The Hands On Children’s Museum in Olympia is one of Washington’s top destinations for family fun. With eight themed galleries and more than 150 interactive exhibits, kids can touch, build, climb, and create to their heart’s content. From the Outdoor Discovery Center with its treehouses and garden to indoor spaces filled with science, art, and water play, every corner invites hands-on learning that feels like pure adventure.
What Parents Will Love
Parents love the mix of education and joy at this award-winning museum on Olympia’s waterfront. The location is unbeatable — right near downtown, the Farmers Market, and Percival Landing — and the space is clean, well-maintained, and beautifully designed. Families can enjoy fresh meals and coffee at the Play Day Café, or stroll East Bay Plaza, home to a 250-foot interactive stream perfect for little explorers. The museum’s popularity is well-deserved — it’s even been featured in several Blippi videos.
What Kids Will Love
Kids can roam through 10 colorful galleries featuring over 150 exhibits, from climbing structures and art studios to hands-on science experiments. Outside, the half-acre Outdoor Discovery Center is packed with treehouses, a sand pit, and nature-based play areas. Special events happen year-round, including the Summer Splash Festival of Fun (June–August), Boo Bash in October, and Noon Year’s Eve celebrations every December.
Plan Your Visit
- Address: 414 Jefferson St. NE, Olympia, WA 98501
- Hours: Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Cost: General Admission (18 months–64 years): $19.95; Seniors (65+): $18.95; Military (with ID): $17.95. Save $1 by purchasing online.
- Website: hocm.org
- Free/Discounted Days: First Friday of each month, 4–8 p.m., admission just $1. Access Admission available daily: $3 per person for guests with EBT/SNAP, WIC, or Free/Reduced School Lunch eligibility (sponsored by WSECU).
- Special Events: Summer Splash (June–August); Boo Bash (October); Noon Year’s Eve (December 31); Ice Adventures (January); Spring Break (April).
- Summer Camps: hocm.org/summercamps
- After-School/Weekend Classes: See website for details
- Programs for Schools & Homeschoolers: Field trips available year-round
- Family-Friendly Features: Preschool programs, Sensory-Friendly Hour (Sundays), Sensory Room (Saturdays)
- Museum Café: Yes — Play Day Café with fresh, family-friendly food options
Explore More Family-Friendly Museums
- Guide to Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture (Seattle, WA)
- Guide to The Museum of Flight (Seattle, WA)
- Guide to the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) (Seattle, WA)
- Guide to KidsQuest Children’s Museum (Bellevue, WA)
- Guide to the Pacific Bonsai Museum (Federal Way, WA)
- Guide to the White River Valley Museum (Auburn, WA)
- Guide to Imagine Children’s Museum (Everett, WA)
- Guide to Children’s Museum of Skagit County (Burlington, WA)
- Guide to Spark Museum of Electrical Invention (Bellingham, WA)
- Guide to Rocky Reach Discovery Center (Wenatchee, WA)
- Guide to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) (Portland, OR)
Remember, some Seattle-area museums also participate in the First Thursday program, offering free or discounted admission. Check out exactly which museums offer what, and when at our Guide to First Thursdays.
