Chapel Hill, NC -- Kidzu Children’s Museum (www.kidzuchildrensmuseum.org), a STEAM-centered children’s museum in the heart of Chapel Hill, is kicking off the summer with a free Community Garden Party headlined by Grammy award-winning musician Pierce Freelon on Friday, June 17th at 5 PM-6:30 PM. Freelon will be reading his new book, “Daddy-Daughter Day.” Live music, crafts and nature activities will be offered at the outdoor party as the museum celebrates National Pollinator Week, which takes place the following week from June 20th-27th. The event is the first in a series of free monthly garden parties hosted by Kidzu, scheduled for the third Friday of each month from June through October.

Kidzu is also providing additional opportunities for outdoor play this summer. Their long-standing Junior Gardeners program takes place each Thursday morning from 9:30 AM-10:30 AM at the museum’s outdoor learning garden. This free, informal program allows visitors to assist Kidzu staff in caring for and maintaining their garden space. The garden, known as Kidzu’s Front Yard, is open and available for community members to enjoy 24/7, offering an accessible space for children and families to engage in creative, outdoor exploration.

In addition to outdoor programming, Kidzu is hosting a variety of programs within the museum itself this summer:

- 10 weeks of Summer Camps for ages 3-5 and 6-11 | June 13th-August 19th

- Parents’ Night Out | select Fridays and Saturdays each month, 6 PM-9 PM

- Adapted Play: Sensory-Friendly Nights | third Wednesdays, 5:30 PM-7 PM

- Daily Summer Literacy Programs, including English and Mandarin Storytimes | see website for details, included with admission

The museum is also offering new summer hours. From July 1st through September 4th, Kidzu will remove its timed ticketing admission and be open for general admission Tuesdays-Saturdays from 10 AM-5 PM and Sundays from 12:30 PM-5 PM. The museum is closed to the public on Mondays.

With more opportunities to play, plan your visit to Kidzu today!