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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

May
5
Mon
all-day Closed on Monday
Closed on Monday
May 5 all-day
Closed on Monday
Weekly Hours Tuesday – Saturday:  10am – 5pm Sunday:  1pm – 5pm Monday:  CLOSED Holiday Closings HandsOn! is closed New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day every year.  HandsOn! may also close for special...
May
6
Tue
all-day Discovery Cart Activity – Cubele...
Discovery Cart Activity – Cubele...
May 6 all-day
Discovery Cart Activity - Cubelets Robotic Coding Blocks
Stop by our Discovery Cart to explore something new each week. This week’s program is Cubelets Robotic Coding Blocks! 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...
all-day Explore Science: Earth & Space ...
Explore Science: Earth & Space ...
May 6 all-day
Explore Science:  Earth & Space Discovery Lab Program
  Join us for something out of this world in honor of Astronomy Week and Astronomy Day!  Explore Earth and space with a variety of experiments changing throughout each day.  Activities will introduce you to research happening at NASA, Earth and planetary science, and astrophysics. ...
all-day May Art Studio Programs
May Art Studio Programs
May 6 all-day
May Art Studio Programs
Find creative inspiration with these activities in the Art Studio! Tea cup sketches in the style of Mary Cassatt. Oil pastel jungle art inspired by Henri Rousseau. Paper collages inspired by Salvador Dalí. May flower wax-resist watercolor paintings. All activities are self-guided with instructions provided....
May
7
Wed
all-day Discovery Cart Activity – Cubele...
Discovery Cart Activity – Cubele...
May 7 all-day
Discovery Cart Activity - Cubelets Robotic Coding Blocks
Stop by our Discovery Cart to explore something new each week. This week’s program is Cubelets Robotic Coding Blocks! 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...
all-day Explore Science: Earth & Space ...
Explore Science: Earth & Space ...
May 7 all-day
Explore Science:  Earth & Space Discovery Lab Program
  Join us for something out of this world in honor of Astronomy Week and Astronomy Day!  Explore Earth and space with a variety of experiments changing throughout each day.  Activities will introduce you to research happening at NASA, Earth and planetary science, and astrophysics. ...
all-day May Art Studio Programs
May Art Studio Programs
May 7 all-day
May Art Studio Programs
Find creative inspiration with these activities in the Art Studio! Tea cup sketches in the style of Mary Cassatt. Oil pastel jungle art inspired by Henri Rousseau. Paper collages inspired by Salvador Dalí. May flower wax-resist watercolor paintings. All activities are self-guided with instructions provided....
May
8
Thu
all-day Discovery Cart Activity – Cubele...
Discovery Cart Activity – Cubele...
May 8 all-day
Discovery Cart Activity - Cubelets Robotic Coding Blocks
Stop by our Discovery Cart to explore something new each week. This week’s program is Cubelets Robotic Coding Blocks! 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...
all-day Explore Science: Earth & Space ...
Explore Science: Earth & Space ...
May 8 all-day
Explore Science:  Earth & Space Discovery Lab Program
  Join us for something out of this world in honor of Astronomy Week and Astronomy Day!  Explore Earth and space with a variety of experiments changing throughout each day.  Activities will introduce you to research happening at NASA, Earth and planetary science, and astrophysics. ...
all-day May Art Studio Programs
May Art Studio Programs
May 8 all-day
May Art Studio Programs
Find creative inspiration with these activities in the Art Studio! Tea cup sketches in the style of Mary Cassatt. Oil pastel jungle art inspired by Henri Rousseau. Paper collages inspired by Salvador Dalí. May flower wax-resist watercolor paintings. All activities are self-guided with instructions provided....
Hands on Museum - colorful gears working in unison