We’ve found the best family fun in the Triangle for the weekend of March 7th and 8th, 2026! Don't miss the hands-on fun at Home Depot, exploring the outdoors with the Garden Story Walk, or catching the spectacular Shen Yun performance.
See our top picks
Game On! at Moore Square
Moore Square
Free giant lawn games downtown on Saturday or Sunday.
Artspace Open Studio
Artspace
Free, structured, self-guided art making perfect for a Sunday afternoon indoors.
Paint Paper Play
Paint Paper Paste
A dedicated, messy sensory art hour for toddlers on Saturday morning.
· March 7
6: This is a spectacular, professional performance celebrating China's rich cultural heritage with incredible costumes and dance. It runs all weekend, so Saturday is a great night out.This is a unique, large-scale cultural performance that is explicitly recommended for ages 5 and up.
FREE : Enjoy a beautiful walk through the arboretum while reading a featured story displayed along the path. This is a perfect, low-key way to spend a morning outdoors.It’s a free, easy outdoor activity that combines reading with nature exploration.
FREE : The park is set up with giant lawn games like Jenga and Chess, plus soccer balls and hula hoops. Grab lunch downtown and spend the afternoon playing games outdoors.Downtown fun that lets kids burn energy on large-scale games.
: The film festival wraps up on Saturday, offering a chance to see independent films on the big screen. This is a good indoor option if the weather is poor.It's a festival wrapping up on Saturday, providing indoor entertainment options for the whole family.
TRIANGLE ACADEMY OF DANCE'S FREE TO BE MEFREE : This specialized dance class is tailored to empower young children with developmental special needs. It’s a wonderful, supportive morning opportunity.It's a specialized, free class tailored for young children on Saturday morning.
PAINT PAPER PLAY : Let the little ones enjoy some wonderfully messy, colorful fun! This is a dedicated hour for toddlers to explore sensory art.It targets the youngest demographic with messy, sensory play on Saturday morning.
· March 8
3FREE : Take advantage of the likely afternoon breezes in Carrboro to fly a kite at this annual community event. Bring your own kite or just watch the fun.It's a wonderful, free outdoor activity on Sunday afternoon that requires minimal setup.
: If your kids love KPop or modern culture, spend Sunday afternoon at the Nasher Museum for themed art activities. It’s a great way to check out the museum scene outside Raleigh.It’s the 'Second Sunday' event, meaning it's scheduled specifically for this weekend at the excellent Nasher Museum.
: Since we spring forward this weekend, take a guided nature walk in Pittsboro to enjoy the slightly longer evening light. A great way to wind down the weekend.Tied directly to the Daylight Savings time change happening this weekend.
Also On· anytime this weekend
4FREE : Get ahead of St. Patrick's Day by building a Leprechaun Trap at this monthly workshop. It’s a great way for little hands to practice building skills for free.It’s a reliable, free, hands-on activity perfect for the start of the weekend.
: Head to the NCMA for a hands-on art activity focused on creating dot-based artwork inspired by the museum’s collections. It’s a great way to engage little ones with high art.It's a scheduled, themed art activity within a major cultural center, perfect for Saturday morning.
: If you have older kids or teens, this evening jump session features a glow-in-the-dark party atmosphere. It's a high-energy way to end a Saturday night.It's a fun, exciting evening event specifically listed for Saturday night.
FREE : This free, self-guided art-making activity is perfect for families looking for a structured, creative indoor project downtown on a Sunday afternoon.Free, structured art time indoors at a known Raleigh arts hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Raleigh this weekend?
This weekend (Mar 07-08) there are 4 free events identified: The Home Depot Kids' Workshop (Saturday), Garden Story Walk (Saturday or Sunday), Game On! at Moore Square (Saturday or Sunday), and Artspace Open Studio (Sunday).
Where can I take the kids for an outdoor adventure on Sunday?
For outdoor fun on Sunday, check out the Carrboro Annual Kite Fly in the early afternoon or the Daylight Savings Nature Walk in Pittsboro.
Are there any special performances running this weekend?
Yes, the spectacular Shen Yun performance runs both Saturday and Sunday at the Memorial Auditorium, and the 2026 Wake Forest Film Festival wraps up Saturday evening.
