Marbles Kids Museum

What Marbles Kids Museum does

Marbles Kids Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit children's museum operating two floors of hands-on, interactive exhibits plus an IMAX theater and an outdoor Playway at 201 East Hargett Street in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina. Founded in 2007 and serving children ages 0-10, the museum delivers play-based learning across 15+ themed exhibits covering STEM (Kid Grid, EcoSphere, imagiFAB), financial literacy (Moneypalooza), health and active play (Power2Play), agriculture (On the Farm), veterinary care (Ready Set Vet), and sensory exploration (Under the Waves, Toddlers Hollow). Core technology is physical exhibit infrastructure rather than software, augmented by an on-site cafe (Bean Sprouts), gift shop (PlayStore), and standard web infrastructure with Google Analytics and reCAPTCHA integrations.

Name

Marbles Kids Museum

Legal name

Marbles Kids Museum

Website

https://marbleskidsmuseum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Marbles Kids Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit children's museum in downtown Raleigh, NC, operating two floors of hands-on exhibits and an IMAX theater for families with children ages 0-10, funded through admissions, memberships, camps, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Museum Admission Tickets: Visitors purchase tickets for museum entry. Tickets are available for advance purchase at discounted rates or at day-of pricing. Children under age 1 enter free. Military discounts available.
2. Museum Memberships: Annual membership program offering free admission, early entry privileges, and other benefits to members. Members enjoy 9am early entry while regular hours open at 10am.
3. IMAX Theater: On-site IMAX theater showing documentaries and feature films. Separate ticket pricing for IMAX showings. Summer Discount Tuesdays offer $4 documentaries and half-priced features.
4. Group Visits and Field Trips: Organized group visits, school field trips, homeschool programs, and camp-ins for organized youth groups.
5. Birthday Parties and Facility Rentals: Birthday party packages and facility rental options for private events.
6. Camps: Summer and seasonal camp programs for children.
7. Play Late for Less: Discounted admission for Monday-Thursday visits after 3pm at $4.75 advance / $6.25 day-of pricing.
8. Donations and Fundraising: Donations accepted through the museum's website. Capital campaign for expansion underway. Imagination Ball annual gala fundraiser.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Marbles Kids Museum operates a two-floor interactive children's museum in downtown Raleigh, NC, plus an outdoor Playway and an on-site IMAX theater, all designed for children ages 0-10. It sells museum admission tickets, annual memberships, IMAX showings, summer camps, school field trips, group visits, birthday parties, facility rentals, and related on-site amenities (cafe, gift shop). It supplements earned revenue with donations, sponsorships, and grants as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Product overview

Marbles Kids Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit children's museum offering a unified family experience centered on hands-on play-based learning for children ages 0-10. The core product consists of two floors of interactive exhibits (Around Town, Splash, imagiFAB, EcoSphere, Kid Grid, Moneypalooza, Power2Play, River Playway, Seedlings, Sun Sprouts, Toddlers Hollow, Under the Waves, Stepnotes, Hit the Trail, and Playway) complemented by an IMAX Theater showing documentaries and family films. Additional revenue-generating modules include museum memberships, birthday party rentals, summer camps, school field trips, camp-ins, and a gift shop (PlayStore). The museum also operates Bean Sprouts Cafe for visitor amenities and offers free accessibility programs like Sensory Friendly Playtime and Kick-off to Kindergarten for community outreach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Museum Exhibits (two floors of hands-on interactive exhibits) Two floors of hands-on, interactive themed exhibits designed for children ages 0-10, covering STEM (Kid Grid, EcoSphere), financial literacy (Moneypalooza), imaginative play (Around Town, Splash), sensory experiences (Under the Waves), maker activities (imagiFAB), and outdoor adventure (Hit the Trail, River Playway). Sold as general museum admission to families, school groups, and community visitors.
• Marbles IMAX Theater On-site IMAX theater screening 3D and 2D documentary films (e.g., Wild Rescue, Animal Kingdom, Cities of the Future, T. REX) and family-friendly feature films. Tickets are sold separately from museum admission, with discounts such as $4 documentaries and half-priced features on Summer Discount Tuesdays. Targets families and school groups visiting the museum.
• Annual Museum Membership Annual subscription program providing free unlimited museum admission, 9am early entry privileges (vs. 10am public opening), and member-only benefits. Targeted at local families who visit the museum frequently as a recurring revenue stream.
• Summer and Seasonal Camps Day camp programs offered during summer and other school breaks, providing extended hands-on, play-based learning experiences at the museum for children. Sold as program enrollments to local families.
• School Field Trips and Group Visits Educational group visit programs for pre-K through elementary school classes, homeschool cooperatives, and organized youth groups. Field trips are aligned with curriculum standards, with companion offerings for homeschool programs and overnight camp-ins. Sold directly to schools and youth organizations.
• Birthday Parties and Facility Rentals Private event hosting offering birthday party packages and facility rental of museum spaces for celebrations and private events. Sold to families planning children's birthdays and to organizations hosting private gatherings.
• Bean Sprouts Cafe On-site cafe serving food and beverages to museum visitors, providing a convenient dining option so families do not need to leave the museum during their visit.
• PlayStore (Museum Gift Shop) On-site gift shop selling toys, games, books, and educational items aligned with the museum's exhibits and themes, extending the play-based learning experience beyond the visit itself.
• Sensory Friendly Playtime Free, exclusive museum events for children with disabilities and their families, offering a calmer environment with adjusted lighting and sound. Backed by KultureCity certification. Designed to provide accessible play experiences for guests with sensory processing needs.
• Camp-Ins (Overnight Museum Experiences) Overnight programs where children and youth groups experience the museum after hours with themed activities and sleepover experiences, providing an immersive overnight alternative to standard daytime visits.
• Kick-off to Kindergarten Free school-readiness program in partnership with Wake County Public School System that helps rising kindergartners and their families prepare for school through activities simulating a typical school day. Targets incoming kindergarten students and their families.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving children ages 0-10 as primary target market - developmental critical years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Blue Cross NCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2026Partnership with Wake County Social Services to provide free museum memberships for Wake County foster families. Blue Cross NC sponsors memberships enabling foster children and families to access play experiences.
• Moore SquaresupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2025Co-host of day-long Juneteenth Celebration event bringing community together for cultural programming and education.
• KultureCitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Certification organization providing sensory-inclusive designation for the museum, enabling accommodations for guests with sensory processing needs.
• NC Soybean Producers AssociationsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2024Partner in upgrading the On the Farm exhibit teaching children about North Carolina's agricultural heritage and modern farming practices.
• WakeMed Children'scoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting sponsor of the To the Rescue ambulance exhibit in Around Town. The partnership inspires the next generation of healthcare workers through interactive role-play experiences where children can drive ambulances, care for patients, and learn about emergency medicine.
• NC State University College of Veterinary MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented by partnership for the Ready Set Vet exhibit where children role-play as veterinarians examining animals, using X-rays, and practicing animal care skills.
• NC State University College of Agriculture and Life SciencessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in On the Farm exhibit where children plant, harvest, and sort produce while learning about North Carolina's major crops and operating a custom-built combine.
• Fifth Third BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting sponsor of the Giant Piggy Bank in Moneypalooza financial literacy exhibit. Children work together to fill the piggy bank and learn about saving.
• First Horizon BanksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting sponsor of Polly's Pet Care in Moneypalooza, teaching children about earning money through pet care services.
• NC Bankers AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting sponsor of the entire Moneypalooza financial literacy exhibit featuring businesses like Ellie's Lemonade Stand, Mr. Vito's Pizzeria, and Polly's Pet Care where children learn spending, saving, and sharing.
• EnbridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting partner of EcoSphere exhibit where children explore renewable energy concepts through interactive stations including wind power, solar energy, and the water cycle.
• Carolina HurricanescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting sponsor of Power2Play exhibit featuring active play experiences including Center Court basketball, Center Ice skating rink, and the Workout Zone training area.
• UNC HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExhibit partner for the Healthy Kitchen in Power2Play where children learn about nutrition and prepare healthy meals.
• Lowes FoodscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting sponsor of Hometown Grocery and Kitchen in Around Town exhibit where children shop, check out, and prepare meals.
• Johnson SubarusupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of Hit the Trail outdoor adventure exhibit featuring pretend camping, kayaking, and woodland creature care activities.
• ABBsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Kid Grid exhibit teaching children about electricity, energy sources, and conservation through interactive stations.
• Institute of Museum and Library ServicessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMLS grant (MA-10-17-0128-17) helped make the imagiFAB maker space exhibit possible, supporting hands-on creation and building activities.
• J&K CabinetrysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerExhibit partner for imagiFAB maker space featuring Animate, Build, Create, and Make stations where children use real tools and materials.
• Grady White BoatssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for River Playway exhibit exploring the Neuse River ecosystem through interactive river ranger activities, beaver costumes, and river exploration.
• Wake County Social ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in providing free museum memberships for Wake County foster families in collaboration with Blue Cross NC.
• Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Farm to Fork Kids Fest programming and ongoing farm-to-table educational experiences at the museum.
• Wake County Public School SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Kick-off to Kindergarten program helping rising kindergartners prepare for school through activities introducing typical school day experiences.
• Novo NordiskcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with The Conlon Family in developing the Futuropolis exhibit launching 2026, designed to inspire the next generation of North Carolina's workforce.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/MarblesKidsMuseum
• Facebookfacebook.com/marbleskidsmuseum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/marbles-kids-museum
• Instagraminstagram.com/MarblesRaleigh
• Xx.com/marblesraleigh

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Marbles Kids Museum