Hands On Children's Museum - Olympia, Washington - Interactive Parent and Child Museum Just North of Tacoma

The Hands On Children's Museum is a non-profit facility that provides a parent and child interaction museum experience. The mission of the museum is to stimulate curiosity and creativity in the mind of the child while allowing them to participate in interactive exhibits and workshops. The museum is located just off of Interstate 5, approximately 30 minutes from Tacoma and one hour from Seattle. The museum can be found along 11th Avenue in Olympia, Washington.

The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. During the first Friday of each month the museum offers free admission from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The museum is closed on all major holidays including Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Independence Day. Admission prices are $7.95 for children and adults, $6.95 for seniors aged 55 and up, and $4.95 for toddlers under the age of 2. Babies get in free at the Hands On Children's Museum.

Parking is available along the upper level of the G.A. parking lot located next door to the museum. Parking rates are 50 cents per hour on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on weekends, including Friday nights, parking is free and plentiful. The intercity transit system bus, known as Dash, transports visitors to the museum conveniently and at a good rate.

There are workshops and special events offered even during the holidays as well as a focus on a different country's celebration every week. The activities keep repeat visitors happy all year around. The exhibits change throughout the year and offer a wide variety of exploration for children and their parents.

One of the more popular exhibits found at the museum is the Art and Science of Sandcastles display, complete with sand play areas to aid children in cognitive, physical and social-emotional development. In August there is an annual Sand in the City display where the professional sandcastle builders take part to show off their hard work.

Another popular event at the museum is the Boo Bash which takes place toward the end of each October. Children can enjoy art and science displays, games, activities, door prizes, face painting, and lots of food and beverages. Some activities include the live creepy crawlers display at the Bug Bazaar, cookie and pizza decorating in the Creepy Cafy, and jamming out with the Monster Rock Band while making a costume hat. The cost is $8 for members and $10 for non-members.

Birthday parties are a hit at the museum and the party rooms include such themes as the Garden Tea Party, SuperKid Birthday, Dr. Science Lab Party, and Fairytales and Fantasy. These popular all-themed party packages include postcard-style invitations, the private party room for two hours, admission for up to 15 children, admission for adults, a 2 for 1 museum gallery pass for each child, balloon bouquet, 1/4 sheet cake from a local bakery, birthday candles and decorations, tableware and juice, and much more. A themed party package is approximately $245 and price is subject to change. For further details the museum staff recommends contacting the office for a current party brochure.