Calling All Little Olympians: The Children's Museum of Wilmington Hosts the Kids Olympics this February

Wilmington, NC — February 9, 2026 — At the same time that the world is coming together to celebrate athletes at the Winter Olympics in Italy, The Children’s Museum of Wilmington is gearing up for an exciting Kids Olympics event on Saturday, February 21st from 9am to 12pm. This kid-friendly spin on the most popular international sports competition will have children taking on their own gauntlet of winter-themed activities to claim a champion prize.

The Kids Olympics is a returning event created by long-time Museum Educator, Mary Ellen Laughnan. The event is a fun way for kids to get engaged and participate in a current world event. The Museum will have a variety of activities and challenges for young visitors to try out, all while learning a bit about the Winter Olympic Games! 

"Taking a current event and making it relevant to a child's life is a valuable opportunity," said Mary Ellen Laughnan. "We are excited to offer a Children's Museum spin on the Winter Olympics-- for example, if your kiddos had fun watching the bobsled racing on TV, they can build and decorate their own bobsled from a cardboard tube and race it down our plastic gutter race track at the Kids Olympics. Experiences like this help make cultural events like the Winter Olympics real and relevant to children even if they are happening an ocean away!"

The Kids Olympics will feature a variety of fun activities and decorations to create an engaging and interactive experience for littles. As children participate in event activities, they will collect Champion Stamps; after collecting a certain amount of stamps, kiddos can turn them in to receive a bronze, silver, or gold medal. Popular activities returning for this Kids Olympics include a frosty snowball toss, a special torch relay race, floor hockey, and more! This event encourages hands-on fun and friendly competition among littles, all while learning about and celebrating one of the world's longest-running examples of international cooperation.

Tickets are $5 for members and $15 for non-members and can be purchased at https://www.playwilmington.org/kids-olympics.

The Museum is dedicated to offering interactive and fun events like Kids Olympics that encourage positive childhood interaction and memorable youth experiences. Join the Museum the morning of February 21st for an iconic winter competition

For press inquiries or more information about the event, please contact:

Mary Ellen Laughnan

Phone: 910-254-3534

Email: mlaughnan@playwilmington.org

Website: www.playwilmington.org

About The Children's Museum of Wilmington

The Children’s Museum of Wilmington is a non-profit organization committed to inspiring creativity, exploration, and lifelong learning in children through hands-on exhibits, educational programs, and exciting events. The Museum serves as a hub for playful learning and community engagement for families across southeastern North Carolina.