Kidzu Children's Museum in Chapel Hill welcomed its 100,000 visitor this week since opening in March 2006. The visitor took home a membership to the museum. Officials report attendance is up 30 percent from this time last year.
The children's museum, which you all should know by now offers free admission on Sundays, also is marking the year anniversary of its first original exhibit, Kidzoom, with new works of art by local artists.
The artists and their pieces are:
Textile artist Elaine O'Neil created a vibrant fabric collage in Kidzu's new Lemonade Stand, where children can pretend to squeeze fresh lemonade and other thirst quenchers, while practicing math skills such as counting, measuring and sorting.
Master carpenter Jeff Johnson is making KidZoom sing with its first musical interactive, the "Noodle Music Xylophone." Colorful sound tubes mounted in a beautiful frame of salvaged wood invite Kidzu's young composers to play familiar tunes or create their own songs.
Potter Debbie Englund has kept Kidzu's Potters' Wheel spinning all year long with fabric jugs, snowkids, and most recently, lively potted flowers, all of which can be adorned with whimsical facial features.
Kidzu is best for kids 0 to 8 and is open every day except Monday. Weekday mornings and Saturdays tend to be the busiest days for the spot on Franklin Street. Click here for more information.