Marbles Kids Museum opened two years ago next month. But anyone who has been there multiple times knows it’s hardly a static museum. Special exhibits and programs, not to mention IMAX movies, are rolling in and out every few months.

Last week, the museum, which targets kids to age 12, opened the Art Loft, a collection of tables on the second floor where kids can lean about different art forms. On a recent weekday, kids were experimenting with watercolor pencils and invited to draw still lifes or whatever they like on the table. Kids can hang their work on the wall or take it home. The area will eventually be included as part of other museum programs, including the opening of “Van Gogh: Brush with Genius” at Marbles’ Wachovia IMAX Theatre in September.

And on Saturday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., kids can make and taste a treat using some fresh produce, including items grown in Marbles’ own garden. Check in at Marbles’ Castaway Cove Kids’ Garden. The program is free with admission.

Other big upcoming events to plan for include Kickoff to Kindergarten from 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 16 for rising kindergartners and their families. The sixth annual kickoff is free and helps kindergartners and their families with the move into school. The kids can walk through their first lunch line, board a Wake County Public Library Bookmobile, get their own library card and board a real school bus. Kindergarten teachers will be there to answer questions. The kids also will get a free backpack (while supples last).

If you were planning on heading to the museum that day, note that Hargett Street will be closed between Blount and Person streets from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. to make room for the school bus and other vehicles. The museum will close at 3 p.m. Aug. 16 for the event.

Marbles will stay open late for its second Late Night @ Marbles event on Aug. 21. Earlier this year, the museum sold all 267 tickets for an evening feature, “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian,” at the IMAX Theatre, followed by late night play at the museum.

This time Marbles will feature “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” in IMAX and Potter-themed activities, including performances by the Shadow Players Stage Combat Group. Kids can play some quidditch – at least the Earth-bound version - in the museum’s indoor hockey rink. Visitors are encouraged to dress as their favorite Harry Potter character.

Pre-registration is required and tickets are expected to sell out. The night begins at 6 p.m. and continues until 11 p.m. Tickets, which include the movie, concessions and museum activities, are $16 for people 12 and older and $14 for kids 1 to 11. The movie is rated PG for scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality. May not be appropriate for all kids.

And there are just a few more weeks left to skate at Marbles’ indoor hockey rink. The exhibit Power 2 Play, featuring the rink, will close Aug. 23 so museum staffers can move in a new special exhibit: The Adventures of Mr. Potato Head. It will open in early September.

And the rink and other parts of Power 2 Play should return in March.

Also ...

Shop for school supplies during the annual sales tax holiday, which starts Friday night and continues until Sunday.

Get some deals at The Friendship Closet consignment sale at Apex United Methodist Church. The public sale runs Friday evening and Saturday morning.

Enjoy some fun in downtown Mebane, which will host a family fun day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The event includes old-fashioned games and activities for kids. Most events are free, but visitors are invited to bring a donation of canned goods for Loaves & Fishes of Mebane.

Spend the evening with Trish Miller, who will perform her music and stories from 7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Friday at Bass Lake Park, 900 Bass Lake Road, Holly Springs. Toddlers to early elementary school age kids love her music the best.

Celebrate Latino culture, music and art at the Ritmo Latino Festival from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Fred G. Bond Metro Park, 810 High House Road, Cary. The free event includes folk dancing, artist exhibits and Latin food.

As always, there's more on the Mom2Mom calendar.