They've got a lot of cool things going on at the Hands-on House Children's Museum of Lancaster, both inside and out, both individually and in group settings. Touching is fun, fun is learning, and learning is a key element in healthy development.

Located at 721 Landis Valley Road, the Hands-on House Children's Museum of Lancaster is an energetic space for kids to be kids. It's an engaging place where children from ages 2 through 10, and even younger, are encouraged to explore, be creative and be curious.

"We want kids to develop a love for learning," said Jim Bland, executive director of the Hands-on House Children's Museum. "Everyone learns best by doing. Some are more auditory; some are more visual. The number one way to learn and retain is by teaching. In a freeform environment, kids are taking control. Then kids give instruction to grown-ups."

The 8,000-square-foot Hands-on House Children's Museum is broken down into about seven or eight different interactive play/learning areas. There, kids are mentally stimulated and presented with items that may be new or may be familiar.

Out of doors, young explorers are treated to a recently enlarged learning playground called "Mason's Active Adventure Garden," where the use of "outside voices" signals a different sort of appreciation for learning.

But Hands-on House is so much more. It also offers art classes, story times, STEM programs, reading instruction, camps and outreach programs.

"Early learning gives kids a better shot when they get into school," said Bland. "They get a little more familiar with the structure, with the attention span needed. Kind of like when they get into school they can say, 'I've been learning.'"

Approximately 63,000 visitors are hosted by the Hands-on House Museum of Lancaster each year, and about half of them are children. Bland estimated that 75% of those guests originate from Lancaster County.

Separate admission fees have been set for children ages 2 through 10 and for adults. Kids age 2 and under are admitted free. The Hands-on Children's Museum boasts about 17,000 members.

"From a value standpoint, adults and children can easily spend two hours here, and when the weather is nice, another 45 minutes outside," said Bland. "That's a lot for the money. There's a big variety of things to do, and we're always adding something new. As a child, there's really something here for everyone."

Through the cooperation of the Junior League of Lancaster, similar organizations and interested individuals, the Hands-on House Children's Museum was established in 1985. The current structure was built around the turn of the century, and the museum and its exhibits were moved across the street from the former 1,500-square-foot building.

Over the years, the exhibits have changed and been upgraded and modernized. But the Hands-on House's mission of "learning through play" has never wavered.

"We want more diversification in our visitors," said Bland. "We want to add more value to our admission price. We want to expand our mission. We're trying to develop a sense of belonging."

For more information on Hands-on House Children's Museum of Lancaster, go to http://www.handsonhouse.org.