- C
Help Bring STEAM Station to Knightdale!
0% complete
$2,925 raised of $98K
14 donations
Hi! I’m Robyn, founder of STEAM Station, and I am so excited to share that we are officially bringing a brand-new active play, hands-on building, and interactive gaming destination to the heart of Knightdale, North Carolina!
What is STEAM?
You might know STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). We add the Arts because true creativity happens when minds and bodies work together. At STEAM Station, we take learning off the page and put it into motion, blending full-body movement with hands-on building, digital tech, and creative play.
Conveniently located at 823 N. Smithfield Road (at the corner of Knightdale Blvd), STEAM Station is being built to bridge the gap between digital play and physical movement. We are creating a dynamic, tech-driven community hub where toddlers, tweens, teens, and parents come to connect, move, and make lasting memories together under one roof.
A Sneak Peek at What We’re Bringing to Knightdale
- Interactive Ball Target Wall: A massive motion-sensor projection where kids and adults throw or kick balls to solve puzzles, test trivia, and jam to music while sharpening motor skills.
- Vehicle Build & Race Track: Hands-on engineering where budding makers use LEGO and DUPLO bricks to test gravity, force, and momentum on ramps.
- Active Motion Gaming Bays: Controller-free, full-body immersion. Little ones move alongside favorite characters like Bluey and Barbie, while tweens, teens, and adults dive into rhythm challenges, virtual knockout basketball, and high-energy fitness battles.
- Interactive Floor Arena: High-tech projection systems that turn ordinary floor space into competitive stomp challenges, team puzzles, and active math quests.
- Craft Corner: A dedicated creative zone loaded with craft supplies and loose parts where imagination runs wild.
- Karaoke Lounge: A high-vibe, sound-controlled private room designed for kids, teens, and families to step up to the mic and sing their hearts out.
- Agility Light Challenge: Fast-paced arena play where teams sprint, dodge, and tap flashing targets in real time to outscore the competition.
- Epic Birthday Parties & Celebrations: Stress-free, high-energy party packages including private celebration spaces, local pizza, dedicated hosts, and all-access play that older kids and tweens won't outgrow.
Why Knightdale Needs STEAM Station
As eastern Wake County rapidly expands, active recreation for school-age kids hasn’t kept pace. Once kids reach elementary and middle school, they outgrow early-childhood spaces, yet they still need engaging, healthy physical activity that doesn’t involve being glued to a screen on the couch.
STEAM Station is designed specifically to solve that problem. While we feature a dedicated, quieter play area for little ones ages 2-5 (complete with a train table, sensory exploration, and tactile toys), our primary focus is kids ages 5 to 14+ and their families. It’s a dynamic space built for exergaming, friendly competition, creative expression, and real-world connection.
Built from a Mom’s Vision
The spark for STEAM Station started at home. My elementary-aged son is curious, high-energy, and constantly in motion. Like so many kids today, he thrives when his brain and body are engaged at the same time.
As a parent, I searched everywhere for a space where energy wasn't shushed, where movement was celebrated, and where learning felt like pure fun. When I realized that space didn't exist in our community, I decided to build it. STEAM Station represents years of planning, a lifelong love of working with children, and an unwavering belief that kids learn best when they are fully immersed in play.
This isn’t another chaotic indoor playground; it’s an intentional neighborhood gathering place where families feel known, kids feel seen, and milestones are celebrated together.
How Your Support Brings This to Life
With our commercial lease officially signed and keys in hand, initial site prep kicks off this month, with full commercial construction beginning in December as we work toward our grand opening in early 2027.
Transforming our 4,000-square-foot building into a safe, cutting-edge, commercial-grade community hub requires serious infrastructure. Your backing directly funds build-out and tech installations:
- Demolition & Infrastructure Upgrades: Transforming the building with durable commercial flooring, energy-efficient lighting, upgraded electrical capacity, and accessible, family-friendly restrooms.
- Interactive Gaming Hardware: Purchasing the high-definition commercial motion sensors, projection rigs, and screen arrays that power our gaming bays, interactive floor, and target wall.
- Specialty Build-Outs: Acoustic dampening for the karaoke lounge, toddler sensory installations, and flexible celebration spaces for unforgettable birthday parties.
Backer Perks & Appreciation
Whether you contribute $25 or step forward as a Community Sponsor, every dollar goes directly onto the floor of this facility.
To thank our earliest champions, enter any matching amount below to unlock your perk. After donating, you’ll receive an email with a short Google Form to confirm your details and secure your benefits for Grand Opening!
Under $50: Community High Five
- A digital thank-you.
$50+: Early Adopter
- A digital thank-you.
- One complimentary active player pass (two hours of play for one person) once we open.
$100+: STEAM Station Supporter
- A digital thank-you.
- Two complimentary active player passes (two hours of play for two people)
- Your name added to our Founding Supporters Wall displayed in the lobby.
$200+: Founder Early Access
- A digital thank-you.
- Two complimentary active player passes (two hours of play for two people)
- Your name added to our Founding Supporters Wall displayed in the lobby.
- Special early-access invite to the soft-opening before the general public for 2.
$300+: Family Day Pass
- A digital thank-you.
- Your name added to our Founding Supporters Wall displayed in the lobby.
- Special early-access invite to the soft-opening before the general public for 5.
- One free Family Admission pass once we open (2 hours of play for up to 4 active players and 1 adult supervisor)
$500+: Birthday Boost
- Includes all perks above, plus:
- 1 additional Family Admission pass (up to 4 active players and 1 adult supervisor each). Transferable to share with friends or family!
- $50 credit toward a birthday party booking (use within 2 years).
$1,000+: Founding Family
- Includes all perks above, plus:
- 13-Month Family Membership: A full 12-month membership + 1 free bonus month for up to 5 household family members. Lock in this founding rate with the option to renew annually!
$5,000+: Community Leader
- Includes all perks above, plus:
- Prominent placement on the Founding Supporters Wall displayed in the lobby.
- 6 single-use guest passes to bring a friend for free.
- Birthday party credit upgraded to $100 (use within 2 years).
- Your family's name on our website's Sponsor page.
$10,000+: Community Sponsor
- Includes all perks above, plus:
- A hand-written thank-you note.
- 6 additional single-use guest passes to bring a friend for free (12 total).
- One private, after-hours playtime reservation (1.5 hours of play for up to 20 people before opening or after closing one day. Use within 1 year.)
$15,000+: Member for Life
- Includes all perks above, plus:
- One private, after-hours playtime reservation upgraded to 30 people (1.5 hours of play for up to 30 people before opening or after closing one day. Use within 1 year.)
- "Sponsored by" messaging on one room/area within the space (e.g., "The Cafe is Sponsored by [Your Name]").
- Complimentary membership that covers up to 5 family members with full membership perks for as long as STEAM Station is under our leadership.
- Our eternal gratitude & appreciation!
Select your donation amount to lock in your perks, and keep an eye on your inbox for our follow-up form!
Thank you for believing in this vision, investing in our children, and helping us build a true village right here in Knightdale!
P.S. We know times can be tight. If donating isn't possible right now, sharing this campaign on Facebook, Instagram, or your neighborhood group makes an enormous difference. Getting the word out to local families is just as valuable as a pledge!