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For more than 15 years, Olympia’s beloved Hands On Children’s Museum hosted the ultimate summer festival: Sand in the City®. The second largest event in the South Sound region, Sand in the City® was known to welcome as many as 25,000 sandy, happy people at a time.

hocm sand in the city
Summer Splash will offer themed activities and exhibits at the Hands On Children’s Museum all summer long. Photo courtesy: Hands On Children’s Museum.

But this year Museum staff wanted to “offer the public new and exciting activities for families throughout the summer,” explains Senior Development Manager Amy Brockman. “We’re always trying to keep things fresh, but more importantly, the Museum recognizes its important role in preventing summer learning loss which all children can experience without access to engaging learning opportunities when school is out. ”

As the “most visited children’s museum in the state and with new exhibits opening throughout the summer,” Museum staffers decided this was “a very opportune year to make the shift” to a season-long Summer Splash festival sponsored by WSECU.

Running throughout the entire summer, Summer Splash will feature themed months full of activities, performances, guest appearances, traveling exhibits, and adventure galore. Though no longer a street festival, many fan favorite Sand in the City® activities will be featured—and enhanced—throughout the Museum. For example, the beloved giant climbing wall will now be featured in both July and August.

“Response from the public and our sponsors has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Brockman, “Families are really excited for new learning opportunities for their children during the summer.

hocm sand in the city
Many special features will return for the Hands On Children’s Museum’s Summer Splash. The popular climbing wall will be back twice this summer. Photo courtesy: Hands On Children’s Museum.

Summer Splash opens with the arrival of a traveling exhibit entitled Children’s China. The Hands On Children’s Museum is the first west coast stop for this amazing exhibit which focuses on what it is like to be a child growing up in modern-day China. The exhibit also includes supplemental activities including writing Chinese characters, celebrating Chinese New Year, dragon parades, artistic paper cutting, and playing traditional instruments. Details on bonus activities like silk screening, calligraphy demonstrations, and the chopstick challenge can be found online.

The travelling exhibit opens to the public over Memorial Day weekend with special guests and activities featured during the grand opening celebration showcased June 23 – 25. The exhibit will be at the Museum through September 4 and is free with admission or membership.

In July, look for “a nod to the past,” says Brockman, with the arrival of Sand, Water, & Forts, brought to visitors by Lucky Eagle Casino. Throughout July, the Museum will be organizing themed activities centered on sand, water and fort building. Master sand carvers from Sand in the City® will return on July 28 – 30 to create a massive outdoor sculpture over three days. Check the online schedule for other guest activities and special events, like the cork boat regatta, launching water rockets, and making sand band bracelets

But don’t put away your sailing togs quite yet; August is dedicated to Pirates & Parrots sponsored by Olympia Federal Savings. “Educators will be transforming the outdoor trike loop into tricycles fit for pirates,” says Brockman and kids will be able to make pirate hats for dress-up. August 9 – 13 a 40-foot long ship will sail into the Museum’s half-acre Outdoor Discovery Center and for five days a guest pirate will offer a live parrot shows daily.

hocm summer splash
Families are invited to explore a wide variety of activities, exhibits and special events at the Hands On Children’s Museum this summer. Photo courtesy: Hands On Children’s Museum.

Brockman encourages families to visit Hands On during Summer Splash and enjoy a regular line-up of performers on the indoor and outdoor stages and also experience special Summer Splash activities hosted by the Museum’s non-profit partners. Details and a schedule for entertainment and special activities will be updated on the HOCM’s website so check back frequently.

Throughout Summer Splash, Free Friday Night hours will be extended from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on June 3, July 1, and August 5. On the final weekend of Summer Splash, August 27 – 28, all entry fees are pay what you can, thanks to the sponsorship of Heritage Bank. Brockman emphasizes that access on these dates is for all families, regardless of ability to pay. “100% of the proceeds from Summer Splash will continue to support the Museum’s Free & Reduced Admission programs. This was always the case with Sand in the City® and we will continue this tradition with Summer Splash,” Brockman says.

hocm sand in the city
As the Hands On Children’s Museum transitions to Summer Splash, a team of master sand carvers will return in late July. Photo courtesy: Hands On Children’s Museum.

Parents aren’t left out of the fun either; the Summer Splash Gala, also sponsored by Heritage Bank, takes place August 26 from 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. Eat, drink, and dance throughout the evening with a spirited pirate themed party with a purpose. Look for registration and ticketing details soon.

Summer in the northwest is a glorious season of sunshine and adventure. It’s also an important time to keep the kids learning.

Make time to visit HOCM’s Summer Splash for outdoor fun, indoor excitement, and the best our region has to offer.

The Museum is located at 414 Jefferson Street NE in downtown Olympia. Call 360-956-0818 with questions.

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