The Hands-on-House in Lancaster offers a world of imagination and exploration for children of all ages.

This year is the 25th anniversary. The mission of the museum is to learn through play according to Megan Stoltzfus, Lead Educator and Camp Director at the museum.

“All of our exhibits are hands on. We have classes and with our classes, all of its hands on education. And we also have a special educational room called the Play Lab, where we have lots of hands-on activities, play based and some sensory things as well, “said Stolzfus.

For children, play based education is extremely important for children as they learn through discovering things for themselves. The museum also offers STEM courses for children to help them succeed in the future.

“The best way to develop skills is through that hands on that play based learning play, because learning is also important, because it helps kids to basically pretend to be what they're going to be as adults as well. So, it gives them a really good preparation for their future ahead, “said Stolzfus.

There are many exhibits that offer educational opportunities. A fan favorite at the museum is the heating and HVAC exhibit.  Patti Van Brederode, Art and Museum Director, the construction site exhibit is also popular among the visitors.

“It has to do with how air flows and the kids get to put in these giant tubes that we have on the wall with an H back system in them. They can put there clear these tubes and they can put colorful handkerchiefs in there and see which way they go. And they can change the direction and flow of the air and change the way the handkerchiefs fly around. And that is, I think, one of the most fun things, “said Brederode.

Patti also teaches art classes at the museum.

“So, my kiddos come in, I teach one week is one lesson, so and I teach on Tuesdays and Wednesdays twice each day and I get to do the fun stuff with kids. We get to make a mess, and their caregivers don't have to worry about cleaning it up too much. We only tidy in class and so I'm there for both the kids and the caregiver so the caregivers get a minute to relax and play with their kiddos that they bring along. We do things that you wouldn't necessarily do at home, but I also send and give information so that each family can also expand upon that play at home because, you know, play is actually children's work. And so we what I get to do is I get to show kids what they are capable of, “said Brederode.

The <a href="https://handsonhouse.org/">Hands-on-House</a> in Lancaster offers a world of imagination and exploration for children of all ages.
This year is the 25th anniversary. The mission of the museum is to learn through play according to Megan Stoltzfus, Lead Educator and Camp Director at the museum.
&ldquo;All of our exhibits are hands on. We have classes and with our classes, all of its hands on education. And we also have a special educational room called the Play Lab, where we have lots of hands-on activities, play based and some sensory things as well, &ldquo;said Stolzfus.
For children, play based education is extremely important for children as they learn through discovering things for themselves. The museum also offers STEM courses for children to help them succeed in the future.
&ldquo;The best way to develop skills is through that hands on that play based learning play, because learning is also important, because it helps kids to basically pretend to be what they're going to be as adults as well. So, it gives them a really good preparation for their future ahead, &ldquo;said Stolzfus.
There are many exhibits that offer educational opportunities. A fan favorite at the museum is the heating and HVAC exhibit. &nbsp;Patti Van Brederode, Art and Museum Director, the construction site exhibit is also popular among the visitors.
&ldquo;It has to do with how air flows and the kids get to put in these giant tubes that we have on the wall with an H back system in them. They can put there clear these tubes and they can put colorful handkerchiefs in there and see which way they go. And they can change the direction and flow of the air and change the way the handkerchiefs fly around. And that is, I think, one of the most fun things, &ldquo;said Brederode.
Patti also teaches art classes at the museum.
&ldquo;So, my kiddos come in, I teach one week is one lesson, so and I teach on Tuesdays and Wednesdays twice each day and I get to do the fun stuff with kids. We get to make a mess, and their caregivers don't have to worry about cleaning it up too much. We only tidy in class and so I'm there for both the kids and the caregiver so the caregivers get a minute to relax and play with their kiddos that they bring along. We do things that you wouldn't necessarily do at home, but I also send and give information so that each family can also expand upon that play at home because, you know, play is actually children's work. And so we what I get to do is I get to show kids what they are capable of, &ldquo;said Brederode.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb starts conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb starts conversations about what&rsquo;s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

The Spark

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb start the conversations about what&rsquo;s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at&nbsp;<a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.