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 April and May: Animal Architects

Heritage’s Welcome Center construction project is inspiring us to think all about building. But we know humans aren’t the only builders there are many talented architects and builders in the natural environment. Join us to learn about some animals that rival humans for their engineering ingenuity! Go on a scavenger hunt for animal shelters, build a beaver dam, weave a web, dig burrows, build mounds, engineer a tunnel system, craft a coral polyp to take home (or to add to our “colony”), and visit the Treehouse for great books to help you explore more. Exercise your own skills as an architect to construct a shelter or as you build with a variety of block types. From large timber stackers to mini bricks, or wooden blocks with organic or architectural shapes, there are endless opportunities for creative building fun!

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 adventure begins as families encounter discovery boxes that feature clues to the monthly themes. Visitors may also enjoy a socially distanced storybook walk as they meander down the path.

LOOKOUT

Survey Hidden Hollow from the Lookout.

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.

SPLASH AREA

The most popular feature in Hidden Hollow™ is the Splash area, which allows kids to safely experiment with water and its properties.

CREATE AREA

This popular area offers opportunities for hands-on creative expression using a changing variety of materials.

BUILD AREA

This acorn-shaped area with flooring made from locust stump sections encourages children to build with wooden blocks with lots of room and no worries about noise.

PERFORM AREA

Families experiment with making music and creating expressive movement here using a stage built by the Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School.

TREEHOUSE

The Treehouse allows visitors to observe Hidden Hollow™ from above and engage with the natural world. Enjoy using monthly materials to learn about observation, STEM tools, and measurements in this space.