Free Family Day at Children’s Museum of New Hampshire
| Venue: | Children's Museum of New Hampshire |
| Hours: | 10:00am - 5:00pm |
| Ages: | Infants, Toddlers, Kids |
| In/Outdoor: | Indoor, Outdoor |
| Cost: | Free |
| Category: | Special Events |
From 10am – 5pm the doors will be open to all families to play for free.
The free fun will spill out into Henry Law Park with performances and special guests on the Rotary Pavilion Stage, and even extend to the Cochecho River that runs behind the museum with the Dover Ducky Derby at 1pm.
The schedule for the Free Family Day is packed with special programs. A few highlights include meet-and-greets with Curious George, a Magic Fred show, and birthday cake, of course!
The only cost for the day is $5 to adopt a rubber duck for the Dover Ducky Derby. The Derby is a joint fundraiser between the museum and SEED (Seacoast Education Endowment of Dover). The first five ducks to cross the finish line will receive prizes ranging from free kids meals for a year from Cinco de Mayo restaurant in Dover, to four hours of tutoring with New England Tutors, and more.
Event Schedule
10am-12:30pm: Floating Boats with SEED
Outside the museum in upper Henry Law Park
Make aluminum foil boats and test them out in our kiddie pool with representatives from SEED (Seacoast Education Endowment of Dover).
10am-1pm: Special Visit from York Center for Wildlife & their Animal Ambassadors
Outside the museum in upper Henry Law Park
10:30am: Mini Wee Ones Class
Inside the Museum’s Deep Sea Classroom
Join CMNH Education Director, Xanthi Gray, for a mini version of our popular Wee Ones Wednesdays class, complete with storytime, crafts, music and games.
12:00 Noon & 3:30pm: Meet-and-Greet with Curious George
At the upper Henry Law Park Rotary Pavilion Stage
Come say hello to the museum’s most popular Books Alive costumed character, Curious George. He will pose for pictures and offer high fives and hugs. Curious George will also be roaming around the museum and park from 1:30-2pm.
11am: Magic Fred Show
At the upper Henry Law Park Rotary Pavilion Stage
Join Magic Fred for an interactive, high quality magic, full of magical illusions and music.
11am-2pm: Guacamole, Chips & Salsa with Tendercrop Farm
Outside the museum in upper Henry Law Park
To help celebrate the opening of the museum's “One World” exhibits, Tendercrop Farms will be handing out fresh samples of guacamole, chips and salsa!
1pm: Dover Ducky Derby
Watch the ducks launch behind the museum, along the river fence.
The Dover Ducky Derby is a joint fundraiser between the Museum and SEED (Seacoast Education Endowment of Dover). Adopted rubber ducks will launch from Washington Street bridge. Prizes will be awarded to the first five ducks who finish the race. Ducks can be adopted for the race at the museum or online at www.childrens-museum.org: $5 for one duck, $50 for a gaggle of 12 ducks, or $100 for a flock of 50 ducks.
2pm: Lindsay and Her Puppet Pals
At the upper Henry Law Park Rotary Pavilion Stage
Join Lindsay Aucella and her menagerie of puppet friends for a high energy, silly and interactive performance full of thoughtful storytelling that will inspire young audience members to explore creative play, self-confidence and empathy. Lindsay was mentored by Martha Dana, frequent performer and longtime friend of the Children’s Museum of NH, back when the museum was in Portsmouth. Martha gifted Lindsay her beloved puppet family when she retired, so you may recognize some old friends during Lindsay’s performance!
2:30pm: Birthday Cake Cutting
At the upper Henry Law Park Rotary Pavilion Stage
No birthday is complete without a cake! Join us for a special treat, while cake lasts. Thanks to Duston’s Bakery for their birthday cake donation.
3pm: Anyone Can Grow Food
In the museum’s garden located in the Dover Adventure Playground
Visit the museum’s gardens in the Dover Adventure Playground and learn all about the plants growing there. Visitors may even get to try some vegetables fresh from the garden.
2-4pm: Catapults & Rollercoaster Making
Inside the Museum’s STEAM Innovation Lab and classroom
Join museum educators inside the museum to create catapults and rollercoasters.
2-4pm: Straws & Connectors
Inside the Museum’s Colorful Classroom
Play, construct and build with the museum’s popular set of straws and connectors.
Ongoing throughout the day (10am-5pm)
Outside the museum in upper Henry Law Park
- Bubbles
- Shake Your Sillies Out
- Chalk Art
- CMNH Anniversary temporary tattoo station
- Story Walk with “Do Like a Duck Does”
- Scavenger Hunt
- Collaborative Art Activity
The museum thanks its Free Family Fun Day sponsors, Unique College Investing Plan managed by Fidelity Investments, Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover, and TD Bank. A huge thank you also to the 35th Anniversary Year Lead Sponsors Kennebunk Savings Bank, and Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.
To learn more about this or any other museum events, visit www.childrens-museum.org.
| LOCATION | ↑ top |
6 Washington Street, Dover, NH, 03820 map
Phone: (603) 742-2002
6 Washington Street
Dover, NH 03820
| RELATED LINKS | ↑ top |
- Profiles
Info changes frequently. We cannot warrant it. Verify with Free Family Day at Children’s Museum of New Hampshire before making the trek. If you find an error, please report it...