JANUARY 2024 Programs at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire

Dover, NH – More fun at 41! The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire said farewell to its 40th anniversary year in 2023, and welcomes 2024 with a start of a new exhibit expansion project which will add 1,000 square feet and 2 exhibit spaces to its second floor by late 2025! Learn more about that ongoing project here: https://childrens-museum.org/exhibits/exhibits/2025-exhibit-expansion 

Field Trips to CMNH, now available for up to 65 students, can be Self-Guided, or include a STEAM Workshop for extra learning! Title 1 Schools can visit for FREE, but must visit before the end of March 2024. Reserve your Field Trip date and time online today www.childrensmuseum.org.

Museum Members Get More! Children’s Museum of NH Members are invited to play during special Member Only Monday play sessions! It happens once a month, is exclusive to CMNH Members, and is totally free but spots must be reserved in advance.  Learn more about these and other CMNH Membership perks online at www.childrens-museum.org. 

Museum Hours: Closed most Mondays. Open Wednesdays - Saturdays, 9am-Noon or 1-4pm; Tuesdays & Sundays 9am-Noon. HOLIDAY HOURS: The Museum will be open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 15, from 9am-Noon and 1-4pm. Before visiting, the Museum is asking guests to reserve and pre-pay online to help stick to their capacity limit, which is currently at 50% of its actual capacity, or 250 individuals. Learn more at www.childrens-museum.org.

FEATURED JANUARY PROGRAM 

Grown-up Playdate: Sip & Sketch with Live Animals

Friday, January 19, 7-9pm

Snowdate: Thursday, January 25, 7-9pm

Grown-ups, you’re invited to the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire for a special night to Sip & Sketch, with live animals! Not only will you get to explore the Children’s Museum of NH’s exhibits like a kid, but you’ll be inspired by live animal models from Pope Memorial Humane Society. An educator from the shelter will give a short presentation about the animals and guests can meet some of the furry friends. Then join local author and illustrator Sean Bixby as he instructs you to draw caricatures of some of the animals. When you are finished, add a little watercolor to make your artwork pop! No artistic experience necessary. Try more animal crafts and games as you explore the museum’s many hands-on exhibits, open for a special 21+ grown-up night for kids-at-heart! A cash bar from DeeLuxe Bartending will also be available, along with non-alcoholic beverages. Advance online tickets are $18, or $20 at the door, while tickets are available. Grown-ups only please (21+) and ID is required. Visit www.childrens-museum.org to reserve your spots or learn more.

Gallery 6 Art Exhibition: 40 Years of Play

On view through Thursday, February 29, 2024

This exhibition takes a nostalgic look back at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire’s 40 years! Items on display range throughout the museum’s history and include artwork, photos, puppets, exhibit items and more! Gallery 6 is sponsored by The Fuller Foundation, TD Charitable Foundation, Abbie F. Moseley Charitable Trust, and the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. Visit www.childrens-museum.org to learn more. 

First Friday Play Late

Friday, January 5, 4:15-7pm

The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire will be open to “Play Late” on the first Friday of every month through May of 2024. Regular Museum admission and discounts apply (free for Members) and online reservations are required for anyone wishing to join in the “Play Late” play sessions. Visit www.childrens-museum.org to learn more and to reserve your spots.

Junior Science: Let It Snow

Tuesdays, January 9-30(4 weeks) from 1:30-2:15pm

Join us for Junior Science at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire. We are excited to invite junior scientists (ages 3.5-5 years old) to our January session! This 45 minute class includes a story or felt board activity, followed by a fun experiment, and a related art project to take home. Families with siblings may opt to play on the second floor during the class time from 1:30-2:15 pm - please note that the museum is closed to the public on Tuesday afternoons. Grown ups are welcome to stay in the building during class time. Cost is Members $48/child; Non-Members $60/child. Pre-registration is required. Visitwww.childrens-museum.org to learn more. 

Author Visit: That’s Not A Hat! 

Saturday January 13, 10 am and 11 am

Join the Children’s Museum of NH for a special guest visit with local author Marti Fuerst! Marti will read her story That’s Not a Hat at 10am and 11am during the museum’s morning play session (9am-Noon) and visitors can design their own hat craft to take home. This program is included with museum admission and free for members. Be sure to book for the morning play session from 9-12 on Saturday January 13, online at www.childrens-museum.org. This special visit is part of CMNH’s Performance Series, sponsored by The Fuller Foundation, TD Charitable Foundation, Abbie F. Moseley Charitable Trust, and the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts.  

Toddler Tinker Time

Every Tuesday in January from 10:30-11:30am

Join us for a weekly program and informal playgroup 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 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. STEAM programs at the museum like Toddler Tinker Time are sponsored by Breezeline, Eversource Energy, and Sprague. Want to join in? Simply reserve spots in the museum’s morning play session that correspond to the date of the Toddler Tinker Time you want to join - it’s included with museum admission, and as always, free for Members! Reserve online at www.childrens-museum.org. 

Wacky Art Wednesdays

Every Wednesday in January

10:30am during Morning Play Session (9am-noon)

2:30pm during Afternoon Play Session (1-4pm)

Join us at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire at either 10:30am or 2:30 pm every Wednesday to do a wacky and wonderful art project. Want to join in? Simply reserve spots in the museum’s morning or afternoon play session that correspond to the date of the Wacky Art Wednesday you want to join - it’s included with museum admission, and as always, free for Members! Reserve online at www.childrens-museum.org.

Baby Storytime

Wednesdays, January (No class on the 3rd) 10, 17, 24 & 31
Babies (ages 6 months-2 years) and their caregivers are welcome to join Baby Storytime! This weekly program features songs, rhymes, movement ideas, and books for babies and their caregivers and introduces important pre-literacy skills along the way! This drop-in program and informal playgroup is a great way to socialize with other babies and caregivers. Want to join in? Simply reserve spots in the museum’s morning play session that correspond to the date of the Baby Storytime you want to join - it’s included with museum admission, and as always, free for Members! Reserve online at www.childrens-museum.org.

Cultural Crafts: Chinese New Year

Every Thursday in January

10:30am during Morning Play Session (9am-noon)

2:30pm during Afternoon Play Session (1-4pm)

Join us at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire during our Thursday play sessions at either 10:30am or 2:30pm to do a fun craft, play a game, or make some art celebrating a culture from around the world! Each month we will choose one culture or festival to focus on. For January, we will be learning about Chinese New Year. Want to join in? Simply reserve spots in the museum’s morning or afternoon play session that correspond to the date of the Cultural Crafts Thursday you want to join - it’s included with museum admission, and as always, free for Members! Reserve online at www.childrens-museum.org.

Science Fridays

Every Friday in January

10:30am during Morning Play Session (9am-Noon)

2:30pm during Afternoon Play Session (1-4pm)

Join us for Science Fridays! New each week and included with regular Museum admission, Science Friday drop-in programs engage children in experiments and activities that focus on fun, and act as a jumping-off point for learning about science concepts. Sponsored by the State of NH on behalf of the UNIQUE College Investing Plan. Want to join in? Simply reserve spots in the museum’s morning or afternoon play session that correspond to the date of the Science Friday you want to join - it’s included with museum admission, and as always, free for Members! Reserve online at www.childrens-museum.org.

Wee Ones Wednesdays

Wednesdays, January (No class on the 3rd) 10, 17 & 31

Wednesdays, February 7 & 14 (No class on 21 & 28)

9:15-10am

Join Miss Xanthi at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire for this interactive weekly program for children ages 2-4. Designed as a PRE pre-school program for children and a parent or caregiver, we will enjoy art, music, movement and conceptual learning together! This program is limited to 10 children, and caregivers or adults are welcome to sign up multiple children within their family. Pre-reservation/payment is required and does not include museum admission. Reservations to stay and play in museum exhibits must be made separately. Prices: Child $13 ($10 for Members), Additional Children (if participating in crafts & is a sibling) $9 ($7 for Members). Visitwww.childrens-museum.org for more info and to reserve your spot.

Upcoming Events

Exploring Our Way: Sensory Friendly Playtime

Tuesday, February 6, 1-3pm

Sunday, March 3, 1-3pm

For some children with autism spectrum or sensory processing disorders, a visit to museums like the Children’s Museum of NH is challenging or over-stimulating. Exploring Our Way are FREE low-sensory events designed for children with autism spectrum or sensory processing disorders, and allows them to explore the Museum along with their families without the noise, crowds, and stimulation of a typical open day. We limit the number of families who can attend, turn down sounds and lights, provide a quiet zone with sensory activities away from the exhibit floor and have noise canceling headphones to borrow. A medical diagnosis is not required. This program is free, but online pre-registration is required. Visit www.childrens-museum.org to learn more.

Valentine’s Day Party: Wild About You!

Sunday, February 11, 1-3pm

Calling all wild kids! Come celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire with special guests from The Center for Wildlife. Come play in the museum exhibits, make special Valentine’s day and animal themed crafts, learn about animals that can be found in New England, and take home a fun treat at the end of the event!

Tickets must be reserved in advance, and regular discounts do not apply for this special event. Space is limited and we can not guarantee that tickets will be available for purchase on the day of the event. Ticket prices are: $10 for Members and $16 for non-members. Member pre-sale starts Tuesday, January 2, and tickets go on sale to the public Monday, January 8.

About the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire

 

The 501(c)(3) 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, natural history, and S.T.E.A.M.. 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. A central part of the museum’s mission is ensuring accessibility, and the “Reach All Initiative” works towards this goal by welcoming nearly 20% of yearly visitors for free or reduced admission. 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