Hands-On At The New Kaleideum In Winston-Salem, NC

Getting To Know The New Kaleideum

The new Kaleideum is a true statement piece in terms of Winston-Salem attractions, architecture, and incorporating art into the community. On my first visit to Kaleideum, I got to see all sides of the beautiful new facade as you park behind the building in the Liberty Plaza parking deck (Kaleideum validates parking for $4.00/all day), located at 235 Town Run Lane. You walk up the street or through the new park in Liberty Plaza. The new greenery and vibrant building make the heart of downtown Winston-Salem feel more open and less crowded.

The rear of the new Kaleideum as viewed when walking from the Liberty Street Parking Deck

The renewed Liberty Plaza with ample green space and art installations on the East side of the building

When you walk inside to the welcome desk you first see a huge wall with digital picture frames that your child or guest can interact with and take their own set of photos that will be temporarily featured on the wall. Behind these frames is a fun climbing wall for the kids to explore and enjoy before touring the museum.

Interactive picture frame climbing wall in the Kaleideum lobby.

Once you check in you will also see a brand new ‘moveable’ gift shop, a snack area, and a coffee shop that offers food, drinks, and pay-as-you-go vending. They offer plenty of snacks for any food sensitivity or dietary restrictions. You will also have access to the first round of restrooms and a hand-washing station.

The new vending and concession area will soon house a coffee shop.

From this point on you will notice a burst of colors, ample restrooms, and hand-washing stations on every floor, color-coded areas that make it easy to find your way through all 4 floors of the museum. The museum offers stair and elevator access to make sure however you are abled, the museum will feel right at home to you.

New Exhibits Still Highlight Winston Ties

When I brought my kids to the new Kaleideum, there was a misconception that this museum would have all the old features from Kaleideum North (SciWorks) and the old Downtown kaleideum. The kids were excited to see the Krispy Kreme doughnut factory, the climbing net, and the physics chairs where you can use ropes to pull yourself high in the sky. Some of these exhibits were carried over to the new location. The chairs, the woven climbing structure, and live animals. The doughnuts are no more, but the new rollercoaster exhibit in the ‘In Motion’ section has some of the same elements of building, teamwork, and movement.

The body-powered chairs from Kaleideum North return to the new museum

Highlighting a few of my favorite new exhibits:

Wonders Of Water

Experience water in all its forms by controlling a waterfall, or a whirlpool, sculpting an ice block, and playing with light in a tunnel of fog. Color your fish and make it swim in a digital aquarium, see live fish, and paint with water on a slate wall. The water is recycled and treated, so this is one place where it’s OK to let the water flow! This area even has seats for your youngest visitors to sit and play safely with water. Feel free and grab a jacket to keep yourself dry.

Why We Love This One:

Some of my kid’s favorite exhibits at other museums have involved water
This is a room where your kids could spend an hour without getting bored
The digital aquarium and fog hallway are something I’ve never seen in a museum before
The area supplies coats, washing stations, and changing rooms so even your toddlers can get wet and enjoy

Storytelling

Create an animation, tell a tale with shadow puppets, invent sound effects, and practice the science of reading and phonetics with a letter-munching dragon. Experience the transformative power of telling your own story as you are transported to new worlds. For your tech-savvy children, they can control the lights and sounds while a play/performance goes on.

Why We Love This One:

If your kids love drama or ARE drama this area is for you
As a parent, you can participate or sit down and watch them put on a show
Great nooks and small cubbies for youngsters to enjoy
A R-E-A-D-I-N-G Dragon!
Fun noisemakers and a control board to change up the room’s lights and sounds

Little Learners

Climb into a cozy play space for babies, crawlers, new walkers, and their caregivers. With a right-sized slide, play mats for tummy time, live fish, and comfy chairs, this is a relaxing space full of natural light and soft surfaces. This area also features a private mother’s room for pumping, changing, or feeding and also has convenient family restrooms right outside.

Kaleideum Winston Salem Little Learner Quiet Mother’s Room

Why We Love This One:

A toddler and baby-focused space both old museums didn’t have
Soft spaces and kid-friendly tactile toys
This makes a great place for families to divide and conquer and get something out of the visit
The mother’s room for changing, feeding, or pumping plus family restrooms make this a safe space for new moms and dads

Rooftop Adventure

Climb the one-of-a-kind play structures and stand on the top of our city! A bridge makes this outdoor experience accessible to all. Use the rooftop track as you take in the city’s skyline. Spin on cocoon swings or travel down a slide. Rooftop Adventure delivers play and rejuvenation for children and adults alike.

Why We Love This One:

Playground on the roof? What’s not to love
Cocoon swings, slides, and skyline views
The climbing net returns!
What better way to play a lost boy in Peter Pan?

Experiences For Big & Small

Another thing I love about the new Kaleideum is the fact that every exhibit, every restroom, every-thing was created with big kids and small kids in mind. In the In Motion exhibit, there are plenty of activities that older kids will enjoy while (if you pay close enough attention) you will also find small exhibits and alcoves for toddlers to play as well.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the ‘Our Nature’ exhibit where you will find big-kid areas such as the Vet Clinic, but you will also find small nooks where toddlers can feel tactile moss, plants, and fur so they can get the same value out of their visit.

Great For Families & Groups

The new museum is perfect for families looking for a new creative and play outlet in the Triad but it also makes the perfect afternoon or morning out for area school field trips, scouts, homeschoolers, and more. Kaleideum offers classroom programs, planetarium shows, and access to all the exhibits listed in our directory. They also offer a special entrance and access to buses and groups along with a full cafeteria where kids can enjoy snacks and/or lunch.