by kellie abrahamson kabrahamson1@aol.com
I had passed by the castle-shaped Hands-On Children’s Museum on Beach Boulevard countless times over the past few years but had never taken the time to check it out. With two kids looking for something fun to do over winter break, I decided now would be the perfect time to take the plunge and check it out.
The goal of the Hands-On Children’s Museum is to educate children about the world around them by letting them touch, observe and imagine. Here, kids can see what working at a grocery store or a bank is like. They can try on a firefighter’s helmet and boots or put on costumes and perform a play for their peers. They can even do an all-kids newscast and see themselves as they deliver the news on a TV monitor. With all the toys, dress up clothes, games and puppets, the little guys never realize that they are actually learning about what real life, “grown up” life, is like. Well, the fun parts of it anyway!
My two children are 2 and 4 and are used to visiting museums thanks to my job here at EU. Still, I don’t think they expected anything like this, and frankly, neither did I. After paying our admission and reading over the rules (no running, no hitting, parental guidance required, etc.), my little ones immediately gravitated over to the S.S. Spinghetti Boat, where a bright yellow slide beckoned them. After a couple of slides they were on to something else, this time a large McDonald’s climbing slide and ball pit. Next stop was the Winn Dixie Lil’ Grocery store where both kids piled their carts full of (empty) peanut butter jars, (empty) juice bottles and (empty) boxes of diaper rash cream. Then they piled their groceries up on the real working conveyor belts and took turns ringing up their selections on real working cash registers. While my son Zeke played with dinosaur toys, my daughter Isabelle dressed up in pretty gowns and tap shoes and put on a play on the “You’re the Star Stage.” We visited nearly every exhibit in our two hours at the museum and could have easily spent another two hours visiting them all over again. My son loved playing with the train tables (he’s on a Thomas the Tank Engine kick lately) and my daughter really enjoyed pretending to work at the “Kids Mini Bank” and the “Kids Post Office”. When it was time to head home both protested and were reluctant to put their shoes on and leave this kids paradise.
The Hands-On Children’s Museum has been around since October of 2000. The non-profit corporation is funded by admissions and donations from individuals, small businesses and corporations. The facility is currently holding a fundraiser to expand the museum to two stories to include a “Dinosaur Dig” exhibit, an auditorium, a coffee shop and much more. They are currently holding a raffle with some really terrific prizes to raise funds and are accepting donations. Admission is just $3.50 for ages 1-3 and $5.50 for everyone 4 and up (children under 1 year are free) and memberships for families are available starting at $48.50 a year. The facility is also available for birthday parties at just $5.50 per child ages 1-12, $3.50 for adults which covers entrance to the museum, rental of the party area and color invitations. Either bring your own food or have the museum provide pizza for an additional charge.
I have to admit, I was just as enamored with the Hands-On Children’s Museum as my kids were. The attentive staff keeps each exhibit nice and tidy so that the multitudes of educational toys are neatly contained in their specific areas. They encourage parents to play with their kids, not just turn them loose on the place. By sitting down and playing make believe with my little guys I ended up having a lot of fun and I think they probably learned a little something along the way. All in all, I think the Hands-On Children’s Museum is a terrific way to spend an afternoon or two or twelve! Be sure to check out this local landmark as soon as possible.
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