We Love Durham NC

Duke Family Day

Duke invests quite a bit of time and money in family fun perqs. Each year we attend a Santa event, Halloween event, (usually) an awards ceremony of some kind, and (every 5 years) a time-of-service event. There are others that we don’t make it to; until this year, we had not attended Duke Family Day.

Attendance was controlled tightly by DukeCard to Duke employees and a maximum of 2 adults with 5 kids. There’s certainly an incentive to try to crash the party, since all rides and food are free. Security and emergency personnel presence ensured that everyone had a fun, safe time.

One area was devoted to rides for “kids of all ages”… including a roller coaster, Skat twisting ride, rock and “tree” climbing, another twister, a slow-for-preschoolers Crazy Tugs ride, and a swinging flags ride.

Another area had more inflatables than I’ve seen in one place since Pump It Up: bouncy castles (princess, Mickey Mouse, Spider-Man, and Cars), slides, boxing ring, bungee, an inside-the-alligator obstacle course.

The third area was set up for food (fried fish, BBQ sandwiches, hot dogs, potato salad, slaw, and four different vegetarian options). Also available were sodas, cotton candy, and funnel cakes.

The entertaining announcer, clearly hired from a pool of State Fair hawkers!, led a limbo contest, hula hooping, Cha Cha Slide dancing, and more for prizes.

There was Bingo and FlexMan made an appearance. The Bouncing Bulldogs–national jumprope champions–thrilled with their athletics.

If you go next year…

• The event is fun for kids at least from preschool through middle school.
• Go early, since nearby parking fills up quickly and the lines get a bit long towards the end.
• No need for money; it’s completely free.
• Food and treat options were nicely varied, but if you want something to drink other than sodas, bring along a water bottle.
• Bathrooms: coed porta-potties were clean, did not have long waits, and had full handwashing units outside. I did not see diaper-changing stations.
• There was lots of shady seating under trees and tents, but you probably want to bring a hat or umbrella for the sun and heat.
• Let the kids wear sandals or Crocs they can slip off and on quickly for the bouncy castles–the ground was a little muddy from the rains.
• It’s prime naptime (2-6pm) so if your littler ones will conk out, take a stroller or carrier.

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