Forsyth County to host Building Safety Kids Day at Freedom Park

Forsyth County families will get a hands-on look at how building rules affect daily life when children build bird feeders, pass through a mock permitting station and leave with a Certificate of Occupancy at Freedom Park.

Forsyth County Building & Licensing will host Building Safety Kids Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, outside at the Freedom Park campus, 2435 Freedom Parkway. The event will be free, family-friendly and drop-in style, with parent or guardian supervision required. Children will make their own bird feeder through a partnership with The Home Depot, and supplies will be limited and available first-come, first-served.

The county says participants will begin at a mock permitting station before moving to a building inspection station, where county inspectors will review the project and issue a Certificate of Occupancy. Children will receive free goodies for taking part and finishing the activity, and light refreshments will be available throughout the event.

Jake Hill, Forsyth County’s director of Building & Licensing, said the event is meant to introduce children to safe building practices and help families connect with county staff. That message fits the department’s everyday work: permitting, inspections, code compliance, plan review and business licensing. It also puts a practical face on a system most residents only notice when something goes wrong.

The timing is tied to Building Safety Month, the annual campaign led by the International Code Council. ICC says the 2026 observance runs through May 31, marks its 46th year and carries the theme Built to Last. This year’s focus centers on safe homes, built-environment professionals, disaster preparedness and accessibility, all issues that shape how homes, schools and public spaces are built and maintained.

The event also highlights the county’s growing use of the Freedom Park campus as a public service site. Forsyth County moved administration building operations there on March 30, 2026, extending government activity beyond a back-office function and into a more visible location for residents. For parents, the day offers a simple takeaway: safe buildings start with the same basics inspectors look for every day, from proper permits to careful construction and code compliance.