AHA! Children’s Museum: Where Hands-On Learning Meets Imagination

{This visit is from 2020, but I went through February 2023 to update any out of date information}

AHA! A Hands-on Adventure, A Children’s Museum, located in Lancaster, OH (just 30 minutes Southeast of Columbus), was opened in 2008 with the mission of educating children in a world of discovery, curiosity and imagination through hands-on play. With over 60 hands-on exhibits, in an 8,000 square foot space, kids ages 6 months to 8 years of age are able to achieve that mission.

Exploring everything that AHA! had to offer was an absolute blast for us. Our girls were fully immersed and didn’t slow down for a moment, captivated by all the exhibits around them. It’s not always easy to find a space that caters specifically to younger children aged 5 and under, but with AHA!, that search is now over.

Everything is in one big area, which you have to get to through two closed doors to access. When you walk in, you notice the open floor plan, filled with activities from multiple sensory tables to a stage (microphones coming soon) with dress-up to large blue blocks (similar to the ones at COSI) to a play garden (no real dirt) to an enclosed area for the younger ones. You can tell how well thought out the layout was. On one side you had dramatic play, in the middle you had larger climbing structures and on the other end sensory tables. The flow was perfect and kept things perfectly separated. I also appreciate that they had the water area closed off (with easy access). If the girls were able to see the water the entire time, that is all they would want to do.

You can see all of there exhibits here.

This area is called the plop zone and is geared for ages 24 months and under. Located right in the center of the action, it is a completely closed in hexagon shaped area where babies and toddlers to crawl, climb and explore. We loved this space because the girls were right in the action, but in an extra safe way. It was also a great “breather” for Stephen and I. The girls are on the MOVE and this was a way for us to sit down and let the girls go in any direction they wanted because they weren’t able to escape!

How cute is Riley with her little babies in the shopping carts? She really enjoyed pushing them, as well as “cleaning” her vegetables in the sink.

Ball Mountain was another one of their favorites. They loved putting the balls down the tubes, as well as collecting the balls at the bottom and putting/dumping them out of the basket.

In the middle, there was a large bulldozer. The girls loved climbing up the sides, as well as pushing the buttons and watching wthelights flash. Also, I can’t handle their little jackets.

I love how the girls were able to easily play at the different tables. This space is truly designed with younger kiddos in mind. They could walk up to pretty much anything and reach it.

These magnets are one of the girls favorite things to play with at home, so I wasn’t surprised when they were drawn to them.

Last, but not least, the water area! We waited until the end to do this, just in case they got soaked! Tip: Bring a change of clothes for post-water play! The water area is not huge, but it seemed to be the perfect size for the crowd. I liked how they had different levels. Lower for the littles ones, higher for the bigger kids — as well as seats for the younger babes. We didn’t last as long in the water area as I thought, but mostly because the girls kept drinking the water! They were hungry/thirsty, which meant it was time to go.

We truly had the best time exploring AHA! I have already recommend this place to many people and will continue to do so. Not only was everything well thought out and planned throughout the space, the environment was just great. The kids, parents and staff were all delightful and added to the overall awesomeness of the day.

Important Information

Address: 1708 River Valley Circle South, Lancaster, OH 43130
Phone: (740) 653-1010
Cost: $8.00 per person
(12 months old and under FREE)

Museums For All Admission $3.00 with EBT or WIC card for up to 4 family members. If you have a COSI Membership, admission is 1/2 off at $4/person! Must show card with ID.

Hours:
Tues – Sat AHA! is OPEN 10:00a – 4:00p
Changes are announced through posts on Facebook. Please check Facebook posts for updates

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