February 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 general paid admission.
Tuesday, January 30th – Sunday, February 18th — For the Love of Science Discovery Lab Program
We may not have a special formula for the science of relationships, but we do have the formula for some fun experiments to help celebrate Valentine’s Day. You won’t believe your eyes with our optical illusion heart activity, learn about solubility while creating a Sharpie tie dye valentine, and enjoy a show of dancing, bobbing conversation heart candies. Contains small parts and food allergens. The Discovery Lab will be open by announcement periodically throughout each day. FREE with general paid admission.
Tuesday, January 30th – Sunday, February 25th — February Art Studio Programs
Join us for crayon-resist watercolor valentines, paper animal sculptures, Geoff Slater inspired single-line flower drawings, snowflake plate rubbings, and Alma Thomas inspired mosaics. All activities are self-guided with instructions provided, with facilitated programs announced periodically throughout each day. Stop by and get creative! FREE with general paid admission.
Friday, February 2nd — Groundhog Day
Join us to recognize Groundhog Day! Learn about the math and science of shadows, create your own shadow puppet, and enjoy Groundhog Day story time. Programs announced periodically throughout the day.
Monday, February 5th — Sensory Night, 4-6pm
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, February 1st and includes immediate family only. Register on our website at visithandson.org.
Sunday, February 11th — Be Electrific Day!
Today only, Tesla Experience tickets are $1 for everyone (with paid general admission-excludes groups) or $3 for the Tesla Experience show only (no admission to exhibit or program spaces). As always, children under 3 are free. Space in shows is limited.
Wednesday, February 14th — Be Miocene Pop-in Family Workshop, 1:00pm-4:30pm
Stop by anytime between 1:00pm-4:30pm to create your own fossil cast replica out of plaster to paint and take home. Then craft your own Miocene Epoch themed valentine for that someone special in your life. Children under 16 must be supervised by an adult at all times. Materials fee of $5 per person for members, $7 per person for non-members. While supplies last. Contains small parts not suitable for children under 3.
Sunday, February 18th — Paper Planet Family Workshop, 1:30pm-3pm
Adults are invited to work together with their 1st-5th grade child(ren) in this exciting hands-on science workshop in celebration of Engineers Week. Children will discover the excitement and challenges of engineers, working with their construction team member (adult partner) to build, test, and modify a paper amusement park attraction for a new park called Paper Planet. Each child participant will also receive their own play construction hat to keep. Space is limited. Cost is $3 per person. Pre-registration is required with payment and each team much have at least one adult. For more details regarding workshops and to register, click HERE.
Tuesday, February 20th – Sunday, March 3rd — Do You See What “Eye” See? Discovery Lab Program
Learn all about the human eye in honor of National Eye Care Month. Discover the inner workings of the eye and test your eyes with some optical illusions. The Discovery Lab will be open by announcement periodically throughout each day. FREE with general paid admission.
HANDS ON! IS OPEN MONDAYS IN MARCH!
Tuesday, February 20th – Sunday, March 3rd — Do You See What “Eye” See? Discovery Lab Program
Learn all about the human eye in honor of National Eye Care Month. Discover the inner workings of the eye and test your eyes with some optical illusions. The Discovery Lab will be open by announcement periodically throughout each day. FREE with general paid admission.
Saturday, March 2nd — Read Across America Day
Join us for story time as our staff shares some of their favorite children’s books and book themed STEM/STEAM activities. Programs by announcement throughout the day. FREE with general paid admission.
Tuesday, March 5th – Sunday, March 17th — Investigate Forensics Discovery Lab Program
Investigate the science of forensics in honor of Sherlock Holmes weekend. Examine your own fingerprints and try out our strawberry DNA extraction experiment. The Discovery Lab will be open by announcement periodically throughout each day. FREE with general paid admission.
Tuesday, February 28th – Saturday, March 30th — March Art Studio Programs
Join us for a 3-D rainbow paper sculpture, crayon-resist watercolor Starry Night inspired paintings, optical illusion line drawings, Piet Mondrian inspired collages, and pattern plate rubbings. All activities are self-guided with instructions provided, with facilitated programs announced periodically throughout each day. Stop by and get creative! FREE with general paid admission.
March 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 general paid admission.
Thursday, March 14th — Pi Day
Join us to celebrate the mathematical constant pi (π). Programs and activities by announcement throughout day. Free with regular admission while supplies last.
Sunday, March 17th — St. Patrick’s Day Pop-in Family Workshop, 1:30pm-4:00pm
Stop in anytime between 1:30pm-4:00pm to expose some Leprechaun secrets! Make Leprechaun slime, create your own UV reacting, color-changing Leprechaun bead bracelet, and grow Leprechaun “eggs” that emerge and vanish in a blink of an eye. Children under 16 must be supervised by an adult at all times. Materials fee of $5 per person for members, $7 per person for non-members. While supplies last. Contains small parts not suitable for children under 3.
Tuesday, March 19th – Sunday, April 7th — Springtime Science Discovery Lab Program
Ring in spring with some fun and silly springtime science experiments. You won’t believe your eyes in our growing marshmallow Peeps experiment, test out an EGG-cellent floating egg experiment, and even try out some candy chromatography. Contains small parts and food allergens. The Discovery Lab will be open by announcement periodically throughout each day. FREE with general paid admission.
Friday, March 22nd — EnviroScape Pop-up Program for World Day of Water
Learn about keeping our planet and water beautiful in recognition of World Day of Water. Get a firsthand look at what happens to water in our environment with our 3-dimensional EnviroScape watershed. Pollution and runoff are colorfully evident when falling rain carries mock versions of soil, chemicals, and oil through a watershed to a body of water. Can you help save the watershed community and our planet? Programs announced periodically throughout each day. FREE with general paid admission.
Friday, March 29th — Dino Egg Hunt-9am to Noon
It’s back! Join us for some egg-cellent dinosaur and fossil themed experiments, crafts, games, and egg hunting in a prehistoric forest. Activities and egg hunting are on-going, so stop by anytime during the event. Be sure to bring your own basket.
(***Contains small parts and food allergens. While supplies last.) Be sure to check out our Facebook event and website for updates and reminders!
Pricing
Sunday, March 31st — Closed for Easter holiday.
For more information about a specific workshop or program please contact: reservations@visithandson.org.
Workshop Guidelines – Please read carefully: