Hands On! Children’s Museum offers free admission and resources

Hands On! Children’s Museum-WNC, 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville, is offering free admission through Oct. 31. The museum is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and parking in downtown Hendersonville is free through October. Paid admission will resume on Nov. 1.

The museum also has a resource center that is open from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily that offers supplies, food and licensed counselors for children and adults. The center will be open through the end of the year and possibly longer, depending upon the need.

Donations are needed to keep the resource center and grab-n-go infant-toddler supply center stocked. The greatest needs at this time are baby formula, shelf stable snacks for kids, cleaning supplies and new toys. Call (828) 697-8333, Ext. 223 to arrange delivery. Clothing is not being accepted. Resource kits are available to communities in Western North Carolina who are unable to travel to the museum. Supplies have been donated by local and regional individuals and organizations as well as Kidzu Children’s Museum in Chapel Hill and The Children’s Museum of the Upstate in South Carolina.

The museum will also offer free hot meals via World Central Kitchen from noon-2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. through October or until supplies run out.

Free Halloween parties will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 25 and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 26. Registration is not required, just show up. Children and adults are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes.

"We want to offer children some normalcy during this challenging time," said director Joseph Knight.

To donate or volunteer, call (828) 697-8333 or visit www.handsonwnc.org or https://www.facebook.com/HandsOnWNC .

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Hands On! Children’s Museum offers free admission and resources