With all the concern over childhood obesity these days, Marbles Kids Museum has a well-timed new exhibit that aims to build the connection between healthy eating and active play.

Power2Play opened last month and includes last summer's favorite Marbles attraction: Center Ice, the indoor synthetic ice rink where kids can skate on their socks and try and be the next Carolina Hurricanes hockey star.

But there are plenty of other ways to pass the time in this exhibit on Marbles' second floor. It's open until Aug. 23.

Other stars of the exhibit include the garden wall, where it looks like kids are actually climbing through the dirt under a vegetable garden.

There are three "zoom cycles," semi-recumbent kids bikes that are rigged up to overhead contraption. The bikes sit in front of a so-called power wall with a message that says that it's the good food you eat that gives you the energy and nutrients you need to power your muscles, bones and heart to get the cycles going or to be able to climb the wall or skate on the ice.

And, when I was there, the big line was in front of the peas and carrots pit. It's a ball pit where kids can roll around the green "peas" and look for the carrots.

There is a smaller area for younger kids too who might get overwhelmed by the big kids. Younger kids will enjoy the small cafe where they can chop and serve up wooden vegetables.

On your way out, be sure to pick up the Power2Play brochure featuring some recipes, activities and games to encourage a healthy, active lifestyle at home.

It's a big month for Marbles. In addition to Power2Play, Marbles will feature a Wild Water Weekend on March 21 and March 22. The event highlights twoIMAX movies - Under the Sea 3D and Wild Ocean 3D. Activities include games, crafts and other water-related activities.

Also ...

Pirate lovers should head over to the N.C. Museum of History, which opens its Knights of the Black Flag exhibit on March 6. The exhibit explores the legacy of pirates. Artifacts, legends and history help bring it all to life. Kids can handle pirate weapons, capture ships and try on pirate clothes. They can also "defend their ship" from a crow's nest. Admission is free for ages 18 and under. It's $5 for ages 19 and up and $4 for senior citizens and active military personnel.  

Speaking of the N.C. Museum of Natural Science ... it stays open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first Friday of every month, including March 6. It's featuring a a 1960s-era monster movie about a mutant ninja turtle and other activities. Movie starts at 7 p.m. It's a great place for middleschoolers and up to have some (slightly) educational fun. Budding movie makers should check out the museum's "Make Your Own Movie Trailer" contest. Entries of a three-minute-or-under trailer are due April 3. For more information, contact StevePopson at 919-733-7450, ext. 379.

Check out Timmy and Susana Abell, who will perform their award-winning original music, puppetry, poetry and story telling at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., March 8, at Halle Cultural Arts Center in Apex. The performance is part of the WakeMed Families First Artist Series. Tickets are $5. A free creative workshop with WakeMed's mascot is at 4 p.m.

And the Sandbox band will play at a fundraiser for children in Gambia at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Church on Wade Avenue in Raleigh. It's Saturday night.

And get your tickets to see Lemony Snicket, who will be at Quail Ridge Books and Music in Raleigh on Monday to showcase "The Composer is Dead," a new book/CD set. 

As always, there's more. Check the TriangleMom2Mom calendar. 

Check out our other daily themes at TriangleMom2Mom:

MONDAY: Meet!
TUESDAY: Ask!
WEDNESDAY: Eat!
THURSDAY: Play!
FRIDAY: Out!
WEEKEND: Relax!