Hands On Children's Museum

If you are planning a family trip to the USA, be sure to stop by the city of Olympia, home to one of the region's most inspiring educational centers. The Hands On Children's Museum is not just an exhibition space, but a massive interactive playground created specifically for young researchers under the age of 10 and their parents.

The museum occupies an impressive 28,000 square feet inside a modern building and also includes half an acre of outdoor space for open-air discoveries. It features more than 150 interactive exhibits spread across eight themed galleries. Young visitors can explore the basics of science, technology, art, and math in a fun, playful way that turns learning into a real adventure.

The museum building is also unique from an environmental standpoint: it holds the prestigious LEED Gold certificate and was the first children's museum in the world to receive Green Globes certification. Every year, more than 300,000 people visit this site, making it one of the most popular attractions in Washington State for family vacations.

To clarify visit details or organize group tours, you can contact the museum administration through the communication channels listed below.

At the Hands On Children's Museum, every child will find an activity to their liking. Little adventurers can climb 20 feet up into The Eagle's Nest or feel like real captains walking the deck of a two-masted schooner. The Emergency! zone is particularly popular, where kids can take the controls of a helicopter or try on the roles of a firefighter or police officer.

For creative minds, the Arts & Parts studio is open, where masterpieces are created from recycled materials, while the giant Light Bright wall allows you to literally paint with light. In the Ocean Odyssey gallery, children can dress up as sea creatures, "go fishing" on the pier, or host an improvised seaside dinner while learning about the inhabitants of the deep.

Outdoors at the Outdoor Discovery Center, visitors will find water attractions, a lighthouse overlooking Puget Sound, and tricycle tracks. For the youngest guests (under 4), there is the cozy Snug Harbor zone, which provides a safe environment for first discoveries. Parents will appreciate the presence of a comfortable cafe and a gift shop where they can take a break and pick up memorable souvenirs.

The Hands On Children's Museum is located in the heart of Olympia at 414 Jefferson St NE. It is easy to find thanks to its proximity to the East Bay Public Plaza and the Capitol Campus. If you are traveling by car, the most convenient route is via I-5: the drive south from Seattle takes about an hour, and it's roughly the same travel time from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

For those who prefer public transport, an extensive network of bus routes operates in the city center, with stops located just a few minutes' walk from the museum entrance. It is also a pleasant walk or bike ride to the museum from the shores of Capitol Lake or the bay.

Parking is available for visitors with personal vehicles both at the building itself and in the surrounding areas. If you are staying downtown, you can also use a taxi or popular ride-sharing services to reach your destination comfortably in just a few minutes.

The history of this amazing place began back in the late 1980s. A group of active Olympia residents and educators set out to create a space in Thurston County where children could develop through play. In 1987, the idea began to take shape, and the enthusiasts hoped to attract at least 20,000 visitors a year, never imagining how popular their project would become.

The official opening took place in January 1994 in a small space on Franklin Street. The first major exhibit was "Sea Odyssey," which included a fishing pier and water zones. The success was overwhelming: interest from families grew so rapidly that the museum soon required more spacious quarters. A move closer to the Capitol increased attendance to 150,000 people per year.

The modern chapter of the Hands On Children's Museum began in November 2012 when it moved to its current building on Jefferson Street. The new site allowed the museum to expand its exhibition to 150 interactive objects. Notably, the building received LEED Gold certification and became the first children's museum in the world to be recognized with the Green Globes environmental award, highlighting the organization's commitment to the environment.

To fully enjoy everything the museum has to offer, regular visitors are recommended to plan for a visit of 2 to 4 hours. This time is sufficient to explore the eight themed galleries at a leisurely pace and spend time at the Outdoor Discovery Center.

For families planning to participate in special workshops, summer programs, or holiday events, the visit can easily stretch to half a day. Given the variety of play and creative zones, children often don't want to leave, so it's best to have an extra hour in reserve.

The Hands On Children's Museum is open to visitors daily, making it easy to include in your travel itinerary. The primary operating schedule is as follows:

• Monday – Saturday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Sunday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Please note that on the first Friday of each month, the museum often hosts special events with discounted admission, which may attract larger crowds.

The museum's central location allows tourists to easily combine educational leisure with visits to other interesting sites. A walk through the surrounding area will reveal the architectural grandeur of government buildings and cozy park zones.