NH Maker Fest

It's a rain or shine event!

Saturday, June 1, 2024, 10am-3pm

Inside CMNH, outside in the park, and on the stage!

Join us at the 12th annual New Hampshire Maker Fest, an all ages celebration of creativity and innovation taking place in and around the Children's Museum of New Hampshire in downtown Dover. From engineers to artists, to scientists, to chefs, the NH Maker Fest is a day for these "Makers" to show hobbies, experiments, projects, and for all of us to discover something new! It's a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness.

The Fest takes place inside the Children's Museum of NH and outside in the park and even on the stage.

Because we need to make room for all the Makers, some of the museum exhibits won't be accessible as usual. This is not a normal day of play at the museum, which is why you can't reserve tickets for normal play sessions. The Fest is family friendly, and admission is a suggested $5/person donation. You can reserve tickets here online, or donate when you arrive. We thank our generous sponsors for helping us keep this an "entry by donation" event.

Question: "So if I want to come play in the museum, I can't on this day?"
Answer: If you are looking to access ALL of our exhibits, then today isn't the best day to visit. However, some exhibits where we don't have Makers set up will be accessible. Some of these exhibits may include: Primary Place, Pattern Palace, and Cave Explorers on the 2nd floor of the museum.

Question: "I'm a Museum (or ACM/ASTC) Member. Can I visit the Fest for free?"
Answer: It's up to you! Entry into the Fest is by a suggested $5 for everyone, so it's totally up to you.

2024 NH Maker Fest Tickets >>

FEST SCHEDULE

Makers will be set-up in booths inside and outside the museum and you can visit them throughout the day at your leisure. Some Makers are performing on the stage at certain times, and a few workshops have specific times. Check back soon for details.

The 2024 Call for Makers is now open >>

We have been doing the Fest for 12 years now and we know what works and what doesn't. So this year we're asking that any participating Makers offer some kind of hands-on activity, demonstration, etc. to more closely align with the museum's mission of actively engaging families in hands-on discovery. Please keep that in mind when applying.

Makers, check out the 2024 Maker Manual which has all the details you need for the day!

Questions? Reach out to nhmakerfest@childrens-museum.org

I loved the diversity in the exhibits and the ability for my son to create things and bring them home. He absolutely loved the robots (that's something you don't see everyday) and being able to use his hands to make something grown-ups make.