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Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to HandsOn!

Hands On! Discovery Center welcomes visitors of all ages, abilities, ethnicities, genders, and income levels to play and discover in a place where learning and fun go hand-in-hand!  Here you can find answers to some of our most Frequently Asked Questions to ensure a fun and safe experience for you and all of our visitors!

What items can I bring?

  • Small backpacks
  • Water is allowed in a secure bottle. No other liquids or food are permitted
  • Strollers and front-facing baby carriers are welcome
  • Mobility scooters are allowed
  • Service animals are welcome

What should I leave at home?

  • Large bags, luggage, musical instruments, electronics, and large recording equipment
  • Glass containers
  • Food and beverages (other than water in a secure bottle) are only allowed in outdoor areas
  • Marking materials, paint, adhesives, glues, or epoxies
  • Pets or emotional support animals
  • Firearms, weapons, or hazardous materials
  • Oversized strollers, jogging strollers, wagons,
  • Bicycles, skateboards, roller-skates, rollerblades, ice skates, and scooters
  • Knives, sharp tools, screwdrivers
  • Costumes (other than Halloween event)
  • Masks that obscure the face
  • Any other item that could put the staff or visitors at risk, as determined at the sole discretion of HODC/GFS staff

How can I ensure a safe experience for everyone?

  • HODC/GFS does not tolerate verbally abusive, harassing, discriminatory, or threatening statements or behavior toward the staff, volunteers, students, or other visitors.
  • The principles of diversity, inclusion, and equal access apply to all aspects of operations, across all categories of individuals.
  • Conduct that poses any risk to other visitors, the staff, volunteers, or to the museum’s collection, such as running, rough play, and disruptive behavior is prohibited.
  • Leafleting, signature gathering, picketing, merchandise sales, and press conferences by visitors are not permitted.
  • Solicitation of business and unauthorized for-profit activity is not permitted.
  • The unauthorized playing of music and video, unauthorized performances, and sound amplification or noisemakers (except for assistive-listening devices) is prohibited.
  • Keep doorways, stairs, and hallways accessible to other visitors; do not sit on the floor.
  • Please do not carry children or other guests on shoulders.
  • Smoking, including electronic cigarettes, is prohibited in the Museum or near the entrances.
  • Use of electrical outlets in the Museum is prohibited.
  • For health and safety reasons, shirts and shoes are required at all times.

Is My Animal a Service Animal?

Qualified service dogs that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability are welcome.  Pets and emotional support animals are not permitted entry to any buildings or outdoor exhibit areas.

Hands on Museum - pink contact icon

Contact Us!

For all other questions, please contact our Front Desk at (423) 434-4263.

Up Next!

Upcoming Events

Mar
17
Mon
all-day March Art Studio Programs
March Art Studio Programs
Mar 17 all-day
March Art Studio Programs
Find creative inspiration with these activities in the Art Studio! 3-D rainbow paper sculpture. Crayon-resist watercolors inspired by Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Optical illusion geometric line drawings. Paper collages inspired by Piet Mondrian. Geometric pattern plate rubbings. All activities are self-guided with instructions provided. Facilitated...
all-day We Are Open Today!
We Are Open Today!
Mar 17 all-day
We Are Open Today!
Weekly Hours Tuesday – Saturday:  10am – 5pm Sunday:  1pm – 5pm Monday:  10am – 5pm only during March, June, and July Holiday Closings HandsOn! is closed New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day...
Mar
18
Tue
all-day Discovery Cart Activity – Snap C...
Discovery Cart Activity – Snap C...
Mar 18 all-day
Discovery Cart Activity - Snap Circuits
Stop by our Discovery Cart to explore something new each week. This week’s program is Snap Circuit electronics! Discovery Cart activities are self-guided. All program components and materials must remain on site unless otherwise noted. Some activities may contain small parts not suitable for children...
all-day EnviroScape in the Discovery Lab
EnviroScape in the Discovery Lab
Mar 18 all-day
EnviroScape in the Discovery Lab
Discover ways that you can help keep our planet’s water supply clean and beautiful with our 3D watershed program! Get a first-hand look at what happens to water in our world with a 3-dimensional EnviroScape model watershed.  Pollution and runoff are made colorfully evident when...
all-day March Art Studio Programs
March Art Studio Programs
Mar 18 all-day
March Art Studio Programs
Find creative inspiration with these activities in the Art Studio! 3-D rainbow paper sculpture. Crayon-resist watercolors inspired by Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Optical illusion geometric line drawings. Paper collages inspired by Piet Mondrian. Geometric pattern plate rubbings. All activities are self-guided with instructions provided. Facilitated...
Mar
19
Wed
all-day Discovery Cart Activity – Snap C...
Discovery Cart Activity – Snap C...
Mar 19 all-day
Discovery Cart Activity - Snap Circuits
Stop by our Discovery Cart to explore something new each week. This week’s program is Snap Circuit electronics! Discovery Cart activities are self-guided. All program components and materials must remain on site unless otherwise noted. Some activities may contain small parts not suitable for children...
all-day EnviroScape in the Discovery Lab
EnviroScape in the Discovery Lab
Mar 19 all-day
EnviroScape in the Discovery Lab
Discover ways that you can help keep our planet’s water supply clean and beautiful with our 3D watershed program! Get a first-hand look at what happens to water in our world with a 3-dimensional EnviroScape model watershed.  Pollution and runoff are made colorfully evident when...
all-day March Art Studio Programs
March Art Studio Programs
Mar 19 all-day
March Art Studio Programs
Find creative inspiration with these activities in the Art Studio! 3-D rainbow paper sculpture. Crayon-resist watercolors inspired by Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Optical illusion geometric line drawings. Paper collages inspired by Piet Mondrian. Geometric pattern plate rubbings. All activities are self-guided with instructions provided. Facilitated...
Mar
20
Thu
all-day Discovery Cart Activity – Snap C...
Discovery Cart Activity – Snap C...
Mar 20 all-day
Discovery Cart Activity - Snap Circuits
Stop by our Discovery Cart to explore something new each week. This week’s program is Snap Circuit electronics! Discovery Cart activities are self-guided. All program components and materials must remain on site unless otherwise noted. Some activities may contain small parts not suitable for children...
all-day EnviroScape in the Discovery Lab
EnviroScape in the Discovery Lab
Mar 20 all-day
EnviroScape in the Discovery Lab
Discover ways that you can help keep our planet’s water supply clean and beautiful with our 3D watershed program! Get a first-hand look at what happens to water in our world with a 3-dimensional EnviroScape model watershed.  Pollution and runoff are made colorfully evident when...
Hands on Museum - colorful gears working in unison