The 10th Hands On Conference in Amsterdam, the Netherlands was a great success!

We would like to thank you all so much for participating in the Hands On! Conference 2015. We had a wonderful time and greatly enjoyed the quality and variety of your presentations. We sincerely hope that the conference was all you expected it to be and that you took advantage of opportunities to make new friends, renew old acquaintances and to discuss and exchange ideas and experiences.

We hope to see you again either at the pre-conference in Graz 2016 or at our next Hands On! Conference in Pilsen, Czech Republic in 2017.

Visit and like our facebook page to see photos from the Hands On! Conference.

Hands On! Manifesto 2015

Hands On! International Association of Children in Museums aims to empower all people working in children’s museums, museums and science centres. By sharing expertise and expanding knowledge we strive to make our institutions valuable and meaningful places for all children worldwide.

This year, the 10^th edition of the Hands On! Conference took place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. This was the largest conference in the history of our organisation, with 400 participants from over 38 countries in attendance. Together, we explored issues relating to “touch” in places of informal learning. We thank main organizers of the conference: the Rijksmuseum and the Jewish Cultural Quarter, as well as the programme committee, which included Science Center NEMO, the National Maritime Museum and the Netherlands Museum Association.

Together we drafted this manifesto, which will direct our work for the coming two years. It reflects our conviction that the world needs creative centres like the ones we represent. We invite you to sign it, and share in our mission.

Hands On! International Association of Children in Museums is dedicated to:

1. Making high-quality exhibitions and programmes for children
2. Securing public and political support for children’s education in museums
3. Stimulating creativity and curiosity in children through our programmes
4. Fostering the unique talents of every child
5. Creating inclusive environments that are relevant to and accessible for all children
6. Preparing successful citizens for a globalized world