As moms we are always on the look out for great indoor activities as the weather starts to change, especially as the chill turns into coat- and hat-wearing cold. The Hands-on House, Children's Museum of Lancaster, is a terrific place to visit with your kids all year long, but nothing beats it as the go-to place to educate and excite your little ones this fall and winter. Haven’t been there? We are giving away a family four-pack of passes to one lucky winner… more about that in a minute.
In addition to a host of learning through play activities, the Hands-on House also hosts the ONLY American Girl Fashion Show in Central Pennsylvania? The American Girl Fashion Show, held on November 6 & 7, 2015 at Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Road, Lancaster, PA, is an entertaining and educational look at how generations of American girls have used clothing to express their own unique style and personality.
We were pleased to hear that of the 112 Central PA girls that are volunteering as models, a large percentage are from our backyard - York County! The models will showcase historical fashions, from daywear and sleepwear to special occasion clothing, just like the popular American Girl characters might have worn. 
Attendees will enjoy reserved table seating, a dessert buffet and American Girl party favors. The event will also feature a raffle with numerous raffle prizes including, American Girl dolls and merchandise, as well as donated items from local community businesses! If you can’t attend, but still want a chance to win some fantastic American Girl prizes, including the brand new Maryellen Larkin doll, you can purchase raffle tickets here.
Fashion Show ticket holders are invited to take part in the show through the American Girl Dreamwalk Guest Model Experience. In addition to the chance to walk the runway, each Dreamwalk Guest Model will receive a tiara and sash for herself and her doll, as well as a raffle ticket package. The experience is available for Fashion Show attendees ages 5 -12. Interested participants can reserve their spot for the Dreamwalk experience here.
Event tickets are $35 per person. Full tables of 10 may also be purchased. Tickets are available at www.handsonhouse.org or 717.569.KIDS. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Proceeds benefit educational programs and exhibits at Hands-on House Children’s Museum of Lancaster.
The American Girl Fashion Show™ only comes once a year, but Hands-on House is open year round. The museum is designed for children ages 2 through 10, and has a variety of interactive and playful exhibits that will entertain and educate your children.
Enjoy sorting mail at the Post Office, playing cashier in the Corner Grocery or designing machines in Marty's Machine Shop. You can also learn more about life on a farm in the E-I-E-I Know exhibit that lets them pick corn, milk a cow, and collect eggs.
Of course there is also time for fun and games, like playing dress up in Mostly Make Believe or sharing artistic creations at the Face Painting Porch.
Depending on when you schedule your visit, you may also be able to enjoy some special programming. The POP-in for Play Program is packed with fun projects and activities for adults and children and is FREE with admission – no registration required.
Hands-on House fall and winter hours are: Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12-5 p.m. It is closed on Monday. Daily admission is $9.50 for adults and $9.50 for children. Family memberships are also available.
Visit their website for the latest information and like them on facebook.
**** TICKET GIVEAWAY ****
Hands-on House is giving away a family four-pack of passes to one lucky winner. The passes are valid for any time the museum is open and expire on November 1, 2016.
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