Kids museum brings Olympics to town
RALEIGH – Marbles Kids Museum is giving children of all ages a chance to experience the Olympic Games.
In a new exhibit that opened Saturday, participants showed off their skills in the Kids Decathlon with events like the long jump and hurdles.
The Carolina Hurricanes even showed up to help children get a glimpse of what it’s like to be a hockey player on a synthetic rink.
Quinn McCade, 9, said her favorite events were the hula hoop and the balance beam.
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After trying the balance beam, and even having Hurricanes mascot Stormy show his skills, 9-year-old Jennifer Bryant has a greater appreciation for the gymnasts competing in the Olympic Games.
“I think they’re pretty fun and the people that are doing it are really good at it, and the people that do the balance beam and have to do flips and everything,” Bryant said.
Participants also get to construct their own medals and other symbols of the Olympic Games.
I've gotten to make a torch … and I got to take a picture with Stormy and my little brother Nathan,” 8-year-old Nathan Walker said while playing a game of bean bag toss.
But officials at the museum said that through all the fun, there is a powerful message.
“It’s to help kids realize that you can learn something new, you don't have to be the champion already,” Pat Hartley, of the Marbles Kids Museum, said. “You give it a shot, you do your best, try something new and you'll come out of it a champion.”