Hands On Children's Museum

Hands On Children's Museum Come play with us! As the largest children's museum in the Pacific Northwest, we celebrate play and believe in its importance in early learning.
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When it comes to fun and learning, Hands On is “the place to go.” The Museum is a unique community resource that serves as an exciting, educational gathering place where children, parents and teachers can learn and play. With our eight galleries and fabulous art studio, we encourage children and their parents to play and learn all about science, nature, and art, in settings inspired by our beautif

ul Northwest. Our Outdoor Discovery Center, a half-acre of outdoor exhibits, expands the opportunities for play and learning.

First Friday Night is this Friday, 4-8 pm! $3 admission, activities, and guests including...🚲 Walk N Roll with Intercity...
09/02/2026

First Friday Night is this Friday, 4-8 pm! $3 admission, activities, and guests including...

🚲 Walk N Roll with Intercity Transit
🐺 Pack Power with Wolf Haven International
💕 Neurodiversity Affirming Parenting Support with Blooming with Beth
📘 Free Book with South Sound Reading Foundation

Supported by foundry10 & Inspire Olympia

Tomorrow, experience the Instrument Petting Zoo with Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia. “Zookeepers” are on hand to ...
08/29/2026

Tomorrow, experience the Instrument Petting Zoo with Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia. “Zookeepers” are on hand to demonstrate and help you learn how to play the instruments. 12-3 pm!

Supported by National Endowment for the Arts

This Friday, pet farm animals from Animal Encounters! Every animal is cared for in a loving, lifelong home, ensuring the...
08/26/2026

This Friday, pet farm animals from Animal Encounters! Every animal is cared for in a loving, lifelong home, ensuring they are happy, healthy, gentle, and ready to meet you!

Presented by Small To Tall Pediatric Dentistry
Supported by City of Olympia - Government

🫧 It’s the final Bubblemania of summer! Dance the day away in a cloud of bubbles and try out supersized soapy stunts. En...
08/26/2026

🫧 It’s the final Bubblemania of summer! Dance the day away in a cloud of bubbles and try out supersized soapy stunts. Ends tomorrow!

Sponsored by Olympia Community School

🏆 We’re so excited to share that we’ve been named Showcase Magazine's Best Family Fun Destination 2026! We’re also honor...
08/25/2026

🏆 We’re so excited to share that we’ve been named Showcase Magazine's Best Family Fun Destination 2026! We’re also honored to have been finalists for Best Museum and Best Staycation! A huge thank you to everyone who voted and continues to support the Museum. We’re so lucky to be part of this community!

Awesome Activities This Week:🫧 Bubble Dance Party, Aug. 25-27🌼 Garden Time, Aug. 27🐐 Animal Encounters, Aug. 28🎻 SOGO In...
08/25/2026

Awesome Activities This Week:

🫧 Bubble Dance Party, Aug. 25-27
🌼 Garden Time, Aug. 27
🐐 Animal Encounters, Aug. 28
🎻 SOGO Instrument Petting Zoo, Aug. 29
🪲 Animal Hats & Headbands, Aug. 28-30
🥧 Mud Pie Monday
🥽 STEAM Studio, Mon-Thurs
🥣 Kitchen Tool Tuesday
🎨 Patio Picasso Wed & Thurs
⛺ Fort Building Friday

✨Thank You Summer Splash! Sponsors✨
Bubble Dance Party: Olympia Community School
Animal Encounters: Small To Tall Pediatric Dentistry & City of Olympia - Government
SOGO: National Endowment for the Arts
Mud Pie Mondays, Kitchen Tool Tuesdays, Garden Time: Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel
STEAM Studio: Mary P. Dolciani Halloran Foundation
Patio Picasso & Maker Fest: Sponsored by Coldwell Banker Evergreen Olympic Realty
Fort Building Fridays: Seattle Children's Olympia Clinic
Access Partner: Macy's

Our hearts are full of gratitude for everyone who came together to make this year’s Summer Splash! Gala so special. Than...
08/24/2026

Our hearts are full of gratitude for everyone who came together to make this year’s Summer Splash! Gala so special. Thanks to our incredible community of attendees, sponsors, donors and supporters, we raised funds to help make Access for All possible, providing free and discounted admission to more than 140,000 children and families so they can experience the joy, learning and wonder of the Hands On Children’s Museum.

A heartfelt thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Olympia Federal Savings, and all of our amazing Headline Sponsors: Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Bob Heck and Kiley Juergens Wealth Management, Harbor Foods, Little Creek Casino & Resort, Roglin’s, Sare Electric, and Callisons.

Your generosity makes a meaningful difference in the lives of local families.
And to everyone who joined us, bid, donated, danced, celebrated and cheered us on, Thank you! Your support helps open our doors wider and ensures that cost is never a barrier to discovery and play. 💙

08/21/2026

Our Summer Splash Gala starts soon! We’re celebrating with a night of Al Fresco Fun while supporting our free & reduced cost programs that help make the Museum accessible to everyone.

A special thank you to our presenting sponsor, OlyFed, for making this evening possible!

We can’t wait to see you!

08/20/2026

Aug. 28, pet farm animals from Animal Encounters! Every animal is cared for in a loving, lifelong home, ensuring they are happy, healthy, gentle, and ready to meet you!

Presented by Small to Tall Pediatric Dentistry
Supported by City of Olympia

Address

414 Jefferson Street NE
Olympia, WA
98501

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

(360) 956-0818

Website

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