Inspired Learning For All Partnership Between Wsecu And Hands On Childrens Museum
WSECUs Inspired Learning for All partnership with the Hands On Children’s Museum is unique in the credit union industry. Its a naming rights initiative that leaves the stadiums and sports teams on the sidelines instead, the credit union developed a significant partnership with Washington States premier childrens museum that delivers value to the credit union, its members and, especially, low-income families.
The centerpiece of the partnership is a special offer of free admission to the first two family members receiving Washington State basic food assistance through an electronic benefits transfer card. Additional family guests pay just $2 each. General admission to the museum is otherwise $14.95.
Since the five-year $1.1 million sponsorship began in February, 2017, more than 40,000 children and their families have enjoyed access to the museum through the discount program.
The success of Inspired Learning for All, which has helped open the museum doors to so many families, is reason to celebrate, said WSECU Board Chair Doug Mah. WSECU took a naming rights opportunity and turned it into so much more.
Museum Executive Director Patty Belmonte reports impressive numbers. In its first year, about 12,500 visited under the EBT card access program. Numbers for 2018 topped that by about 60 percent, with more than 20,000 low-income guests served last year coming from all around western Washington. The numbers continue to grow in 2019.
What Is There To Do
The Hands On Children’s Museum is ALL about giving kids a super fun learning experience through over 150 interactive exhibits just for them!
Perfectly suited for kids up to 10 years, the Hands On Children’s Museum stimulates curiosity, creativity and learning through fun, interactive exhibits and programs for children, families and school groups.
At Hands On, they believe that all children deserve respect and the opportunity to learn and that families are important as children’s first teachers and as their partners in learning. So do we – so we love it!
The exhibits are designed specifically to encourage interaction and inquiry, as well as interaction from the parents too. After all, why should the kids have all the fun!
All of the exhibits feature a different theme, so kids can spend hours at the museum and not cover the same topic twice! Those creative kids can get their hands buys with the huge assortment of craft supplies and create a masterpiece, or they can channel the heroes in the community as they ride the police car, or sound that fire engine!
Future construction workers and architects have their hard hats ready in the Build It gallery, where they can create their own sky-scraper or home – pretty cool! They can also explore a nurse log at the Animal Rescue Center, make fancy flying machines or climb up a tree!
A day at the Hands On Children’s Museum also lets kids float their own boat, or learn about healthy lifestyles and why it’s important for them to follow.
Olympia’s Hands On Children’s Museum Is The Place To Be During The Holidays
OLYMPIA, Wash. “We love celebrating the holidays at Hands-on Children’s Museum,” says CEO Patty Belmonte. “That’s why we start our celebration at Thanksgiving and we run it all the way through the new year.”
At the art studio upstairs, your kids can be as busy as Christmas elves, putting together handmade holiday gifts you might want to keep forever.
“Kids get a variety of open-ended materials and natural materials and they can create whatever they want,” says Belmonte. “That’s what we love. We love that individual unique creation and if you watch a group of kids, they can be given the same materials and each one will make something very different.”
There are all kinds of activities and games for the kids to play, like sock skating in the Fabulous Forest gallery or throwing snowballs into a snowman’s mouth. Everyone will need to wear masks this year, of course.
It all leads up to a memorable New Year’s Eve.
“We give families the chance to countdown the new year every hour throughout the day and we have a big party,” says Belmonte, “and this year I think our party theme is fairytales and dragons and so kids come dressed up and really celebrate the end of this year and the beginning of the new year.”
Recommended Reading: Taft Museum Of Art Cincinnati
Weapon & Smoke Free Zone
For the comfort of our visitors and their families, we are a Weapon-Free Zone. We ask that visitors not bring any sharp objects or concealed weapons into the museum.
We are also a Tobacco & Vape-Free Zone. We ask that visitors do not smoke on museum property, including the Outdoor Discovery Center and entrance areas.
The Hands On Childrens Museum Of Olympia:
We have heard from a number of TNWM readers that this is one of their favorite Childrens Museuems, and it gets almost a full 5 star rating too, so if you are looking for a fun interactive Childrens Museum for the kids, this is one to check out ! It includes 150 interactive exhibits in 9 themed areas teach kids about building, outdoor exploration, and art. It is one of the largest Childrens Museums in the NW. I have heard it recommended that it is ideal for kids from around 3 to 10, but that will of course depend on your kids interests.
This interactive hands on inspiring museum offers plenty of activities to keep kids busy for hours. The Hands On Museum teaches kids about local environment through the Puget Sound galleries and Fabulous Forest. Theyll also explore on a climber slide which boasts a 2 story slide and climbing platform. This museum will pique both their creative minds and keep them physically busy, and youll enjoy some much needed peace of mind. What fun!
You can also check out Tum Water Falls for more family fun , while you are out in that area!
Also Check: Museums In Little Rock Ar
Hands On Children’s Museum
| .org |
Hands On Children’s Museum is a children’s museum in Olympia, Washington, USA. It was founded in 1987 and received over 150,000 visitors a year at its old location near the Washington State Capitol. After moving to its new, permanent home on Olympia’s East Bay, at 414 Jefferson Street on Olympia’s East Bay, visitorship grew to over 300,000 in its first year .
Founded on the belief that all children deserve respect and the opportunity to learn, regardless of their ability to pay, the Museum offers a robust and award-winning Access Program for underserved and at-risk families. Access Programs served 86,000 children, families and educators in 2013, which represented a 37% increase since 2012. Programs include free monthly parenting classes, a free weekly preschool enrichment program, Free Friday Nights every month, and a library partnership to “check out” family admission passes. The Museum also offers discounted military admission and memberships, free field trips for rural, Title I and underserved elementary schools, and several family support programs. Its signature event Sand in the City is the second largest event in the region, offering free art and science activities for 35,000 children and families every year since 2000.
Free Daily Admission For Ebt Cardholders
We are proud to participate in the Institute of Museum& Library Services national Museums for All initiative to make the rich learning environments of museums accessible to all children and families. This special discounted rate is available to families receiving food assistance, by showing an EBT card.
Two guests admitted FREE daily with an EBT card and ID. $2 admission for each additional guest.
Don’t Miss: Hotels By Field Museum Chicago
Hands On Childrens Museum Tickets As Low As $825 Per Ticket
The deal is even better right now for discount tickets for Hands On Childrens Museum in Olympia, WA. Right now, Groupon is offering an awesome deal for The Hands On Childrens Museum in Olympia:
- $18 for admission for two that makes it $9 per ticket
- $33 for admission for four – that makes it $8.25 per ticket
Timed Entry With No Fixed End Time
We have moved to timed-entry admission with no fixed end time. That means you can choose your start time and play for longer periods. Online reservations are required, but visitors can now explore the Museum from entry until closing. To ensure visitor safety, we will continue to limit the number of visitors in the Museum at any given time. Walk-ups are welcome if capacity has not been reached.
Please call ahead 956-0818 ext. 0 to confirm space availability.
Read Also: Pima Air And Space Museum Hours
Tips For Visitors To Olympia Was Hands
- The quietest days for visiting the museum are Mondays and Tuesdays.
- As you might have gathered, the Hands-on Childrens Museum is a large busy space! Staff suggests that families set a meeting spot in case members get separated.
- Food is only allowed in the cafe . Visitors are welcome to bring their own meals and snacks, and there are also amazing grilled sandwiches and healthy snack options available for purchase.
- The museum regularly puts out $5 off groupon deals, so be sure to check groupon before you visit!
- If you become a member, there are many benefits including special member-only hours. Currently those hours are Mondays 10am-11am, and Saturdays 9am-10am.
Why Parents It
Washingtons award-winning museum sits on Olympias waterfront, adjacent to the WET Science Center and a plaza with a 250-foot iWashingtons award-winning museum on Olympias waterfront adjacent to the WET Science Center and Plaza with a 250-foot interactive stream. Near downtown, Farmers Market and Percival Landing. Clean and beautiful facility with fresh foods in the Play Day Café. Voted Best Family Fun Destination by Showcase magazine and The Olympian Best of South Sound.
You May Like: Contemporary Jewish Museum San Francisco
Why Kids It
There are 150 interactive exhibits and a half-acre of outdoor play space including a giant climbing boulder, dino dig, vintage schooner, lighthouse lookout, trike loop and childrens garden. Plus, an art studio, MakeSpace, two-story climber and stream slide, Ballcano, water table, Emergency! gallery and Airways Maze. Theres also seasonal themed events with special guests and activities.
