Toddler activities in Durham? (Raleigh, Cary: chapel, middle school, university)

[ARDG]

Hi all,
I'm traveling to the Durham area for a few days with my 1 1/2 yr old later this month for a family event and looking for suggestions for things to do with the little guy while we're there. While parks are lovely, he's still too young to really enjoy them (we can only swing for so long!), so hoping for slightly more interesting/unique options in the area. Willing to travel a bit for a great destination.

Thanks!

[chris75]

Lots to see at the Museum of Life & Science

[poppydog]

The Museum of Life and Science is great, although I think the age group that gets the most out of it is elementary school kids. There's stuff to do there for littles, too even if it's not really geared toward toddlers. It's an all around excellent museum, though and one of my all time faves, incorporating both indoor exhibits and outdoor with lots of animals from bears to butterflies: Museum of Life and Science: Know Wonder

You might also enjoy taking in the Sarah P. Duke Gardens and letting him toddle around outside. Duke Gardens | The crown jewel of Duke University

In Chapel Hill, Kidzu is a small young children's museum/playspace in the mall, now called University Place (formerly University Mall). Welcome

There's a new music based kids' place in Durham, too: Kids Playspace serving Durham, NC and Chapel Hill, NC

And Marbles kids' museum is in downtown Raleigh: Marbles Kids Museum

[jelenap]

All good suggestions above, although Kudzu is not worth the trip imho. Southpoint mall in Durham has a small kids play area by the Belk entrance. Our kid loved it when he was little. Also Cary Town Center has a play area, merry-go-round and a train. And it's not crowded now that many stores closed.

Pulen park in Raleigh and Kids Together park in Cary are also good outdoor options and offer much more than swings.

[poppydog]

Have you been to Kidzu since they remodeled and reopened jelenap? My kids outgrew it so I haven't. I always liked the small size, though. Made for an easy short outing instead of a whole day trip. I like having something for little kids in the mall, too, so we could go get a bite to eat and wander around inside on inclement weather days. We used to do that when the Children's Store/Toy Corner was there, too.

Not a fan of Southpoint's play area, either the previous incarnation at the food court or the present one by JC Penney. Way too crazed. My kids were always afraid they would get trampled by middle schoolers when they were little.