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Children's Hands-On Museum: A World of Discovery

Explore, create, and discover at Tuscaloosa's interactive children's museum, offering hands-on exhibits for kids of all ages!

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The Children's Hands-On Museum of Tuscaloosa (CHOM) is an interactive museum designed to spark curiosity and creativity in children of all ages. With three floors of exhibits, CHOM encourages learning through play, offering a dynamic environment for exploration and discovery.

A brief summary to Children's Hands-On Museum

  • Monday 9:30 am-5 pm
  • Tuesday 9:30 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 9:30 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 9:30 am-5 pm
  • Friday 9:30 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 9:30 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Check the CHOM website or call ahead to find out about special events and programs happening during your visit.
  • Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be doing a lot of walking and exploring.
  • Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours to fully experience all the exhibits.
  • Consider visiting during off-peak hours (weekdays or Saturday afternoons) to avoid crowds.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    CHOM is located in downtown Tuscaloosa on University Boulevard, near City Hall. If you are already downtown, walking is a convenient option. From the intersection of Greensboro Avenue and University Boulevard, walk east on University Boulevard for approximately 0.2 miles. The museum will be on your right.

  • Public Transport

    The Tuscaloosa Transit Authority (TTA) provides bus service throughout the city. Check the TTA website for the most up-to-date route information and schedules. Several routes have stops near the University Boulevard and 22nd Avenue, a short walk from the museum. A single ride fare is $1 for adults.

  • Taxi/Ride-share

    Taxi and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available in Tuscaloosa. A ride from the University of Alabama campus to the museum will typically cost between $8 and $12, depending on demand and traffic.

  • Driving

    If driving, navigate to 2213 University Blvd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. Parking is available in the area, but it may be limited. Check for street parking or nearby parking garages. Metered street parking typically costs $1.25 per hour, with time limits varying by location.

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Discover more about Children's Hands-On Museum

The Children's Hands-On Museum (CHOM) of Tuscaloosa is a vibrant learning environment where children can explore, create, and discover through interactive exhibits. Located in downtown Tuscaloosa, next to City Hall, the museum offers three floors of hands-on fun for kids of all ages. CHOM's exhibits are designed to engage children's curiosity and stimulate learning through play. Popular exhibits include the Choctaw Indian Village, where children can explore a replica of a Choctaw village from the 1700s, make shell necklaces, mold clay pottery, and learn about the history of the Choctaw people. The Once Upon a Farm exhibit is a soft play area designed for newborns through age 3, featuring a nursing nook for mothers, animal sounds, shape sorting, and a silo slide. The Arts Studio allows children to explore visual and performing arts, compose songs on a floor piano, play organs, and create art on a computer. Other exhibits include a replica of the wheelhouse of a towboat, a developmental center for preschoolers called Beavers' Bend, the Japan House, Central Drug, Lil' Sprouts Farmer's Market, the Creation Station, and Beyond the Garden Gate. CHOM also hosts a variety of educational programs and special events throughout the year, including workshops, summer camps, and holiday events. The museum's exhibits are designed to stimulate children's curiosity about their community and their place in it, and to involve children, parents, teachers, and others in participatory education. CHOM began in 1984 with a group of children in the Tuscaloosa County Schools' TARGET program. It opened in 1986 on the University of Alabama campus and relocated to downtown Tuscaloosa in 1988. CHOM has become an established and vital part of the community and is a highly-regarded educational institution and tourist destination.

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