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NH Maker Fest

It's a rain or shine event!

Saturday, June 3, 10am-3pm

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

Join us at the 11th 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. 

2023 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. See below for details:

CMNH Family Friendly Workshops outside in the park (under CMNH Tent)

10:30am-Noon: Maker Your Own Recycled Racers
Noon-1pm: Button Making
1-2:30pm: Egg drop Contraption Building Challenge (Watch your contraptions being launched from the museum's roof at 2:45pm!)

Family Friendly Performances on the Stage

10:30am: McDonough-Grimes student dancers
11am: Southern New Hampshire Ukulele Group
12:30pm: Rube Goldberg Expert
2pm: Singer/Songwriter and former American Idol Contestant Harrison Goodell

Egg Drop Launch off CMNH Roof

2:45-3pm: Gather just outside museum entrance to watch!

Trebuchet Demonstrations

Noon & 3pm: Watch dueling trebuchets launch ice balls into the Cochecho River down in the lower park near the river's fence.


The 2023 Call for Makers is now closed.

Makers, check out the 2023 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.


2023 Participating Makers

Former American Idol Contestant Singer/Songwriter

Harrison Goodell from Dover, NH
Local singer/songwriter Harrison Goodell will perform some of his lyrically driven Folk-Pop music at this year’s Fest. He strives to relay relatability through his honest and introspective telling of growing up, learning to love, and the struggles which come with it. Harrison recently had the opportunity to be a part of the 21st season of American Idol on ABC, where he made it as a contestant to Hollywood Week. Learn more about Harrison here >>


Zynlabs

Rube Goldberg Machine Expert

Zach Umperovitch from Merrimack, NH
Zach Umperovitch is a Rube Goldberg Machine expert but also so much more! He is the co-Host & creator of the Discovery Channel's "Contraption Masters", Guinness World Records breaker for the largest chain reactions ever built, owner and creative lead of ZynnLabs - an inventing collaborative comprised of the worlds top kinetic artists, engineers, and designers who combine art with technology to create video and film production projects that promote interaction, inspiration, and amazement, just to name a few! Hear him speak and present about some amazing contraptions! Learn more about Zach here >>


Acton Logo PNG

Acton Academy Seacoast’s Children’s Business Fair

Local students
The Chidlren’s Museum of New Hampshire’s next door neighbors happen to be some talented young inventors and entrepreneurs from Acton Academy Seacoast, and this year they’ve combined the NH Maker Fest with their Business Fair! Come support these hard working kids who will be selling products and services, ranging from food, to crafts, to face painting and maybe even a dunk booth! Learn more about Acton Academy Seacoast here >>


Kidconservationist sm

Kid Conservationist

Jack Dalton from Manchester, NH
Jack Dalton is a 12-year-old Animal Activist, Author, Public Speaker, and Educational YouTuber! He will be at this year's Fest selling his book Kawan the Orangutan: Lost in the Rainforest, and educating guests on Orangutans. There may even be an immersive orangutan virtual reality experience for everyone to try. Learn more about Jack here >>


Stormtroopers

501st New England Garrison

Volunteers from around New England
This group of Star Wars cosplayers who make their own intricate and detailed costumes will be roaming the Fest, greeting visitors and posing for photos! Learn more about them here >>


Trebuchet

Dueling Trebuchets

We will have two giant trebuchets at the Fest again this year, and we'll be launching ice balls into the Cochecho River, once at noon and again at 3pm to end the Fest with a splash!


Blue Lobster Bakery

Face Painting with Patti Spinelli

Pumpkin Patch Soaps

Assistive Technology in NH

Children's Book Author Carolyn Watkins

Children's Book Author Regina Tranfa

Soul Shine Tie Dye

Betty's Kitchen Food Truck

Kona Ice

Seacoast Permaculture

Fun & Beautiful Multiple Use Clip-ons

Dover Shockwave Robotics

JB Artisans Soaps

Wicked Southern Accents

The CraftyChicGoods

Aroma Bead Car Fresheners

Southern NH Ukulele Group

Dover Public Library

Angry Gato Designs

Pennybennyandjess

Girl Scouts of the Green & White Mountains

Byrdberry Designs

Pope Jones Art

Woodman Museum

CharlieTag

I Whisked It Bakery

Albany Engineered Composites

McDonough Grimes Irish Dance

NHPBS


2023 NH Maker Fest Tickets >>


Ashley of Wicked Southern Accents will be on hand at the Fest selling her home decor signs and spreading the word about her fun travel paint parties! She'll have a hands-on art activity too so stop by and say hi!


--Ashley Cevallos of Berwick, Maine
   

Ashley of Wicked Southern Accents will be on hand at the Fest selling her home decor signs and spreading the word about her fun travel paint parties! She'll have a hands-on art activity too so stop by and say hi!


--Ashley Cevallos of Berwick, Maine
   

Jessica makes these environmentally friendly, ethically, sustainably sourced soaps and bath bombs with love! She'll be selling her goods, and you can also stop by her booth to paint your own bath bomb to take home.


--Jessica Baratz of Groveland, MA
   

Jessica makes these environmentally friendly, ethically, sustainably sourced soaps and bath bombs with love! She'll be selling her goods, and you can also stop by her booth to paint your own bath bomb to take home.


--Jessica Baratz of Groveland, MA
   

Check out what Dover high school students in the "Dover Shockwave Robotics" group have created this year to compete in the First Robotics Challenge!


--Dover High School Students
   

Michelle creates these fun and funky multiple use clip-on creations that can be used as zipper pulls for backpacks, gym bags, book bags, etc. Stop by her booth and learn how to make your own, or purchase one of hers.


--Michelle Lepler of Dover, NH
   

Tegan is the owner of Pumpkin Patch Soaps, and she'll be at the Fest selling her vegan soaps and body care items (lotion, bath bombs, wax melts, etc) along with her felted dolls and clay charms.


--Tegan Desjardins of Somersworth, NH
   

Tegan is the owner of Pumpkin Patch Soaps and she'll be at the Fest selling her handmade vegan soaps and body care items (lotions, bath bombs, wax melts, etc) along with some of her felted dolls and clay charms.


--Tegan Desjardins of Somersworth, NH
   

Patti is the owner of "Paint for Fun" in Dover and she'll be offering face painting during the Fest!


--Patti Spinelli of Dover, NH
   

Dani will be selling her Aroma Bead Car/Air Fresheners created by Coonhound Soy Candles, LLC. These homemade air fresheners come in cute shapes and colors and last 4-6 weeks at a time.


--Dani Boissonneault from Berwick, Maine
   

Some members of the 501st New England Garrison will be roaming around the Fest for high fives and selfies! These group of Star Wars cosplayers love making appearances at events in their custom-built costumes!


--501st New England Garrison
   

The folks at Assistive Technology in NH provide assistive tech device loans, demos and teach people how to reuse items in a simple way to help with every day life! Stop by their booth at the Fest to learn how to recycle election signs into portable collapsible tablet holders to take home.


--
   

This local singer/songwriter who recently competed in the 21st season of American Idol on ABC, will perform on stage during the Fest. Come here his lyrically driven Folk-Pop music!


--Harrison Goodell of Dover, NH
   

Check out Regina's two books from her "Took Me" series of children's picture books: "My Dad Took Me to Outer Space", and "My Dad took Me to Dinosaur Land". She'll be selling copies of these Daddy Daughter duo adventure books, along with some related coloring books!


--Regina Tranfa of Dover, NH
   

The Woodman, founded in 1916, is a traditional early 20th century style natural science, history, and art museum in Dover, NH with exhibits for all ages. They'll have hands-on activities like historic kids games like hopscotch, and hoop & stick during the NH Maker Fest.


--Dover, NH
   

Carolyn is an award winning author and will be sharing her books "The Knock", which is a powerful and touching story providing a picture of family life when a parent is in the military, and "I Don't Want to Move", which is an uplifting story that empowers kids to embrace change and build meaningful relationships.


--
   

Shandi makes Upcycled Art with old unused materials. She transforms discarded items into framed rock art, scrabble art, jenga wood block art and more! She'll be selling her goods and will also let kids try an upcycled art project of their own.


--Shandi Elliott from Wilmot, NH
   

Stop into this women-owned tie dye and screen printing business booth to shop a variety of beautifully handmade, dyed and printed garments for the whole family and even get a hands-on tie dye lesson!


--Meredith Perrotto of Somersworth, NH
   

SNHUG's primary purpose is to provide a forum for area ukesters of all levels to share and play songs, learn techniques and form friendships while learning more about everyone's favorite instruments. Hear them perform on the stage at 11am during the Fest!


--
   

During the Fest, CMNH Educators will be offering hands-on workshops for kids out in the park. One of them will be a "Build a Race Car" building challenge!


--Children's Museum of NH
   

The Seacoast Permaculture group meets regularly to educate their community about healthy, productive landscapes and ecological principles to benefit the Earth. They'll be bringing a worm bin to the Fest to talk about how to handle worms and create a vermiculture in your own home!


--
   

Jessica makes funky and fun STEAM hair clips and earrings from resign with glitter, various fillers, and bright colors from dyes, inks and powders. Stop by and shop her wares, and make your own necklace with some of her handmade resign pieces for a small fee.


--Jessica Paquette of Manchester, NH
   

Shaved ice truck!


--
   

I Whisked It is a bakery specializing in custom cakes, cupcakes and a variety of chocolate items using high quality ingredients. Stop by to purchase a sweet treat!


--Lindsey Bangs of Raymond, NH
   

Stop by the stage at 10:30am to see the students of the McDonough Grimes Irish Dance of Dover, NH perform some traditional Irish dances and learn more about this living tradition of Ireland.


--Student Performance
   

CMNH Staff will be on hand to welcome anyone who attends the Fest! Be sure to say hello!


--CMNH Staff
   

The Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains will once again be showing off their awesome STEM van and offering a fun hands-on activity!


--Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains
   

The Dover Public Library always comes to the Fest with an awesome hands-on project or activity!


--
   

Amanda will be selling her custom tumblers and accessories and will have a paint project for the kids to do and take home.


--Amanda Byrd of Milton, NH
   

Betty's Kitchen of North Hampton, NH will be back again to feed the hungry Fest visitors!


--
   

Don't worry the Angry Gato owner Lindsey doesn't bite, and neither does her angry cat art! She'll be selling her creations at the Fest so stop by and shop!


--Lindsey Castellon
   

One of our Fest sponsors, Albany Engineered Composites will be back again this year doing a turtle and butterfly weaving activity!


--Fest Sponsor from Rochester, NH
   

Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains will be at the NH Maker Fest with their state of the art STEM van doing fun=filled STEM related activities!


--
   

CharlieTag is an on-the-go QR code service for child safety and dependent support. Non-intrusive health and behavioral information is universally accessible via scannable QR code on a CharlieTag wearable accessory. This safety service will support caretakers and their dependents in times of need. Come meet the inventors of CharlieTag and learn all about this new business!


--
   

PennyBennyandJess makes funky and fun STEAM hair clips and earrings from resin with glitter, various fillers, and bright colors from dyes, inks and powders. They founded this business because "girls love other things besides bows and cute animals!" They'll have a DIY "Make-your-own-jewelry" station using some of their handmade resin pieces.


--Jessica Paquette
   

SNHUG is a Southern New Hampshire based ukulele group, and they will be performing on the stage during Maker Fest! SNHUG’s primary purpose is to provide a forum for area ukesters of all levels to share & play songs, learn techniques and form friendships while learning more about everyone’s favorite instrument.


--Southern NH Ukulele Group
   

Zach is the Co-Host & Creator of Discovery Channel's "Contraption Masters'", professional video content creator with a YouTube Channel focused on inventions titled "Zach's Contraptions". He's a three-time Guinness World Records breaker for the largest chain reactions ever built, Owner & Creative lead of ZyynLabs - Inventors of Unbridled Creativity: an inventing collaborate comprised of the world's top kinetic artists, engineers, and designers who combine art with technology to create video & film production projects that promote interaction, inspiration, and amazement; and he's the author of the soon to be published STEM teaching manual: "Rube Goldberg's Big Book of Building: 24 Contraptions ANYONE can Build at Home".


--Zach Umperovitch
   

Jack Dalton is a 12-year-old Animal Activist, Author, Public Speaker, and Educational YouTuber. He will be selling his book, Kawan the Orangutan, Lost in the Rainforest and educating on Orangutans. Every book sold plants a tree in habitats critical to orangutan survival.


--Jack Dalton
   

Blue Lobster Bakery is a home based bakery specializing in delicious cookies. Why Blue Lobster Bakery? A blue lobster is a rare find. One in two million lobsters wear a different colored coat of blue. We think our cookies are just about as unique. Blue Lobster Bakery LLC is proud to be a New Hampshire Homestead Licensed Kitchen as well as Servsafe Certified.


--Jenna Swain
   

Lindsey Castellon is an illustrator, cat lover, and maker from Portsmouth, NH. She makes art to bring joy and connection to others. When people see Angry Gato products, they often laugh out loud - sometimes because they see themselves or a loved one in a sassy sticker or other product.


--Lindsey Castellon
   

CMNH's next door neighbors happen to be some talented young inventors and entrepreneurs from Acton Academy Seacoast, and this year we've combined our NH Maker Fest with their Business Fair! Come support these hard working kids who will be selling products and services, ranging from food, to crafts, to face painting and maybe even a dunk booth!


--
   

Thank you to our 2023 Sponsors!

Ksbsponsor
Breezeline web
Eversource sponsor
NHPTV 300
Atg sponsor
Albany
Chinburg sponsor
Beswick
Sprague

Martel Plumbing & Heating

QA Cafe

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