, therapists, community organizations, and resources supporting children with autism, special needs, and homeschool families.
Join us on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Durham Convention Center.
Families can explore valuable local resources, meet therapy and educational providers, and enjoy a welcoming day filled with activities for children.
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Admission is FREE for families.
Register for free at www.chillactexpo.com
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Jaipur Literature Festival
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The third edition of JLF North Carolina, an international edition of the renowned Jaipur Literature Festival, comes to Raleigh September 11–13, 2026, bringing the spirit of one of the world's leading literary festivals to the Triangle.
Celebrating the many arts, stories, and histories of Raleigh—the “City of Oaks”—JLF North Carolina will feature thought-provoking conversations, compelling performances, author sessions, and cultural experiences exploring literature, ideas, history, society, and the world around us. The festival will take place at Meredith College and NC State’s Institute for Emerging Issues.
The program will bring together acclaimed authors, artists, thinkers, journalists, and cultural leaders from North Carolina and around the world. The 2026 lineup includes Belle Boggs, Jeff Tiberii, Karan Mahajan, Bob Crawford, and many more.
The Jaipur Literature Festival takes place annually in Jaipur, India, and is internationally celebrated as the “greatest literary show on Earth.” Its spirit now travels through international editions across the US, UK, Canada, Spain, the Maldives, and Australia, bringing together diverse literary traditions and the unique culture of each host region.
JLF North Carolina offers readers, families, students, educators, writers, and curious minds an opportunity to discover new perspectives, hear remarkable stories, and experience the power of books and ideas right here in Raleigh.
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Lakeside Retreats Family Fest
4521 Mial Plantation Rd
FREE Family Fest in Raleigh — Saturday, September 12!
Looking for a full day of family fun, creativity, connection, and outdoor adventure? Join us for the 3rd Annual Family Fest at Lakeside Retreats! Optional overnight Camping
📅 Saturday, September 12, 2026
⏰ 8:00 AM–9:00 PM
📍 4521 Mial Plantation Road, Raleigh, NC 27610
🎟️ FREE admission
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🔥 Fire show
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🥋 Martial arts class
🫧 Bubbles
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🎤 Guest speakers
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History at High Noon: Operation Bumblebee
at Virtual, Downtown Raleigh
History at High Noon is a virtual lunchtime lecture series hosted by the North Carolina Museum of History. This session explores the history of Operation Bumblebee, a top secret project conducted by the US Navy during the late 1940s on a North Carolina barrier island.
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This event is open to everyone ages eight and older. It offers a relaxed and steady pace suitable for all skill levels. If you are interested in learning a new hobby that connects you with nature and supports scientific research, this session is an excellent starting point. We invite you to join us for an informative outing. Please come prepared for a moderate walk outdoors. We look forward to exploring the local landscape with you and identifying the species that call it home.
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Creek Critter Discovery with Haw River Assembly
at Apex Nature Park, Apex
Creek Critter Discovery is an interactive educational program focused on exploring local stream health through the study of aquatic macroinvertebrates. Participants will work alongside experts from the Haw River Assembly to identify the tiny organisms that act as biological indicators for water quality. This event serves as a practical introduction to the science behind monitoring and protecting our local aquatic ecosystems.
Attendees will gain hands-on experience collecting samples and learning how to interpret the presence of specific wildlife species. The session highlights the role of macroinvertebrates in assessing environmental integrity and provides deep insight into current regional water conservation initiatives. You will learn to use identification tools and observe the delicate balance of life residing within our local waterways.
This program is perfect for students, outdoor enthusiasts, and concerned citizens interested in environmental science. The atmosphere is collaborative, informative, and suited for anyone curious about the natural world in their backyard. We invite you to join us to deepen your understanding of local water health. Register today to secure your place in this essential environmental exploration session.
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Free; please register
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