Hidden Hollow

Family fun for children ages 2-10

Designed for children between the ages of 2-10, Hidden Hollow is nestled in a two-acre dry kettle hole—a glacially formed depression common to Cape Cod. A variety of play areas and monthly themes provides a stimulating and beautiful outdoor setting for discovery, learning and play. Children can climb stepping stumps, navigate log balance beams, construct forts, create nature-inspired art, build with blocks, dig in sand, experiment with water, make music, engage in sensory investigation with plants, and more.

Hidden Hollow is one of the first certified Nature Explore Classrooms in New England and was the first certified Nature Explore Classroom at a museum. This space is dedicated to reconnecting children to nature, stimulating curiosity and creativity, and encourages learning through the freedom to explore and interact with nature. Children are exposed to STEM ideas as they experiment with a multitude of science, technology, engineering, and math concepts. Play and experimentation that happens here helps children understand physical laws of nature, as well as promoting teamwork and dramatic play.

Changing Themes and Activities

There’s Always Something New to Explore

Children (and adults!) can learn while they play, with engaging activities exploring a variety of changing themes such as seasons, trees, nocturnal creatures, pollinators, and more.

Hidden Hollow Theme for Spring Coming Soon!

Hidden Hollow Treehouse

Master treehouse-builder Pete Nelson advised on the project early on, situating it in two magnificent oak trees and suggesting post-and-beam construction. Architect Greg Jones created the final design that incorporates sustainable woods and high school students from Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School built the Treehouse. The first floor of the building is fully accessible to visitors with disabilities.

Discovery Trail: The Hidden Hollow adventure begins as families encounter discovery boxes, custom-crafted by Nick Nobili, that feature clues to the Hidden Hollow monthly themes. As they wind their way into the area, visitors follow an accessible pathway lined with bricks inscribed with the names of generous donors to the project. Visitors may also enjoy a socially distanced storybook walk as they meander down the path.

Lookout: Upon reaching the semi-circular overlook of IPE decking on the Discovery Trail, a view into the Hollow opens up and families can survey the layout and activities. Visitors may also get information about the space at the kiosk. In Phase 4 we look forward to the return of the Magic Megaphones, an interactive art installation created by artist Brendan Stecchini and gifted by the Muhlebach family that was designed to encourage communication and expression, to teach how sound travels, and to provide a fun way to make some noise.

Move Area: This grassy space is specifically designated for active engagement and provides opportunities for running, rolling, or other larger-motor activities. Monthly activity elements often encourage big body play here.

Create Area: This popular area offers opportunities for hands-on creative expression using a changing variety of materials. In this area families can utilize chalkboard easels around the edges of the circular area and engage in nature crafts. The design is inspired by “fairy rings,” which are naturally occurring circular growths of fungus. The pinecone shaped tables were crafted by artist Barre Pinske. This area is covered with a shade sail to ensure visitors a comfortable place out of the sun to enjoy activities.

Splash Area: The most popular feature in Hidden Hollowis the Splash area, which allows kids to safely experiment with water and its properties. The Splash area allows visitors the opportunity to experiment with water play to fill buckets, watering cans and other vessels to create experiments by mixing solutions and helping to maintain the children’s planting garden.

In the fall of 2017, the popular hand water pump was joined by new features in the enhanced and expanded Splash area include a dramatic waterfall, an accessible discovery stream for hands-in experimentation with water flow, and two basins for exploration of how objects sink or float. The new features expand children’s exposure to STEM ideas as they experiment with a multitude of science, technology, engineering, and math concepts. Experimentation that happens here helps children internalize and understand physical laws of nature, as well as promoting teamwork and dramatic play. Benches are provided for observing Hidden Hollowactivities.

This area was enhanced in the fall of 2017 thanks to the generous support of the James M. Stoneman Charitable Fund, The Dorr Foundation, and The Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank Charitable Foundation Trust.

Construct and Dig Areas: Today’s children have fewer and fewer opportunities to interact with wild, natural areas that allow for free exploration and experimentation. Their ability to be messy is also more and more restricted, and more of their time is spent indoors or in manicured outdoor settings. In these areas, children can dig in the sand, maneuver large materials such as sections of tree stumps or build forts with branches.

Discovery Trail: The Hidden Hollow adventure begins as families encounter discovery boxes, custom-crafted by Nick Nobili, that feature clues to the Hidden Hollow monthly themes. As they wind their way into the area, visitors follow an accessible pathway lined with bricks inscribed with the names of generous donors to the project. Visitors may also enjoy a socially distanced storybook walk as they meander down the path.

Lookout: Upon reaching the semi-circular overlook of IPE decking on the Discovery Trail, a view into the Hollow opens up and families can survey the layout and activities. Visitors may also get information about the space at the kiosk. In Phase 4 we look forward to the return of the Magic Megaphones, an interactive art installation created by artist Brendan Stecchini and gifted by the Muhlebach family that was designed to encourage communication and expression, to teach how sound travels, and to provide a fun way to make some noise.

Move Area: This grassy space is specifically designated for active engagement and provides opportunities for running, rolling, or other larger-motor activities. Monthly activity elements often encourage big body play here.

Create Area: This popular area offers opportunities for hands-on creative expression using a changing variety of materials. In this area families can utilize chalkboard easels around the edges of the circular area and engage in nature crafts. The design is inspired by “fairy rings,” which are naturally occurring circular growths of fungus. The pinecone shaped tables were crafted by artist Barre Pinske. This area is covered with a shade sail to ensure visitors a comfortable place out of the sun to enjoy activities.