Toddlerfest
September 19 - 30, 2023
Time for little ones to rule the roost!
Museum Hours: Wednesdays - Saturdays, 9am-Noon or 1-4pm; Tuesdays & Sundays, 9am-Noon
Now that the big kids are back in school, it’s time to celebrate our youngest visitors! During Toddlerfest, visitors to CMNH can enjoy crafts in our art studio that will stretch those budding fine and gross motor skills. Children and their caregivers will bond over special projects and activities that embrace early literacy development. Every year we assemble a dynamic line-up of special guests that will share their expertise - explore music, art, dance, literacy, science, and more! See below for details.
A visit to the museum requires online reservations.
The following programs are free with museum admission...
And as always, FREE for Members!
Toddler Tinker Time
Explore nature-themed, toddler friendly activity stations at your own pace! Try an art project, explore engineering and sensory activities while gathering ideas to keep your toddler busy and engaged at home. Included with museum admission, and as always free for Members. To join, reserve spots in the morning play session from 9am-12pm.
Tuesday, September 19, 10:30-11:30am >>
Tuesday, September 26, 10:30-11:30am >>
Baby Storytime
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 to babies and their caregivers and introduces important pre-literacy skills along the way! This drop-in program 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!
Wednesday, September 20, 9:30-10am >>
Wednesday, September 27, 9:30-10am >>
Special Guests from Pope Memorial Humane Society
Visit staff from the Pope Memorial Humane Society and perhaps pet a few fuzzy friends as well! Learn about adopting pets of all kinds, and what it takes to be a good pet owner. Pope Memorial Humane Society (PMHS) is dedicated to promoting the humane treatment of animals in Strafford County, NH and Southern Maine. PMHS serves as a safe, temporary home for more than 1,000 animals each year. Included with museum admission, and as always free for Members. To join, reserve spots in the afternoon play session from 1-4pm.
Wednesday, September 20, 2pm >>
Wacky Art Wednesday
Parents and children are invited to get messy with art! Included with museum admission, and as always free for Members. To join, reserve spots in the morning or afternoon play sessions from 9am-12pm or 1-4pm.
Finger Painting: Wednesday, September 20, 10:30am >>
Finger Painting: Wednesday, September 20, 2:30pm >>
Dinosaur Paint Stamping: Wednesday, September 27, 10:30am >>
Dinosaur Paint Stamping: Wednesday, September 27, 2:30pm >>
Take a Mini Yoga Class with Relief Parenting
Join Relief Parenting for a relaxing mini parent and child yoga class, and chat with their experts about adjusting to life with a new baby! Included with museum admission, and as always free for Members. To join, reserve spots in the morning play session from 9am-Noon.
Thursday, September 21, 10am >>
World Traveler Thursday: Mexico
“Travel” to Mexico to learn about and create some Mexican Folk Art! Included with museum admission, and as always free for Members. To join, reserve spots in the corresponding play session, 9am-Noon or 1-4pm.
Thursday, September 21, 10:30am >>
Thursday, September 21, 2:30pm >>
Thursday, September 28, 10:30am >>
Thursday, September 28, 2:30pm >>
Groove & Grow Music Class with the Sonatina Center
Join music therapist Marissa Scott for a fun and informal music class for babies (crawling) and kids up to 4 years of age and their caregivers. Groove & Grow is a fun and unique music enrichment program for families. Designed by board-certified music therapist, Marissa Scott, the curriculum focuses on strengthening parent-child relationships and building strong social-emotional skills. Little ones will have opportunities to sing, play instruments, dance, move to music and of course have a lot of fun! Included with museum admission, and as always free for Members. To join, reserve spots in the morning play session from 9am-Noon.
Join a “Frozen” Dance Party with Musical Arts of Dover
Let it go and dance with students and teachers from the Musical Arts of Dover for a special Frozen-themed dance party! You know and love the songs, so come dressed as Elsa, Anna or even Sven and get silly on the dance floor and maybe learn some new moves! Included with museum admission, and as always free for Members. To join, reserve spots in the morning play session from 9am-Noon.
Science Friday: Color Mixing
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. Included with museum admission, and as always free for Members. To join, reserve spots in the morning (9am-Noon) or afternoon play session (1-4pm).
Friday, September 22, 2:30pm >>
Children’s Museum of NH’s 40th Birthday Party!
Saturday, September 23, 9am-Noon >>
Saturday, September 23, 1-4pm >>
The Children’s Museum of NH is turning 40 and what better way to celebrate than with a day of play! Join us for special activities, birthday cake (of course!) at 11am and 3pm, and a bubble show with Sages Entertainment at 10am (morning play session only, 9am-Noon). Thank you to Kennebunk Savings Bank, the exclusive sponsor of all the Museum’s 40th Birthday Celebrations! All the fun is included with admission, and as always free for Members. Reservations required.
Bubble Show with Sages Entertainment: Saturday, September 23, 10am >>
Family Yoga with CMNH Educator Megan!
Join CMNH Educator, Megan Beach, for a family friendly mini yoga session. Included with museum admission, and as always free for Members. To join, reserve spots in the morning play session, 9am-Noon
Tuesday, September 26, 10:30-11am >>
Mini Dance Class with Relevé Dance Academy!
Join instructors from the Relevé Dance Academy in North Hampton for a fun and informal mini dance class! Included with museum admission, and as always free for Members. To join, reserve spots in the morning play session, 9am-Noon.
Wednesday, September 27, 10am >>
Get Creative with Seacoast Art Spot!
Drop-in to say hello to our special guests from the Seacoast Art Spot and make something creative and fun! Seacoast ArtSpot in Portsmouth, NH is an innovative and fun space for kids & adults to explore their creativity. Included with museum admission, and as always free for Members. To join, reserve spots in the morning play session, 9am-Noon.
Thursday, September 28, 10:30am >>
Books Alive: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Friday, September 29, 10-10:30am >>
Friday, September 29, 2-2:30pm >>
Saturday, September 30, 10-10:30am >>
Saturday, September 30, 2-2:30pm >>
Eric Carle’s Very Hungry Caterpillar has an insatiable appetite! But this adorable caterpillar has inspired generations of kids to love reading, and the museum is excited to welcome him to our popular Books Alive program. Books Alive seeks to make reading a regular family experience. Museum educators will be reading Carle’s bright and beautiful books, often emphasizing animals and the natural world, throughout the day. A friendly costumed Hungry Caterpillar will be available for hugs, high-fives, and photos from 10-10:30am during the morning play sessions (9am-Noon) and from 2-2:30pm during the afternoon play sessions (1-4pm). There will also be a variety of Hungry Caterpillar-inspired literacy, math, and creative activities for all guests. Free with museum admission. Books Alive is sponsored by Eastern Bank Community Foundation, Arthur Getz Charitable Trust, Piscataqua Savings Bank, Frisbie Memorial Hospital, Shaheen & Gordon, and Newburyport Bank.
Want to meet the Very Hungry Caterpillar? Simply reserve spots in the museum’s morning or afternoon play session that corresponds to the date of the Books Alive program you want to join - it’s included with museum admission, and as always, free for Members!
FOR CMNH MEMBERS ONLY: If you have a CMNH Membership (any level), you can visit the Caterpillar before the public on Saturday, September 30, 8:30-9am. There will be one book reading during this member event at 8:45am. Reservations required for Member only event, but as always, free. Members, if you’d like to stay and play in the public morning play session from 9am-noon, please also register for that online as well.