Gray Fossil Site and Museum
Hands On Museum - children painting faces

Upcoming Programs and Workshops

Workshops & Special Events happening this season!

*Hands On! Discovery Center reserves the right to alter, cancel, or move scheduled programs, events, and exhibit openings. *

June

OPEN on Mondays in June and July!

Hands On! Summer Camps

STEAM Camp (ages 5-13) and Paleontology Camp (ages 6-13) are officially live!  To learn more and register, visit https://visithandson.org/summer-camp/.  Space is limited. HODC member discounts available!

Tuesday, May 5th – Sunday, June 7th:  Sink or Swim? Discovery Lab Program

Stop by to learn about density, salinity, and ocean life in recognition of World Oceans Day.  Try out some sink or float challenges, test out density cubes, and learn about convection currents with a demo using a split tank.  The Discovery Lab is open by announcement periodically throughout each day.  FREE with paid general admission.

Monday, June 1st – Sunday, June 28th:  June Art Studio Programs

Stop by for Pollinator themed activities all month long to celebrate our upcoming exhibit.  All activities are self-guided with instructions provided, with facilitated programs announced periodically throughout each day.  FREE with paid general admission.

Tuesdays through Thursdays in June:  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: Cubelets
  • 9th – 11th: K’nex
  • 16th – 18th: Snap Circuits
  • 23rd – 25th:  Legos
  • 30th – July 2nd: Cubelets

Monday, June 8th – Sunday, July 5th:  Star Spangled Science Discovery Lab Program

We want YOU to love science! Join us in celebrating Independence Day with effervescent “rockets”.  Then, help create liquid fireworks in a jar and watch our famous apple launcher send apple pieces flying into the air! The Discovery Lab will be open by announcement periodically throughout each day. FREE with paid general admission.

Saturday, June 20th – Sunday, June 21st:  Solar-scope Summer Celebration

Join us for some star gazing of our Sun to celebrate the first official days of summer!  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.  Program by announcement periodically throughout the day.  Limited access to scope based on participants.  FREE with paid general admission.

Friday, June 26th

Hands On! Discovery Center will close at 1pm in preparation for our Bourbon, Bones, & the Big Bang fundraising event.  Are you interested in sponsoring and/or attending this stellar event?  More details at visithandson.org/fundraisers/.

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.