GREENSBORO, N.C. -- After seven months of construction, the Greensboro Children's Museum will open their new exhibits to the public this weekend!
WFMY News 2's Lauren Melvin and Tracey McCain grabbed their kiddos, and a few friends, and gave the new play areas a test run this week.
"This is the first phase of our expansion," said Althea Hall, Marketing Director for the Greensboro Children's Museum.
Hall said the first phase of the expansion includes a new Outdoor Play Plaza, enhancements to the museum's lobby and an outdoor classroom.
"We have two Neptune XXXL Climbers. They're 25,000 feet tall and they are the only ones in the United States," said Hall. "When you get to climb to the top, you'll see all of Downtown Greensboro."
The Neptune XXXL Climbers on the Outdoor Play Plaza are connected by cables, so you can climb from one to the other at the top.
The climbing equipment is for kids of all ages, as well as adults.
"The kids will actually be able to experience all types of climbing throughout the Neptune climbers, also on our smaller climbers which are called the Flubbercube and also our Neptune," said Hall.
The new Outdoor Play Plaza is also equipped with plenty of safety features, including a safe surface that bounces under your feet.
"When a child does trip or fall, they will bounce and come right back up," said Hall. "We want kids to come out and actually become physically active by climbing and also gaining agility skills."
The new outdoor classroom connects the Outdoor Play Plaza to the Edible Schoolyard with a walkway.
"The goal is to encourage activity. And we now have a feature right outside of our museum which is all about health and wellness, in addition to our Edible Schoolyard," said Hall.
The new expansion opens to the public on Saturday, May 13. The Greensboro Children's Museum is hosting a grand opening celebration starting at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Admission is $10.
"This has been a long time coming for the staff and for the community and we just can't wait to have everyone come experience it," said Hall.
Construction on Phase 2 of the expansion at the Greensboro Children's Museum starts later this year. Phase 2 includes an indoor water feature and a technology exhibit.
For more information, you can visit the Greensboro Children's Museum website.