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Home  >  About Us  >  Awards
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Something to Celebrate!

We are so grateful to these organizations for honoring the museum:

The Olympian Best of South Sound
  • Best Family Entertainment & Best Museum in Thurston County, 2017, 2018.
  • Best Museum in Thurston County, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
  • Best Kid-Friendly Entertainment in Thurston County, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Red Tricycle 
  • Best Children's Museum in WA, in Best Children's Museums in Every State 2018.
Weekly Volcano
  • Best Staycation, Best of Olympia 2020
  • Best Museum, Best of Olympia 2017
FlipKey by TripAdvisor
  • FlipKey by TripAdvisor announced in February 2016 that based on industry research and traveler feedback, Hands On was the no. 1 most loved and most talked about attraction in Washington State. The museum was honored as a Top Family Attraction Worth Traveling For in Washington for 2016. 
Institute of Museum & Library Services
  • In September 2015, the museum earned a significant Museums for America federal grant from the Institute of Museum & Library Services to support its innovative Young Makers program for two years.
TripAdvisor
  • The museum earned TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 based on its reviews on the travel site.
South Sound Magazine
  • South Sound Magazine named Hands On the Best Kids Birthday Place in 2014 & 2017.
  • The magazine honored the museum with four regional awards in 2015: Best Northwest Travel Destination, Best Kid-Friendly Destination, Best Museum and Best Kids Birthday Place.
King 5 & Evening Magazine
  • In 2018, Hands On was a top 5 finalist for Best Family-Friendly Experience. 
  • In 2017, Hands On received 1st place for Best Kid-Friendly Fun! Also nominated for Best Museum & Best Event - Summer Splash.
  • In 2016, Hands On was in the top five for Best Kid-Friendly Fun and Best Outdoor Play Space.
Showcase Magazine
  • In 2018, Hands On was in the top 5 for Best Family Fun Destination.
LEED
  • The museum earned LEED GOLD for its sustainable building in late 2014 and it was the first children's museum in the Western United States to do so.
Noyce Foundation
  • The museum won the Noyce Foundation's Bright Lights Community Engagement Award in June 2014 for its efforts to bring art and science education to under-served and at-risk populations in its community.