Hands On! Children’s Museum | Hendersonville

The Hands On! Children’s Museum in Hendersonville, North Carolina, is a vibrant, interactive educational facility dedicated to providing children ages 1 through 10 with immersive, hands-on learning experiences that stimulate creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking. Situated in the heart of historic downtown Hendersonville at 318 North Main Street, the museum occupies a spacious 13,000-plus square feet designed specifically to engage young minds through play, exploration, and discovery.

Mission and Educational Philosophy

The museum’s mission centers on inspiring children and families to learn through active participation in a safe, welcoming environment. It promotes early childhood development by integrating play with learning in key areas such as science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM). Beyond academics, the museum emphasizes social and emotional growth, encouraging cooperation, communication, problem-solving, and creativity through diverse exhibits and programs.

Exhibits and Interactive Features

Hands On! Children’s Museum offers a rich variety of thoughtfully designed exhibits that appeal to a broad spectrum of interests and developmental stages. Each exhibit encourages children to touch, manipulate, create, and experiment, fostering deep engagement and memorable learning moments:

Dinosaur Safari: This exhibit features a life-sized 17-foot Triceratops replica named “Terri,” which roars and moves, thrilling children with a realistic prehistoric experience. Nearby, a large fossil dig pit invites children to play paleontologist by uncovering buried dinosaur bones and fossils using brushes and tools, cultivating an early interest in natural history and archaeology.

LEGO Lab and LEGO Raceway: These interactive zones provide creative opportunities to build with LEGO bricks and then test creations by racing LEGO cars down an inclined track. This area nurtures engineering skills, spatial reasoning, and creativity.

Airways Adventure: A physics-focused exhibit where children can manipulate scarves, balls, and lightweight objects inside a tube network to explore airflow and basic principles of motion, making abstract scientific concepts tangible.

Augmented Reality Sandbox: Using cutting-edge augmented reality technology, children can shape real sand landscapes and watch as digital projections simulate water flow, topography changes, and terrain, merging tactile play with digital learning.

Fire Truck Exhibit: This hands-on role-play area lets kids dress up as firefighters and interact with realistic props like fire hoses, bells, and sirens, promoting imaginative play while teaching about community helpers.

Kilwins Ice Cream Shop: Children pretend to serve customers in a replica ice cream shop, encouraging social interaction, role-playing, and basic math skills through “buying” and “selling” activities.

Water Station: A sensory-rich environment featuring magnetic fishing poles, water guns, and spinning targets allows children to explore water flow, cause-and-effect relationships, and develop fine motor skills.

Grocery Store, Kitchen, Garden, Apple Orchard, Beehive: These interconnected exhibits teach children about the origins of food, healthy eating, and environmental awareness through immersive role-playing scenarios, blending science with everyday life lessons.

Nursery: A nurturing space where children care for baby dolls and animal figures, learning empathy, responsibility, and caregiving skills.

Dentist Office: An educational exhibit designed to familiarize children with dental hygiene through interactive oversized teeth and toothbrushes, helping reduce anxiety about real dentist visits.

Music Room: A vibrant space featuring various musical instruments that children can explore to understand sound, rhythm, and creative expression.

Jumbo Blocks and Costume/Puppet Stage: These areas encourage building large structures with oversized blocks and engaging in theatrical play with costumes and puppets, fostering creativity and social interaction.

Hands On! Mountain: A climbing structure designed as a mountain with a slide and waterfall element, combining physical activity with imaginative exploration.

Toddler Area: Dedicated to the youngest visitors, this safe and developmentally appropriate space includes puzzles, sensory toys, shakers, and climbing blocks that promote early motor skills and cognitive development.

People’s Museum: An important cultural exhibit focusing on the history and contributions of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities through multimedia presentations, encouraging diversity awareness and cultural education from a young age.

Programs and Special Events

Beyond daily exhibits, Hands On! Children’s Museum offers a variety of programs that enrich the visitor experience:

Birthday Parties: The museum provides customizable party packages with access to private rooms, themed decorations, and free admission for party guests, making it a popular venue for celebrations.

Field Trips: Educational programs tailored for school groups align with curriculum standards, incorporating hands-on activities and guided learning to support classroom teaching.

Summer Camps: The museum hosts camps focusing on specific themes such as science exploration, art projects, and engineering challenges, offering immersive experiences for skill development during school breaks.

Makerspace: A creative workshop environment where children can engage in themed crafts, experiments, and problem-solving projects, nurturing innovation and practical skills.

Visitor Information

The museum operates Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, welcoming families, school groups, and community visitors. Admission is priced affordably to encourage access, with children over one year charged a modest fee, infants admitted free, and discounted or free entry for members. Annual memberships provide unlimited visits and additional benefits like program discounts.

Community Impact and Educational Value

Hands On! Children’s Museum plays a vital role in the Hendersonville community as a hub for childhood education, family engagement, and cultural enrichment. By combining play and learning, it supports early childhood development and fosters a lifelong love of discovery. Its inclusive exhibits promote diversity, empathy, and social skills, preparing children not only academically but also as thoughtful, curious members of society.

Summary

Hands On! Children’s Museum in Hendersonville stands out as a premier educational destination designed to ignite children’s imagination and learning through playful, interactive exhibits. Its extensive range of activities encourages hands-on engagement with STEAM concepts and life skills in a welcoming and supportive atmosphere. Families visiting the museum experience a unique blend of fun and education that enriches children’s development and provides memorable, joyful experiences. The museum’s commitment to community, creativity, and lifelong learning makes it an essential destination for families in Western North Carolina.