FREE EDUCATION PROGRAMS

PlayWise

Early Learning Program for Young Children and Their Parents or Caregivers
Fridays, 11 am - Noon, and 5:30 - 7:30 pm during Free Friday Nights - Ages 2-5
Our Early Learning Specialist leads you and your child through Activity Stations, Storytime and an Art Project to help you develop in your important role as your child's first teacher. Free with museum admission or membership.

 

FREE Friday Nights

FREE Museum admission 5 pm-9 pm on the first Friday night of every month! A different theme, featuring special guests and activities, each month!

 

Power Parenting Series

1st Tuesday of every month, 6:30 pm - 8 pm
Learn how to master those difficult parenting challenges. Meet and exchange ideas with other parents as your children enjoy FREE supervised play in the Museum! Pre-registration is required to ensure adequate staffing for childcare. To register, call Hands On at (360) 956-0818 or the Family Support Center at (360) 754-2629. *Parents bringing children need to arrive by 6:15pm to allow for transition time. For a list of current topics and speakers, call Hands On.
Co-sponsored by the Family Support Center.

 

Visiting Artists

Hands On invites professional guest artists from around the region to make special appearances, teach workshops, and display their art in our Museum galleries.

 

Special Museum Guests

Throughout the year, Hands On welcomes special community guests who share their time and talents with the Museum. Recently, we've hosted:

  • Local dental professionals, who provided free dental screenings to more than 250 young visitors during National Children's Dental Health Month (February)
  • Dieticians from the Olympia Area Dietetic Association, who led activities to raise healthy-living awareness for National Nutrition Month
  • Members of the South Sound Reading Foundation, who regularly participate in FREE Friday nights
  • ...and more!

 

Parent Education Classes

Hands On occasionally offers special classes for non-traditional parent groups, such as Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Foster Parents, and Families of Children with Autism.

 

Hand in Hand Parent Education Insert

Watch for the Hand in Hand insert in every issue of Applause!, the Museum's quarterly newsletter. To request a copy, call (360) 956-0818 ext. 0.

 

Reading Nooks & Parent Resource Center

Visit our Reading Nook & Parent Resource Center in the Museum's Early Learning Gallery. Provided in conjunction with South Sound Reading Foundation and Providence Maternal Health.

 

Special Event Outreach

Hands On participates in many community events, providing Museum staff to lead fun, educational activities for children of all ages. Look for us at:

  • The Junior League of Olympia's Gift & Garden Show in April
  • The Capital Lakefair Parade in July
  • Children's Day at Providence St. Peter's Christmas Forest in December
  • ...and more!


Free Early Learning Programs generously supported by The Paul G. Allen Foundation and The Talaris Foundation.