Nestled on Olympia’s scenic waterfront near downtown and the Farmers Market, the award-winning Hands On Children’s Museum is the most visited youth museum in the Pacific Northwest and a beloved community destination. Designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning, the Museum features more than 150 hands-on exhibits across ten themed galleries and a half-acre Outdoor Discovery Center.
Kids can build, climb, create, dig, splash, and explore in spaces like the Art Studio, MakeSpace, Emergency! Gallery, MoveIt, and Our Puget Sound Gallery. Outside, adventure awaits in the lighthouse lookout, dino dig, vintage schooner, trike loop, and nature-inspired play areas. Just steps away, kids can cool off in the free wading stream on East Bay Plaza.
The Museum offers dynamic programs all year long, including popular events that feature special guests and themed activities like the Summer Splash! Festival of Fun, Boo Bash, Noon Year’s Eve, and Ice Adventures. Parents will appreciate offerings like school-break camps, cooking classes, and the beloved preschool program, while educators can take advantage of exciting field trip options.
A robust Access Program ensures all children have the opportunity to play and learn, with more than one-third of visitors receiving free or reduced admission. Families can also enjoy $1 admission per person on the First Friday of the month from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
With a clean, welcoming facility, fresh meals at the Play Day Café, and a calendar full of exciting experiences, it’s no wonder the Museum is consistently voted “Best Family Destination” by Showcase Magazine and “Best of South Sound” in multiple categories, including Museum, Family Destination, Children’s Party Venue, and Summer Camp.
