Workshops & Special Events happening this season!
September
CLOSED on Mondays
Monday, September 1st:CLOSED in honor of Labor Day
Tuesday, August 12th – Sunday, September 7th: Can You Feel the Pressure? Discovery Lab Program
Did you know that you have 14 pounds of air pressure pushing on every inch of your body? Join us in the Discovery Lab as we learn about the properties of air and air pressure through fun interactive demonstrations. Watch marshmallows grow in a vacuum sealer, send fruit and veggie pieces with our potato launcher, launch a seltzer rocket, make a popping CO2 experiment in a baggie, and witness a grown-up get vacuum-sealed! Facilitated programs announced periodically throughout each day. FREE with general paid admission.
Tuesday, September 2nd – Sunday, September 28th: September Art Studio Programs
Stop by for Alma Thomas style mosaics, Suzanne Valadon inspired cat drawings, and watercolor landscape paintings in the style of Grandma Moses. All activities are self-guided with instructions provided, with facilitated programs announced periodically throughout each day. FREE with paid general admission.
Discovery Cart Activities (weekly Tuesday through Thursday in September)
Stop by our Discovery Cart to explore something new each week. All activities are self-guided. All cart program components and materials must remain on site unless otherwise noted. Each cart activity may contain small parts not suitable for children 3 and under. FREE with paid general admission.
- 2nd – 4th: Lego Building Bricks
- 9th – 11th: Cubelets Robotic Coding Blocks
- 16th – 18th: K’nex
- 23rd – 25th: Snap Circuits
- 30th – October 2nd: Lego Building Bricks
Tuesday, September 9th – Sunday, October 5th: Swashbuckling Science Discovery Lab Program
Arrg mateys! It’s a pirate’s life for you as you discover the swashbuckling science of being a pirate in honor of Talk like a Pirate Day. Learn at ye own risk as you test out an eyepatch perception experiment, test out which items would sink or float in they went overboard, sail ho with our pirate ship challenge, and even learn what a scallywag might say! Facilitated programs announced periodically throughout each day. FREE with general paid admission.
Tuesday, September 9th: Home School Day (discount admission all day with special program at 11am)
Join us for this special discount day for our loyal home school visitors. Come together to network, explore, play, and learn about upcoming homeschool workshops! To receive the discounted Home School Day rate of $8 per person for general admission, please bring your photo ID and one of the accepted forms of home school identification listed on the Visit page of our website.
Additional programs for Homeschool Days from 11am-noon with fees noted below in addition to general admission. Adult (18+) supervision required. Purchase your ticket for these activities online at least one week prior to the program to receive the early bird discount. Visit the front desk the day of the program for availability of supplies. Supplies are limited and purchasing ahead is highly recommended.
- September 9th – Investigate Forensics for National Forensic Science Week recommended for ages 5-12.
- Early Bird Reservations (must be purchased online by Tuesday, August 26th)
- $5/participant for HODC members
- $7/participant for non-members
- At the door:
- $7/participant for HODC members
- $9/participant for non-members.
- Early Bird Reservations (must be purchased online by Tuesday, August 26th)
Friday, September 19th – Friday, September 26th: Solar Scope for Fall Astronomy Week and the Fall Equinox
Join us for some star gazing of our Sun in recognition of Fall Astronomy Week and the Fall Equinox! Take a turn using our Celestron EclipSmart solar safe finder telescope, which allows the scope to align to the sun without directly viewing it. Programs by announcement periodically throughout the day. Weather permitting. Stay tuned to social media for updates regarding weather. Limited access to scopes based on participants.
Tuesday, September 23rd – Home School Days (discount admission all day with special program at 11am)
Join us for this special discount day for our loyal home school visitors. Come together to network, explore, play, and learn about upcoming homeschool workshops! To receive the discounted Home School Day rate of $8 per person for general admission, please bring your photo ID and one of the accepted forms of home school identification listed on the Visit page of our website.
Additional programs for Homeschool Days from 11am-12:30pm with fees noted below in addition to general admission. Adult (18+) supervision required. Purchase your ticket for these activities online at least one week prior to the program to receive the early bird discount. Visit the front desk on the day of the program for availability of supplies. Supplies are limited, and purchasing ahead is highly recommended.
- September 23rd -VEX Coding and Robotics recommended for ages 7-12.
- Early Bird Reservations (must be purchased online by Tuesday, September 9th)
- $10/participant for HODC members
- $12/participant for non-members
- Otherwise:
- $12/participant for members
- $14/participant for non-members.
- Early Bird Reservations (must be purchased online by Tuesday, September 9th)
October
Tuesday, September 9th – Sunday, October 5th: Swashbuckling Science Discovery Lab Program
Arrg mateys! It’s a pirate’s life for you as you discover the swashbuckling science of being a pirate in honor of Talk like a Pirate Day. Learn at ye own risk as you test out an eyepatch perception experiment, test out which items would sink or float in they went overboard, sail ho with our pirate ship challenge, and even learn what a scallywag might say! Facilitated programs announced periodically throughout each day. FREE with paid general admission.
Tuesdays through Thursdays in October: Discovery Cart Activities
Stop by our Discovery Cart to explore something new each week. All activities are self-guided. All cart program components and materials must remain on site unless otherwise noted. Each cart activity may contain small parts not suitable for children 3 and under. FREE with paid general admission.
- September 30th-October 2nd: Cubelets for National Techies Day
- 7th-9th: K’nex
- 14th-16th: Snap Circuits
- 21st-23rd: Reverse Engineering
- 28th-30th: Legos
Tuesday, September 30th – Sunday, November 2nd: Art Studio Programs
Join us for Pablo Picasso inspired cubism drawings, Frida Kahlo inspired Day of the Dead collages, bug and insect plate rubbings, and crayon resist watercolor eerie mansions. All activities are self-guided with instructions provided. FREE with paid general admission.
Saturday, October 4th – Friday, October 10th: Space Explorers Pop-up Program
To Hands On! Discovery Center and beyond, for World Space Week! Try your hand at the Deep Impact Simulation challenge. Then, design and build a simple model spacecraft and complete a series of tests to ensure you are ready for launch. Can your spacecraft withstand the vibration of launch and the spin of navigating through space? (*This program contains food allergens such as wheat, corn, and traces of nuts.) Programs by announcement periodically throughout each day. FREE with paid general admission.
Monday, October 6th – Friday, October 10th: Fall Break Camp (Drop off at 9:30am – Pickup at 4:30pm)
Children ages 5 to 12 will discover the arts and sciences in our exciting weeklong Fall Break Camp. Campers will explore coding with VEX Robotics, learn more about fossils and paleontology, experiment with our giant 3-D EnviroScape Watershed Model, explore the trades including electricity and construction, and even play with our Magnets Kit and Boomwhackers Percussion Tubes. Camp attendees will also have plenty of play and exploration time in the museum with the 30+ exhibits including a private showing of our Tesla Coil, climbing in a 3-story Paleontology tower, and exploring our Pollinator Garden!
Pre-registration is with required with payment no later than Wednesday, September 24th. We are unable to accommodate walk-ups. HODC Members $250, Non-Members $275. Financial assistance may be available. IRS form 1040 is required to apply. Space in Fall Break Camp is VERY limited, so register early to secure a spot.
More details at https://visithandson.org/fall-break-camp/
Tuesday, October 7th – Sunday, November 9th: Spice it Up! Discovery Lab Program
Celebrate National Chemistry Week 2025 with this year’s theme, “The Hidden Life of Spices”! Dive into the flavorful world of kitchen chemistry and uncover the secrets behind the spices you know and love. From sizzling cinnamon to punchy pepper, it’s a tasty twist on science you won’t want to miss! Discovery Lab programs announced periodically throughout each day. FREE with paid general admission. (*This program contains food allergens such as wheat, nuts, and a variety of spices including cinnamon, black pepper, mustard, onion, garlic, etc.)
Tuesday, October 14th – Home School Days (discount admission all day with special program at 11am)
Join us for this special discount day especially for our loyal home school visitors. Come together to network, explore, play, and learn about upcoming homeschool workshops! To receive the discounted Home School Day rate of $8 per person for general admission, please bring your photo ID and one of the accepted forms of home school identification listed on the Visit page of our website.
Additional programs for Homeschool Days from 11am-12:30pm with fees noted below in addition to general admission. Adult (18+) supervision required. Purchase your ticket for these activities online at least one week prior to the program to receive the early bird discount. Visit the front desk the day of the program for availability of supplies. Supplies are limited and purchasing ahead is highly recommended.
- October 14th –National Fossil Day Preview Experience at 11am (fossil “picking” and plaster fossil cast replica)
- Early Bird Reservation (must be purchased online by Tuesday, September 20th)
- $5/participant for HODC members
- $7/participant for non-members
- At the door
- $7/participant for HODC members
- $9/participant for non-members
- Early Bird Reservation (must be purchased online by Tuesday, September 20th)
Wednesday, October 15th: National Fossil Day Family Pop-in Workshop (1:30pm-4:30pm)
Stop by between 1:30 and 4:30 (while supplies last) to examine real fossils on National Fossil Day with a “picking” activity featuring fossil-rich sediment from Aurora, NC*. Play our Fossil or Fake game and use plaster to create your own plaster fossil cast replica to take home. Children must be supervised at all times. (*All fossils and sediment must remain on site for scientific research purposes.)
Purchase your ticket for these activities online at least one week prior to the program to receive the early bird discount. Visit the front desk the day of the program for availability of supplies. Supplies are limited and purchasing ahead is highly recommended.
- Early Bird Reservation (must be purchased online by Tuesday, September 20th)
- $5/participant for HODC members
- $7/participant for non-members
- At the door
- $7/participant for HODC members
- $9/participant for non-members
Thursday, October 23rd: BOO!SEUM (5:30pm-8:00pm)
Join us for our spook-tacular, but not too scary, evening of fun and science! Hands On! is hosting its annual Halloween event, BOO!SEUM, which will include experiments, candy, arts and crafts, games, and exploration time in the museum! Stop by anytime between 5:30pm and 8:00pm, however, the event ends promptly at 8:00pm. Be sure to wear your most festive costume and bring your own trick-or-treat bag! (***Contains small parts and food allergens. While supplies last.) Be sure to check out our Facebook event and website for updates and reminders!
Pricing:
- FREE for ages 0-3 (tickets at door only)
- Member pricing (must have current membership card/membership app and photo ID) (includes general admission, exhibit play, and special event activities and candy)
- LIMITED Early bird tickets (purchase by Wednesday, October 8th): $5/person ages 4+
- At the door: $7/person ages 4+
- $2 Spark-tacular Tesla Experience tickets for members and non-members
- Non-member pricing (includes general admission, exhibit play, and special event activities and candy)
- LIMITED Early bird tickets (purchase by Wednesday, October 8th): $11/person ages 4+
- At the door: $13/person ages 4+
- $2 Spark-tacular Tesla Experience tickets for members and non-members
November
Tuesday, October 7th – Sunday, November 9th: Spice it Up! Discovery Lab Program
Celebrate National Chemistry Week 2025 with this year’s theme, “The Hidden Life of Spices”! Dive into the flavorful world of kitchen chemistry and uncover the secrets behind the spices you know and love. From sizzling cinnamon to punchy pepper, it’s a tasty twist on science you won’t want to miss! Discovery Lab programs announced periodically throughout each day. FREE with paid general admission. (*This program contains food allergens such as wheat, nuts, and a variety of spices including cinnamon, black pepper, mustard, onion, garlic, etc.)
Tuesdays through Thursdays in November: Discovery Cart Activities
Stop by our Discovery Cart to explore something new each week. All activities are self-guided. All cart program components and materials must remain on site. Each cart activity may contain small parts not suitable for children 3 and under. FREE with paid general admission.
- 4th-6th: Cubelets
- 11th-13th: K’nex
- 18th-20th: Snap Circuits
- 25th-26th (Closed on 27th for holiday): Reverse Engineering
Monday, November 3rd: Sensory Night (4:00pm-6:00pm)
This event is designed for children with sensory integration needs. Lighting and sound are adjusted as well as many other environmental elements. Hands On! will be closed to the public during this event. Sensory Nights are free, and space is very limited to ensure a consistent experience. Pre-registration is required by Thursday, October 30th and includes immediate family only. Register on our website at visithandson.org.
Tuesday, November 11th – Sunday, November 30th: Awesome Aviation Discovery Lab
Join us while we explore the science of aviation and air pressure for National Aviation month. Try out floating ping pong balls, make a flying paper airplane, and learn about Bernoulli’s principle while watching in amazement as we blow up a 6 foot long bag with air in one breath. FREE with paid general admission.
Tuesday, November 4th – Sunday, November 30th: Art Studio Programs
Join us for a René Magritte inspired surrealist collage, Sonia Delaunay inspired circle drawings, crayon resist watercolor fall leaf paintings, and leaf plate rubbings. All activities are self-guided with instructions provided. FREE with paid general admission.
Tuesday, November 18th: Home School Days (discount admission all day with special program at 11am)
Join us for this special discount day especially for our loyal home school visitors. Come together to network, explore, play, and learn about upcoming homeschool workshops! To receive the discounted Home School Day rate of $8 per person for general admission, please bring your photo ID and one of the accepted forms of home school identification listed on the Visit page of our website.
Additional programs for Homeschool Days from 11am-12:30pm with fees noted below in addition to general admission. Adult (18+) supervision required. Purchase your ticket for these activities online at least one week prior to the program to receive the early bird discount. Visit the front desk the day of the program for availability of supplies. Supplies are limited and purchasing ahead is highly recommended.
- November 18th at 11am-Geography Day-Explore the human effects on watersheds with our jumbo, interactive EnviroScape 3-D model. Then, learn how to use topographical mapping techniques to track changes in sea levels.
- Early Bird Reservation (must be purchased online by Tuesday, November 4th)
- $6/participant for HODC members
- $8/participant for non-members
- After November 4th
- $8/participant for HODC members
- $10/participant for non-members
- Early Bird Reservation (must be purchased online by Tuesday, November 4th)
Thursday, November 27th: CLOSED for Thanksgiving
Saturday, November 29th: Small Business Saturday
Come support your local science center and get all your gift shopping done at the same time! We’re offering 10% off in the gift shop all day long. We have everything from candy and snacks, to stocking stuffers like putty and mini excavation sets, stuffed animals, science kits, and even logo items such as shirts and magnets. No admission required to shop.
Don’t forget to grab a gift family membership while you’re here. It’s the gift that keeps on giving for a whole year of learning, discovery, and fun!
(10% off cannot be combined with any other coupon or discount and does not apply to memberships.)
December
Tuesdays through Thursdays in December: Discovery Cart Activities
Stop by our Discovery Cart to explore something new each week. All activities are self-guided. All cart program components and materials must remain on site unless otherwise noted. Each cart activity may contain small parts not suitable for children 3 and under. FREE with paid general admission.
- 2nd-4th : Legos
- 9th-11th: Cubelets
- 16th-18th: K’nex
- 23rd-24th (Closed on 25th for holiday): Reverse Engineering
Tuesday, December 2nd – Sunday, January 4th: Art Studio Programs
Join us for snow-scape collages, Georges-Pierre Seurat inspired pointillism drawings, crayon resist watercolor snowflake paintings, and snowflake plate rubbings. All activities are self-guided with instructions provided. FREE with paid general admission.
Tuesday, December 2nd – Sunday, January 11th: Nano Science Discovery Lab
Join us for science on a super small scale! At the nanoscale, the scale of atoms and molecules, many common materials exhibit unusual properties. Come explore the world of nanotechnology with experiments that interchange each program including reflective thin films, invisibility, and more! The Discovery Lab will be open by announcement periodically throughout each day. FREE with paid general admission.
Tuesday, December 16th: Home School Days (discount admission all day with special program at 11am)
Join us for this special discount day especially for our loyal home school visitors. Come together to network, explore, play, and learn about upcoming homeschool workshops! To receive the discounted Home School Day rate of $8 per person for general admission, please bring your photo ID and one of the accepted forms of home school identification listed on the Visit page of our website.
Additional programs for Homeschool Days from 11am-12:30pm with fees noted below in addition to general admission. Adult (18+) supervision required. Purchase your ticket for these activities online at least one week prior to the program to receive the early bird discount. Visit the front desk the day of the program for availability of supplies. Supplies are limited and purchasing ahead is highly recommended.
- December 16th-“Gingerbread” Houses, Polymer Snow, and Snow Dough Preview Experience at 11am
- Early Bird Reservation (must be purchased online by Tuesday, Dec. 1st)
- $6/participant for HODC members
- $8/participant for non-members
- Otherwise $8/participant for HODC members and $10/participant for non-members
- Early Bird Reservation (must be purchased online by Tuesday, Dec. 1st)
Saturday, December 20th: “Gingerbread” Houses, Polymer Snow, and Snow Dough Family Pop-in Workshop (ongoing from 11:00am-3:30pm)
Stop in anytime between 11am and 3:30pm (while supplies last) to test your engineering skills by building your own graham cracker and candy “gingerbread” house. Then, make your own polymer snow and peppermint scented snow dough to take home. Children must be supervised at all times. (Contains food allergens and small parts not suitable for children under age 3.)
Purchase your ticket for these activities online at least one week prior to the program to receive the early bird discount. Visit the front desk the day of the program for availability of supplies. Supplies are limited and purchasing ahead is highly recommended.
- Early Bird Reservation (must be purchased online by Saturday, December 6th)
- $6/participant for HODC members
- $8/participant for non-members
- After December 6th:
- $8/participant for HODC members
- $10/participant for non-members
Thursday, December 25th: CLOSED for Holiday
For more information about a specific workshop or program please contact: reservations@visithandson.org.
Workshop Guidelines – Please read carefully:
- Space is limited and varies based on the workshop.
- Payment in full and a completed registration form is required to secure place in workshop.
- A full refund will be provided if you cancel a minimum of two weeks in advance. If a cancellation is made less than two weeks in advance, any payments will not be refunded or transferred.
- Museum admission is an additional cost and is not included in any workshop fees.
- All attendees must be within the age ranges specified for each workshop. Proof of age may be requested. If staff has been misinformed of a child’s age, all fees paid will be forfeited and the attendee will be dismissed.
- All attendees must be fully toilet trained. Attendees not fully toilet trained will be dismissed.
- Hands On! reserves the right to cancel any workshop and fully refund payments in the event a workshop is cancelled based on low attendance/registration or unforeseen circumstances.
- Parents/guardians must sign each attendee in and out of the workshop.
- We are unable to accommodate early arrivals, or late pickups. Failure to comply with pick-up times may result in your attendee being unable to register for future workshops.
- Keep toys, books, and all other personal belongings at home. Hands On! is not responsible for lost/ stolen/ damaged items.
- To ensure a fun, effective, consistent, and safe experience, parents/guardians/siblings may not be present in the workshop, however, they are welcome to visit HODC during the duration of the workshop (General admission costs apply).
- We reserve the right to dismiss an attendee based on behavior issues, aggression, foul language, or failure to follow rules.
- All fees paid will be forfeited in the event of dismissal for any reason.
- Coupons and special offers are not applicable with any workshop fees.
