Upcoming programs at the Children's Museum of New Hampshire

DOVER - While families continue to flock to the museum to escape those winter blues, we are continuing to find ways to engage our visitors. We're busy planning for the upcoming summer Play Patio project that will open up a space outside the museum for messy play. Our Exhibits Manager, Eric Erwin, is putting the finishing touches on an interactive voting station encouraging our youngest citizens to be civically engaged! And we are once again partnering with Kennebunk Savings to offer a "Free Resident Day", this time for Hampton, North Hampton and Hampton Beach, New Hampshire residents on Saturday, March 21^st! Plus, look for our April 4 & 5 Consignment Sale in a new location at the Mall at Fox Run in Newington! We're excited to see how a new space, longer hours, and ample parking will make this semi-annual fundraiser bigger and better than ever. Learn more about everything the Children's Museum of New Hampshire has to offer at www.childrens-museum.org.

Children's Museum of New Hampshire Car or Cash Raffle

Raffle Tickets on Sale through Tuesday, May 19

The Children's Museum of New Hampshire's annual car raffle fundraiser is back! 725 tickets are available for purchase and tickets are on sale for only $100. The winner can choose between a 6-speed manual 2020 Nissan 370Z coupe (MSRP $35,215) or a metallic grey 2020 Nissan Leaf S model automatic with the charge package (MSRP $34,610) - OR $20,000 cash. To purchase tickets, visit www.childrens-museum.org. The winning ticket will be drawn at a free event for all purchasers on Tuesday, May 19 at Port City Nissan in Portsmouth. This raffle fundraiser is sponsored Port City Nissan, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, Rock 101, Z107 and 96.7 News Radio.

Gallery 6 Art Exhibition: Wrong Brain Artists' Collective Showcase

On view through May 3, 2020

In this exhibition of Wrong Brain artists, a lasting and flourishing Dover institution, we seek to inspire across generations with outlandish, magical, and out-of-the-box artworks in diverse mixed-media. See whimsical, surreal animal sculptures in papier-mache, vivid, large-scale paintings on wood, illustration, portraiture, photography, and much more. Some of the artists featured in this exhibition are Dan Beauvais, Darcie Blake, Emma Sophia Cancelada, Alex Keown, Scot McKinnon, Sam Paolini, Joy Pratt, and more. No admission fee is required to view the art in Gallery 6. Regular admission applies for families who wish to also explore the rest of the Museum. Gallery 6 is supported by Georgia-Pacific. Visit www.childrens-museum.org to learn more.

CALL FOR MAKERS - New Hampshire Maker & Food Fest

Deadline for applications is Friday, June 8

NEW DATE FOR FEST: Saturday, June 27th

Join us at the 8^th annual New Hampshire Maker & Food Fest, an all ages celebration of creativity and innovation taking place in and around the Children's Museum of New Hampshire in downtown Dover, NH on Saturday, June 27 from 10am-4pm. If you are an engineer, a scientist, a food vendor, a baker, a tinkerer or an artisan, we want to see what you do! Sign up to be a Maker presenter, performer, sponsor, or to give a workshop or to sell your creations. It's FREE to participate, and new this year, we are offering "Pay-what-you-can admission" into the Fest. Everyone is welcome, regardless of the ability to pay (suggested donation of $5 per person). Visit www.childrens-museum.org to learn more or to register. Sponsored by Sprague, UNIQUE College Investing Plan managed by Fidelity, the Rowley Agency, Martel Plumbing and Heating, NHPBS, New Hampshire Magazine and Parenting NH.

3-day Summer Mini Camps for ages 4 & 5

These half day camps for kids ages 4 & 5 at the Children's Museum of New Hampshire in Dover start with play time in the museum, and include science experiments, building activities, art projects and more. Enjoy bubbles and chalk art outdoor play time (weather permitting), and take home creations each day. Cost of 3-day camps is $110 for Members or $125 for Non-members, and run Tuesdays through Thursdays, 9am-noon. Choose between the following camps:

NH Creatures: Tuesday, July 14 - Thursday, July 16, 9am-noon

Ooey Gooey Science: Tuesday, July 21 - Thursday, July 23, 9am-noon

Amazing Art: Tuesday, July 28 - Thursday, July 30, 9am-noon

Storybook STEAM: Tuesday, August 4 - Thursday, August 6, 9am-noon

Registration is required and closes one week before camp begins. Campers should pack a water bottle and snack. To register or learn more visit www.childrens-museum.org.

3-day Summer Discovery Camps for ages 6 & 7

These half day camps for kids ages 6 & 7 at the Children's Museum of New Hampshire in Dover start with play time in the museum, and include science experiments, building activities, art projects and more. Enjoy bubbles and chalk art outdoor play time (weather permitting), and take home creations each day. Cost of 3-day camps is $110 for Members or $125 for Non-members, and run Tuesdays through Thursdays, 9am-noon. Choose between the following camps:

Nature's Builders: Tuesday, July 14 - Thursday, July 16, 9am-noon

Science Explorers: Tuesday, August 4 - Thursday, August 6, 9am-noon

Registration is required and closes one week before camp begins. Campers should pack a water bottle and snack. To register or learn more visit www.childrens-museum.org.

5-day Full Day Summer Discovery Camps for ages 7-9

Monday, August 17 - Friday August 21, 9am-4pm

These full day camps offer kids ages 7-9 hands-on activities and projects related to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) topics. Each day starts with play time in the museum, followed by creative hands-on activities led by the museum's education team, and time to play outside in the park. Activities include science experiments, art projects, building activities, and games. Campers will learn about states of matter, physics of flight, New Hampshire animals, engineering, and more! Cost of 5-day camps is $420 for Members or $490 for Non-members, and run Monday through Friday, 9am-4pm. Registration is required and closes one week before camp begins. Campers should pack a water bottle, snacks, lunch, a change of clothes and towel. To register or learn more visit www.childrens-museum.org.

Toddler Tinker Time Tuesdays

Every Tuesday in March, 2pm

Join us for this weekly drop-in program that emphasizes the importance of tinkering! Tinkering helps little ones develop fine motor skills, increases problem-solving abilities, and is an open invitation to foster peer relationships. What is tinkering?! Tinkering can range from taking something apart and putting it back together (think puzzles!) to making an open ended sculpture, to playing with "loose parts" and special science tools. We will have different activities every week and some old favorites will pop up again and again. This is an unstructured, drop-in program that is free for members and included with museum admission. Visit www.childrens-museum.org to learn more.

Wee Ones Wednesdays

Every Wednesday in March, 9am and 10am

Wee Ones Wednesdays is an interactive weekly drop-in program for children ages 2-4 and has been designed as PRE pre-school. Children and a parent or caregiver enjoy art, music, movement and conceptual learning with a new theme each week. Please note the new times: Sessions are offered from 9-9:45am and 10-10:45am. The cost per adult/child pair is $8 for Museum members and $11 for Non-members. Additional children in a family are $5 each for Members and $8 each for Non-members. We also offer a punch card option for Members who attend regularly: a 5-class punch card is $35 or 2 cards for $65. Space is limited. First-come, first-served. Visit www.childrens-museum.org for more information.

First Friends Playgroup with Baby Storytime

Every Wednesday in March, 8:30am

These two drop-in programs are perfect for children ages 6 months to two years and their parents or caregivers. Doors open for Baby Storytime at 8:30am and starts at 8:45am in one of the museum's classrooms. The Storytime is led by Early Childhood Coordinator Meredith Brustlin, MLIS - and focuses on teaching caregivers and little ones important early literacy skills through books, songs, rhymes, puppets, toys and more. Not interested in storytime? Join the informal First Friends Playgroup also starting at 8:30am upstairs in the Primary Place exhibit. This informal gathering is a great chance for caregivers to interact, visit, and play in a space specifically designed for babies and toddlers. Both First Friends Playgroup and Baby Storytime programs are free for museum members and regular admission applies for non-members: $11 for adults and children, $9 for seniors, and no charge for babies under 12 months old. Visit www.childrens-museum.org for more information.

Wacky Art Wednesday: Whimsical Wood Sculptures
Wednesday, March 11, 2pm
Most Wednesdays, join us in the Muse Studio for a celebration of all things art and all things messy! We will explore a variety of art materials and mediums and make masterpieces to take home. Although smocks are available, please come to this program ready to get messy. Today we'll be creating whimsical wood sculptures! Wacky Art Wednesday is included with admission, and free for members. Visit www.childrens-museum.org for more information.

Saint Patrick's Day

Tuesday, March 17, 9am-5pm

Join us at the Children's Museum of NH for Saint Patrick's Day! In the Muse Studio, drop-in all day to make lucky rainbow necklaces, explore shamrock stamping, and investigate a special rainbow sensory bin. In the STEAM Innovation Lab, you can drop-in between 10am and noon to build leprechaun traps, take part in a fizzy leprechaun gold experiment, and check out the museum's 3D printer! All activities are free with museum admission. Visit www.childrens-museum.org for more information.

Wacky Art Wednesday: Bubble Wrap Printmaking
Wednesday, March 18, 2pm
Most Wednesdays, join us in the Muse Studio for a celebration of all things art and all things messy! We will explore a variety of art materials and mediums and make masterpieces to take home. Although smocks are available, please come to this program ready to get messy. Today we'll creating prints with bubble wrap! Wacky Art Wednesday is included with admission, and free for members. Visit www.childrens-museum.org for more information.

Alzheimer's Café

Thursday, March 19, 2-4pm

People living with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia, their family members and care partners are welcome to join us on the third Thursday of each month for the Alzheimer's Café, a supportive, non-clinical setting to chat, relax and socialize while enjoying complimentary refreshments. Reservations are not needed and there is no cost to attend, though donations are accepted. Visit www.childrens-museum.org for more information.

Hampton Free Resident Day

Saturday, March 21, 9am-5pm

For one Saturday in March the Children's Museum of New Hampshire is proud to collaborate with Kennebunk Savings to offer free admission to residents of Hampton, North Hampton and Hampton Beach New Hampshire! Thanks to Kennebunk Savings' generous sponsorship this is the second free resident day the museum has been able to offer. In order to receive free admission for you and anyone in your immediate family, you must present proof of residence from Hampton, North Hampton or Hampton Beach when you visit. Admission into the museum is normally $11/person for everyone over the age of 12 months of age, and $9 for seniors 65+. The Children's Museum of New Hampshire offers many programs to provide equal access to the museum including military discounts, library passes and $1/person admission when you present an EBT card. To learn more about the museum, visit www.childrens-museum.org.

Wacky Art Wednesday: Straw Painting Peacock
Wednesday, March 25, 2pm
Most Wednesdays, join us in the Muse Studio for a celebration of all things art and all things messy! We will explore a variety of art materials and mediums and make masterpieces to take home. Although smocks are available, please come to this program ready to get messy. Today we'll be making a colorful peacock with paint and straws! Wacky Art Wednesday is included with admission, and free for members. Visit www.childrens-museum.org for more information.

March in the Muse Studio: Creative Crafts

March is National Craft Month! We will celebrate creativity and innovation with hands-on crafts, activities and games all month! What will you create? Free with Museum admission. To learn more, visit www.childrens-museum.org.

March in the STEAM Innovation Lab: Math Masterpieces

This month in the STEAM Innovation Lab, we will be exploring math with hands-on activities and art projects. Make a pattern snake, learn about symmetry, create a monster, and practice counting, measuring, and estimating with fun experiments. STEAM Lab activities are free with museum admission. Check the online calendar for daily topics and times, www.childrens-museum.org. The STEAM Lab is generously supported by Granite State Development Corporation.

Coming Soon

Books Alive: Peter Rabbit

Saturday, April 11, 9am-2pm

Peter Rabbit, that fluffy menace of Mr. McGregor's vegetable garden, will visit the Children's Museum of New Hampshire to greet young fans and help promote the love of reading! Books Alive seeks to make reading a regular family experience. Museum educators will be reading these classic stories by Beatrix Potter throughout the day. A friendly costumed Peter Rabbit will pop in and out to greet children, exchange a hug or high-five and pose for photos. There will also be a variety of Rabbit-inspired literacy, math and creative activities for all guests. Books Alive is sponsored by Exeter Hospital and Cogswell Charitable Trust. Free with Museum admission. Visit www.childrens-museum.org for more info.

CMNH Kids Spring Consignment Sale

Saturday, April 4, 10am-4pm

Sunday, April 5, 11am-4pm

The Mall at Fox Run (50 Fox Run Road, Newington)

This HUGE semi-annual sale has a new space, longer hours and ample parking! Join us at the Mall at Fox Run in Newington, with easy access to sale location using the mall entrance between Buffalo Wild Wings and Macy's. This sale typically features over 23,000 items! Find gently used, great quality children's clothes from infant to teen, baby gear, footwear, costumes, toys, nursery furniture and décor, sports equipment, books and more at outstanding prices. Maternity wear will also be available. There is no fee to shop. Proceeds will benefit the Children's Museum of NH and our education and outreach programs. Visit https://www.childrens-museum.org/things-to-do/events/semi-annual-consignment-sale to learn more.

About the Children's Museum of New Hampshire

The not-for-profit Children's Museum of New Hampshire is located at 6 Washington Street in Dover and offers two levels of hands-on, interactive exhibits for children from newborn to middle school. Children can explore a wide range of subjects, from dinosaurs, music and aeronautics to world cultures, art and natural history. Open year-round, the Silver LEED-certified museum specializes in creating memorable family learning experiences and works closely with schools, social service agencies and educators. The museum also hosts a variety of live performances, workshops, classes and special events for families. For more information, please call the museum at (603) 742-2002 or visit www.childrens-museum.org