Hands-on House - Lancaster, Pennsylvania - Children's Museum

The Hands-on-House Children's Museum is a not for profit organization situated in Landis Valley Road, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It opens each day of the week except between Labor Day and Memorial Day when it remains closed on Mondays. Visitors can park their cars at the parking lot in the same road, which is shared with the Landis Valley Museum.

The museum is a as the name suggests a hands-on learning experience for children between 2 and 10 years old. There are exhibits, classes and programs designed to give the kids plenty of fun whilst also helping to learn and discover new things. Parents and guardians are encouraged to join in the fun, and discuss with their children what they are doing and how it relates to other aspects of their life.

Each exhibit is themed and has activities related to that theme, some of which are pretend versions of real life situations. For example children can shop for groceries at the Corner Grocery exhibit, which has a cash register and explains the importance of healthy eating. Lancaster County is well renowned for organic farming, so the E-I-E-I Know exhibit explains how the local farmers grow their food.

The Mostly Make Believe exhibit enables children to play whilst testing out their literacy skills. Another section of the museum gives an opportunity for some creativity with color and design in the art exhibit called Rainbow's End. Marty's Machine Shop gives an insight into how things work, giving kids a chance to simulate jobs on the assembly line or work in the maintenance department repairing shoes or cleaning machines.

Various classes and programs are operated by the museum for the children. Classes include Just For Kids, which is for 3 to 6 year olds, a weekend class for 5 to 10 year olds and Hand-in-Hand, which gives 2 and 3 year old children a chance to learn together. There is also a summer camp run for 4 to 7 year olds between 9am and 12 noon each week day, where kids can take part in indoor and outdoor activities.

Drop in programs are also provided with no pre booking required, where children and adults can take part in arts and craft activities or learn more about insects and the environment in the museum garden. There are approximately ten of these programs under the collective name of X Marks the Spot, and they run at different times between May and August. Alternatively the Discovery To Go Outreach Programs takes a workshop to local elementary schools, with a museum educator presenting to classes of up to 25 children.

The museum can be rented out for private birthday parties with staff on hand to make the preparations, help on the day and clean up afterwards. Themed party packages are available including Puppet Show Offs, Royal Celebration, Brontosaurus Birthday Bash, Mermaid Magic and Treasure Island Adventure. The birthday packages also include invitations, cupcakes, juice, a staff helper, a private party room, and access to the educational exhibits.