Submitted by Hands On Children’s Museum
Riveropolis, a 35-foot traveling waterway exhibit, opens Thursday, July 19 and runs through Aug. 17 at the Hands On Children’s Museum as part of Summer Splash! its third annual summer-long festival of fun. Nearby tinkering stations will encourage young visitors to build bridges and boats and use natural materials to explore how water works.
Interactive water play is the focus in July when the Museum brings Riveropolis to the Pacific Northwest for the first time. The play river exhibit includes sculptural elevated waterways of flowing water for children to get their hands wet while they investigate and explore the properties of water. Other water-focused features for July include the Cork Boat Regatta July 19-22 where children can use reclaimed materials to build and take home a one-of-a-kind boat and watch a live canoe carving demonstration on July 20 with carving master Taylor Krise from the Squaxin Island Tribe.
“Thanks to our sponsor Small to Tall Pediatric Dentistry, we are excited to be the first Museum to bring Riveropolis to Washington,” says Kathy Irwin, the Museum’s Director of Exhibits. “Rivers and waterways are a big part of our lives here in the Puget Sound. Riveropolis is an exceptional interactive exhibit that celebrates the importance of water and promotes endless investigation and experimentation. Kids will love it!”
Each month the Festival includes headline events, live performers, unique activities and special guests—all designed to keep children engaged and learning throughout the summer when learning loss is at its peak.
Other July highlights include Ocean Crowns and Salmon Hats with staff from the WET Science Center July 26, Face Painting and Giant Bubbles with Lakefair Royalty July 27, Stilts and Fire Spinning performances by Love of Poi, on July 28, and Casting & Splinting with Providence St. Peter Family Medicine doctors also on July 28. Kids can also make a mud pie on Mud Pie Mondays each week, take a selfie in the Photo Booth every Thursday and Saturday, paint the Giant Sand Castle and play Splash Ball daily.
For a full schedule of Festival events and activities, visit www.hocm.org/summersplashfestival.
Summer Splash! activities are free to the public with Museum admission or membership. EBT cardholders get free and reduced admission daily. The Museum also offers free admission to all from 5 to 9 p.m. on the First Fridays of each month.
About the Hands On Children’s Museum
Located on the tip of Puget Sound, The Hands On Children’s Museum is the State’s premier early learning destination serving 315,000 children and their families each year. The museum’s mission is to stimulate curiosity, creativity and learning through fun, interactive exhibits, and programs. Its programs and exhibits are designed to encourage interaction and inquiry, and inspire a lifelong love of learning. To learn more, visit www.hocm.org.
